Written by Zvika Gasner Koheleth 12-December-2024 (Originally 28-February-2021, Edited 20-February-2022). Photography by Angela Hechtfisch

“Red South” festival

“Red south” annual Festival 2022, a festivity that runs in continues for the last 14 years, between the beginning of January till the middle of February, celebrating the high season blossom of the RED poppy(anemone) flower in the North Negev (Israeli desert).

The “Red South” festival mainly offers nature track tours, farmer’s markets, Zimmer in the country surroundings, and bike tours in a large variety of locations in the Northern Negev-desert.

Our best recommendation is to come NOT later than the early days of February when the red bloom is at its highest, which was NOT possible during the Israel 3rd Corona quarantine in 2021. Sadly, if you come later as March, it will be colored primarily green, NOT red, but endless wheat fields. We picked that west highlands of beautiful open evergreen RED fields of Kibutz Rohama called “Betronot Ruhmama” at the end of February. Nature was intoxicating, fresh, and wild, amazingly to be experienced.

“Betronot Ruhama” is about 40 minutes ride by road #6 South from Tel Aviv. Walking tracks are like all other best things in life – for FREE. Water supply, hat, and comfortable walking shoes are a MUST. Charges depend on a specific activity. When Corona was just a name for a Mexican beer, plenty of places to eat & dine were available, such as the Druz pita bread with goat cheese on a basic Taboon. 

For the complete list of Red-South festival activities, click here . To spoil yourself after or before all that in nature activities, the best nearby hotel is the Leonardo hotel located in the city of Ashkelon, a recommended 10 minutes driving distance only.