En Gedi Nature Reserve
En Gedi Nature Reserve
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
En Gedi is the biggest oasis in Israel. It has springs and waterfalls, and flowing brooks at the foot of the cliffs, home to ibexes and rock hyraxes.
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8 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
617 reviews
Excellent
429
Very good
136
Average
32
Poor
14
Terrible
6
yaykitty
Shreveport, LA113 contributions
Feb 2020
This area is mostly a nature reserve. It is HOT in the summer, but in February it was rather cool and there were warnings about land slides due to all of the rain.
There are many paths and waterfalls if they allow you to walk deeper into the area. It makes for a pleasant afternoon and if you are lucky you can see the Ibex or goats that roam around.
This is great for hiking, but you need full mobility to handle this area.
There are many paths and waterfalls if they allow you to walk deeper into the area. It makes for a pleasant afternoon and if you are lucky you can see the Ibex or goats that roam around.
This is great for hiking, but you need full mobility to handle this area.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva A
18 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Beautiful fun activity on a hot day. The walk from the car park is mostly exposed so got very hot, but the pools were lovely and cool, cold even. And shaded. Standing under the waterfall was an alternative massage experience! Plenty of ibex wandering around. No eating in the reserve but the entrance area has picnic tables and a reasonably priced shop/cafe, free water refills and toilets.
Written August 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
juno_usa
Nashville, TN187 contributions
Jan 2020
We had a short, 1-hour trip in the nature reserve to see the David's Waterfall as we were in the neighborhood, had some time and also had an Israel national park pass to enter. Also a family member really recommended to visit this place. I must admit that the park and hiking were nice, however, for me the experience was not really outstanding compared to other reserves or not comparable to e.g. Timna park, Mitzpe Ramon crater or natural attractions like that in Israel, if I had been much far from En Gedi I would have not driven there only to see this place. I must emphasize that I did only one short tour, there can be ones which are more spectacular and unique.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan Maarek
Tel Aviv, Israel16,000 contributions
Oct 2021
Why?
because the walk is not straining, less than 1 hour.
Because this oasis is stunning.
Because of the deer that walk quietly around you.
You don't believe me? Just look at the pictures.
And because if you're lucky to be there not on the weekends or Jewish feast you might just enjoy the silence of the desert, but don't hope too much as this site is almost always crowded.
I was lucky (or actually planned it well enough) as it was at sunset and on a weekday and rather empty.
because the walk is not straining, less than 1 hour.
Because this oasis is stunning.
Because of the deer that walk quietly around you.
You don't believe me? Just look at the pictures.
And because if you're lucky to be there not on the weekends or Jewish feast you might just enjoy the silence of the desert, but don't hope too much as this site is almost always crowded.
I was lucky (or actually planned it well enough) as it was at sunset and on a weekday and rather empty.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter d
Toronto, Canada1,554 contributions
Sep 2019
We stopped by En Gedi park after a visit to the Dead Sea which is very close by. En Gedi is the biggest oasis in Israel. It has springs and waterfalls, hiking trails and flowing brooks at the foot of the cliffs. We even had the ibexes and rock hyraxes roam freely in the parking lot on the way out. There are numerous waterfalls + following brooks were you can jump in - so much fun + a great way to cool down. There is a lot to explore there + worth a visit.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara R
Erie, PA940 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Our tour group of 40 stopped here in late Nov. What a beautiful place with all kinds of Flora and Fauna. Located on the Eastern edge of the Judean Desert, on the shore of the Dead Sea, which is the lowest place on Earth. It was designated a protected nature reserve in 1971. The combination of it's geographic location , topographic composition, warm temperatures and lack of cold days, coupled with abundance of good quality water make it possible for many types of Flora and Fauna. This place is huge and one probably can't walk it all in one day.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve D
Chesterton, IN323 contributions
Mar 2020
This is a great stop on your way down or back to the Dead Sea. It has some wonderful trees and plants. It also has some wonderful waterfalls. It is an oasis in the desert for real. It is the supposed sight of David's flight from King Saul. It is very interesting to hike and see the wildlife and views. Very well maintained.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DoctorCabanaBoy
425 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
EIn Gedi National Park offers moderate climbing, numerous great waterfalls, a chance to see some unusual wildlife, and overall is a paradise in the middle of the desert. Fun for the whole family. Bring lots of water.
Written March 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sofiastayshome
California143 contributions
Ein Gedi is a great place to spend some time if you're doing things in the Dead Sea area. One my hour long-ish hike, I saw several ibexes and a slew of hyraxes (small animals sort of luke groundhogs -- they're adorable and were lounging around under the rocks staying cool in the heat of the day).
