Featherlight Tourism Guide - EGYPT by Responsible and Inclusive Business Hub MENA

Egyp

t’s N atur e-an d-C omm unit

y-Ba se

d Tou rism Gu

ide

FEATHERLIGHT TOURISM Egypt’s Nature-and-Community-Based Tourism Guide

featherlight Travel Egypt on a light footprint

FEATHERLIGHT TOURISM GUIDE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Private Sector Development Programme The Egyptian-German Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) was established in 2005. It is a bilateral technical cooperation programme under the guidance of the Egyptian Ministry for Industry and Foreign Trade (MoIFT) with Technical Assistance provided by the Deutsche Gesellschaft f端r Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The programme focuses on private sector enterprises as its main cooperation partners. The PSDP aims at enhancing their competitiveness through promoting innovations as well as resource efficiency oriented Business Development Services (BDS), which can result in new or improved products or production processes. Pursuing a multi-level approach the PSDP additionally promotes the inclusion of strategies for green industrial policies and green growth in the discussions on the relevant framework conditions in Egypt.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Responsible and Inclusive Business Hub MENA RIBH MENA is the GIZ responsible and inclusive business hub based in Downtown, Cairo. It powers a paradigm shift towards sustainable development in the Middle East and North Africa. As its sister hubs in other world regions, RIBH MENA provides information on and raises awareness about Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusive Business. Beyond this we assist the private sector with skills and business model development as well as networking support around CSR and IB. RIBH MENA is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂźr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Responsible & Inclusive Business Hub MENA

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

CONTENTS PAGE

INTRODUCTION

FAYOUM SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES LODGES HANDICRAFTS FLORA & FAUNA

ASWAN SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES LODGES HANDICRAFTS FLORA & FAUNA

WESTERN DESERT SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES LODGES HANDICRAFTS FLORA & FAUNA

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

SINAI SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES LODGES HANDICRAFTS FLORA & FAUNA

172

RED SEA SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES LODGES HANDICRAFTS FLORA & FAUNA

232

NGOS & TOUR OPERATORS

276

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

302

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

WHY A FEATHERLIGHT GUIDE BOOK FOR EGYPT? Egypt has always been one of the major tourism spots in the world – the many guidebooks on the shelves are a clear indication. So why did we feel the need to add just another one to the already existing collection? The Featherlight team sees that Egypt has more to offer than the many books even begin scratching the surface of. We want to shed light on, and propose a somewhat different way of truly experiencing this unique country. There exists a more environmentally friendly, socially inclusive, and economically beneficial (to the local communities) method by which to travel, made possible for Egyptians and foreigners alike. This guidebook is Featherlight’s presentation to you, of all the pathways to a taste of the true Egypt.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

WHICH KIND OF TOURISM IS CAPTURED BY FEATHERLIGHT? When searching for the right branding of what we wanted to promote, we came across a universe of labels, wordings and definitions: responsible, sustainable, green, alternative, nature or community tourism, or just “eco-tourism” – but none of the terms fully captured the essence of what we wanted to say. So after spending some time thinking, our team decided to stay away from the labels altogether, and concentrate on the actual content. Then came the following question: What characterizes a lodge, an activity, or operator as suitable to be featured within the Featherlight campaign? And to answer this pressing question, we had to clearly identify our purpose. Our primary objective is to keep the negative impact of tourism low enough that the country may still be able to sustain both the environmental and the local communities it entails. Reducing waste production levels, regulating water and energy usage, minimizing human impact on natural ecosystems (e.g. corals in the red sea), and preserving local cultural and historic heritage, are

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

all things that every tourist in Egypt should be actively wary of. However, tourist wariness is not Featherlight’s sole objective. Featherlight, more importantly, aims at inducing proactive impacts, mainly by providing local communities with newer and better jobs, through which they could earn higher incomes. This financing of the local communities directly corresponds to local tourism’s elevation of the economic value of the country’s natural sites and biodiversity. As proactive tourists, the Featherlight Travel Guide’s readers contribute to the conservation of Egyptian communities by buying authentic local crafts, travelling to regions that do not profit from tourism flows yet, as well as staying in places that are run by local management teams. In doing this, not only would Egypt benefit tremendously, but so would the tourists, having experienced the genuine Egyptian experience. Now, given our clearly stated objective, the Featherlight team collaborated in a search for all the places, people, and products in Egypt that would guarantee that you would receive a unique travel experience. Travel entails far more than mere commercial and mainstream tourism; travel entails effective learning and a widening of one’s horizon. Travelling the Feath-

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

erlight way enables mind changing experiences, and a direct knowledge of one’s hosts and surroundings. Featherlight challenges you to open your eyes to a whole new definition of Egypt! Travelling the Featherlight way is by no means the only way by which to experience Egypt in a sustainable manner. Our purpose is simply to introduce mainstream travellers to an alternate option (such as the Green Star Hotel Initiative). Travelling responsibly has the power to both prevent serious environmental hazards, as well as proactively contribute to a country’s economic development by way of tourism.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

HOW DID WE COLLECT AND FILTER THE CONTENTS? When preparing for this project we decided that the most efficient means by which to gather information would be to create for ourselves a diverse Egyptian community, who collectively possess a cumulative knowledge of Egypt. We brought this community together through the Internet, through communicating with Egyptian locals, tour guides, as well as the tourists themselves. And since we all now live in a globally connected, online world, we also asked our indirect global audience for suggestions and input through Facebook. However, seeing as how we were unable to physically visit all the places mentioned in this guidebook, we want to blatantly inform you that all the featured locations are NOT the equivalent to any standard or label for eco-tourism. Surveying Egypt, we do not believe that setting a rigid criteria (e.g. the placeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s provision of 80% renewable energy supply plus 100% irrigation through wastewater, etc.) would currently be the most useful rubric upon which to decide on the places that are to be featured in our Featherlight guidebook. The fact stands

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

that there are fantastic places that are trying hard to maintain a lighter footprint while also remaining economically viable. Such places need all the support and contribution from all the environmentally concerned, “green” tourists, in order for them to pick up momentum in their objectified direction. Such are the places that are sure to be listed in the following pages of this guidebook. Having understood the criterion upon which our decisions were made, we highly welcome and encourage your comments, in case you feel as though any of the featured information is not in harmony with all the community based travel that we described. We hope that you will receive all the inspiration that you need to travel “Featherlight” and truly experience Egypt!

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Mohamed Sedky F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

FAYOUM Got a free weekend and had enough of the Cairo chaos? Traveling just 180 kilometers south of Cairo will take you to an oasis of diverse landscapes; from wonderful green fields to barren desert, it’s all in Fayoum. The region is famous for its lush fields and orchards, making a good place to revel in fresh produce. With equilibrium between vegetation, desert, history and civilization, thelifeline of this fertile basin is Lake Qarun, probably Egypt’s oldest lake. The nature reserve is not only home to large numbers of migratory birds, but also to many rare animals, and makes for a beautiful picnic spot. Tucked away further along the lake is Tunis village: small, quiet, and perfect for a lazy wander, with lots of pottery workshops to explore. Your visit to Fayoum’s countryside shouldn’t stop here as there are many similar hamlets around the lake and each is known for its local crafts. A 10 km drive away from Tunis, the lush oasis around lake Qarun suddenly changes into barren desert — Wadi Rayan and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadi Hitan begin to unfold.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Fayoum Tourism Authority F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

WADI EL RAYAN Situated in Egypt’s Western desert, Wadi el Rayan is a nature reserve 42 meters below sea level named after King El Rayan Ibn El Walid, who lived in the area with his army. Wadi el Rayan itself is home to two lakes, which were formed in 1973 as a result of excess agricultural drainage water from the Fayoum region. Since then, extensive reed beds have formed around the shoreline, creating a haven and breeding spot for many fish and migratory water birds. It is a perfect spot to watch birds. Wadi el Rayan has two fairly large lakes, connected by a little river and is home to Egypt’s only waterfalls.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: WADI EL RAYAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Fayoum Tourism Authority

C LIMB GABA L EL MODAWA R A Around 10 km into Wadi el Rayan reserve, Gabal el Modawara is the definition of beauty. A hike up the peak yields a view that will easily take your breath away and it’s a great spot for bird-watching, particularly if you plan to catch a glimpse of eagles or falcons. At the base of the mountain is the Magic Lake and if you linger awhile you’ll be rewarded with stunningly beautiful sunsets. Just be careful when climbing down in the dark.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Fayoum Tourism Authority

VI SI T T HE WAT ERWHEELS Waterwheels have provided Fayoum with a prominent source of economic aid. The waterwheels make a way for river water to be elevated and transported to the fields, creating a means by which the lands could be irrigated. There are around 200 waterwheels in Fayoum, and trips can be arranged for visitors to take a look at the ancient technology for themselves (that is of course, if they don’t come across them by simply strolling through Fayoum’s streets!)

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: WADI EL RAYAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

DE SER T C A MP I NG & HI K I NG Spend the night at a wilderness campsite in an area that millions of years ago was covered by the sea. The Wadi el Hitan campsite offers natural beauty, barbeque and clean toilet facilities. Just bring your own equipment and firewood and enjoy the fine weather year round. Cool weather in the winter makes hiking nice, with dramatic cloud formation. October through April are the best months for hiking, trekking and sandboarding as the summer months can be very hot in the desert. There are a number of routes up the hills and soft sands and dunes make for soothing views. You can also contact the Zwara lodge to organize camping equipment for you. Photo by: Fayoum Tourism Authority

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Fayoum Tourism Authority

CYC LING Fayoum is a bikerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heaven! If you want a smooth, chill ride take your bike on a trip around Lake Qarun. There are no steep hills, just flat land and a scenic route. For those that are up for more of a challenge, there is always the desert where you can take a ride around Gabal el Midawara or to famous Wadi el Hitan. For more specific trip suggestions, contact Bececletta or cycle Egypt.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: WADI EL RAYAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Mohamed Sedky

BIR DWAT C HIN G Lake Qarun beside Wadi el Rayan is a central spot for birdwatching in Fayoum. The lake is of international importance for migratory birds that winter there such as waterbirds including the Black-necked Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis, and the Northern Shoveller, Anas clypeata. For detailed information or contacts of professional birdwatchers, contact Nature Conservation Egypt.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Mohamed Sedky

VISI T QASR QARUN ON DEC EMBER 21ST Qasr Qarun was built in the location of the ancient town of Dionysias, which was the beginning point of the caravan route to the Bahariya Oasis. This impressive monument was built between 323 and 330 BC during the Ptolemaic period and it flourished in the Roman era. On the 21st of December of every year, the sun falls perpendicularly over the palace and the people of Fayoum celebrate this incident for two consecutive days.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: WADI EL RAYAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

SA NDB O A RD IN G Surf the dunes of the beautiful desert of Fayoum. No experience is needed as there are plenty of tour operators offering courses. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re already a pro, it is recommended to bring your own equipment, get a local Bedouin guide, which can be organized via your lodge and let him guide you to his favorite dune.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

WA D I EL HI TA N / V A LLE Y OF T HE W HA L E S The Valley of the Whales is a UNESCO heritage site 40 km into Wadi el Rayan. It is home to 400 remains of primitive whales, a petrified forest and many other fossils that have been found within the 25â&#x20AC;&#x201C;square-kilometer stretch. As of late, an open air museum with an audio-visual theater, as well as a fossil museum that displays the interesting findings of the area that was once covered in water. Visitors can reach the destination by fourwheel-drive vehicles or their own cars, which are provided by many tour organizers or their own cars. The rest house of Hany Zaki is attached to the pen air museum and is the last point reachable by car before you proceed on foot or camel. By the way, it has clean toilet facilities.

Photo by: Mohamed Sedky

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: WADI EL RAYAN - LODGES

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

Zwara / Zwara -

‫زوارة‬

Zwara ecolodge has existed for over 30 years, and is run by experienced professionals in the North African desert and waters. Zwara is an ideal spot for memorable adventures for business travelers from all over the world. If you’re lucky, you meet Amm Hussein. He collects the mountain salt in Wadi Rayan and carries it on his back all the way to Zwara lodge and other places around Lake Qarun to sell it. Price: low

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Sahra Gemeinder

Campsite at Wadi el Hitan / Zwara -

‫زوارة‬

The camp itself is a gem of a beautiful location and sympathetic design, with mud brick buildings housing clean facilities. You can bring your own tents or rent from the rest house. Contact Zwara lodge for more details.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Fayoum Tourism Authority F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

TUNIS VILLAGE Fifteen years ago, two Swiss potters built a school to train locals in the art of pottery. The school has a very well-stocked shop selling all kinds of crockery inspired by the colors of the local landscape. The charming thing about Tunis village is that urban and local rural culture mix as Cairenes and foreign visitors and organizations converge on the tiny village now renowned for its unique pottery and community development. People are amazingly hospitable. Between the greenery and the old village buildings there are plenty of activities: bird-watching and tracking, horse and camel safaris, and things as simple as picnics by the beautiful lakes.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: TUNIS VILLAGE - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Natalie El Assiouty

HOR SE BAC K RID IN G The villages around Fayoum are perfect for horseback riding excursions. Most of the lodges in Tunis Village have contacts to locals who organize horseback riding tours or you can contact local tour operators to arrange a ride. While rides are easy to organize, not all owners treat their animals well so please make sure the horses look healthy and well cared for before taking off.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Fayoum Tourism Authority

R OW A B O AT O N LAKE QA R U N The lake is not only an important archeological site with a unique collection of fossil fauna and flora that datesback some 40 million years. It is also a beautiful body of water where you can enjoy by renting a boat and rowing out to play music, watch birds, or just enjoy the silence.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: TUNIS VILLAGE - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Fayoum Tourism Authority

VI SI T T HE C A RICAT URE MU SE U M The artist colony has more to offer beyond pottery; the incredible Caricature Museum, curated by Mohammed Abla is housed in a beautiful adobe complex in Tunis Village. The main room with a large mud brick dome contains an excellent collection of caricatures and cartoons by Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best-loved artists since the beginning of the 20th Century, as well as sculptures by locals.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

POTTE RY SC HO O L The most famous pottery school is found in Tunis Village founded by Evelyn Porret. Children as well as adults, beginners as well as experts, can apply for courses to learn about the craft of pottery and clay making. Situated in one of the most beautiful locations in Fayoum, Pottery School is a source of artistic inspiration in and of itself.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: TUNIS VILLAGE - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Source: Ayadi Masreya

POTTE RY FE ST IVA L The village is host to a cheerful annual pottery festival, which every year draws more people. There are puppets, musicians and craftsmen displaying their works as well as opportunities for participants to create their own pottery.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Sahra Gemeinder

M EE T LOC A L POT T ERY PRO D U C E R S Being the famous pottery source that it is, Tunis Village has many opportunities for visitors to meet with the local artisans and see how the clay is made, how the product is shaped, how the kilns work and how the solidified clay is painted and glazed before it is ready for sale. Just by strolling through the small village streets you can marvel at the beautiful creations and learn about these processes.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: TUNIS VILLAGE - LODGES

2 1

3 Source: Kom El Dikka

KOM EL D IKKA Kom El Dikka Agri Lodge Kom El Dikka isa 45-acre olive farm on the hills of Tunis Village in Fayoum overlooking Lake Qarun. The 30-year old destination has recently been developed into an agri-tourism lodge that is organic and provides its visitors with a variety of activities such as bird watching, sailing, horseback riding, fruit and vegetable picking, animal petting in their very own zoo, hiking, jogging, sailing, duck migration observation, pottery schools, planting, arts and crafts, mountain bike riding, and boat rides on the lake. Price: high

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

C ONSTRUCTING SU S T A I N A BLY . .. Constructing a lodge in an environmentally sensitive manner from the onset is the key to fully tap its “green” potential. In Egypt´s hot climate this often means allowing for a radical cut in energy consumption through natural ventilation, isolating materials and high solar reflectance. It also means using local building materials which neither harm the environment in their production nor in transportation. At Kom El Dikka you can feel how this changes your experience: the founders did not only apply sustainable building techniques but also heavily rely on traditional architecture, decorations and furnishing.

