Ichkeul National Park

Ichkeul National Park is a protected wetland in northern Tunisia’s Bizerte Governorate centered on Lake Ichkeul, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. The site is internationally significant as a stopover and wintering area for migratory birds.

The park’s main attraction is the seasonal lake and surrounding reedbeds that support large concentrations of waterfowl, waders and other wetland species; photographers and birdwatchers come for species diversity and migratory flocks. Trails and observation points allow close views of reedbeds, marshes and the lake edge.

The area has been used for centuries for grazing and fishing; it was formally protected in the 20th century and recognised by UNESCO for its ecological role. Alterations to water flow and drainage in the late 20th century prompted conservation interventions to restore more natural seasonal flooding regimes.

Ichkeul sits in northern Tunisia near the country’s northern coast in Bizerte Governorate, surrounded by farmland and low hills, and lies close to small towns that serve as access points for visitors.

• UNESCO status: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 for its importance as a stopover for migratory waterbirds along the African-Eurasian flyway.
• Best time to visit: Best birdwatching occurs during the autumn and spring migrations when large numbers of ducks, geese, waders and other waterbirds are present.

What to See #

• Lake Ichkeul: The shallow seasonal lake at the heart of the park that alternates between freshwater and brackish conditions and is the key feeding and resting area for waterbirds.
• Surrounding marshes and floodplains: Extensive reedbeds, marshes and floodplain that surround the lake and provide habitat for migratory and resident bird species.