Here are some things to know that may help in planning a trip.
1. You can take regular Egged buses from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It's pretty inexpensive -- 72 shekels (around $24) round trip from Tel Aviv! The trip down has sights worth seeing -- desert, camels, goats, and of course the dead sea. You get off the bus at the first Ein Gedi stop (about 2 hours from Jerusalem). Just ask the bus driver when you get on to tell you where Nahal David is. The bus stop is less that 400 meters from the entrance.
2. If you want to swim in the waterfall, you can change into your bathing suit in th bathroom at the park entrance and wear it under your hiking clothes. It's sufficiently hot in May that if you were supplex or other wicking fabrics, you'll be able to put them on over your suit after the swim and they'll dry by the time you return to the entrance.
3. There are a variety of pools in which you can dip and one, near the lower David falls, where you can lean against the rocks and get a massage from the waterfall.
4. Wear sensible shoes. I saw a troop of badly shod U.S. teenagers on a tour stumbling down the steep steps cut into the trails. Sneakers are enough, but flip flops are a stupid idea.
5. Bring water. It's hot out there.
Enjoy! The passion fruit slurpee at the refreshment stand is very refreshing when you come back out.
Here are some things to know that may help in planning a trip.
1. You can take regular Egged buses from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It's pretty inexpensive -- 72 shekels (around $24) round trip from Tel Aviv! The trip down has sights worth seeing -- desert, camels, goats, and of course the dead sea. You get off the bus at the first Ein Gedi stop (about 2 hours from Jerusalem). Just ask the bus driver when you get on to tell you where Nahal David is. The bus stop is less that 400 meters from the entrance.
2. If you want to swim in the waterfall, you can change into your bathing suit in th bathroom at the park entrance and wear it under your hiking clothes. It's sufficiently hot in May that if you were supplex or other wicking fabrics, you'll be able to put them on over your suit after the swim and they'll dry by the time you return to the entrance.
3. There are a variety of pools in which you can dip and one, near the lower David falls, where you can lean against the rocks and get a massage from the waterfall.
4. Wear sensible shoes. I saw a troop of badly shod U.S. teenagers on a tour stumbling down the steep steps cut into the trails. Sneakers are enough, but flip flops are a stupid idea.
5. Bring water. It's hot out there.
Enjoy! The passion fruit slurpee at the refreshment stand is very refreshing when you come back out.
Written May 26, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Ha'ivri 🇮🇱
Israel478 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This site can be reached from two paths. Either after a serious hike up the mountian from Nahal David and down the other side or up the mountain from Ein Gedi synagogue. Both are very scenic and enjoyable hikes. Wear sleeves and hat for protection from the hot sun and bring drinking water and drink.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, can you recommend a guided tour from the hotel on Dead Sea to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve? Does Uber operate there? Thank you!
Written September 16, 2022
Bonjour,
On part dans une semaine en israël.
Nous souhaitons louer une voiture pour être un peu plus libre qu en bus...
On aimerait s arrête à la réserve d Ein Gedi. Sans guide bien sûre mais je ne trouve pas le prix de l entrée 🤔
Written February 26, 2020
Nous avons payé 56 shekels pour 2 personnes en mai 2019.
Written February 26, 2020
Hi!
We would love to see the Ein Gedi park, walk in the beautiful surroundings, and then go to the Dead sea in the same area.
We would like to leave from Beer sheva by bus, and go back before it is dark. This gives us the time between 8.34 am and 15.30, would that be enough? Ein Gedi is the most timportant part for us, but we dont want to miss the Dead sea when we are there.
And should we bring our own lunch/picknick for the park?
Written November 2, 2019
Yes you can do a quick tour and hike in as little as 45 or a long 6 hours.
Written November 3, 2019
How did you get there ? Did you have a guide ?
Thanks,
David
Written October 26, 2019
David,
we took public bus from central bus station in Jerusalem and we asked information center for reading materiel and a summary on where and what to see and then we followed a trail, it was excellent.
Written November 3, 2019
Al guia rav aaron ribco donde se lo puede encontrar para contratar la excursion
Written May 7, 2019
Hello, I have been looking everywhere for the cost to get in to Ein Gedi but can't find. Do you know the entrance fee? That would help me to make my plans for a trip this September for my group. Thanks! Harry
Written June 21, 2018
Is there a restaurant/cantine nearby, where you don't have to spend too much money?
Written May 16, 2018
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