1. Traditional mud walls isolate perfectly – keeping cool in summer and warm in winter

2. A wind catcher brings in a fresh breeze all day long. No need for an AC, even in summer.

3. Have a look at the traditional decorations making this lodge a special place.

4. A garden will calm you down after the hassle of Cairo. Wondering about irrigation in the desert? They use waste water recycling.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: TUNIS VILLAGE - LODGES

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

Z A D EL MO S AFER Zad ELMosafer (Guest House) Zad El Mosafer is the first lodge that was established in the Fayoum province. It provides its visitors with a calm, tranquil environment full of authentic activities by which to create lasting memories and experiences. The rooms are furnished with simple furniture made of palm mid-rib. Almost all rooms have shared bathrooms. The lodge, however, also has some rooms with en suite bathrooms. Call them to check the availability. Price: low

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Zelal El Nakheel

Z ELA L EL N AKHEEL / PA LM SHA D OW fayoum-palmshadow.blogspot.com/ A peaceful, calm and green spot in the heart of Tunis. Palm Shadow offers housing, meeting and parking facilities, a professional catering service and a beautiful 4,000-square-meter garden, in which some of the vegetables for the kitchen are grown. The lodge offers four two-bedroom apartments and one beautifully decorated four-bedroom villa (suitable for six people). All units are fully equipped (kitchen, TV and free WIFI, etc.). All units have access to the roof, which offers a panoramic view over the village and Lake Qarun. Price: medium

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

FAYOUM: TUNIS VILLAGE - LODGES

Source: Sobek

SOBEK Sobek Camp Located in the heart of Tunis Village, Sobek Lodge features a garden and free Wi-Fi. Sobek Lodge has simple but spacious rooms with traditional furniture. Each room has a fan, a closet, and a private bathroom with shower. Guests can enjoy organic, home-cooked food before visiting one of the nearby pottery workshops, shop in their beautiful little bazar, enjoy the view over lake Qarun, or take a dip in the pool. The owners are very helpful and try to accommodate their guests and can advise you where to get locally made products. Price: low F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: El Mandara

EL M A N DA RA LODGE Kamariat Resort - El Mandara The seven suite El Mandara Lodge is situated on the shore of Lake Qarun, just an hour and a half away from Cairo.The resort was previously a series of rundown buildings before being renovated using local, sustainable building materials including mud brick and palm fronds. El Mandara serves up traditional Egyptian cuisine, including locally-sourced fish, feteer and local honey. Price: low

AI YT O LU A IG E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M UF N Y -UB M A S: ETDUTNOI USR IVS IML G DE

FAYOUM: TUNIS VILLAGE - LODGES

Photo by Sahra Gemeinder

BEI T SAA D fayoum-palmshadow.blogspot.com The house of Amm Saad is a small farm house in the beautiful village of Tunis. Since Tunis has developed into a tourist destination, more and more locals are refurbishing houses for rent. The two-story house features two bedrooms and a beautiful and clean bathroom on each floor. The ground floor has a well-equipped modern and clean kitchen with an adjacent living room, which is big enough to accommodate two more people. A beautiful terrace overlooking the small garden offers a view over lake Qarun. Book Amm Saadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house via Palm Shadow. Price: low - medium

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Natalie El Assiouty

R AW YAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GUE S T HO US E ecoegypt.net Rawya, the potter, and her family live next to her workshop in Tunis. After having achieved quite a reputation with her pottery work, the family invested in the construction of a beautiful guest apartment on top of their house to accommodate visitors and people who want to learn the art of pottery. The apartment is fully equipped with a modern kitchen and bathroom facilities, has two bedrooms and a beautiful terrace. Contact EcoEgypt for bookings at her place. Price: low

AI YT O LU A IG E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M UF N Y -UB M A S: ETDUTNOI USR IVS IML G DE

Photo by: Mohamed Sedky

FAYOUM: HANDICRAFTS

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

HA ND IC RAF T S OF FAYO UM

As in many of the rural Egyptian communities, women are the main producers of arts and crafts in the Fayoum villages. Aside from pottery, the crafts typical of the area include palm leaf baskets, beaded jewelry, woven embroidery, tent embroidery, puppets, and leather. Fayoum crafts are mostly simple, seeing as how the crafterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main objective is to sell products for practicality and easy usability. Nazla Pottery Village Nazla Pottery Village Is located in the Nazla valley. The village is site of a project by Past Preservers to save the pottery-making practice that has been handed down from family to family for generations here. Nazla, other than Tunis produces the traditional local functional products.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Source: Ayadi Masreya

FAYOUM: HANDICRAFTS

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Desya Village Desya is famous for its handmade carpets of silk and the traditional material of goblan, an industry which has recently gone into decline. It is also famous for the Famous Touristic Coptic monastery, known as Prince Tadharos, which was built in the 18th Century. Khaltha â&#x20AC;&#x201C; House of Textiles Khalta, is a small village on Lake Qarun, neighboring the better known village of Tunis. The women of Khalta decided to enter the patchwork business inspired by the pottery school that had tremendously increased the living standards of the people of Tunis. Ever since Swiss tailor, Doris Frei, has trained the women and together they established the Brand Khalta: Home Of Textiles. Currently they are constructing a green training center in the village to educate more women in the craft.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

FAYOUM: FLORA AND FAUNA

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

FLOR A A N D FAUN A OF FAYO U M

Located just south of Cairo, the governorate of Fayoum is home to two protected areas, Wadi el Rayan National Park and Northern Lake Qarun Protected Area. Wadi el Rayan is one of the most popular national parks in Egypt, acting as a gateway to the Western Desert where rare animals like the white deer, the Egyptian deer, the sandfox, the nearly extinct slender-horned gazelle or the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smallest fox, the fennec fox, can be found. The National Park is also home to Wadi el Hitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that hosts a wide variety of marine fossils, most notably the fossilized remains of ancient whales. These fossilized remains are of particular global importance as they present the transition of whales from land mammals to marine mammals. The Protected Area of Northern Lake Qarun is known for its pristine natural landscapes, and is also of extreme archeological importance.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

FAYOUM: FLORA AND FAUNA

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Fayoum is a haven for bird-watching in Egypt, as it combines a variety of habitats, including lakes and wetlands, deserts, as well as agricultural lands. Many migratory birds rest in Fayoum during their long journeys in autumn and spring, and many waterbirds spend their winters by Lake Qarun. About 162 species of migratory and resident birds were listed including: Flamingos, Herons, Waders, Ibis, Spoonbills, Shoveler ducks, Skylarks, Hoopoes and Bee-eaters. The best time to watch birds is mid-September through the end of April with the peak being from mid-December to the end of March.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by Watter Al Bahry F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

ASWAN Aswan is a city in the far south of Egypt on the east bank of the Nile. It is a busy market center found north of the Aswan Dam. Coupled with Luxor, it has the hottest summer climate in the country, and it is one of the sunniest and driest cities of the world. Temperatures are above 40oC during the very long summer, and remain higher than 8oC during the very brief winter. Aswan is incredibly rich with Pharaonic artifacts and ancient ruins, which decode Egyptian history and act as an open encyclopedia of knowledge and information. Unlike in many of the downstream cities, Aswan’s Nile is so clear and clean that one can swim in and drink from its crystal waters. Dozens of migrant and native birds rest on the boulders along the Nile’s meandering capillaries. Aside from the beauty of Aswan’s nature, the city’s unique Nubian culture is one immersed in immeasurable kindness and richness, enough to engage anyone’s curiosity.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

BY T HE NILE Take a felucca from Luxor, leaving behind the souqs of Aswan and cruising on the current toward Kom Ombo, Edfu or Esna. Feluccas can deliver their passengers a very personal Nile, with the lateen-rigged boats typically carrying between six and eight people. Nights are spent aboard the sailboat (bring a sleeping bag) or camping on an island. Those that want it a bit more luxurious can take a Dahabeyya, the traditional means of transportation for long distances on the Nile. With two sails, up to six cabins and their bathrooms, these are larger than feluccas and are often accompanied by a motored boat to pull them when there is insufficient wind. The good ones are rather expensive, sometimes more than the upscale deluxe cruise ships, but definitely worth it. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

BY T RAIN The night train can also be a pleasant way to travel to Upper Egypt. Take the train from Giza station directly to Aswan. The journey takes approximately 12 hours. You can buy the tickets and ask for more information on the exact timings at Cairo Ramses Station.

BY PLA NE EgyptAir runs daily flights from Cairo to Aswan and vice versa.

BY CA R The Cairo Aswan Desert Road is a well-maintained road, which leads you directly from the capital to the pearl of Egypt. Usually it takes around seven or eight hours driving.

BY BUS There are daily buses between Cairo and Aswan. Since bus schedules in Egypt are hard to acquire, make sure you call Upper Egypt Bus Company to know more about exact timings and departure points.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Thomas Favre-Bulle on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

VI SI T T HE N UBIA N MUSEUM The Nubia Museum is a showcase of the history, art and culture of Nubia, and is a real treat. Established in 1997, in cooperation with UNESCO, the museum is a reminder of the history and culture of the Nubians, much of which was lost when Lake Nasser flooded their land after the building of the dams. Exhibits are beautifully displayed in huge halls, where clearly written explanations take you from 4500 BC through to the present day. As it is not on the tour-group circuit, the museum is a hidden gem that shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be missed.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

B OT A NICA L GA RDE N Take a felucca to the gardens west of Elephantine Island. The island was given to Lord Horatio Kitchener in the 1890s when he was commander of the Egyptian army. Indulging his passion for beautiful palms and plants, Kitchener turned the entire island into a stunning botanical garden, importing plants from the Far East, India and parts of Africa. Covering almost seven hectares, it is filled with birds as well as hundreds of species of flora. The garden may have lost some of its former glory, but its majestic palm trees are still a stunning sight, particularly just before sunset when the light is softer and the scent of sandalwood floats on the breeze.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Mohamed Sedky

WATC H THE SUN SE T OVER A S W A N There is something magical about the way the river winds between the rocks, the proximity of the desert, the lonely burial places of the Aga Khan and of forgotten princes up on the rise on the west bank. Sunsets on the Nile in Aswan are without a doubt more poignant than they are anywhere else along the Egyptian Nile.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

BIR DWAT C HIN G Aswan is an ideal place to go bird watching. Visitors can rent a felucca and sail through the river while marveling at the various kinds of birds that pass daily. A special spot for bird watching are the two small granite islands of Salouga and Ghazal about 3 km north of the Aswan Dam. The island reserve area is characterized by predominantly expanding kinds of bushes that survived after the establishment of the old Aswan Dam and the High Dam. The huge greenery in the area comprises various kinds of plants. The favorable natural conditions in the area attract local wildlife and migrating birds. About 60 kinds of rare, endangered birds live there.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

F ELUCCA T O UR Over centuries, the felucca has remained the preferred transport of this portion of the Nile. Its ancient form still graces the river as it has done since the time of the Pharaohs. The felucca rarely has any form of engine and relies entirely on the current and the breeze, which builds during the day and usually subsides at night. Egypt is blessed with a predominant southerly wind that pushes sailboats upriver, while allowing them to return on its current downstream. Aswan is an ideal place in which to go on a felucca ride and spend the day picnicking and enjoying the warm breeze.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Arcy Vallance on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

F ELUCCA FE S T IV A L The Felucca Festival takes place once a year. It is a celebration of the art of living simply. Every year people come from all over the country and the world to participate in this one-of-a-kind celebratory experience. Lodges such as Nubialin initiate this cause, and provide the participating visitors with a place to stay, and ensure that their needs are met. For dates and location follow Nubialins Website.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Gavin Bannerman on flickr. com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

CY C LI N G T OUR Rent a bike at your guesthouse and make a beautiful cycle trip on the west bank of the Nile. The quality of the road is good and the area is very scenic; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pass farmers working on vivid green agriculture grounds accompanied by donkeys, camels and ibises. On the other side both the desert and the traditional Nubian village. You will be sure to see women carrying their shopping bags on their heads, men gathering at the water fountains, and children playing in the sand. The trip on the west bank to the bridge takes approximately one hour (and a half), but if you go into the villages you can easily spend a whole day. If you cross the new modern suspension bridge, you can make a round trip and return the bicycle by means of the local ferry. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

VI SI T SMA LL V ILLAGE S Heissa Island and Nubialin are both places you can interact with the local community, or simply ask your lodge to lead you to one of the Nubian villages where you’ll see houses painted in bright, cheerful colors. Enjoy the local karkadeh tea (hibiscus juice served cold or warm) or a Nubian dinner and chit chat with locals about their lives. It’s an opportunity to get in touch with local life that shouldn’t be missed.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Natalie El Assiouty

GE T A N A LL-N AT URA L HE NNA T AT T O O Henna has been grown in southern Egypt and Nubia since ancient times and used to dye hair and adorn bodies. Today few men dye their beards red, but many women still decorate their hands and feet with intricate designs for weddings. The “tattoos” last for a fortnight or so before fading. Women visitors may be offered tattooing at the Nubian villages on Elephantine, or in Aswan’s bazaar. This is women’s work — and a great way to spend time with Nubian women — but some local men see it as an opportunity for lechery, so be careful. Also beware of black (as opposed to traditional reddish-brown) designs, as these involve the use of a toxic hair dye, PPD, which can cause severe skin damage and allergic reactions. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Natalie El Assiouty

VI SI T ABA N D ON ED V ILLAGE S At the beginning of the 19th Century, Egypt built the Low Dam at the first cataract to control the irregular stream of the Nile and improve local agriculture. Construction began in 1898 and was finished in 1902. The dam created a lake which flooded 225 km of the Nile Valley and raised the water level 20 meters. Nubians living in the affected area had to abandon their settlements and relocate. In the course of the second Dam, the High Dam, which was built in the 1960s, still more Nubian villages had to relocate. Some of these abandoned villages can be visited today and give interesting insights on the green construction techniques of the Nubians. E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

