Wet and Hot: Two New Water Attractions Open in the Desert
A crazy trip at Kfar HaNokdim in the Judean Desert / Photo: Ziv Reinstein, editing: Nir Chen
Summer is the desert at its hottest. But do not despair, because at two cool spots in our deserts, the Negev and Judea, a solution has been found to cool both mind and body. At Kfar HaNokdim near Arad, a place that really needs no introduction, they are continuing their most fun annual tradition for families, “Summer Camp,” during which in the middle of the week (Sunday to Tuesday and Tuesday to Thursday) the entire village turns into a family summer camp that feels like a retreat. Two and a half days of nature, fun and real connection in the heart of the desert, just an hour and a half from the center of the country.
As part of this, they integrated the existing water area, with sprinklers and shallow “streams” of water for pleasant wading, but they also added small pools and fountains built by Yoram, one of the founders of the place, literally with his own two hands, like other things he built in the desert lodging complex. “We expanded the water area and added three small pools, with water flowing from one to the next and cute little fountains,” explains Yoni Gritzner, the village’s marketing manager. “It’s a combination of the fountains Yoram built at the village, but also with shallow water. We also added games for older children, like snooker and table football.”
Breaking the heat. The water area at Kfar HaNokdim / Yoni Gritzner
They renovated and expanded the water area / Yoni Gritzner
The fountains built by Yoram / Yoni Gritzner
There is also a spa next to the water area. At Kfar HaNokdim, they expanded the range of activities and attractions that have been part of the place for years, such as the CAMEL CARE camel complex, which offers a fascinating glimpse into their lives, feeding activities and riding tours, night tours under ultraviolet [UV] lighting to locate scorpions and other desert animals, and of course stargazing, and added a wellness area for adults, ages 13 and up. The wellness area includes an ice bath, a Finnish sauna, a dry sauna on a wood stove, basalt stone heating from the Golan Heights, a detox herbal essence, a refreshing wading pool, hot herbal tea and cold water, a personal towel for each participant, and showers and restrooms for convenience.
Not only guests of the village can enjoy the wellness area, but also passing hikers who can book on the village website and treat themselves to relaxation between a bike ride on the trail or a walk on the Israel National Trail that passes through the village. “We expanded the water area and added three small pools.”
The wet complex / Yoni Gritzner
Wetting down at the desert wildlife park
And a little to the west from there, well, quite a bit actually, is the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Desert Animal Park, Desertarium, in Beersheba, where, alongside visits to fascinating animals, they introduced a water area and an extreme ninja area, in cooperation with Ninja Negev. The park also includes unique water inflatables, alongside sprinklers. The various activities throughout the park will take place in shaded areas, so there is no need to worry about the sun even on hot days.
In addition to the ninja and water areas, visitors can enjoy the rich content of the Desertarium, a visit into the world of animals, and interactive games and installations throughout the park. The park also includes unique water inflatables, alongside sprinklers / Courtesy of Desertarium
Water slide for little ones / Courtesy of Desertarium
And there are a few more / Courtesy of Desertarium
Prices
Kfar HaNokdim: Summer Camp (August 9 to 27, two midweek two-night sessions), accommodation in comfortable guest rooms with bathrooms, decorated Sukkat-style lodgings, in the “Camelbus,” converted buses turned into amazing guest rooms, in large shared sleeping tents, air-conditioned in the evening, or in an air-conditioned camping area, or under the open sky (you bring the tent, the mattresses are provided). Prices range from 890 shekels per spot with a tent to 2,240 shekels in a traveler room and up to 3,040 shekels in stone rooms. The price includes half-board plus breakfast, a midday snack and dinner.
Desertarium: Water activity is included in the admission price. Nonresident adult, 99 shekels; child, 80 shekels. Beersheba resident, upon presentation of an ID stub, 65 shekels. Disabled person, upon presentation of a certificate, 65 shekels. Senior citizen, soldier, student, upon presentation of a certificate, 82 shekels.
