Archive for the ‘Tunisia’ Category

Bird Watching in Tunisia

Guide to birds of Tunisia, bird photography, Tunisia bird photos, birds Tunisia, Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Tunisia, Birding Tour, Luxury Bird Watching Adventures in Tunisia, Bird Checklist in Tunisia, Tunisia Birding Holidays
A bird checklist in Tunisia discloses about 390 special species of bird are to be found in the country, 187 of them breeding. Most species are of Palearctic or desert origin. Bird watching holidays to Tunisia offer a profusion of exciting species. Be amazed by the impressive number of species of birds ranging common, wintering and migrant birds in the several Tunisia ecosystems. The country has several magnetic spots and water bodies, which are home to many thousand visiting and resident birds every year. Bird watchers to Tunisia have always enjoyed looking at and listening to birds, but an increasing number nature enthusiast have taken an interest in identifying the wide spectrum of birds and in travelling to new spots to see them.
Birds of Tunisia

Among the species of the checklist of the birds of Tunisia you can find  waterfowl and wading birds, a large suite of raptors, game birds, swifts and nighthawks, etc, many of which occupy several ecosystems simultaneously. Common sightings include the Northern Pintail, White-headed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Smew, Common Goldeneye, Egyptian Goose, Whooper Swan, Barnacle Goose Black Scoter, Greater Scaup, Tufted Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Marbled Teal, Long-tailed Duck Oldsquaw, Common Teal, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Common Pochard, Brent Goose Brant, Greater White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, etc.

TUNISIA BIRDING HOTSPOTS


Lake
Kelbia
Kelbia
is one of the great flood-plain wetlands situated in central Tunisia, about 20km north-east of Kairouan and 30km west of Sousse. It watered by three major rivers that rise in the mountains of the Dorsale, the Nebhana, the Merguellil and the Zeroud. This is a lake on the edge of the pre-desert steppe, which dries out completely in dry years, but is important for groundwater conservation and, in wet years, for flood control and waterfowl. The lake currently holds vast and impressive numbers of water birds such as the Purple Swamphen, Marbled Duck and White-headed Duck all of which breed on a more or less regular basis. Others include Sedge Warbler, Moustached Warbler, and Great Reed Warbler breed in the dense vegetation around the lake and Greater Short-toed Lark, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark, Little Egret, Squacco Heron, Crested Lark and Thekla Lark in the immediate area. Spectacled Warbler is also present and Marmora’s Warbler occurs in winter. At peak times Lake Kelbia may attract more than a quarter of a million birds.
Ichkeul
National Park
Over 226 species of birds including 34 breeding residents are known to reside and visit the park. Lake Ichkeul and the marshes are exceptional stopover points for hundreds of thousands of migrating birds that winter at Ichkeul. Wintering wetland birds include the threatened marbled teal, ferruginous duck, and corncrake, and numbers of green-winged teal, northern pintail, northern shoveler and black-winged stilt. Flamingos are more prominent on the lake during summer. Predators include Booted Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Egyptian Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Lanner Falcon, Threatened Peregrine Falcon, Collared Pratincole and Moussier’s Redstart. Migrant Marsh Harrier and Reed Warbler are common, also the threatened migrant white stork. The rare Black Stork and Glossy Ibis are recorded.

When to go for Bird Watching

The best tourist season in Tunisia is late October / early November then goes through to March. Nonetheless, bird breeding in Tunisia is more prevalent in the summer. This is when the rare varieties are most visible and its also when you can watch them build their nests and raise their young.
Common Tips For Successful Bird Watching in Africa
;
- Be sure you have a decent pair of binoculars and have adjusted and practiced using them.
- Always locate a bird first with a naked eye. The field of view through binoculars is much narrower, making it harder to search.
- Note the behaviour. Wading in shallow water, climbing a tree trunk, swimming, diving through the air, emerging from a mud nest, or sitting on a fence post, all narrow the choices down considerably.
- Size is helpful, but conditions can be misleading. A bird towering overhead or flying by, may seem much larger or smaller than reality. A reference object is helpful – a tree, fence post, telephone pole, etc.
- Observe the shape or profile of the bird. A long-bill, long legs, or tufted head immediately eliminates many possibilities.
- Habitat is always a useful consideration. In the midst of a coniferous forest you expect to see a different set of birds (avifauna).
- Lastly, hire a good bird guide as they identify characteristics most helpful to identification.