SWIM IN THE NILE Sehel Island, the Sculpture Park and the Aswan Dam all afford wonderful views of the First Cataract (Shallal al-Awal), a lush, cliff-bound stretch of river divided into channels by granite outcrops. Before the dams were built, the waters foamed and roiled, making the cataract a fearsome obstacle to upriver travel. Today the river flows smooth and tranquil, making it the perfect spot for a swim in the beautiful waters of the Nile.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Dennis Heller on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

C ROC ODILE SPOTTING AT LAKE NASSER The lake itself is a reservoir created in 1970 with the building of the Aswan High Dam. It contains several types of birds, fish, mammals and reptiles and is known to be one of the largest man-made lakes in Africa. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re lucky, you can find crocodiles in Lake Nasser, which are associated with Sobek, the Pharaonic river god who is depicted with a crocodile head. However the numbers of crocodiles in the lake are dwindling.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

HAVE A DRINK AT THE NUBIAN HOUSE http://nubianch.jimdo.com/ The small restaurant is located in Gharb Suheil, a little Nubian village close to the city. The restaurant boosts a beautiful Nile view and will dazzle you with its friendly staff. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re lucky, the Nubian women will show you how to bake traditional bread.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

ASWAN - LODGES

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

FEKR A www.fekraculture.com Swim in the Nile (yes, you can do that here rather safely), watch birds or just enjoy the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. Fekra is located on 40,000 square meters of land on the lake right at the first cataract, also called the Shallal region. It is in front of Philae Island, from which rises the famous Isis Temple. In Arabic, fekra means thought, or idea. Fekra supports the joining together of artists from around the world with the culture and traditions of Upper Egypt and cultural exchange with locals.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

VA LU I N G N AT UR E. . . Many smaller lodges are situated in breathtaking natural surroundings – far from streets and hassle. Fekkra Cultural Center will allow you to fully delve into nature and to feel the magic of the spot. What`s special about it? While the beautiful surrounding will remind you of the value of nature, the ecosystem actually is artificial: it evolved when the two Nile dams where being built. Having a walk in the nearly completely dry river bed and finding yourself confronted by an ever-rising water level are just some of the more extraordinary entertainments “artificial nature” has on offer here.

1. The rooftop is a perfect spot for your yoga session: Check out the Facebook page to learn about the next retreat 3. Swimming in the Nile with a magnificent view: Isis Temple at Philae Island.

2. For viewingbirds, no need to do more than open your eyes. More ambitious bird lovers will find a birdwatching tower or can take a boat trip.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - LODGES

Source: Anakato

A NAKATO http://www.anakato.com Located in the heart of the Nubian Village, Anakato is surrounded by other Nubian homes and bazaars, immersed in the deepest root of the culture. The family that founded the lodge wanted to enrich touristsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; knowledge of the true Nubian experience. It is a peaceful, quiet, and scenic retreat, with a magnificent location on the Nile, dry climate, golden desert sands, sounds of birds, and the extraordinary sights of ancient Egypt. Anakato sets the scene for a deep healing calmness and unimagined relief, coupled with the Nubian hospitality and generosity. The lodge consists of 19 rooms each decorated as authentic Nubian homes, and fully equipped with air conditioning and mini bar. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Eskaleh

E S K A LEH http://www.eskaleh.net/ Far away from the hordes of tourists and crowded downtown of Abu Simbel, yet so close to the temples, Eskaleh Nubian Ecolodge spreads its terrace on the lake shore, where visitors enjoy the best of Nubian gastronomy. A stay in one of the five rooms of the traditional Nubian mud brick house is a unique experience; a peaceful retreat in the heart of the land of the Pharaohs. Master bedrooms, as well as double bedrooms are available, with ambient lighting and en suite bathrooms. With the Nile view right outside the window, you get to enjoy peace of mind and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re lucky, you will have the chance to enjoy a Nubian music performance. Price: high E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - LODGES

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

NUBIA LIN http://nubialin.wordpress.com/ Nubialin is an experiment in good living, and an exploration between communities and cultures. The floating hostel on the banks of the Nile contains six rooms, four of which are on different feluccas with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. Nubialin is a center at which one can rent feluccas and enjoy the serene Nile environment while the team is trying to turn Nubia into an environmentally sustainable place. Price: Low

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

FAY O U M : T U N I S V I L L A G E

Source: The Glory of Nubia

TH E GLO RY O F N UBIA http://gloryofnubia.com/ The Glory of Nubia camping island is an exotic escapade for those seeking ultimate Nile adventures in Aswan. The island lies in the heart of Aswanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s archipelago in anatural setting with a panoramic view of the Nile and the golden sandy hills of Aswan. The island is located 10 minutes by motorboat from the main land and is close to the Mausoleum of Agha Khan and the historic Monastery of St. Simeon. Bring your tents, or rent your tents on spot. The staff is very helpful and can organize overnight felucca trips for you.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - LODGES

Source: Heissa Island

H EI SSA I SLA N D Heissa Island Heissa Island is one of the many beautiful Nubian Islands that lie along the shores of the graceful Nile. Village people have gathered forces to develop their little island and to offer a few simple but very cozy rooms for visiting guests. The Agelika lodge is open all year round and waiting for your visit. Price: Low

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

FAY O U M : T U N I S V I L L A G E

Source: Hadouta Masreya

HA D OUT A MAS RE YA - Nubian Guest House Hadouta Masreya Nubian Guest House Hadouta Masreya” or “An Egyptian tale” is a family dream come true every time someone steps into the cozy guesthouse at the heart of Gharb Suheil. The nine rooms of the guesthouse can accommodate up to 21 people and offer an authentic Nubian village experience. Each room is decorated with lyrics of songs by the famous Nubian singer Mohammad Mounir and the furniture was built by Tricky Trees, using up-cycled palette wood, which gives the place a special flair. Price: low-medium

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - LODGES

Source: Nubian Dream Guesthouse

NUBIA N DREAM GUE S T HO U SE The guest house is a 10-minute drive away from the famous Aga Khan Mausoleum, the Nubian Museum, or Kitchenerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island. The nine rooms are nicely done up and decorated with local crafts. The Nubian Dream Guesthouse offers a restaurant and a beautiful terrace from which one can enjoy the sight of the Nile. All rooms are equipped with AC or a fan. Free WiFi access is available in public areas. Price: Medium Book your stay via www.booking.com

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Ekadolli Nubian Guesthouse

EKA D OLLI NUBIA N GUE STH O U S E www.ekadolli-guesthouse-aswan.com Ekadolli means “I love you” in the Nubian language. Established by Khaled Dakroun, the Ekadolli Nubian Guesthouse is situated in Gharb Suheil, a Nubian village on the west bank of the Nile, opposite of the city of Aswan and overlooking the scenic first cataract. The charming little family-run guesthouse offers 14 spacious rooms, a large meeting room and rest area on the first floor that is great for groups or workshops. Downtown Aswan is a 20-minute taxi or boat ride from Ekadolli. Price: Medium

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

ASWAN - LODGES

Source: Ounaty Ka

OUNAT Y KA GUE ST HOUS E http://ounatyka.com/ Ounaty Ka means House of the Moon in the Nubian language. This Nubian-themed guest house is located in Gharb Suheil village, a 20-minute drive from Aswan Train Station. It features free Wi-Fi along with public parking and a shuttle service. Air-conditioned units are furnished with a Nubian dĂŠcor and each room comes with a wardrobe and a private bathroom. The lodge staff can prepare you a great BBQ on the roof, find you spots for canoeing, hiking or bike rentals. Price: medium

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

BE T EL KEREM http://www.betelkerem.com Located in front of the Tombs of the Nobles in Aswan, Bet el Kerem offers rooms with AC or fan, a beautiful rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the desert and the Nile and a small shaded garden. Delicious Nubian food is being served at the rooftop if you order in advance. The lodge offers nine pretty basic but very clean rooms. The very hospitable staff will be happy to arrange activities on the Nile, in the desert and in the Nubian village, which you might want to explore by bike. Aswan is just a stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw away. The local ferry is within walking distance and brings you in 10 minutes to Aswanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s city center. Price: Medium

Photo by Shawn Clover on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

ASWAN - HANDICRAFTS

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

HA ND IC RAF T S OF AS WA N

Aswan is a Nubian Egyptian governorate enchanted by its ancient Pharaonic history and culture, whose influence can be seen in their handicrafts. Both men and women participate in the production of arts and crafts, includingNubian swords, baskets, amulets, silk kaftans and bed covers. Nubian art is ultimately divided into three categories: utilitarian, decorative, and symbolic. Many Egyptian governorates make palm leaf baskets, but Aswan crafters are the only ones who dye the actual palm threads to add bright geometric patterns. They weave the colored palm threads into the beige colored base, fully imagining the end geometrical result in the process. The Nubian crafters use naturally found dyes from plants that are warm in color.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

ASWAN: FLORA AND FAUNA

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

FLOR A A N D FAUN A OF AS W A N

Aswan and Abu Simbel provide travelers with a unique opportunity to combine historical tourism with nature tourism. This area is characterized by unique wetlands that host a variety of wildlife, and botany that attracts tourists from all over Egypt and the world. Some of the key national parks in the vicinity of Aswan include Salugah & Ghazal Islands; the islands are known for their special variety of plants and beautiful landscapes. Further out of Aswan is Wadi Allaqi National Park, a biosphere reserve located to the southeast of Lake Nasser, consisting of valley systems that connect the lake to the Red Sea Mountains. Aswan is blessed with a tremendous variety of birds during different times of the year. It lies at the heart of different migratory routes for birds such as the Rift Valley / Red Sea flyway. There are four globally recognized Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Aswan and its vicinity, including the Aswan Reservoir and Lake Nasser. During autumn and spring, a wide array of migratory birds can be seen as they embark on their long journeys, such as White Storks. Many migratory waterbirds choose to spend their winters

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

ASWAN: FLORA AND FAUNA

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

in Aswan, while other birds can be seen all year round, such as the beautiful Nile Valley Sunbird. Many African birds can also be spotted in Aswan, such as the Yellow Billed Stork. Some of the unique birds that can be seen in Aswan include: 1. Great White Pelican 2. Pink-backed Pelican (can be seen late December till Mid-April) 3. African Skimmer 4. Egyptian Goose 5. White-tailed Whitear 6. White Storks 7. Yellow-billed Kite

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkmeper F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

WESTERN DESERT The name “Western Desert” might imply that all there is to it is sand – however, the Western Desert got is name for being on the Western side of the Nile. It is part of the Libyan Desert, which is in itself part of the Sahara Desert. It is home to the Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Kharga and Dakhla Oases; each of the five oases has its own unique character, landscape, history and degree of modernization. The large stretch of desert was covered in savannah before the grass was affected by climate change and overgrazing by “Stone Age pastoralists,” much of the appeal of the Western Desert comes from the vastness of its size; 681,000 km2. Among the most striking features of the desert are the Qattara Depression; the lowest point in Africa, the Ghard Abu Muharrik; Egypt’s longest dune and the Great Sand Sea; known to have swallowed Cambyses 50 000 man army.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkmeper F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Additionally, the “ Gilf Kebir” and “Jebel Uwaynat” are rich in prehistoric rock art, made famous by the book and film “The English Patient.” It was in this desert that Antoine de Saint – Exupery’s plane crashed and where he was rescued as described in his book “Wind, Sand and Stars.” There are a variety of things that add to how special the Western Desert is a location; • During the Second World War, the Germans, Italians and British fought battles in the Western Desert, the most famous of which was the Long Range Desert Group of the British Army.

To this

day, one can find abandoned military vehicles in the desert. • A gloriously clear sky offering stargazers a unique opportunity to examine, recognize and locate the various planets, stars and constellations with great ease. • The 40-day route or ‘Darb Al Arbain’ was one of the major African trade routes crossing the Western Desert, starting in Darfur, Sudan, leading over Kharga Oasis and ending in Assiut, Egypt. Unfortunately, their most traded merchandise were slaves – with a high mortality rate.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkmeper F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

SIWA Siwa is one of the world’s last remaining authentic and almost untouched oases. The people of Siwa speak Siwi or Berber and have customs that are different than the rest of Egypt since the oasis is one of Egypt’s most isolated settlements, with a population of around 25 000 The rocky land is filled with historical ruins located 50 km east of the Libyan border, Siwa is most famous for the remains of the oracle of Amon. Dates and olives are the main agricultural produce in the oasis. The oasis is characterized by its thick palm groves surrounding its freshwater springs and salt lakes, it is also home to the ruins of Shali and Aghurmi, labyrinthine mud-built towns that once protected the Siwans from desert raiders. Scattered around the oasis are temples that attest to Siwa’s fame and prosperity during Greco-Roman times. Siwans still observe their own festivals and wedding customs making the best time to visit is during Spring or Autumn, which is festival season for Siwa and the weather is warm as opposed to very cold winter nights.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

101

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkmeper

SA ND B O A RD IN G Surf the giant dunes of the Great Sand Sea near Siwa, which is thought to be the best dune surfing location in the world. Its smooth and steep dunes reach heights of 140 meters, gliding down the dune; you have a view of the desert landscape.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkmeper

R U I N S O F S H A LI F O R T RE SS I N SI W A This 13th century mud brick fortress was build using an organic building material called “kershef”. Kershef is salt rock brought from the lakes mixed with mud and clay. The fortress was four to five stories high and had housed hundreds of people. Due to heavy rainfall in 1926, the fortress was heavily damaged forcing its people to move out. Today, only a few buildings are used as storage, still, the ruins are worth a visit especially if you climb up to a high point for a 360-degree

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

103

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Travel Aficionado on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

BIR WAHID Bir Wahid or the well of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wahidâ&#x20AC;? was discovered in the late 1970s during unsuccessful oil drilling explorations. You can bathe in the cool fresh waters of Bir Wahid while having the fish of the well nibble on your feet; after doing that, jump in the hot spring 200 meters away for an alternating bath in the middle of the desert. There is no rest house or a place to get food near Bir Wahid, so travellers need to bring their own food and drinks, however, make sure all waste is collected before leaving.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by HuMaN_eXaMpLe on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

J EBEL A L MAWT A Literally translated to mean the “mountain of the dead,” on this mountain is a necropolis dating back to the 26th Dynasty, the Greek (Ptolemaic) and the Roman periods. The necropolis is located a little over 1 km north of Shali and the tombs are spread all over the base of the mountain. During World War II, the tombs were used by Siwans as bomb shelters, soldiers stationed in the oasis during the war also used the tombs and left their graffiti to be seen today.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

105

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Darla Hueske on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

GABAL UWEINAT The mountain is a 2000 meter high granite and sandstone massif, spanning the borders of Libya, Egypt and Sudan; almost an island in a sea of sand. Plateaus, cliffs and wadis define the mountain. Of the most famous wadis is Wadi Karkus, or the Acacia Wadi, named after the many Acacia trees found in the Wadi.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

GREAT SAND SEA Covering most of the Northern Libyan Desert, the Great Sand Sea is a largely unfamiliar area. Travelers need to be well prepared to travel through the Great Sand Sea. In the sand, one might find Libyan Desert Glass, a rare mineral, made of almost pure silica glass and is believed to have evolved as a result of a meteorite or comet impact centuries ago. The glass was known to Ancient Egyptians as the “Rock of God” and it was used it in Tutankhamen’s scarab pendent.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

107

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Heather Cowper on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

FATNAS I SLA N D Just a 10-minute donkey cart ride away from Shali is the Island of Fatnas on lake Siwa. While Lake Siwa contains rather salty water, Fatnas is home to a clean freshwater spring. A small restaurant for refreshments can be found on site.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by misslishess on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

PAR TIC IPATE IN THE SIWA FESTIVAL The Siwa Festival is a 200-year-old annual festival that is referred to as a “Spiritual Journey.” During the 3-day festival, that coincides with the full moon in October, through prayer, feasts and celebrations, Siwans gather to praise God and the Prophet Mohamed, resolve disagreements, harvest dates and olives and perform marriages on the mountain “Gabal al Dakrur.”

