Hai Bar - Wildlife Reserve
Hai Bar - Wildlife Reserve
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This nature reserve protects the wild animals mentioned in the Bible and other endangered desert species.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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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
4.0
206 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
76
Average
23
Poor
9
Terrible
4
heavenlyjane
Atlanta41 contributions
We spent 2 ½ weeks in Israel running from the top of the country to the bottom and the half day we spent at Yotvata Hai Bar Reserve was one of the highlights.
This is an amazing facility that has provided sanctuary and respite to animals on the brink of extinction. It seems like a low key place, where for a small admission fee, we were able to drive on the back roads of the reserve for a private safari tour. Our guide was a personal narrator on the CD given to us in a choice of languages. It felt like a rare privilege to be let free, seemingly unsupervised into this reserve teeming with life. The animals seem acclimated to car and went about their business without a second glance at us.
The ostriches won our hearts with their personality and antics. It was the height of the mating season and we became participants when a female came over and flirted with car. We had not realized the she was doing her undulating mating dance until a red-throated male ran over and stole her away. We whooped and cheered when their dance culminated with them mating right next to us in the brush.
We also loved seeing a large flock of Arabian Oryxes gallop across the savannah, reminding us of the freedom this place provides.
We heartily recommend this place to people who love seeing wildlife and who want to see an side of Israel not touted.
This is an amazing facility that has provided sanctuary and respite to animals on the brink of extinction. It seems like a low key place, where for a small admission fee, we were able to drive on the back roads of the reserve for a private safari tour. Our guide was a personal narrator on the CD given to us in a choice of languages. It felt like a rare privilege to be let free, seemingly unsupervised into this reserve teeming with life. The animals seem acclimated to car and went about their business without a second glance at us.
The ostriches won our hearts with their personality and antics. It was the height of the mating season and we became participants when a female came over and flirted with car. We had not realized the she was doing her undulating mating dance until a red-throated male ran over and stole her away. We whooped and cheered when their dance culminated with them mating right next to us in the brush.
We also loved seeing a large flock of Arabian Oryxes gallop across the savannah, reminding us of the freedom this place provides.
We heartily recommend this place to people who love seeing wildlife and who want to see an side of Israel not touted.
Written July 19, 2010
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.
Magdalena7301
Richmond, VA240 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Unfortunately (for visitors, not so for animals) the pradators enclosure is closed for visiting in order to provide animals with more chances of reintroduction to nature (the center takes care about ill or wounded animals trying to return them to wilderness). However you are still welcome to drive (you need a car for this place!) through a savannah. It takes approximately 45 minutes (of very slow driving), no need for 4x4, any car will manage. On your way you will see orix, donkeys, gazelle and ostriches. They come close, so with ostriches keep the windows closed as they may try to try you ;)
Written December 30, 2017
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.
Ann C
Nashville, TN3,330 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Between 11-1 is when the animals are fed and it is easier to see them as they come closer to the road.
We saw a variety of animals to include the Somali wild donkey (they have another name for it that starts with the letter a however TA said it was a swear word and would not let me use it), Addax, Nubian ibex, ostriches, white oryx, onger, horned oryx etc.
Cost is 28NIS or free with your National Parks pass.
We saw a variety of animals to include the Somali wild donkey (they have another name for it that starts with the letter a however TA said it was a swear word and would not let me use it), Addax, Nubian ibex, ostriches, white oryx, onger, horned oryx etc.
Cost is 28NIS or free with your National Parks pass.
Written May 30, 2017
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.
evggal
Holon, Israel309 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
This place is one of the most beautiful reserves I have ever seen. The animals live in a natural habitat and you can drive closely and watch them without interrupting them.
They are fun to watch.
Two important notes: the ostriches are very curious, so be sure to keep your windows closed. The donkeys spook easily so they are a bit hard to photograph.
They are fun to watch.
Two important notes: the ostriches are very curious, so be sure to keep your windows closed. The donkeys spook easily so they are a bit hard to photograph.
Written January 14, 2017
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.
warson1
Barcelona, Spain34 contributions
Jun 2011 • Couples
This was one of the highlights of our trip to Israel.
On the way back from Eilat we stopped in at this wildlife reserve. It was a weekday and there was only one or two other sets of people there.
There are two attractions to see. The first is a small zoo with hyena, leopard, wolves, Indian crested porcupines, snakes, foxes, owls and more. There is also a section with nocturnal animals.