Ichkeul National Park

Lake Ichkeul, UNESCO World Heritage site in Tunisia, Tourist Information Ichkeul National Park Tunisia, Travel Guide Destinations
Ichkeul National Park
(Parc national de l’Ichkeul) is located in northern Tunisia. It covers 126 sq km and lies on the Mateur Plain approximately 30km south-west of the Mediterranean coast. The most distinctive features of the park are the wooded massif Djebel Ichkeul and a brackish permanent Ichkeul lake.
Besides its establishment in 1980 primarily to protect endangered birds in the area, the park is equally a global treasure because of the fossil deposits of the late Tertiary and early Quaternary outcrops on the northern shore. In 1996, Ichkeul National Park was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger because dams that had been constructed upstream had negatively affected the water flow course to Lake Ichkeul. This had greatly increased its salinity, dried up the marshes allowing livestock to degrade them, and greatly affected the area’s ecological balance.
Vegetation

Ichkeul National Park has a typical semi-arid ecosystem dominated by Mediterranean plant species. Distinct habitat varieties within the park include the mountain and its foothills, dominated by a lentisc with wild olive, phillyrea and Smilax aspera. There is also a wealth of the northern Tunisian plant species. The vegetation of the marshes is zoned.
Ichkeul Lake

Lake Ichkeul is the last great freshwater lake remnant of a chain that once stretched across North Africa. This shallow lake with its fluctuating water level and surrounding marshes are important for the extremely high numbers of wintering Palaearctic migrant waterfowl. In the years preceding its listing as a world heritage site, waterfowl numbers averaged about 250,000, but this has fallen dramatically as a result of the construction of dams on three of the main rivers feeding into the lake during the 80s. The waters in Ichkeul reach greatest salinity from July to October. Peak-season waterfowl counts reached an all-time low of around 11,000 in 2003, increasing to 35,000 in 2005 after two years of good rainfall.
Wildlife

With such a diversity of habitats, the property possesses a very rich and diversified fauna with more than 200 animal species sheltered here. Ichkeul is recognized as being extremely diverse largely due to the wide variety of habitats. One of the most notable of the mammals recorded at Ichkeul is the otter, which has been hunted for its meat. Of the larger mammals there are large populations of wild boar and introduced wild water buffalo; also a number of crested porcupine, jackal, genet, Egyptian mongoose, wild cat and four species of bat. Reptiles include two harmless species of snake. Pickerel frog is common in the marshes. There are also painted frogs, three species of frogs, two species of dangerous snakes and a lacertid.
Bird Life

Over 226 species of birds including 34 breeding residents are known to reside and visit the park. Lake Ichkeul and the marshes are exceptional stopover points for hundreds of thousands of migrating birds that winter at Ichkeul. Wintering wetland birds include the threatened marbled teal, ferruginous duck, and corncrake, and numbers of green-winged teal, northern pintail, northern shoveler and black-winged stilt. Flamingos are more prominent on the lake during summer. Predators include Booted Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Egyptian Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Lanner Falcon, Threatened Peregrine Falcon, Collared Pratincole and Moussier’s Redstart. Migrant Marsh Harrier and Reed Warbler are common, also the threatened migrant white stork. The rare Black Stork and Glossy Ibis are recorded.
Accommodation for Visitors

The only available accommodation option for the park safari visitors is Ichkeul Hotel near Menzel Bourguiba.
When to Visit
Ichkeul Park:
The best time of the year to visit the park is during winter. The park hosts an amazing number of migratory birds during his period. Wildlife is also spectacular.
How to Get to
Ichkeul National Park:
Accessing the Park is quite a challenge especially when visitors do not have their private transport. There is almost no sort of public transport that brings you to the park entrance. The best option would then be to arrange for a taxi from Menzel Bourguiba, which can be reached easily from any other major transport hub in the north eastern corner of Tunisia. Getting back is more difficult if you do not want to pay the taxi driver to wait.
Ichkeul Park
Access Hours:
Opening hours seem to vary from time to time, but it usually opens between 06:00hrs and 08:00hrs, and closes between 18:00hrs and 20:00hrs. Also note that there are no entrance charge fees.