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

109

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

VISI T HAW YE T SI WA Hawyet Siwa is an ecotel and cultural center that is located at the base of Shali Historic Fortress in the Western Desert. Not only does Hawyet Siwa provide cultural, educational, and artistic activities to the Siwi community, but it is also powered by renewable energy sources that are off-grid; namely solar energy and biogas. The hotel and venue is constructed from recyclable and reusable material, as per Siwi traditional architecture. http://nahdetelmahrousa.org/social-enterprises/hawyet-siwa

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

TAKE A D O N KE Y T AXI The donkey-cart is one of the most popular transportation vehicles in Siwa, it can either be rented for one trip, or for a whole day.

A beautiful website about Siwan sights, traditions and history http://www.siwa.com

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

111

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Christine und David Schmitt on flickr. com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

QATTARA DEPRESSION The Qattara Depression is the second lowest point in Africa and the lowest point in Egypt; at -133 meters below sea level. Located at 20 km to the east of Siwa, the depression covers around 7500 m2. If viewed from above, the depression looks like a drop, where steep slopes border one side and the other side dips into the great sand sea. During World War II, the Qattara Depression acted as a natural border; tanks and military vehicles could not pass the salt lakes and stone plateaus, giving the English an edge over the Germans.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

AGHURMI “Aghurmi” means village in the Berber language. Aghrumi, the limestone plateau, is located around 2km east of Shali and it overlooks a field of palm groves. It contains an abandoned citadel, which used to be the center of Siwa. During the Roman Period the temple lost its importance and beginning of the 13th century Siwans moved behind the Kershef walls of Shali.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

113

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Ernie R on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

ORACLE OF AMUN On the limestone rock, right above Aghrumi, lays the temple of Amun where Oracle of Amun, or Oracle of Siwa is located. The temple was built 570 BC but is believed to be more than 3000 years old and was visited by Alexander the Great around 331BC. The Greek historian Herodotus said, Cambyses II sent his 50000 men army to destroy the Oracle of Amun but the army got swallowed by a heavy sandstorm. Historians and archeologists have searched for the remains of the lost army, which are still not to be found.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

THE HOUSE OF SIWA MUSEUM The house of Siwa was built to house the museum using traditional Siwan construction techniques like Karsheef mixture of mud and salt rocks and palm trunks for beams. Before visiting the museum, make sure you book ahead of time in order to make sure someone is available to explain everything about the house. The museum displays traditional costumes, jewelry and bridal dresses, made of different colored embroidered silks decorated with mother of pearl buttons; as well as jewelry and household objects used in Siwa.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

115

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

WEAR A GALLABIYA, EAT DATES, HAVE A TEA AND SI T UNDER A PALM A gallabiya is an oversized, long sleeved shirt that is full length to cover the entire body. It is loose fitting for ultimate comfort and natural ventilation. Combine this experience with a hot glass of Siwan tea and dates to eat under a palm tree. The epitome of relaxation.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by saragoldsmith on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

CLEOPATRA’S BATH Cleopatra’s Bath is one of Siwa’s landmarks; a pool that is fed with water from natural hot springs; it’s the best way to cool off the heat of a hot summer day. Queen Cleopatra swam in this pool during her visit to Siwa, hence giving it its name.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

117

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

TA ZIRY www.taziry.com Taziry has been built at the footstep of the famous Red Mountain of Siwa, facing the magnificent White Mountain; overlooking the vast Gary Lake, and the dunes of the Great Sand Sea. Taziry is an eco-lodge made up of 30 rooms, combining large comfortable double rooms as well as family chalets. Each room is distinct from the other, with a spacious bathroom and a private veranda. Taziry, which means â&#x20AC;&#x153;fullmoonâ&#x20AC;? in the Siwan language, brings about the splendor of the sky, for they only use candles inside the rooms, or oil lamps and torches outside, giving the place a rousing poetic atmosphere. Other than that the sun is the choice of renewable energy. Solar water heating panels are installed over the rooms to provide hot water in the showers. Photovoltaic is used in some facilities of the ecolodge- such as the reception and the kitchen- to supply power efficient tools, preventing any dependence on polluting fossilfueled systems. Price: Expensive

Source: Taziry ecolodge

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Talist Siwa

TA LI S T www.talistsiwa.com Talist means lake in the Siwan language. The family-owned, designed and operated eco-lodge provides the perfect getaway. Talist is located at the base of a mountain and overlooking Siwa Lake, Jafar and Al Gary mountains. Simplicity, beauty and tranquility are what we offer. Eat organic, enjoy beauty, minimize waste, have an intimate talk with a friend. All buildings are made of local natural materials. It has no electricity. Electricity is available only for charging electric devices. They only use candlelights and lanterns, which gives the place a unique mythical and fairy-tale mood. Price: medium-high E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

119

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

Source: Nour El Waha Hotel

N OUR EL WAHA HOTEL http://www.siwawi.com/en/catalog/nour-el-waha Located in the Siwa Oasis, Nour El Waha Hotel features free Wi-Fi in all areas, a terrace overlooking the natural reserve and the Siwa Lake. Water sports facilities and horseback riding are available upon request. All units feature a warm dĂŠcor. Each one provides a satellite TV, a balcony, a dining area and a kitchen. The bathroom is fitted with a shower. A daily breakfast is served at the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant or in the room. A shuttle service is available upon request. Cleopatra Bath is a 20-minute drive and Downtown Siwa is 5 km away from Nour El Waha Hotel. Price: Medium F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Ghaliet Siwa

GHA LIE T http://carolshotels.com/ghaliet/ Ghaliet is a small eco-lodge located in Siwa, made up of 12 en suite rooms, allowing for 24 guests to be present at any given time. Upper rooms have transparent glass ceilings, enabling their guests to stargaze from the comfort of their own bed. Lower rooms are equipped with a private backyard. The lodge is ready with Internet as well as library facilities, for the guests wishing to spend their days in the lodge by the swimming pool. However, more outdoorsy guests can find day trip options, during which they may visit the authentic Siwan peninsula. Price: High-Expensive

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

121

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

Photo by: Bernhard Rohkemper

A DRERE AMELLA L http://www.adrereamellal.net/ Adrere Amellal is an eco-lodge situated at the bottom of a Siwan mountain. Each of the 40 rooms is built into the natural, rocky landscape, lit using dozens of beeswax candles (given that there is no electricity), and accompanied by the unparalleled starry desert sky. The lodge provides its visitors with excursions set out into the satin soft sand dunes of Siwa, wherein food is made and served by the most hospitable Bedouins. Aside from the excursions, Adrere Amellal provides local organic cuisine. Price: Expensive

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

SAFA R I GA RDE N HOT E L http://www.siwagardens.com Siwa Safari Gardens is a small family-owned hotel built in traditional style. The open plan reception area, restaurant and upper rooms feature brick domes and display the intricate work of the master bricklayers. Most of the rooms are set around a pool formed from a natural warm spring. Each room is furnished in relaxing tones, with traditional kilim rugs laid on cool tiles. The hotel offers 12 rooms that can host a total of 24 guests

Source: Safari Garden Hotel

AI YT O LU A IG E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M UF N Y -UB M A S: ETDUTNOI USR IVS IML G DE

123

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

SI WA S H A L I R E S O R T http://www.siwashaliresort.com/ Set within the beautiful scenery of the Sahara desert, the resort is arranged as an archipelago of small one-story constructions placed within the dunes. The restaurant, reception and spa each occupy one of three independent buildings and the guest rooms, each with its own en-suite, where built using local construction techniques and materials. The mud rendering of the walls makes the structures aesthetically similar to the old houses of Siwa while constituting an efficient barrier against the external temperature. The Resort features a 200m swimming pool unraveling through the length of the village. Price: Medium - High

Source: Siwa Shali Resort

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

DREAM LO D GE HOT E L www.siwadreamlodgehotel.com The little hotel is situated down a quiet unpaved road that winds through palm trees, a 3-minute walk from the tourist-dense central square of Siwa. The walls are rough, sandy plaster, and the lighting is subdued at night. Arched doorways, terra cotta light shades, and simple-but-elegant furniture hand-carved with traditional motifs really make this place special. The rooms are large and follow the traditional motif of the rest of the hotel, with rounded shapes and handmade furnishings; they also have fans. For eating, choose between seating on the roof amidst the top of the palm trees, with a view across the grove or downstairs on low cushions next to the fireplace. Price: Medium

Source: Dream Lodge Hotel

AI YT O LU A IG E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M UF N Y -UB M A S: ETDUTNOI USR IVS IML G DE

125

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: gr33ndata on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

BAHAREYA Located 350 km away from Cairo and situated in a depression of about 100x40 km, the Bahariya Oasis is the smallest and closest to Cairo. In the Late Cretaceous era, 94 million years ago, the oasis was a steamy mangrove-swamp inhabited by plant-eating dinosaurs; their bones have been found in Bahareiya. The oasis’ capital “Bawiti” has a picturesque center of old houses overlooking palm groves. However, dwellings and concrete government buildings line the Cairo–Farafra highway block the view such that it is not until you reach the outskirts of Bawiti that the capital reveals its beauty. Bahariya usually serves as the main departure point for safaris into the Western Desert.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

127

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by doozzle on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

STROLL THROUGH THE FIELDS OF BAHAREYA The lush green palm grove fields of Bahareya make for a wonderful afternoon walk. Be careful as a woman; do not walk alone into private fields and try to stay on the rural road. It might be taken as an invitation.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by gr33ndata on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

HIKE GABAL AL INGLIZ/ BLAC K MOUNTAIN Located between Al-Mandesha and Al-Bawati, the mountain got its name because the British Captain Williams built a basalt rock building on top of the mountain to monitor Al Sanussi incursions in 1916. Hence, the mountain is nicknamed the “English Mountain” (Jebel el-Ingleez) such that can easily be identified by the ruins on its top and its distinct top covered in basalt and diorite due to the volcanic activity that used to be in the region.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

129

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by gr33ndata on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

HOT SPRINGS IN BAWI TI Bir Ramla is the nearest spring to Bawiti, however, at 45°C; the springs are too hot for most tourists. Men can bathe in shorts while women can only bathe in full clothing at night; the same applies to to Bir el-Negba, 1km away. Bir al-Mattar, 5km from Bawiti, is also a very hot bath, and there is only a trickle of water at Bir el-Ghaba (“Well of the Forest”), 11km from town, yet it is worth a visit solely for its scenery

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by HuMaN_eXaMpLe on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

JEBEL EL DIST Jebel el-Dist or the mountain of “el Dist”, 17 km north of Bawiti is more accurately described by guides as “Pyramid Mountain”, because of its symmetrical sides and pointed peak. Hike the mountain for some stunning views over the oasis and nearby mountains. In 1914, German paleontologist Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach found remains of dinosaurs in the area of Jebel Dist and a nearby Jebel Maghrafa. Unfortunately, its dinosaur beds have been picked bare.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

131

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Travel Aficionado on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

BICYCLE TOUR THROUGH PICTURESQUE VILLAGES Linked by a country back-road which makes them easy to explore by bicycle, the villages near Bawiti are unaffected by tourism, and people are friendly and hospitable.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by HuMaN_eXaMpLe on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

VISIT AL HEIZ & SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNIT Y Most stop for lunch at Heiz el-Bahri, where tamarisk-mounds and palms surround a cold spring. The village is home to around 600 households with a total of 3300 residents with no continuous electrical power source available. The lack of electricity affects the villages and a group of young Egyptians sought to change this. So far, they collected money to equip 35 houses with complete solar home systems. Meanwhile, beneficiary households were briefed on the internal wiring and maintenance of the panels. The village and the project are definitely worth a visit.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

133

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by miss_ohara on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

THE BLAC K DESER T 50 km south of Bawiti starts the black desert, a landscape of conical and tabletop hills with black basalt summits erupting from tawny sand. The Black Desert (Sahara al Souda) stretches most of the way to Farafra Oasis. Towards its end, almost at Farafra, are black volcanic hills to be found. These prehistoric volcanoes erupted dark volcanic material, which today form the beautiful dark rocks. A region, which has been unfairly under-rated compared to the White Desert and a great spot for breathtaking photography.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by _persona_ on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

FARAFRA The Farafra Oasis is known for its White Desert, it is also the least populated and most isolated of the four oases. When means of travel were scarce, the Farafrans had little contact with Bahariya (a journey of four days) than with Dakhla with which it was connected with Darb al Arbain/ Forty Days Road. “Qasr” is the largest city of the oasis and is home to a tight-knit community of four extended families known for its piety, apparent during Ramadan when the mosque overflows with imams and sheikhs.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

135

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by rouelshimi on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

BA DR’S MUSEUM The museum is a creation of Badr Abdel Moghny, a self-taught artist whose work has been exhibited in Europe. It is located in a mud brick building near the Qasr. Badr’s Museum features reliefs of camels and farmers decorating on its walls and an antique wooden lock on the door. Its dozen-odd rooms exhibit Badr’s rustic sculptures, surreal paintings, stuffed wildlife, and fossils. Badr has turned his museum to a beautiful site, which is surrounded by a desert garden

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by HuMaN_eXaMpLe on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

QASR/ THE FOR TRESS Qasr is the Arabic word for fortress; houses have merged into the ruined mud-brick fortress that gives the village its name. Damaged by heavy rainfall, the fortress began to crumble in the 1950s; the less damaged parts remain home to several families. The palm groves behind the village are divided into walled gardens planted with olive and fruit trees as well as date palms. You should not enter the gardens uninvited; for single women to do so is regarded as provocative.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

