- Address: Kiryat-Bialik, Israel;
- Website: parks.org.il;
- Phone: +972 4-877-8226;
- Admission cost: adult - $ 5, children - $ 2.
Do you think the swamp is only duckweed, swamp and gray thickets of reeds? Then you should definitely visit the Ein-Afek reserve to make sure that this is not so. The water-marsh complex will surprise you with the riot of colors and the richness of the plant and animal world. At any time of the year, life rages here: fish lurches swim in lakes and marshes, birds flock in the sky, picturesque landscapes change each other, insects buzz and various animals scurry between bushes.
A bit of history
The Ein-Afek Reserve is located in the Akko Valley, east of the city of Kiryat-Bialik . This place is famous for its water expanses. There are swamps, springs, lakes, and underground springs. All large ponds are connected by wooden bridges.
About 4 thousand years ago there was a large Canaanite city of Aphek. Actually, hence the name of the national park. Unfortunately no artifacts of that time have survived. But in the reserve there is an ancient landmark of another era - built in 1148 watermill of the Templars.
In fact, earlier on the banks of the river there were two mills - one built by the Knights Templar, the second by the Hospitallers. Both orders used the river not only as a source of fresh water and for production purposes. Bags of flour were transported to neighboring villages and to Akko . Every now and then on this basis conflicts arose, and, after all, the Templars could not stand it. One night they literally disassembled the enemy mill and used the stones to reinforce their structures.
After the Knights of the Order left the local places, for a long time in the valley there were no changes. Nature completely dominated here. Only at the beginning of the twentieth century a man intervened again in her domain. In the 1930s, the present territory of the Ein-Afek Reserve, like many other marshy zones, was partially depleted in the framework of the program to combat malarial mosquitoes and the expansion of land suitable for agricultural activities.
Mosquitoes disappeared, farmers did not come to the valley, so in 1979 it was decided to create a nature conservation zone here to preserve local beauty, rich flora and fauna.
What to see?
In addition to the old mill, there are no more architectural attractions in the Ein Afek reserve, except for a small hexagonal spring that has long dried up. All your attention will be absorbed by amazing nature.
Walking along the bridges, you will be able to observe the numerous inhabitants of the reservoirs. Particularly fearless are Soma. It is worth throwing a small pebble into the water, as a whole flock of river "barbel" will fly. Apparently, despite the posters asking not to feed the inhabitants of the Ein-Afek reserve, visitors still sneak into the water something delicious.
The shores of lakes and marshes are framed by typical coastal plants: willows, Dominican cattails, reeds. In the water here and there flowing blooming nymphs. In the swampy areas there are duckweed and water nettles.
In the warm season, the entire reserve is covered with an emerald-flowering carpet. You can walk for hours on the paths and consider different plants, listening to the roar of numerous insects that fly to blossoming glades. There are many grasshoppers, butterflies, bees, dragonflies.
In winter, it's interesting to watch birds. At this time, the water level in the reservoirs rises and many migratory birds stop at the Ein Afek reserve to wait out the cold. On the banks and in the sky you can often see cranes, kites, cormorants, gray herons, coots, kingfishers, pelicans and other birds.
There are more "water inhabitants" in the reserve. In addition to fish, there are many nutria, muskrat, turtles. But there are land inhabitants. Among them are small animals (all kinds of rodents), and rather large ones, for example, river buffalo.
Information for tourists
- The Ein-Afek reserve is open to visitors all year round (from October to March from 08:00 to 16:00, from April to September from 08:00 to 17:00);
- on the territory are equipped with all amenities for people with disabilities;
- Ticket price: adult - $ 5, pension / child - $ 2;
- in the reserve you can arrange a picnic (there are special tables), but without breeding a fire;
- in the building of the old mill there is a small museum of agricultural implements, here you can see a documentary about the history of the reserve and its inhabitants.
How to get there?
Prior to the Ein-Afek reserve, it is best to travel by car. The nearest bus stop is more than a kilometer away, and buses run very rarely.
If you are traveling by car, follow Highway 4. After reaching Kiryat Bialik , be careful with the signs. You will need to turn to the road number 7911. After turning to the reserve, go 1.3 km.