Cheap Hotels in Tunis

Tunis is the largest city and capital of Tunisia. It is a world class celebrated holiday destination situated in north-eastern Tunisia. This city offers many great things to its visitors. There are many exotic places that can be visited and enjoyed on holiday. It is one destination that welcomes travelers of all walks hence the many direct Tunis flights from most parts of the world. Similarly there are lots of accommodation options in the city. There are a number of world-class hotels in Tunis. Most Tunis hotels are well rendered classy amenities to offer world-class hospitality and personalized services.
Important to note is that Tunis is a favorite travel destination for many international travelers for Tunisia holidays; and because of this most city hotels are often fully booked. Guideforafrica, one of the best directories for African hotel accommodations and tourist destination information highly recommends advance hotel booking even before setting off. This is in regard to the several uncertainties that surround traveling to Africa.

BEST HOTELS IN TUNIS

1. Sheraton Tunis Hotel & Towers
Situated in the business district, the hotel overlooks the city of Tunis in full and boasts excellent world-class facilities. Contact: Avenue De La Ligue Arabe; Tel: +216 71782100; Fax: +216 71782208; Email: Reservations.01483@Sheraton.Com; Website: www.Sheraton.Com/Tunis

2. El Hana International Hotel
El Hana International Hotel is nestled right in the heart of the city close to the old medina, a 24 hour business area. Contact: Tel: (71) 331 144; Fax: (71) 349 071; E-Mail: Inter.Elhana@Planet.tn; Website: www.El_Hana_International_Hotel_Tunis.htm

3. Abou Nawas Gammarth Hotel
Abou Nawas Gammarth Hotel is lies in a residential area of Gammarth surrounded by a large park with direct access to the beach. Contact: Tel: (71) 741 444; Fax: (71) 740 400; Website: www.Abounawas.Com.tn

4. Abou Nawas Hotel
282-roomed Abou Nawas Hotel is situated in the city center, close to the main shopping and business area. Contact: Tel: (71) 350 355; Fax: (71) 352 992; Website: www.Abounawas-tunis.Com

5. L’Africa Meridien Hotel
L’Africa Meridien Hotel is a high-rise building in Tunis, Tunisia. Contact: Tel: (71) 347 477; Fax: (71) 347 432.

6. Hotel La Maison Blanche
Contact: Tel: (71) 849 849; Fax: (71) 793 842

7. Le Palace Tunis Hotel
Located in the city centre, Gammarth; Contact; Tel: (71) 912 000; Fax: (71) 911 971; Email: Lepalace.Tunis@Lepalace.Com.tn; Website: www.Lepalace.Com.tn

8. Golden Tuliples Hotel Tunis
Located Cotes De Carthage – Gammarth. Contact; Tel: (71) 910 107; Fax: (71)913 913; E-Mail: Gtct.Com.tn

9. Hôtel Corinthia Khamsa
This is a Five-Star Corinthia Khamsa Hotel in Tunis. Contact; Tel: (71) 911 100; Fax: (71) 910 041; Email: Khamsa@Corinthia.com; Website: Www.Corinthia.Com/Khamsa

oriental-palace-tunis

Oriental Palace Hotel

10. Oriental Palace Hotel
The Oriental Palace Hotel, Tunis is located at the heart of the ancient city, at Jean Jaures Avenue and has access to most parts of the city of Tunis. Contact; Tel: (71) 348 846 / 342 500; Fax: (71) 350 327; Email: Cht@Planet.tn

11. Abou Nawas El Mechtel
Abou Nawas El Mechtel is a luxurious 4-star hotel situated in the heart of Tunis. It enjoys a privileged position overlooking the Belvedere Park and Old Town. Contact; Tel: (71) 783 200; Fax: (71) 784 758; Website: Www.Abounawas.com.tn

12. Hotel Le Belvedere Tunis
Prefect choice for the Tunis dwellers. Contact; Tel: (71) 783 133; Fax: (71) 782 214; Email: Hotel.Belvedére@Planet.tn

13. Hôtel Les Ambassadeurs
The hotel is just a few minutes away from the old city of Tunis, the Medina. Contact; Tel: (71) 846 000; Fax: (71) 780 042; Website: www.hotel_Les_Ambassadeurs_Tunis.htm

14. The Residence Hotel

Situated on excellent, golden sandy beaches of the Mediterranean, The Residence Hotel is 25 minutes away from the busy city center of Tunis. It boasts an oasis of charm and serenity. Contact; Tel: (71) 910 101; Fax: (71) 910 144 / 749 888; Email: Residence.Tun@Gnet.tn; Website; www.The_Residence_Tunis-La_Marsa.html