137

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by gr33ndata on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

BIR SE TTA The hot spring Bir Setta is located about 5 km from the main town and easy to reach by car or bike. The waters of Bir Sitta help relieve back pain and joint ache, which is especially helpful after a long day of sightseeing. The waters contain traces of sulfur, which is said to aid muscle and joint recovery.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by HuMaN_eXaMpLe on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

DJARA CAVE The Djara Cave is located in the midst of the Eastern Sahara Desert towards El-Dakhla Oasis. The cave is the embodiment of a fairy tale scene with stalactites, which were formed over millions of years by fresh water. The German explorer Gerhard Rohlfs discovered the cave in the 19th century. A caving experience that unique in Egypt.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

139

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by lee_horrocks on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

DAKHLA The name given to the oasis literally translates “Inner Oasis” which lies in the New Valley governorate; on the West, it is bordered by the Great Sand Sea, on the north by a high limestone escarpment and on the east by the Abu Tartur Plateau. The oasis is home to 75000 people living in several small settlements along the Farafra and Kharga roads. There are about 30,000 acres of cultivated land; most of Dakhla’s residents are farmers. In the fertile cultivated areas, rice, wheat, corn and animal food are grown and gardens are filled with date palms, figs, apricots and citrus fruits. The majority of visitors base themselves in or near Mut, Dakhla’s capital. Dakhla has Islamic architecture; additionally it also has Ancient Egyptian, Roman and Coptic antiquities, dunes, palm groves and hot springs to explore. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Marc-Olivier Bergeron on flickr. com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

WHI TE DESER T NATIONAL PARK Covering 3010 km2 on both sides of the highway, the White Desert National Park was established in 2002 in order to protect the landscape from over-exposure to tourism. Wherever you look, there are chalk pinnacles eroded into odd forms, above a dusty pan strewn with shells, crystals and iron pyrites. All originated as deposits of sea urchins that thrived in the shallow sea covering this area one hundred million years ago. After the sea, millions of years of wind-erosion produced these shapes.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

141

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

TOMB OF SHEIKH EL- BISHMU Beyond the domed Tomb of Sheikh el-Bishmu you can find “Ain Bishmu,” a fissure in the bedrock where a spring was axed in Roman times, gushing hot water (35°C) into a natural basin. Although flawed by a pumping station, there exists a great view of the palm groves below the ridge.

OASIS HERI TAGE MUSEUM The museum was designed by Mahmoud Eid who is a self-taught sculptor inspired by the Museum of Badr in Farafra, the museum is currently displaying art carved in the bark of palms or sand stones. The museum might be closed, but if you ask for Eid at the cafeteria, they will call him for you.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

QARAT QASR SALIM The ridge is home to two tombs found by Ahmed Fakhry in 1938, both dating back to the XXVI Dynasty. During this dynasty, rich local merchants built themselves tombs imitating the noble. The Tomb of Zad-Amun ef-Ankh is in a steep-sided pit and its ritual hall has rounded pillars and is decorated with deities painted in ochre, brown and black upon a white background. Nearby lies the Tomb of Bannentiu, his son, at the bottom of a 10m shaft.

ANTIQUI TIES INSPECTORATE: THE MUSEUM Near Bawiti’s hospital, locally known as “the museum” (Al-Mathaf), the museum was built to exhibit mummies found outside Bawiti in 1996. Encased in gilded and painted cartonage, with sculpted stucco masks and some of the “Golden Mummies” are displayed here. The Greco-Roman Mummies were found when a donkey stumbled into a hole in the desert.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

143

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

AL QASR The medieval settlement can be explored on a bicycle where The Muzawaka Tombs and the Roman temple of Deir al-Hagar are located. Local Safaris offer excursions to the hot springs as well as Sunset trips on camel (with the option of sleeping in the desert). Al Qasr is an Islamic settlement, built upon Roman foundations, which is the longest continually inhabited site in the oasis. Al Qasr is home to traditional brick buildings that are four or five stories high. Three or four families still live in the mud-brick old town viewing above palm groves and a salt lake. Handicrafts sellers beside the New Mosque and a Tour Centre mark the border where you can pick up a guide to lead you around and unlock houses and workshops.

BAT WATC HING Dakhla is home to the only species of Mediterranean fruit-bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) found beyond the tropics, of which some 2,500 exist in the oasis. The Egyptian fruit bats are known for consuming large amounts of fruits, with dates being their favorite. The bats in the oasis are of utmost ecological importance because they are pollinators or seed dispensers, especially in these desert regions, for many species of trees and plants.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

BIRD WATC HING AT THE FISH POND One kilometer after Mut Talata is the fish pond, a lake created to serve as a fish farm but which became so polluted that it’s now merely a drainage lake for irrigation water – but nonetheless great for bird-watching and a great sight. Be on the lookout for the following birds: avocet, stilt and coot.

MUT TALATA HOT SPRINGS Best visited on the way back, or in the evening, Mut Talatta is the nearest of Dakhla’s hot springs, enclosed by the Sol y Mar Mut Inn where you can enjoy the swimming pool of brown, sulfur- and iron-rich water, flowing from a depth of over 1000 meters. The entry fee is 10 Egyptian pounds; if you want to save that money use the smaller public natural pool outside the hotel. For the public pool, women should wear pants and shirts.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

145

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

KHARGA Kharga is the capital of the New Valley governorate and is the nearest of the oases to Luxor, however, it gets far fewer tourists than the others. El-Kharga, the “capital” of the oasis, is a town of eighty thousand people including a few thousand Nubians, who were settled after the creation of Lake Nasser. The oasis lies in a natural depression, which is about 160km long and 20-80 km wide, in ancient times, the depression used to be a lake.

STONE MONASTERY Deir al-Hagar or the “Stone Monastery” was once a Roman temple dedicated to the Theban Triad and the god of the oasis, Seth. The temple’s sandstone hypostyle hall, sanctuary and brick enclosure wall were built in the first century AD, under emperors Nero, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. It later served as a Coptic monastery until a sand dune consumed it, causing the roof to collapse and leaving only the tops of the columns visible. One column is inscribed with the names of almost every explorer who visited Dakhla in the nineteenth century, including Edmondstone, Drovetti, Cailliaud and the entire Rohlfs expedition, the temple was uncovered, restored and partially reconstructed in the 1990s.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

DEIR EL-KASHEF Deir el-Kashef or Monastery of the Tax Collector is accessed by a track running behind the ticket kiosk in Bagawat, named after a Mamluk governor, the five-story Coptic monastery dates back to the 5th and 6th century. The monastery once housed hermits and travelers in its vaulted cells, and still has a view of the point where the Darb al Arbain crossed Kharga. The monastery was abandoned in 10 AD. In the valley below are the ruins of a small hermitage, with Greek texts on the walls of the nave and the tiny cells where the monks slept.

MUSEUM OF THE NEW VALLEY The museum is located in a modern building modeled after the Coptic tombs of nearby Bagawat, it exhibits artifacts from various sites scattered across three oases. The most impressive are Greco-Roman painted sarcophagi from Maks al-Qibli; death masks from Qasr el-Labeka; and mummified rams, eagles and ibises from Dakhla Oasis. Jewelry, scarabs and headrests represent the Old Kingdom from the tombs of the VI Dynasty governors at Qila ed-Dabba in Dakhla.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

147

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

THE ABANDONED RAILWAY STATION The station was built by the British in 1906–8, and used throughout World War II, but gradually blocked by advancing dunes. It used to operate special carriages with double roofs and wide eaves to protect passengers from the desert heat. The same fate befell another railway built further south in the 1990s. It used to connect the Said with Kharga. Unfortunately dunes blocked the tracks and during the revolution 2011 all steel tracks were stolen.

ED-DEIR The best preserved and most accessible of Kharga’s Roman forts is Ed-Deir, about 25 km northeast of Kharga, where it guarded the route to Farshut and the Nile Valley. . Built during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Diocletian (244–311 AD), its twelve rounded towers are connected by a gallery, with numerous rooms featuring obscene graffiti drawn by generations of Roman, Turkish and British soldiers.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

QASR EL-LABEKA Qasr el-Labeka is a good place to observe the underground aqueducts, known as manafis that drew on ground water like the qanats of ancient Persia. Labeka was once one of the largest fortresses in Kharga to serve as a guardian for the Darb al Arbain. It is reached through a road off the highway that turns into a sandy track leading to a tiny oasis.

BOULAQ & NASSER WATER SPRINGS The water springs, famous for their natural treatment properties especially for rheumatism, stress and other skin diseases are located 20km south of El-Kharga Oasis, the water temperature rises to 43 degrees Celsius. But also perfectly healthy visitors can enjoy a warm bath after a long day of sightseeing. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to take a driver, you can reach the villages Boulaq and Nasser by bus. Lookout for the bus to Baris and ask the driver to drop you off along the way.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

149

WESTERN DESSERT - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

TEMPLE OF DUSH The fortress protected the ancient town of Kysis, an agricultural settlement enriched by the Forty Days Road that had potters, jewelers and brothels. The site lies about 125km south of Kharga, at an intersection of several major trade routesIt was a large military installation during the Roman Period. Hieroglyphic texts suggest the temple was initially dedicated to Osiris, later during the GrecoRoman era the temple was dedicated to Serapis and Isis.

AIN AMUR Ain Amur or the spring of the Lovely One is situated 200m up the cliffs of the Abu Tartur Plateau, west of the Kharga depression. At 525m above sea level, it is the highest spring in the Western Desert, fed by aquifers in the escarpment rather than deep below the desert floor. Near the spring, there are ruins of a Roman fortress that includes Coptic graffiti bearing the testimony of a traveler “faint from thirst” who stumbled upon Ain Amur late at night, which “saved him”. It is believed that the spring was the last watering hole of the legendary Lost Army of Cambyses, before it disappeared into the Great Sand Sea.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

TEMPLE OF HIBIS The temple lies 4 km north of Kharga and close by the Necropolis of Bagawat, in the middle of a palm grove. Dedicated to Amun, the temple was built by Darius, and later restored byNectanebo II and following Ptolemies between 52 and 300 BC.

THE NEC ROPOLIS OF BAGAWAT Bagawat is one of the oldest and best preserved Christian cemeteries in Egypt. The cemetery dates back to the 2nd and 6th century BC. It is located on the slopes of Gabal al Tayr. Around 263 mud-brick chapels are preserved on this site. Most of which are single rooms with flat or domed roofs. Interspersed among the mausolea are hundreds of pit graves.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

151

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

Source: Desert Rose

DE SER T RO S E www.desertrose-ecolodge.com/ The Desert Rose Eco Lodge Bahareya is a hotel set in the unspoiled, beautiful area of Bir El Mattar: about 8 km from the main town Bawiti. The lodge offers accommodation near the Pyramid Mountain, and there is a hot spring at a mere 100 yards away. Best of all, the area is serene and yet is located at a 15 minute drive from Bawiti town center, and one hour from Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous White Desert. The lodge provides opportunities for cycling, hiking, and off-roading during the day. Price: Medium

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: AlTarfa Ecolodge

A L - T A RF A EC O LO DGE http://altarfa.net/ Set in the placid Oasis of Dakhla, Al Tarfa Desert Sanctuary is an eco-friendly lodge with 20 beautiful suites and rooms set in a large private reserve. At Al-Tarfa Ecolodge youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be surrounded by beauty, pampered in their fully equipped spa, meditating & doing yoga, eating fresh organic foods, swimming & enjoying luxury in the best primitive down-to-earth yet luxurious way. Price: Expensive

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

153

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

Source: Ahmed Safari Camp

AHM ED S AFA RI C AMP Ahmed Safari Camp Nestled between the desert and palm groves, this camp-shaped hotel is located in a small village in the Bahariya Oasis. It offers a restaurant and Bedouin tents with folklore music and bonfires. Featuring a terrace overlooking the garden, all rooms at Ahmed Safari Camp & Hotel feature air conditioning, a seating area and a private bathroom with a shower. You can access the camping area for a fee, or you can enjoy a desert safari, camel riding or hiking. Landscaped gardens and hot spring baths surround the hotel. Price: Low F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Badry Safari Camp

BA DR Y SAFA RI CAMP http://www.badrysaharacamp.com/ Badryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sahara Camp is located in Bawati. The simply furnished Bedouin tent includes double, twin or triple beds. Shared bathrooms come with a shower. There is also a shared kitchen, but Badry usually pampers his guests to the utmost. The property offers free parking and Badry can take you on tours through the Western Desert. Price: Low

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

155

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

S HAMSY A C A MP

Located on the sand dunes of Dakhla, Shamsiya camp has both desert and greenery. On one side you can have the view of the great sand dunes and right behind you can find farming land and palm trees. Each tent is made out of wood and covered with material; protecting our guest from the sun and allowing a slight breeze go through the tent. They are equipped with two beds, a bathroom, a private dressing room, and furnished with handmade furniture following the style of the Bedouins. Each tent comes with its private deck where clients can enjoy their afternoon tea and watch the sunset. Everything from the service to the accommodation will be nature friendly as we respect our environment and want to marvel at it and leave it untouched. Price: High - Expensive Source: Shamseya Camp

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Bawiti Oasis Hotel Resort

BAWI T I OASI S HOT EL RE S O R T http://www.egyptvacations.eu/ The Hotel is situated in a landscape of date trees, biological gardens and the desert. It offers 13 cozy houses and a warm water spring. The Oasis capital is only a 10 min drive away. The garden is planted with organic fruit trees and local flowers. Price: Medium

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

157

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

Source: Lazouli Lodge

LA Z OU LI LO DGE http://www.lazulinil.com/ Established at the entrance of the Bahariya Oasis and the Libyan Desert, the Lazuli Lodge is a small oasis town with his twenty houses dotting the dunes. Designed and built with a genuine concern for harmony with the environment, this ecolodge was built with natural materials from the oasis. In the evening, the Lodge is decorated with candlelight. Electricity is minimized and produced through solar power.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Shahrazad Camp

SH AHRA ZA D CAMP http://www.shahrazadcamp.com Shahrazad Camp is the first organization to offer desert safari tours in the White Desert. The magical mountains, sand dunes, to establish a luxurious Arabian camp in one of the Egyptian Oasis-Farafra, surround their idea and the mushroom-shaped formations of stark white rocks, all sculptured by nature. Shahrazad Camp is the result of collective thinking of international tourism experts, providing visitors with the true Egyptian wildlife experience.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

159

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

Source: Badaweya Farafra Hotel

BA DAWIYA FA RAFRA HOTE L http://www.badawiya.com Badawiya Hotel Farafra is a traditional mud-brick building with all modern comforts, situated at the entrance to the Farafra Oasis. The hotel has 12 duplex-style and 8 one-floor rooms all with bathroom, fan and mosquito nets. The hotel has also 13 newly built suites, all with living and sleeping areas, bathroom, mosquito nets and A/C. The hotel features a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a rooftop terrace. Our own farm exclusively supplies organic produce for our kitchen. Prices: low - medium

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Tabuna Camp

TABUN A CAMP http://www.desertinstyle-egypt.com/tabunacamp.htm The camp is composed of 20 tents. Each of the 20 tents has the size of 35 sqm, is made out of wood and covered in material; protecting our guest from the sun and allowing a slight breeze go through the tent Each tent is fully furnished with two single beds and foldable in case of child or extra person in tent. It is furnished with handmade furniture following the style of the Bedouins Each tent is equipped with a bathroom with Shower and has a private dressing room . Each tent comes with its private deck where guests can enjoy their afternoon tea and watch the sunset. Price: High â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Expensive E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

161

WESTERN DESSERT - LODGES

2 Source: Desert Lodge

DE SER T LO DGE www.desertlodge.net The Desert Lodge is an outstanding example of responsible tourism. The Lodge hosts 32 large rooms. The rooms are simply but tastefully furnished in the local style. They all have telephones. In order to keep the air well circulated during the hot season, the rooms have high ceilings and are equipped with a fan. In cold winter nights, heaters can be installed upon request. A large number of rooms have either balconies or terraces with spectacular views over the village, the desert or towards the nearby mountain range. The lodge uses solar energy and feeds it in the grid. They recycle their waste, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use plastic bottles, but water from their own well, they actively involve the local community and operate their own small waste recycling unit. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

IN T E GR AT I N G SU S T A I N A BI L I T Y . . . The integration of all aspects of sustainability can be found only in a few places in Egypt; the Desert Lodge has been striving to be one of them since the very beginning. During construction, local craftsmen were engaged and only local and natural materials used. Now you will sleep in 100% Egyptian cotton bed linen, and enjoy homegrown vegetables – irrigated with reused water. The lodge is reducing and separating its own waste (e.g. through offering filtered tap water instead of plastic bottles) and contributes to the village´s development through the establishment of a waste management system for the area. Want to learn more? Visit Dakhla!

