The Negev Desert
The magic of the Negev desert is unforgettable.
- Sunrise across the Negev by Flickr user Tmuna Fish
Don’t let its barren appearance deceive you, the Negev Desert, which makes up over half of Israel’s total land area bustles with beauty. A land where water is scarce
The Negev desert is a fascinating and enchanting place, especially for those not familiar with desert landscapes. Whilst there is a lot you can see yourself, the best way to discover the desert is for a day with a guide.
Mitspe Ramon Observatory
One thing you must see are the makhteshim, unique crater-like landforms. The Mitspe Ramon Observatory is a museum which explains these phenomenon if you don’t get to see them otherwise. This is really one of the coolest things you can do in Israel and is an unforgettable experience.
- A Bedouin family in the Negev by Flickr user saul.davis
Bedouin Hospitality
The Negev is also home to much of Israel’s Bedouin population. These nomadic desert people offer experiences to tourists including meals and even sleeping in a Bedouin tent under the stars – something which we here at Tourist Israel think is really cool. Click here to read more about Bedouin Hospitality.
- An Ibex gasps as he looks across the Ramon Crater by Flickr user drsoran
- The Negev Landscape by Flickr user josef.stuefer
Ein Ovdat Canyon
One place in the Negev, often overlooked by tourists but fantastic for anyone who doesn’t want a painstaking hike or a jeep safari, is the Ein Ovdat Canyon. From here, there are stunning views from a trail surrounded by springs, groves of trees, wildlife and stunning views.
Jeep safari
An unforgettable experience is taking a jeep off road into the Negev. What you can see from the main roads is stunning, but what you can see with a guide in a jeep is beyond stunning. This is something you must do! Click here for more information on jeep tours in Israel.
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What gorgeous photos you have added here. Truly stunning. I have never really considered Israel before, more through lack of knowledge of what there is to see and do. The scenery looks breathtaking. Looks extremely hot though, when would be a good time of the year to visit? Sleeping under a bedouin tent sounds fun, I love to lie and watch the stars at night. I can imagine the air there is so clear you would be lucky to see many shooting stars.
I slept under the stars out in the middle of the Negev Desert during my trip to Israel. Our tour group was hosted by a group of Bedouin and we had the choice of sleeping in a big tent or dragging a mattress out under the stars. I chose the latter, of course. It was so beautiful, with no lights for miles and miles around you could see so many stars!
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