Wildlife Photography Hides in Lebanon

Lebanon is a compact but surprisingly biodiverse wildlife photography destination, where the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon Mountain range, and Mediterranean coast create distinct ecological zones packed into a country smaller than Wales. Aammiq Wetland in the Bekaa Valley — managed by SPNL (Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon) — is Lebanon's most important wetland and its best birding site, holding migratory waterbirds, Greater Flamingo (occasional), Purple Heron, Marsh Harrier, and breeding Collared Pratincole in a landscape of wet meadows and open water. The Shouf Biosphere Reserve in the Chouf Mountains is Lebanon's largest nature reserve, protecting relict Lebanon Cedar forest alongside Roe Deer, Wild Boar, Wolf, Striped Hyena, and breeding raptors; guided wildlife walks and overnight stays at the reserve's ecotourism facilities make it the country's premier nature destination. Raptor migration over the Lebanon Mountains in spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) channels enormous concentrations of Honey Buzzards, Marsh Harriers, and Steppe Eagles along the ridge lines, with watchpoints accessible from the Beirut–Damascus road.