1. Looking for a hot shower? The sun will be heating it for you – solar water heaters have been installed on the roof.

2. You do not see them, but they are there: Energy saving light bulbs to reduce energy consumption.

3. The solar energy produced by these PV installments is not only used for the lodge itself but fed into the local grid – even before feed-in tariffs were introduced in EG Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E Egypt.

163

Source: Ayadi Masreya Foundation

WESTERN DESSERT- HANDICRAFTS

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

HA ND IC RAF TS OF THE WE S T E R N DE SER T Siwa offers a wide range of handicrafts including pottery, jewelry and textiles. Siwan women sew dresses as well as long black robes, decorated with red tubes of woven string, and also weave carpets and baskets. Women incorporate bold patterns consisting of significant icons and motifs as inspired by their surroundings. On the other hand, men are the silversmiths of the craft culture in Siwa, making all the silver jewelry and accessories: Bahariya The women of Al Agooz village produce a variety of embroidered bags, tablecloths and pillowcases. Farafra Known for spinning of both camel and sheep wool, spinning in Farafra is a male occupation. Knitting, too, as amongst sailors, is an occupation practiced by men in Farafra.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

165

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

WESTERN DESSERT - FLORA AND FAUNA

FLOR A A N D FAUN A OF WE ST E RN D E SSE R T Bi r d Wat c h i n g In 2002, Italian NGOs helped establish the Siwa Protected Area to safeguard 7,800 km2 within and beyond the oasis. The Western Desert is home to a range of animals that are well adapted to living without water and gain their moisture from their food. The Lesser Sand Viper, which can easily be confused with the Horned Viper, is only found in sandy habitats. Another occupant of the sands is the Sandfish, named as such because of its habit of “swimming” through the sand. Several birds inhabit the sands including the Hoopoe Lark, easily distinguished by the long, slightly curved bill that gives it its. Also found there are: Sand Partridge, Thickla Lark, Horned Lark and the African Marsh Warbler. Mammals of the region include the extremely rare Slenderhorned Gazelle in addition to the tiny Fennec Fox, of the smallest and most well adapted desert carnivores in the world. They dig deep burrows to reduce their exposure to heat during the day; it could to be the only desert carnivores that can live entirely without water.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

167

SI W A TO SI WA BY CA R 120 km on the Cairo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alexandria desert road until the junction of the Alamein highway 132 km on the Alamein highway till the North Coast International highway. 165 km on the North Coast International highway till the TAM oil Gas station 15 km before Marsa Matrouh. 25 km left on the Barrani â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Salloum International highway. 295 km left on the Siwa highway all till you reach the Safi Natural Water plant. Please note that there are no Gas stations, supermarkets or restaurants on the road from Marsa Matruh to Siwa! F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

TO SI WA BY BUS / BY T RAI N Via Marsa Matrouh – From Cairo with West Delta Bus from the Turgoman Station to Marsa Matrouh. Continue with the West Delta Bus to Siwa. Via Alexandria – There are 3 West Delta Buses from Alexandria to Marsa Matrouh. From Cairo take the train to Alexandria, takes 2 -3 hours and then take the bus to Marsa Matrouh.

Getting around in Siwa Hire a donkey cart, fits up to 4 people (but faster with less): Around 70 LE per day for a cart. Rent a bicycle for the day: Price around 20 LE per day Though the heat is strong, you can walk everywhere for free!

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

169

BAHA RIYA TO BA HA RIYA BY BUS There are regular bus services from Cairo to Bahariyya and back. Buses start from Turgoman Square bus-station in Cairo. Buses leave early in the morning and during the afternoon. It typically takes about 5 hours by bus for the Cairo-Bahariyya trip.

TO BA HA RIYA BY MIC ROBU S If you are a larger group it is also possible to rent a microbus privately to go to Bahariyya. Microbuses are available at the same place (El Moneeb bus-station). A one-way trip costs about 400-500 LE. Time taken is about 3.5-4 hours depending on how many breaks you need. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

FA R AFRA TO F A RAFRA BY BUS There are buses from Cairo to Farafra via Bahariya. There are also buses from Farafra to Dakhla (four to five hours). Buses stop at Al-Tamawy Restaurant, the petrol station and at Al-Badawiya hotel. Tickets are bought from the conductor. It is however recommended to book a professional Safari as of Farafra

DAKHLA TO DA KHLA BY BUS West Delta Bus Company organizes bus trips from El Torgoman station in Cairo to Dakhla oasis

TO DA KHLA / KHA RGA BY P L A NE One weekly flight on Tuesday from Cairo to Dakhla and vice versa by PAS (Petroleum Air Service)

C OM I NG FROM LUXOR E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

171

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by NASA on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

SINAI Sinai has it all. The Egyptian peninsula is a stunningly beautiful and very diverse place to visit. Surrounded by the Red Sea, one of the top five dive spots in the world, the peninsula is blessed with beautiful sunsets that are best watched barefoot and beachside. Outdoor enthusiasts will love Sinai for its marvelous and scenic deserts and mountains to hike, bike or climb through. For those interested in history or religion, it was here that Moses parted the sea and received the Ten Commandments. Nature lovers will find themselves in the heart of the Sinai Fly pathway, giving them the chance to watch birds in all their diversity. Sinai’s real stars are the Bedouins, inhabitants of the peninsula who wander through the desert as nomads or semi-nomads. The term Bedouin is not a name for a specific people but characterizes a way of life and comes from the Arabic word “Badawi”, or “desert inhabitant”. Sinai’s Bedouins are immigrants from the Arabic Peninsula dating back to the 14th and 18th centuries. Only the Bedouins from the St. Catherine region originally stem from Eastern Europe; their ancestors traveled to Sinai when the monastery was being built around 500 AD. There are around 33 Bedouin tribes in North and South Sinai.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

173

SINAI

BY PLA NE Getting to Sinai is pretty straightforward. Take your passport (or ID card if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Egyptian) as there are multiple military and police checkpoints. Foreigners may be prevented from traveling certain roads due to security restrictions. Sharm el-Sheikh is the main airport in Sinai. Taba has a smaller one and St Katherine, a tiny one. EGYPT AIR flies several flights a day from Cairo to Sharm and it takes about 50 mins. During the summer months also check offers from Smart Aviation.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

BY BUS The EAST DELTA company runs most buses to Sinai from the TURGOMAN GARAGE (or CAIRO GATEWAY PLAZA) and from Almaza station in Heliopolis. Buses depart to St Katherine usually at night, while those to Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab run all day and night. All buses stop at local stations in Ras Sudr and El Tur. Other companies like GO BUS/ EL GOUNA go to Sharm too.Their ticket office and bus stop are by the RAMSES HILTON, near Tahrir Square.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

175

Photo by Natalie El Assiouty F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

NUWEIBA Relax from your troubled work life and indulge in the serenity of this place where you have nothing more pressing to do that sit on the beach and relax. Though relaxation is the main activity here, active travelers can snorkel. A particularly beautiful spot is Ras Abu Galum, one of Sinaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural protectorates. Other options are a hike in the coastal mountains like Wadi el Ogda or (for the very adventurous) a coastal walk to Dahab sleeping in the small wind shelters along the way.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

177

NUWEIBA - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

CASTLE ZAMAN Get a taste of Sinaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional flavor. The Castle is located atop a high hill, providing its guests with a panoramic sea view and authentic Sinai scenery. Guests enter into a serene world of peace and quiet, and enjoy the full Bedouin experience of a slow-cooked meal, as well as Bedouin arts and crafts. All presented in architecture, which is outstandingly beautiful. Besides the great food, the castle is the perfect place to spend a day in the pool while enjoying your favorite drinks, or just chilling by the beach.

Photo by walidhassanein on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Patrick M. on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

C OLORED CANYON It is a labyrinth of rocks, some of them more than 40 meters high. The canyon itself is almost 800 meters long and was formed over thousands of years into the rocks, surrounded by spectacular cliffs and intriguing sculptured walls in a palette of layered colors from pink and purple to silver and gold.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

179

NUWEIBA - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Natalie El Assiouty

THE FJORD IN TABA Along the coastal route from Nuweiba, 15 km south of Taba, a flashing blue color will stop you; this is how you know that you made it to the Fjord. There lies an amazing beach and diving spot with crystal clear water, dazzling coral reefs and exceptional marine life for experienced divers.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Natalie El Assiouty

RAS SHI TAN (DEPTH 12-40M) Ras Shitan or “Devil’s Head” is the 18 km north of Nuweiba. The name is derived from the rock formation that sticks out into the sea and divides the two beaches. Though most people visit the area for sunbathing or snorkeling, experienced divers, who organized a trip via one of the Dahab dive centers, will enjoy underwater canyons, caves, mountains, plateaus, hard corals, well-preserved landscapes, puffer fish, and anemones in all colors.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

181

NUWEIBA - LODGES

Source: Blue Bus

BLUE BUS http://www.blue-bus.de/bluebus_eng.html In the 1970s, when the Israelis lived in Sinai, a few people used to live in a blue bus, which they regularly took to Israel to shop. One day, when the bus broke down in Nuweiba, its inhabitants left it in the desert, and decided to convert it into a restaurant, which quickly turned into a meeting place. Native Bedouins continued to use the bus and later built one of the first camps on the spot. Today, the camp is defined by simplicity. The huts are built of wood, straw and palm leaves and are surrounded by trees and fondly kept flowerbeds. Inside are mattresses, mosquito nets, pillows, a light and a socket. The shared bathrooms nearby the huts form the edge of the Blue Bus camp. Price: low F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Basata

BASATA www.basata.com Basata is the first official ecolodge in Egypt, built in 1986. The resort is located between Taba and Nuweiba. Basata means ‘simplicity’ in Arabic, which personifies the philosophy behind this environmentally-conscious tourist project. Basata offers a serene escape from the city life and the pressures of modern living; TV’s, blaring radios, and air-conditioning are not a part of the Basata way of life. However, snorkeling at sunrise, interacting with the eclectic clientele, and admiring the moonrise or stargazing, are common activities. Accommodations are comfortable bamboo huts on the beach, mud brick chalets, or your own tent. Basata owners started the Hemaya Foundation to better support the local community. Price: Medium E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

183

NUWEIBA - LODGES

Source: Habiba Organic Farm

HABIBA ORGANIC FARM www.habibaorganicfarm.com/ Founded in 2007, Habiba Organic Farm is a community-based initiative to benefit the people of South Sinai. The farm serves as a beacon to what can be accomplished through sound organic farming practices in the desert. Local people have seen the result, and today agriculture is beginning to flourish across the region. Through university and NGO partnerships, the Habiba Community are expanding their role in the region and are beginning to serve as a training hub for integrated sustainable development that serves as a model for Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s South Sinai and beyond. Habiba Organic Farm is listed among WWOOF Independents in the world of sustainable volunteer tourism. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Habiba Organic Farm

The farm owners also run Habiba Beach Lodge, which offers affordable single, double, triple and group accommodations. They also provide the possibility to bring their own tents while using the complete infrastructure of the lodge (shared kitchen, restaurant and shower rooms). As Habiba Beach Lodge is part of the Habiba community you can take part in their many events and activities, starting with their education center that runs an after-school program for local children to support their date palm initiative. You can of course also just relax and enjoy the Sinai sun. Price: low E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

185

NUWEIBA - LODGES

E N G AG I N G C OMMUNI TIES.... Sharing the benefits of tourism with local communities can be so much more than â&#x20AC;&#x153;justâ&#x20AC;? employing locals as staff and guides, ensuring decent working conditions and reliable income streams. Habiba Organic Farm is going at least one step further: for example, it partners with scientific research institutes to conduct technical trainings for the local community, enabling them to innovate in desert agriculture and expand in organic farming. How is this connected to you as a tourist? The answer is agrotourism: If you want to volunteer your time and skills to benefit the community and gain extraordinary insights, contact Habiba.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Moon Island

MOON ISLAND www.nuweibabeach.com/moon-island.htm Located in Ras Shitan, Moon Island is a desert resort located on the Sinai shore and a favorite for Cairene youth. The huts, simple but cozy, are located right at the shore. Meals and drinks are served in the small restaurant overlooking the camp. A place for tranquility and inspiration. Price low

NUWEIBA - LODGES

Photo by: Natalie El Assiouty

ROC KSEA www.rocksea.net Managed by the German couple Michael and Ricarda, RockSea is the quietest and least crowded camp in Nuweiba,, with as few as 20 straw huts and wooden bungalows spread over a vast 400 meter- stretch of rocky cliffs and coral beach. The camp managers are trying to leave the least impact. Electricity in the huts is available starting at sunset. Volunteer work is also always needed as they constantly work to make the camp nicer and in exchange volunteers receive free accommodation. Price: medium

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Al Tarek Camp

AL TAREK CAMP http://www.altarek-sinai.com/ A simple, clean camp, Al Tarek has huts featuring comfortable mattresses, pillowsand mosquito nets. Bathrooms are shared facilities. The camp is home to a beautiful bazaar where you can buy traditional Sinai design and handicrafts. It is highly recommended to bring your own blankets or sleeping bags.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

189

NUWEIBA - LODGES

Source: Moon Island

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by jcsuperstar60 on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

DAHAB Dahab means gold in Arabic. The little coastal town, a former fishing village in the southeast of the Sinai Peninsula is low-key and laid-back, a place where individual travelers are the norm and not the exception. There is nothing better than eating fish in one of the many restaurants along the sea. But be careful â&#x20AC;&#x201C; after a few days of desert trekking, watching kite surfers do their jumps, ocean-side dinners and shisha sessions you might never want to leave. Many a traveler have become permanent Dahab residents that way. .