15. Ezzahra Dar Tunis Hotel
Ezzahra Dar Tunis Hotel is located in Ezzahra. It prides in its superb situation between the magnificent seaside resorts Ez-eahra and Hammam-Lif. Contact; Tel: (71) 450 788 – 468 788; Fax: (71) 452 625; Website: www.ezzahradartunis.com

16. Ibn Khaldoun Hotel
Ibn Khaldun is rightly situated in the heart of Tunis, centre of the business district and 12 minutes from Tunis-Carthage International airport. The hotel is ideal facilities for International Conventions and meetings. Contact; Tel: (71) 83 32 11/ 83 22 11; Fax: (71) 83 16 89; Email: hotelibn.Kaldoun@Planet.tn; for reservations; www.booking.com/hotel/tn/yadis-ibn-khaldoun.en.html

17. Hôtel Naplouse Tunis
The four-storey Naplouse hotel stands on a peaceful downtown street, very close to the Place de la République. Contact; Tel: (71) 331 402; Fax: (71) 353 798; Website: www.hotel-naplouse.com

18. Hotel Le National, Tunis

oriental-palace-interior

Oriental Palace Interior

The hotel is situated west of Tunis in the suburb of Le Bardo. Contact; Tel: (71) 782 955 / 288 901; Fax: (71) 785 707

19. Le Diplomat Hotel Tunis
The Le Diplomat Hotel Tunis is a business hotel, which is fitted out with all the international facilities. It is ideally situated in the town center near the old Medina. Contact; Tel: (71) 785 233; Fax: (71) 781 694; Website: www.diplomat-hotel-tunis.com

20. Le Pacha Hotel Tunis
Three stars Khereddine Pacha is located in the heart of the Tunis. It lies about 30 minutes from Sidi Bou Said and the Bardo Museum. Contact; Tel: (71)787 749; Fax: (71) 789 418; Website: www.tunis.le-pacha.tobook.com

21. Sol Phebus Hotel
Phebus Hotel, Tunis. The hotel is located just a few kilometers from the Cartago ruins, near beautiful Sidi Bou Saïd. Contact; Tel: (71) 910 010; Fax: (71) 910 070; Email: Phebus@tryp.tourisme.tn; Website: www.webtourist.net/tunisia/…/sol-phebus-hotel-la-marsa.phtml

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Hotels in Uganda, Hotels in Angola, Hotels in Sierra Leone, Hotels in Mozambique, Hotels in Morocco, Hotels in Chad, Hotels in Egypt, Hotels in Cameroon, Hotels in Rwanda, Hotels in Seychelles, Hotels in Burundi, Hotels in Mauritius, Hotels in Malawi, Hotels in Tunisia, Hotels in Congo, Hotels in Central African Republic, Hotels in Djibouti, Hotels in Algeria

Tunisia Tour Operators

Top safari and Tour Operators in Tunisia Listed with us; Tunisia Travel Agents
There are a number of specialized tour operators in Tunisia that offer expertise travel services. These are certified and experienced tour guides handling a wide range of adventurous packaged Tunisia holidays.
Tunisia tour operators arrange tailor-made itineraries and Tunisia packages from private holidaymaker to groups, sightseeing tours, help in booking cheap flights to Tunisia and Tunisia hotel reservations. Most of them have specially been engaged in Tunisia safaris for several years now that they can design all customized travel itineraries that suit the interests and pocket-size of any Tunisia visitor. They are in specific categories including Golf Tour Operators; Specialist tour operators; heritage and cultural tour operators; holiday tour operators and luxury and spa thalassotherapy tour operators.
The following are the Tour Operators in Tunisia
Scott Dunn

Phone: 02 086825023
Website: www.scottdunn.com
Air world

Phone: 02083813333
Website: www.airworldtours.co.uk
Club Med

Phone: 08453676767
Website: www.clubmed.co.uk
Seasons in Style

Phone: 01244 202 000
Website: www.seasonsinstyle.com
Tunisia
First
Phone: 01276 600 100
Website: www.tunisiafirst.co.uk
Indus
Tours
Phone: 02089017464
Website: www.industunisia.co.uk
Cosmos Holidays

