Giurgioura National Park
Djourjoura is a national park in northern Algeria. The park is named after the mountain range of the same name and covers an area of 82.25 km². Djourjoura was recognized as a nature conservation area by the Algerian government in 1923. It then acquired the status of a national park in 1983. Giurgioura is a true biosphere reserve. The scenery is breathtaking: lush forests, numerous grottoes and deep canyons glow in the sunlight! Rare species of animals, including the endangered Magotha, are found here in the natural diversity.
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It is believed that the name of the park came from the word “Djurdjur”, which in Kabylian means “big cold” or “rise”. There is also a version that it came from the ancient expression “Djur’n’Djur nai Ger’n’Ger”, which means “mountain of all mountains”. The area around Djurdjura is inhabited by the descendants of the Kabils, who have lived here for a long time, so people from the tribes of Kabils are called “Mmis n’Djurdjura” or “children of Djurdjura”.
Flora and fauna
The national park is conventionally divided into 3 districts: eastern, western and central. The highest point of Djurdjura is the mountain Lalla Khedidja. Its height is 2308 meters. The northern slopes of the mountain have deep valleys, potholes, cracks and gorges. This indicates that there used to be a glacier here. Dense cedar forests grow on the southeastern slopes of Djurdjura. Of special value are forest areas with endemic pines and junipers.
.As for animals, in Djurjura you can meet hyena, wild boar, porcupine, hare, mongoose, weasel, fox, various golden eagles and vultures. But one of the most interesting animals living in the foothills of Djurjura is the magot (or Berber macaque). Once widespread throughout the Mediterranean coast of Africa, these monkeys are now only found in a few places.
.Tourists
Travelers should visit the national park to enjoy scenic views of mountain peaks covered with virgin forests, as well as to see the amazingly beautiful and unusual canyons. The winter resort of Tikjda offers hotels and campsites of different price categories. From here you can start an unforgettable expedition, especially since Tikjda is located directly in the mountains, at an altitude of 1600 meters. If you start your journey from the foothills, you will have an opportunity to enjoy the silence of pine forests interspersed with juniper thickets. By the way, Jurjur is home to the deepest cave in Africa – Anu Ifflis. This vertical karst cave has a depth of 1120 meters. Unfortunately, it is only open to speleologists.
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