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

193

DAHAB - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Mark Edley on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

BLUE HOLE On the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula, north of the city of Dahab, lies the Blue Hole. A beautiful, but potentially dangerous spot for divers; in the past 15 years more than 130 divers have died in an attempt to explore too much of the fascinating underwater world of this 100-meter deep hole. Memorial plaques have been posted on the cliff wall to remember some of the deceasedThe spectacular Arch, a submarine tunnel connecting the hole with the sea and the thrill of diving in the diversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cemetery made this spot famous. Divers should take precautions, go with a guide and stay within the 30 meter depth limit. For those that neither dive nor snorkel, we recommend enjoying the natural site with a tea at one of the several small restaurants and cafes that were built around the hole. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Mark Edley on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

DIVING The Red Sea in the Gulf of Aqaba is one of the world’s premiere dive locations. Free diving is the latest addition to dive centers’ portfolios. Dahab itself has over 50 dive and snorkel spots in the near surroundings (and maybe as many dive operators). You could go for a dive with Ahmed Gabr and his H2O Divers Dahab Team. In 2014, Ahmed traveled down 332.25 meters to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the deepest scuba dive. When choosing a dive operator, please make sure that they apply all safety standards and fill you in on the do’s and don’ts of diving in the Red Sea.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

195

DAHAB - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Malcolm Browne on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

SNORKELING Sinai is famous for its breathtaking colorful seabed, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best sites in terms of the diversity of fish that can be seen here. . One doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to go deep or far offshore to enjoy the beautiful marine life. Take your snorkel equipment and explore the underwater world in front of one of the many Dahab restaurants. It is breathtaking.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Sergey Yeliseev on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

KI TE AND WINDSURFING Dahab is mainly known as a dive spot, but with wind on over 250 days a year it soon drew the attention of wind and kite surfing enthusiasts. Balmy weather means there is no need for wetsuits during most of the year. However, you may want to take water shoes. The best spots to surf in Dahab are the kite lagoon at the edge of the city, which hosts several of the kite surfing and windsurfing schools. The lagoon with its shallow water is the perfect spot for beginners. Assalah, also known as the lighthouse, is another beautiful spot, but nothing compares to kiting at the Blue Lagoon.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

197

DAHAB - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Serena Epstein on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

HAVE A BEDOUIN DINNER The Bedouin Way arranges mountain dinners in the mountains of Dahab each Saturday with transport included. Their specialty is delicious slow-cooked meat, which is buried in a fire pit and roasted until it almost falls off the bone. All you need to do is relax and enjoy the stars over the Sinai mountains. By the way, The Bedouin Way is not the only operator that serves yummy Bedouin food, but certainly one of the better known ones. Ask your tour operator to organize such a trip for you. https://www.facebook.com/thebedouinway/info

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Dive-Hive on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

RAS ABU GALUM Ras Abu Galum is a beautiful secluded protectorate some 15 km north of Dahab. There is a Bedouin settlement on the beach and crystal clear waters for wonderful snorkeling or scuba diving. Those more adventurous at heart can swim out to the reef wall to see the amazing variety of marine life in open water. You can also venture up into the mountains for a fantastic view of the area or wander along the shore to see the ancient fossilized reef exposed here.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

199

DAHAB - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Del-Uks on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

BLUE LAGOON A few hours north of Dahab, the Blue Lagoon is a breathtaking area with a handful of bamboo huts that is only accessible by foot, camel, boat or pick-up. A small restaurant and a toilet are the only facilities, but the simplicity makes it to one of the last unspoiled natural paradises in Egypt. Winds are usually stronger than in Dahab and the flat water of the lagoon makes it an ideal spot for wind and kite surfers. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to bring your own equipment, but you can also rent equipment at the kite centers in Dahab. Food is served by the local Bedouins, electricity is not available. Thus when the generator turns off, it is just you and the stunning Sinai star-sprinkled sky. F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Habiba Organic Farm

VISI T THE DAHAB C OMMUNI T Y MARKE T The Dahab Community Market is a showcase for locally produced food as well as handicrafts and more. Habiba Organic Farm sells its products here. The market is held every Friday afternoon on the beach at Sheikh Salem House (see Lodges) and provides a relaxing environment for shopping and for enjoying the beach.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

201

DAHAB - LODGES

Source: Panorama Mountain Camp

PANORAMA MOUNTAIN CAMP EcoDahab Woofers welcomed! The camp is built on a 5000 square meter plot located above Dahab city. The farm grows vegetables and Moringa Oleifera trees, keeps ducks and goats. They started to build eco-friendly houses on the camp site, but visitors are welcome to bring their own tents. Price: Low

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Sheikh Salam House

SHEIKH SALEM HOUSE http://www.sheikhsalemhouse.com/ Sheikh Salem House prides itself with making sure not to harm the environment, but to also support the local community. It is also home to a fantastic weekly community market which has been running since 2011. The Dahab Community Market is a showcase for locally produced food as well as handicrafts and more. Prices: Low

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

203

DAHAB - LODGES

Source: Coral Coast Hotel

C ORAL C OAST HOTEL http://coralcoasthotel.com/hotel/ With incredible views over the Red Sea, 30 attractive rooms and indoor and outdoor restaurants and venues, Coral Coast Hotel is an idyllic base, and extremely family friendly. Facilities include free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, yoga studio, dive center, excursion center and restaurant serving international cuisine. A hotel?! One might wonder, but read their eco and social policy and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know why they are featured here. Price: medium

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Watter Al Bahry F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

ST. KATHERINE & THE MOUNTAINS It is here where the true soul of Sinai lies. Its treasures have been cared for and guarded over the centuries by various Bedouin tribes that live in this serenity of natural beauty. Their wisdom of roads through the desert, of healing plants, hot and cold wells in the mountains allowed them to prosper in the days of the caravans. Today, they share their centuries-old wisdom with interested tourists who want to know more about their culture. The traditional people of the area, the Jebeliya Bedouins, moved from southeast Europe to the peninsula around the 6th Century AD. Originally Christians, they soon converted to Islam and intermarried with other nomad tribes. The Jebeliya Bedouins preserved some unique features;. unlike other tribes, they have always practiced agriculture and are still expert gardeners, which is very evident in the wadis around Saint Katherine. They live in close relationship with the monastery and its monks, and even today many Bedouin work with the monastery on its compound or in one of its gardens.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

207

ST. KATHERINE - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

VISI T THE BEDOUIN GARDENS There are hundreds of ancient Bedouin orchards in the Sinai high mountain region around the town of Saint Katherine, but many have been abandoned for some time. Around 100 gardens have been maintained to some extent, with about 50 kept up by dedicated owners. The Sinai Gardens Project features a list of gardens that have been taken care of by the Bedouins and are more than willing to organize tours for you.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

VISI T DR. AHMEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HERBAL GARDEN Haj Ahmed Mansour, known as Dr. Ahmed, is a respected and well-known traditional herbalist and healer who has a garden in Wadi Itlah. You can visit his garden and learn about the different medicinal plants as part of a day trip, or you can stay overnight in his garden which has all the necessary facilities.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

209

ST. KATHERINE - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

HIKING With the vast and massive desert in Sinai full of hills and mountains, hiking is quite popular here among visitors. . The best places to hike in Sinai are Dahab, St. Catherine, and Nuweiba. Check the hiking special for more information.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

SWIM ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS Galt el Azraq is the biggest granite pool in the High Mountain Region. It is located under massive boulders and surrounded by lush vegetation. The quality and color of the water changes with the flash floods sweeping through, some bring sand from above, while the next clean the pool out and leave the water clear. In late summer some algae might grow in the water, but it is still safe to enter.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

211

ST. KATHERINE - LODGES

Source: Al Karm Ecolodge

AL KARM EC OLODGE Al-Karm-Mountains-Ecolodge/144159844066 Al Karm Ecolodge is situated on the northern edge of the St. Katherine Protectorate. It’s a two-hour walk away from Abu Sila and an hour’s drive from St. Katherine. Transport to the lodge is managed by local Bedouins of the Jebaleya tribe. The ecolodge was set up with the help of the St. Katherine Protectorate and is owned and run by Gamil Attiya, a Jabaleya Bedouin from the village of Sheikh Awaad. It has a solar water heating system and sanitary compost toilets. There is no electricity, lighting in the camps, only oil lamps. The camp provides full board accommodation with Bedouin food. There is a communal lounge with a fireplace for cold winter nights. The best of it, mobile phones don’t have coverage here. Price: low F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Andreas Metz on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

THE GUESTHOUSE OF ST. KATHERINE MONASTERY http://awayaway-sinai.net The Guesthouse of St Katherine Monastery is outside the monastery walls, next to the gardens. There are 52 rooms, all with private bathrooms, hot water and heating as it can get quite chilly at night in the mountains. Price: medium - high

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

213

ST. KATHERINE - LODGES

Source: Mount Sinai Ecolodge

MOUNT SINAI EC OLODGE bedouinbus.com/sponsors_mountsinaecolodge.htm The Mount Sinai Ecolodge in South Sinai is part of the Sheikh Sinai project. It is a perfect start or end point for some of the Sheikh Sinai treks. Situated right behind its namesake mountain, Mount Sinai Ecolodge is a calm and quiet lodge that usessolar energy and has simple and comfortable rooms, camp sites, ecofriendly shower and restroom areas, Bedouin food and hospitality. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a good base to climb St. Katherine Mountain, or to embark on any other trek in the surrounding mountains. Bedouins provide a laid-back and authentic atmosphere with their oud music under the stars, as well as their tea testing and handicraft workshops. Prices: low F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Natalie El Assiouty F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

RAS SUDR & EL TOR Ras Sudr was originally developed as the base town for one of Egypt’s largest oil refineries. Today Ras Sudr is a kite surf haven with near constant winds throughout the year. On days when the wind doesn’t blow, Sudr is the perfect base from which to explore the desert and the local hot springs or relax and enjoy the beach. Watch out for dolphins, they regularly pass by to say hi. El Tur is the little known capital of the South Sinai Governorate. The history of the city dates back to the time of the pharaohs. In former times, houses in El Tur were built using corals, fossils and mountain stones and some of these structures still exist. The Bedouins of the area are fishermen by tradition.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

217

RAS SUDR & ELTOR - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

AMM SALAMA & THE HOT SPRING

Photo by Prince Roy on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

To the north of Ras Sudr is Ain Musa (Spring of Moses), said to be where Moses – on discovering that the water was too bitter to drink – took the advice of God and threw a special tree into the springs, miraculously sweetening the water. The spring still exists, but is now sadly filled with litter. But don’t despair. Amm Salama built his own hot spring a few kilometers north of Ras Sudr in the middle of the desert. The well was found during oil drilling. The waters of the hot spring are pumped up and channeled over the desert sands to cool down a little before it pours around 40 degrees Celsius into the desert pool, which Amm Salama and his fellow Bedouins built. The natural pool is framed by greenery and a Hut built of palm trees, in which visitors can relax after a relaxing bath. Amm Salama’s service ranges from pick-up at one of the lodges, over brewing delicious Bedouin tea over the fire at the pool site, to delivering it right to the pool. The Hot spring is best visited after sunset, to best enjoy the warmth of the water while counting the shooting stars above you.

Photo by Kenny Stoltz on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

KI TESURFING It is THE kite surf spot in Egypt. Ras Sudrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uncrowded and sandy, wide-open beaches make for safe designated launching and learning areas. Steady wind almost all year long and the flat waters along the shores are great for anyone from beginners to the more experienced riders. Ras Sudr is home to several kite surf schools including Fly Kitesurf or Fin & Dagger. Try to go when the annual King of the Lagoon competition is taking place at the Lagoon of Soul Kitesurf Center; you will see great jumps and more than one kite loop. Another breathtaking spot is the island that is a 3 km walk on a footbridge into the sea in front of fly kitesurf center.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

219

RAS SUDR & ELTOR - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Endlisnis on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

KAYAKING With clear water and weather, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no surprise kayaking is also a popular activity. The best sites in Ras Sudr are Matarma Bay, Moon Beach or the Lagoon in front of Fly Kitesurf Center. Equipment can be rented on site.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Jakob von Fricks

VISI T SERABI T EL-KHA DIM The temple of Hathor at Serabit el-Khadim stands on a massive rocky outcrop at an altitude of around 800 meters in the mountains, roughly 50 km from the coastal town of Abu Zenima and about 80 km south of Ras Sudr. It is not the easiest place for tourists to reach and perhaps should be considered more of a trekking expedition than just a monument visit, but the experience is worth it. The remote location of the temple is awe-inspiring and the views over the mountain and desert landscape are fabulous.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

221

RAS SUDR & ELTOR - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Endlisnis on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

GO ON A TRIP WI TH THE LOCAL BEDOUINS Bedouin Historyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner and desert guide Eid is more than happy to introduce you to the Bedouin culture and show you the beauty of the Sinai Mountains around Ras Sudr. Keep in mind, there are more than 33 tribes on the Sinai, all of which have their own traditions.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

RAS SUDR & ELTOR - LODGES

TABIA CAMP http://www.bedouinhistorydesertsafari. com/accommodation.html Tabia Camp offers you the perfect alternative to the resort accommodations available in Ras Sudr. Eight simple, clean, and comfortable reed huts are located on a plot of agricultural land within a short walk from the shores of the red sea. The rooms are airy and comfortable; each chalet has a terrace with table and chairs, an excellent place for stargazers and those of you who enjoy living as one with nature. Bathroom facilities are shared. , There is a communal seating area where you can relax around a campfire with your friends after a day of heavy kitesurfing. Fly Kitesurfing is just a 15-minute walk away. Prices: low

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

MATARMA BAY MatarmaBay The lodge is built on a property called Dagashland. It was the first Egyptian-owned campsite catering to Egyptians with the aim to of introducing them to a Bedouin experience living within and from the nature. The project decayed over the years. Until 2013 when a group of young Cairene entrepreneurs teamed up with the Dagash family to revamp and renovate the site to create a small boutique lodge at the foot of the sea. Matarma Bay was born. Ever since its opening, it has become a weekend beachside playground for young adults and families looking to escape the stresses of Cairo life without having to drive too far. The hotel is also a haven for local kite surfers. The rooms are minimal but beautiful, with twin beds, air-conditioning, and incredibly clean bathrooms. Price: Medium