Phone: 08714238422
Website: www.cosmos-holidays.co.uk
Driveline

Phone: 08712221005
Website: www.driveline.co.uk
K&S

Phone: 08706060708
Website: www.otbeach.com
Olympic Holidays

Website: www.olympicholidays.com
Select World Golf

Phone: 01202 701 881
Website: www.selecttravel.co.uk
Abercrombie & Kent Travel

Phone: 0845 070 0612
Website: www.abercrombiekent.co.uk
Jet2holidays.com

Phone: 0800 408 5599
Website: www.jet2holidays.com
Driveline Golf

Phone: 0870 330 1060
Website: www.drivelinegolf.com
Golf Amigos

Phone: 0141 644 0999
Website: www.golfamigos.co.uk
Bushbaby Travel

Phone: 01252792984
Website: www.bushbabytravel.com
Palmair

Phone: 01202200696
Website: www.palmair.co.uk
Sun4udirect

Phone: 08716661647
Website: www.sun4udirect.com
Tui Travel

Phone: 024 7628 2828
Website: www.thomson.co.uk / www.firstchoice.co.uk
Thomas Cook Group

Phone: 01733 417 100
Website: www.thomascook.com
Just Sunshine

Phone: 0870 787 5424
Website: www.justsunshine.com
Golf Holidays

Phone: 01670789877
Website: www.golfingholidays.org
Iberian Lynx Golf

Phone: 01884 253 436
Website: www.iberianlynxgolf.co.uk
Longmere Golf Holidays

Phone: 020 8655 2112
Website: www.longmeregolf.co.uk
Cadogan Tours

Phone: 023 8082 8331
Website: www.cadoganholidays.com
Elegant Resorts

Phone: 01244 897 777
Website: www.elegantresorts.co.uk
The Mediterranean Experience

Phone: 08 70 499 0511
Website: www.harlequinholidays.com
Thermalia

Phone: 0870 165 9420
Website: www.thermalia.co.uk
Andante Travels

Phone: 01722 713 800
Website: www.barebonestours.co.uk
Archers Direct Holidays

Phone: 0870 460 3891
Website: www.archersdirect.co.uk
Solo Holidays

Phone: 08704 994 800
Website: www.solosholidays.co.uk
The Adventure Company

Phone: 0870 794 1009
Website: www.adventurecompany.co.uk
Explore Worldwide

Phone: 01252 391 100
Website: www.explore.co.uk
NatureTrek

Phone: 01962 733 051
Website: www.naturetrek.co.uk
Milestones Tours

Phone: 01293 471 681
Website: www.milestonestours.com
The Imaginative Traveller

Phone: 01473 667 337
Website: www.imaginative-traveller.com
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays

Phone: 01707331133
Website: www.ramblersholidays.co.uk
Audley Travel

Phone: 01 993 838 402
Website: www.audleytravel.com
Cox & Kings Travel Ltd

Phone: 02078735006
Website: www.coxandkings.co.uk
Saga Holidays

Phone: 01303 77 6196
Website: www.saga.co.uk
Worldwide Adventures Abroad

Phone: 0114 247 3400
Website: www.adventures-abroad.com
City Vacations

Phone: 020 8518 1010
Website: www.cityvacations.co.uk
Kirker Holidays

Phone: 0870 112 3333
Website: www.kirkerholidays.com
Exsus Travel

Phone: 020 7292 50 50
Website: www.exsus.com
Harlequin Worldwide Travel

Phone: 02 07 8214 050
Website: www.harlequinholidays.com
Holts Tours

Phone: 01293 455 356
Website: www.holts.co.uk
Remembrance Travel

Phone: 01622 716 729
Website: www.poppytravel.org.uk
Small Families

Phone: 0845 9000 895
Website: www.smallfamilies.co.uk
Travel One

Phone: 0207392 8988
Website: www.travelone.co.uk
The Traveller

Phone: 020 7436 9343
Website: www.the-traveller.co.uk
Erna Low Body & Soul

Phone: 020 7594 0290
Website: www.bodyandsoulholidays.info
Expressions Holidays

Phone: 01752 878 015
Website: www.expressionsholidays.co.uk
Lastminute.Com

Phone: 08712225969
Website: www.lastminute.com
Northumbria
Golf Breaks
Phone: 01207562322
Website: www.golfnorthumbria.com
Original Travel

Phone: 020 7978 7333
Website: www.originaltravel.co.uk
Voyages Jules Verne

Phone: 020 7616 1000
Website: www.vjv.com

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