The other attraction is the drive-your-own safari. There is a CD you can buy that explains how the reserve was established and the animals that you can see while driving around the park. We saw addax (there are less than 1000 of these animals left in or out of captivity anywhere in the world), oryx, onagers and ostriches (including baby ostriches). We had a lot of fun driving around trying to find and identify all these animals.
On the way back from Eilat we stopped in at this wildlife reserve. It was a weekday and there was only one or two other sets of people there.
There are two attractions to see. The first is a small zoo with hyena, leopard, wolves, Indian crested porcupines, snakes, foxes, owls and more. There is also a section with nocturnal animals.
The other attraction is the drive-your-own safari. There is a CD you can buy that explains how the reserve was established and the animals that you can see while driving around the park. We saw addax (there are less than 1000 of these animals left in or out of captivity anywhere in the world), oryx, onagers and ostriches (including baby ostriches). We had a lot of fun driving around trying to find and identify all these animals.
Written July 6, 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.
totonTelAviv
tel aviv29 contributions
truely is an amazing place for those who can appriciate wildlife.
will give you a true filling of what wildlife in the desert looks like.
do not expect a modern zoo - it is not a zoo.
the team over there is very small and are allways happy to help and guide you even withour extra charge.
when you get to the Hai Bar just ask for Shay - the manager. if he is availble he will be more than happy to show you around.
this is a non profit organisation and every visit helps to preserve the wildlife in ur small country.
if you have the time and want to do something you have never done before they also accept vulonteers.
will give you a true filling of what wildlife in the desert looks like.
do not expect a modern zoo - it is not a zoo.
the team over there is very small and are allways happy to help and guide you even withour extra charge.
when you get to the Hai Bar just ask for Shay - the manager. if he is availble he will be more than happy to show you around.
this is a non profit organisation and every visit helps to preserve the wildlife in ur small country.
if you have the time and want to do something you have never done before they also accept vulonteers.
Written April 24, 2009
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.
Avi S
Canberra, Australia111 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Some interesting wildlife and good for its size. Is small compared to the average wildlife reserve but worth a visit.
Written June 30, 2019
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.
beenhereforever
Amherstburg, Canada77 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
This reserve has been maintained for years by a kibbutz and it is a lovely window to how the area really is without having to leave your car. The animals are very close to the road and the ostriches have no fear and come right up to you! Inside the gift shop they have a stuffed leopard that is no longer in Israel, although they suspect one or two might still be in the hills!
Written March 24, 2018
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.
yossinir123
Tel Aviv, Israel3,485 contributions
Nov 2017
hai Bar is located in the desert. It keeps the natural life space for the animals sp actually the animals feel free.
Written December 20, 2017
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.
Barry S
Jerusalem, Israel72 contributions
Dec 2015 • Solo
I cannot remember the last time I drove through a wildlife reserve and had such a fun time watching ostriches trying to peck at the decals on my car. Although one must drive slowly through to appreciate it, this is Israel's unknown attraction worthwhile if you are driving to or from Eilat. You will need about 1 hour but it's worth it in my opinion. By the audio CD for 10 shekels to get the explanation, that's only about $2.50. You keep it and take it home. I would recommend this site, it gives a better appreciation for the animals. There are other animals to see but the ostriches are really funny. They remind me of some people I know.
Written December 25, 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.
The cost like above but if you have the nature card it’s free
Written February 3, 2020
_linda0527079695
Mahane Zofar, Israel
האם. זה מתאיםמלחופשה המשפחתית שלנו בסוף ינואר ?
Written January 19, 2017
זה קרוב לאילת, הסיור בממוצע שלושת רבעי שעה, לא יורדים מהרכב. כך שאין סיבה שהסיור לא יותאם למשפחה.
Written January 22, 2017
האם הכניסה כרוכה בעלות ואם כן כמה עולה כרטיס כניסה לשמורה לאזרחים ותיקים?
Written January 12, 2017
נסעתי לטיול במסגרת הקיבוץ והכל נעשה עבורנו, כך שאינני זוכרת אם היה תשלום וכמה. הכי פשוט להתקשר לאתר ולשאול
Written January 18, 2017
lyudmilashtefan0509
Poltava, Ukraine
Здравствуйте. Цена входа?что входит в эту стоимость?
Written September 24, 2018
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