Gouraya Biosphere Reserve lies on the Mediterranean coast, in the Kabylie region. It is a National Park of the same name. It occupies a mountainous massif which dominates the north-west of the town of Béjaïa culminating at 672 metres (Fort Gouraya), a small calcareous massif in the western zone, and a cliff of approximately 100 ha, It also contains a wetland, Lake Mézaïa, and a marine area located at the west of the Gulf of Béjaïa. There is rich flora and fauna as well as several historic and picturesque sites with protected species such as the tree spurge (Euphorbia dendroides) and prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus). Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) constitutes a "para-climax forest" on the limestone of Mount Gouraya, and the kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) and Ampelodesma mauritanica are the dominant species of the southern side of the massif. The northern side, with its sharp relief and imposing cliffs, has original plant communities unique to the Algerian coast.
The forests and maquis contain troops of barbary apes (Maccaca sylvanus) and other endangered mammals such as the jackal (Canis aureus algeriensis), wild cats (Felis sylvestris) and Algerian hedgehog (Erinaceus algirus). The marine zone includes five mammals of which four are of national importance - the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Repeated fires and permanent human pressures on the environment and especially a lack of suitable management over the years have gradually led to a decrease in the natural regenerative capacity of the forest.
The Biosphere Reserve/National Park promotes scientific research projects carried out by the local university and participates in regional studies and projects initiated by the regional authority (Wilaya). The Biosphere Reserve is involved in agricultural development related to mountain and hill farming and the distribution of fruit-bearing seedlings and beehives to the local population. The permanent population is of Berber origin and includes 1,655 inhabitants distributed in 13 villages. The main economic activities are administrative, commercial and artisanal activities. Mainly elderly people practise mountain and hill farming (bee keeping and arboriculture).
When looking at its coastal location, its marine ecosystem protects a number of significant mammals such as the Harbor Porpoise, the Short-Beaked Common Dolphin, the Bottlenose Dolphin and the Sperm Whale. The forests and mountainous vegetation of the park provide a lifeline to endangered species including the jackal, wild cats, the Algerian hedgehog and Barbary apes, as well as kermes oak, prickly juniper, tree sponge and Aleppo pine which are protected plants. Being able to see the Barbary Macaques in its natural environment is quite an experience, as this primate does not have a wide variety of habitats left to live in, and the Gouraya National Park therefore ensures the survival of this species.
The forests and maquis contain troops of barbary apes (Maccaca sylvanus) and other endangered mammals such as the jackal (Canis aureus algeriensis), wild cats (Felis sylvestris) and Algerian hedgehog (Erinaceus algirus). The marine zone includes five mammals of which four are of national importance - the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Repeated fires and permanent human pressures on the environment and especially a lack of suitable management over the years have gradually led to a decrease in the natural regenerative capacity of the forest.
The Biosphere Reserve/National Park promotes scientific research projects carried out by the local university and participates in regional studies and projects initiated by the regional authority (Wilaya). The Biosphere Reserve is involved in agricultural development related to mountain and hill farming and the distribution of fruit-bearing seedlings and beehives to the local population. The permanent population is of Berber origin and includes 1,655 inhabitants distributed in 13 villages. The main economic activities are administrative, commercial and artisanal activities. Mainly elderly people practise mountain and hill farming (bee keeping and arboriculture).
When looking at its coastal location, its marine ecosystem protects a number of significant mammals such as the Harbor Porpoise, the Short-Beaked Common Dolphin, the Bottlenose Dolphin and the Sperm Whale. The forests and mountainous vegetation of the park provide a lifeline to endangered species including the jackal, wild cats, the Algerian hedgehog and Barbary apes, as well as kermes oak, prickly juniper, tree sponge and Aleppo pine which are protected plants. Being able to see the Barbary Macaques in its natural environment is quite an experience, as this primate does not have a wide variety of habitats left to live in, and the Gouraya National Park therefore ensures the survival of this species.
Gouraya National park is one of the popular tourist attractions in Algeria since it combines the safari and typical beach holiday adventure. Altogether, it makes a rich bio-diversity that you can not miss while in the countryside. The park is made of the patches of wetland, lake Mezaia and marine life in coastal area.
This Algerian National park is a UNESCO Bio-sphere reserve is made of several species of tree spurge, prickly juniper, Kernes oak, olive trees, myrtles, carob and the Aleppo pine that grows on Mount Gouraya. The park covers 2,080 hectares of land (20.8sq km) and was gazetted as an Algerian National park in 1984
Wildlife
The forests are home to the endangered species of Barbary apes and other endangered species like wild cat, jackal and Algerian Hedgehog. In the marine section are several species short-beaked common dolphin, sperm whale, harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin and many others.
The beach is good for holidays and other water adventures like swimming and diving.
Location
Gouraya Algeria Park is in the Bejaia province near the town of Sidi Touati. It located 30km north east of Jijel, northern Algeria. There is no accommodation in Gouraya National park but there is enough in Algiers 195miles from the Gouraya Park
This Algerian National park is a UNESCO Bio-sphere reserve is made of several species of tree spurge, prickly juniper, Kernes oak, olive trees, myrtles, carob and the Aleppo pine that grows on Mount Gouraya. The park covers 2,080 hectares of land (20.8sq km) and was gazetted as an Algerian National park in 1984
Wildlife
The forests are home to the endangered species of Barbary apes and other endangered species like wild cat, jackal and Algerian Hedgehog. In the marine section are several species short-beaked common dolphin, sperm whale, harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin and many others.
The beach is good for holidays and other water adventures like swimming and diving.
Location
Gouraya Algeria Park is in the Bejaia province near the town of Sidi Touati. It located 30km north east of Jijel, northern Algeria. There is no accommodation in Gouraya National park but there is enough in Algiers 195miles from the Gouraya Park