National Parks

Algerian National Parks have great ecological and cultural significance. There are 11 National parks in Algeria. The most popular of these include the national parks of Tassili n’Ajjer, El Kala and Tlemcen, all of which feature some extraordinary North African flora and fauna, and well as wondrous views and endless photo opportunities.

Ahaggar Natioal Park – Hoggar Mounatains, the great South.
The Ahaggar National Park covers 450,000 sq km, making it one the largest protected areas in the world. Created in 1987, the park runs from In Salah to the Mali and Niger borders and encompasses the Hoggar Mountains and the Tassili d’Immidir.

Tassili N’Ajjer National Park – near Djanet, the great South.
Covering 80,000 sq km, the Tassili N’Ajjer National Park is Algeria’s other major park and arguably the most effectively run. In addition to the rock art for which the park is famous, the park was set up to protect 28 endangered plant species such as Mediterranean olive, Saharan myrde and tarout cypress, as well as threatened animal species such as the Barbary sheep, sand cat, cheetah and dorcas gazelle. The Tassili N’Ajjer National Park is also an important waystation for migrating bird species, while up to 10,000 people, mosdy nomadic Tuareg, live within the park’s confines.

Taza National Park – between Bejaia and Jijel, Kabylie
Taza park was set aside in 2004, is situated on the Mediterranean Coast in the Kabylie region and its stunning cliffs and precipitous valleys are home to the endangered Barbary ape and the Kabylie nuthatch, as well as the largest stands of gall oak and cork oak in Algeria. Also popular for bird species. The landscape soars from sea level to over 1100m.

El Kala National Park – between the Tunisia border and Annaba
Alongside the Algerian-Tunisian, and close to Annaba lies El-Kala National Park. The park is home to two of Algeria’s 26 entries on the Ramsar List of Wedands of International Importance. An important stopover for migrating birds on their trans-Saharan odyssey, these wedands play host to rare waterfowl such as the tufted duck, and white-headed duck.

Gouraya National Park – Bajaia, and Kabylie
This UNESO-park is towering 672m above sea level, and covers 2,080 hectares of land. The mountains ranges give way for the hanging cliffs and to breathtaking beaches on the Mediterranean Sea coast. Its one of the popular tourist attractions in Algeria since it combines the safari and typical beach holiday adventure. The park is made of the patches of wetland, lake Mezaia and marine life in coastal area.
Djurdjura National Park – between Bouira and Tizi Ouzou, and Kabylie
This Algerian park was established in July 1983, and is located in Northern Algeria, a few miles from the coast. The Djurdjura Mountains is estimated on 82.5 square kilometers. To the south, the park pushes it borders into the province of Bouira and for the north into Tizi Ouiziu. The Djurdjura Mountains are a significant sight in the park from which the park got its name. One of the highest peaks on the mountain is called Grande Kabylie standing at an estimated 2, 30m above sea level. Lalla Khedidja is another towering peak on Djurdjura Mountains probably the highest of all. It is evidence that these mountains are only part of the large Tell Atlas Mountains of northern Algeria.

Chrea National Park – between Blida, and Medea
The park is located 50km from the capital Algiers. It can be reached on road from the airport in Algiers. The park is mainly comprised of undulating rugged hills and mountains of the Blidean atlas that stretch from the Tell Atlas mountain ranges of northern Algeria. The Tell Atlas is basically renowned for the grotto of Chiffa besides its splendid glaciated foot hills and snow skiing adventures.
Besides the cedar forest, there are also cork oak trees, holm oak, pine and more than 1100 different species of plants growing as forest undergrowth and on the rugged mountain slopes. This park and the entire Bildean region make a water catchment for surrounding towns like Algiers, Medea and Blida. An estimated 36,985ha of land are occupied by the park and the bio-sphere reserve.

Belezma National Park – near Batna
Belezma National is located in northern Algeria on the foot slopes of the Belezma Mountains. The park is area is estimated at 262sq km. The park also has more than 440 species of flora, many of which are endemic to the area besides a record of more than 300 species of game and wild birds.

Wildlife in Belezma National Park
Belezma National Park is just 25 kilometers north-west of Batna town in the north eastern region of Algeria. The weather is quite cool and dry most of the year, making it a suitable place to visit all through the year. There are several animals in Belezma National Park such as the Gazelles, Atlas Barbary sheep, serval, and wild cats. Barbary sheep are a dry weather endemic goat species which often feeds in trees and often classified as an illusive species.

Tjemcen National Park – around Tlemcen
Tlemcen National Park is found in north western Algeria which is a very beautiful region of Algeria covered in amazing scenery, flora and fauna besides the interesting people. Bird watching trips in Tlemcen park record nearly 100 different species of birds or while 35 are endemic to the region. There are also 7 species of amphibians and more than 10 reptiles.

Djebel Aissa National Park – Hauts Plateaux
Located in the northern Algeria on the slopes of Djebel Babor Mountains. The Djebel Aissa National Park is particularly a protected forest reserve of Mediterranean conifer and mixed forest. This part of Algeria shares an eco-system or bio-sphere with characteristics similar to those seen in southern Spain and in the Atlas Mountain ranges that cover most of the other part of North Africa’s coast to the Mediterranean Sea. Other parts of this Algeria nature reserve are on the Grand Kabylie and petitie Kabylie mountains that together form the extensive ranges on the Atlas Mountains. The eco-system is also an important water catchment area with several river and small water streams running through the forests.

Theniet el-Had national Park – Tell Atlas Mountains.
Covering a large area of 6163 ha, the park is located 3 km from the town of Théniat El-Had, at the southern limit of the great massif of Ouarsenis and the center of the Tell Atlas. The beautiful mountains covered by cedar forests are ideal places for hiking. Its diverse fauna is also a unique attraction.