Birding

It's not only holidaymakers who come to rest up in Eilat. Thousands of birds from Europe and Asia stop here for an important refuel just before or after crossing a gruelling 3,000 km of desert during their migrations to and from Africa.

September to November and February to May are the main migration times with March to May a particularly good time to visit. Flamingos, pelicans and birds of prey can be seen at these times as well as smaller species, including winged travellers from the UK.

Eilat's award-winning International Birding and Research Centre (IBRCE) is a food-rich sanctuary for migrating birds on the site of a former rubbish tip. Whether you're a keen birder or a regular tourist, it's a great place to visit yearround to learn about birds and conservation through talks and tours to birding hotspots. IBRCE's special nightime excursions offer the chance to spot local nocturnal species like the Hume's Tawny Owl, Pharaoh Eagle Owl and Egyptian and Nubian nightjars.

If you visit in March you can catch the Eilat Spring Migration Festival with a special programme of talks and tours for birders.