Source: Matarma Bay

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

225

Photo by Francesco Scaglioni on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

SINAI: HANDICRAFTS

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

HANDIC RAF TS OF S IN AI

Bedouin women in Sinai are famous for their embroidery and fabric art, weaving tents, clothes, bags and pillows. They also make beaded accessories and palm leaf baskets. Sinai Bedouin men are famous for their silver jewelry. FanSina FanSina, Arabic for Art of the Sinai, is a Bedouin-run social enterprise in Egypt that produces carefully embroidered and beaded handicrafts. The patterns and motifs the Bedouin women use in their crafts were rediscovered and rescued from the oldest women of the ancient local Jabaleya tribe at a time when younger generations had turned away from producing traditional crafts. FanSinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fundamental aim is as basic as it is pressing: to provide income to Bedouin women in a deeply conservative culture which offers them few avenues to contribute economically to their families. The shop is located in the small village of St. Katherine in South Sinai, Egypt. http://fansina.net/

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

227

Source: Ayadi Masreya

SINAI: HANDICRAFTS

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Bedouin Craft Run from the home of Mohamed el Hashash in the El Sebeia Valley, this small handicraft business improves the lives of Bedouin families living in the Saint Katherine region. As it is Bedouin custom to build strong family ties and work together as a community, a large portion of the money earned through BedouinCraft.com goes to those in need of assistance. This can range from hospital bills to building a new roof to providing food for families in need. http://www.bedouincraft.com/

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

229

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

SINAI: FLORA AND FAUNA

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

FLOR A A N D FAUN A OF S INA I

South Sinai is home to a plentitude of animals: wolves, foxes, ibexes (mostly in the mountains around St. Katherine) dormice, partridges and rock doves, grackles, bulbuls, sun birds and rock hyraxes. South Sinai also lies at the heart of the Rift Valley / Red Sea Flyway for migratory soaring birds. Hundreds of thousands of storks, pelicans, and raptors stop here to rest and recuperate to continue their grueling journeys across the world. Marine Life is outstandingly diverse and beautiful. It is not for nothing that it is counted as one of the world’s nicest dive spots. Protectorates There are in total seven protected areas, covering 40 percent of the South Sinai area. Among them are: St Katherine Protectorate A World Heritage Site is the largest of the seven protected areas, covering 4300 km2 of the South Sinai Mountains. Watch out for the following birds, when there: the Sinai Rose Finch, which can only be seen in St. Katherine, Tristan’s Starling, Hume’s

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

231

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

SINAI: FLORA AND FAUNA

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

FLOR A A N D FAUN A OF S INA I

Tony Owl, Yellow-vented Bulbu,; Chukar and the Palestine Sunbird. Ras Mohammed: The southernmost point of the Sinai with a unique marine life and stopover point for many migratory birds. Ras Mohammad is highly demanded by snorkelers and divers due to the immense diversity of marine life, including eels, sharks and coral reefs. The mangrove trees in the National Park create a healthy ecosystem for wildlife and various organisms. Watch out for the following birds when there: White storks (Migratory), Ospreys and White Eyed Gulls (biggest population in the whole world is found on the Red Sea). Nabq: Between Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab with a large mangrove forest at its most northern tip, Nabq Protected Area is known for the very high density of mangrove trees.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

233

Photo by Watter Al Bahry F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

RED SEA The Red Sea is one of the most scenic areas in Egypt. Better known for its diving and marine sports, the area also provides a myriad of activities and sights, including mountain hiking, nature walks, camping, Bedouin camps, and much more. The many protectorates and national parks provide the ideal environment to enjoy pristine unspoiled reefs and rich bio diversity of marine life. The opening of the new airport near Marsa Alam has made this unique place more accessible to visitors year round. The native inhabitants of the region are Bedouin tribes. The Ababda are the famous local tribe of Marsa Alam, who live in the vast expanse of the Eastern Desert between the Red Sea and the Nile Valley, covering the land from Quseir in the north. down to the borders of Egypt. The Ababda have retained their traditional nomadic lifestyles, living in hastily assembled shelters which they leave behind when they move on, and some, still make their own pottery, simple tools of stone and wood, baskets woven from the roots of desert plants, and harnesses and saddles for the camels. Hurghada, Safaga, Quseir, and Marsa Alam all lay on the western shore of the red sea in South East Egypt. The cities and resorts on the Red Sea make for ideal holiday spots year round, with seawater temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius year round. Visitors, as well as locals, can enjoy their days on the beach, soaking the beautiful sun, or diving and snorkeling among the colorful and diverse fish and corals.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

235

BY PLA NE The Marsa Alam International Airport is 67km north of Marsa Alam along the Al-Quseir road. There is no public transport, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to arrange a transfer in advance with your hotel.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

BY BUS Take the East Delta Bus from Turgoman Station in Downtown Cairo. Prepare yourself well, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at least a 10-hour journey. The El Gouna Bus Company also operates a service once a day from Cairo to Marsa Alam. The cost is around 80LE. They have ticket offices and pick-up points on the midan below Sixth October Bridge (near Ramses Hilton Hotel) and in Abasseya. There are regular bus services connecting Marsa Alam with Edfu, Aswan and Luxor but the problem is that foreign tourists are not allowed to use this route. Any tourist wishing to travel to Luxor must travel in convoy along the Safaga to Qena road, which means you have to backtrack two thirds of the way back to Hurghada before crossing over to the Nile valley.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

237

RED SEA - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

SAMA D A I D OLPHI N HO USE The Samadai reef, located just 11km south east of Marsa Alam, is better known as the “Dolphin House.” As the name implies, the reef houses a large family of spinner dolphins as well as being visited by other dolphin species. Restrictions designed to protect the dolphins and their fragile reef habitat were instated by HEPCA (Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association), which took over the management of the area in 2013, including limitations on the number of visitors, and monitoring of the site. Egypt’s National Parks organization also contributes with various conservation initiatives.

Photo by Alfonso González on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Derek Keats on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

SWIM WITH TURTLES IN SHARM EL LOULI The Four main species of turtles found in the Egyptian Red Sea are: the greenbill, the hawksbill, as well as the rarely seen leatherback and the olive-ridley turtles, which generally swim further away from the coast. Sharm El Louli houses almost half of the hawksbill turtle population of the region, and is popularly known as being the area of most sea turtle sightings. Sea turtles are becoming increasinglyendangered with the flurry of coastal development destroying their nesting and feeding grounds, as well as the resulting increases in water pollution from the increased boat traffic.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

239

RED SEA - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Hossam el-Hamalawy on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

WA D I EL GEMA L N AT I O N A L P A RK Located 45 km from Marsa Alam, Wadi el Gemal (or Valley o the Camels) is a national environmental preserve. Considered a biosphere reserve, it is mostly inhabited by Bedouins who are responsible for organizing nature excursions and ensuring that visitors receive the best possible wildlife experience.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

THE RAS QULAAN ISLANDS A.K.A THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Providing the main nesting grounds of the famous Osprey or Sea hawk. The islands and their mangroves make for excellent bird and camel watching excursions. The valley is best accessed from a coastal road entrance, accompanied by a guide who is familiar with the terrain.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

241

RED SEA - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

EL QU S EIR El Quseir means â&#x20AC;&#x153;the shortâ&#x20AC;? in Arabic and the town likely earned this name because it was the port allowing inland pilgrims to make the shortest journey possible from the Nile valley to Mecca. The history of this small town, with around 40,000 inhabitants, dates back around 5,000 years. Known in Ptolemaic times as the White Harbor, Quseir has a long history as one of the major ports of the Red Sea. To protect what was deemed one of the most important ports in Egypt, Sultan Selim I built the fort. It lays on high ground in what is now the center of town.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by omdaa on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

CAM EL MA RKE T IN SHA LAT E E N Shalateen, located 520 km south of Hurghada, has evolved from a tiny outpost to a bustling trading town completely outside the usual touristic thoroughfare. The market is the focal point of the local camel trade as well for traders coming from other parts of Egypt and Sudan. The town is also home to several Bedouin tribes, which are each distinguishable by their various colorful attire, and unique paraphernalia.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

243

RED SEA - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

by: Bernhard Rohkemper

GEBEL ELBA NATIONAL PARK The National park Mount Elba, or Gebel Elba, is named after the mountain, which rises to a peak of 1,435 meters. Gebel Elba’s summit is a “mist oasis” where much of the precipitation occurs in the form of dew, mist and clouds, creating a unique ecosystem not found anywhere else in the country. Gebel Elba features a biological diversity unparalleled in any terrestrial environment in Egypt. The relative abundance of moisture supports a diverse flora of some 450 plant species. The Park is situated in what is known as the Halaib Triangle. As a result of its close proximity to the Sudanese border. Getting a license by which to visit entails a very difficult process. Ask your local tour operator to help you with the license procedures.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

by Watter Al Bahry

DESER T SAFARI With desert sands as soft as silk, desert safaris by the Red Sea in places such as Marsa Alam are pure exhilaration. In the deserts by the Red Sea, one experiences silence like never before, and embraces nature in its perfect harmony.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

245

RED SEA - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Niels on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

VI SI T WA D I LAHAMI Tucked into a remote mangrove bay 120km south of Marsa Alam, just north of Ras Banas, Wadi Lahamiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s secluded location, and nearby mangrove forests, are a perfect setting for nature lovers and bird watchers, as well as for enjoying the total seclusion. Like many of the bays in the area, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a prime diving spot.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

by Watter Al Bahry

PAR TIC IPATE IN A BEAC H CLEAN-UP HEPCA, Red Sea Diving Safari and many other lodges and dive operators are regularly organizing beach clean- ups to keep the precious environment litter-free and enjoyable for generations to come. Ask your lodge, tour operator, or contact HEPCA for the date of the next clean-up.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

247

RED SEA - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by Robert Scoble on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

LEARN HOW TO MAKE C OFFEE GABANA Coffee Gabana is the local coffee, specifically brewed by the Bedouins of the Ababda and Bashareya tribes. Bedouins are known for their hospitality and will be happy to explain how to correctly brew this uniquely spiced coffee and what makes it different from regular Turkish coffee or store-bought coffee brands.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Massimo Bottelli on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

VI SI T A GHO S T T OWN With the opening of the Suez Canal, Quseir lost its position as transshipment point on the European-Asian trade routes. It later became interesting to international companies due to the world demand for agricultural fertilizers. About ten minutes north of the harbor is a perfect example of how not to treat this beautiful landscape; there you can walk through the derelict warehouses of the Italian Red sea Phosphate Company, which started mining operations in the area in 1916.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

249

RED SEA - SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Photo by dachalan on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF MARINE LIFE Red Sea Diving Safari offers regular workshops on marine biology, which will give you insight into the precious local underwater flora and fauna of Egyptian marine life. You can also get certified to conduct your own Reef Check surveys to take a more active role in conserving your favorite coral reefs.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Andreas Mietz on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

R E SPON SIBLE D IV IN G

Prepare well and make sure your visit does not leave destruction in its wake! Not all travel and diving services agencies are conscientious or ethical in their methods or arrangements, so it is important to be discerning in your choice of agent, ensuring that they take the necessary measures to avoid damage to the host country’s beautiful resources. Sustainable tourism may cost a little more, but the additional cost can be your contribution to the conservation of the planet and especially the sites it has generously given you for your enjoyment. Here are some tips to remember for your trip: Pre-planning: • Review your travel agent’s ethical guidelines. (do they have them?) • Do your homework before the trip and read about the ecosystems you will be visiting and marine life you expect to see

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

253

• •

Understand the culture and basic traditions of the country to ensure they area duly respected. It is important to ask the right questions of your service providers:. Does your diving service provider apply rules to safeguard the environments, marine life, and sea beds visited? Do they use boats with proper waste disposal, mooring systems, etc? Ask them to give you a presentation of the local ecosystem and their guidelines for protecting it during the trip. Request a list of local species, and familiarize yourself with which are endangered or protected before you begin. Request an overview of the local rules and regulations.

During the Trip: • Refuse plastic, aluminum foil and non-biodegradeable plates, cups, utensils and wrappings or ensure they are properly disposed of when used. • Never throw anything overboard. • Take care to attach spare air valves, consoles and pressure

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

• • •

• •

gauges firmly so they do not dangle and damage the reefs. Use your flippers gently, and be careful to avoid bodily contact with the reefs. Do not bring anything back from the dives except pictures! If you disturb a creature, remain calm and do not move until it calms down. Do not follow marine life to its hiding place, instead wait patiently until it comes out. Do not feed the fish. This can unbalance their ecosystem. Discourage others from damaging the local marine life by refusing to buy souvenirs that are made at the expense of the sea life, for example sea horses, starfish, coral, shells, teeth, etc Boycott restaurants which serve shark fin soup, tortoise meat, cetaceans and fish caught by destructive means. And lastly, don’t cocoon within your hotel! While it is good to be discerning and careful, your trip can be greatly enhanced by venturing out, trying different venues and restaurants. (Egyptians are friendly people, enjoy their good natured hospitality and colorful, delicious cuisine

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

255

RED SEA - LODGES

Source: Bedouin Valley

BED OU IN V A LLE Y http://www.southredsea.net Located 14 km south of Marsa Alam, Bedouin Valley is an environmental lodge that was built on a small hilltop with a beautiful view over Tondoba Bay. It features 22 bungalows and 12 chalets. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom and terrace encompass. The architectural concept with which it was built fits within the local surroundings, where serenity, quietness and timelessness become reality. The Bedouin Valley private beach is found 250 meters from the rooms, just across the street. It offers a beautiful house reef with stunning marine life.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Roots Luxury Camp

R OOTS LUXURY C AMP http://www.rootscampredsea.com/ Roots Luxury Camp is situated in the desert 14 kilometers north of El Quseir. The standard eco huts are made from natural materials, a mixture of wood and local red stone, which create a very harmonious blend. The wooden furniture and tiled floors enhance the genuine feeling of a close relationship to the natural environment. All eco huts are for private occupancy and have basic rustic wooden furniture, with twin beds complete with fresh linen and towels and a fan and are adjacent to shared modern shower and toilet facilities. Communal areas have DVD and book libraries, a games cupboard and local low-cost Wifi.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

257

RED SEA - LODGES

Source: The Oasis

TH E OAS I S http://www.oasis-marsaalam.com/index.php The Oasis is situated about 20km north of Marsa Alam and features spacious and individually decorated chalets built with natural materials. Each of these chalets is unique with unrestricted view of the sea from the terrace. All chalets consist of a main room, a spacious bathroom and a shower. The rooms are kept cool due to the natural building style of the Nubian Ceiling. Fans and air conditions have been installed to supply additional cool air during warmer nights.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Eco Village Resort

EC O V ILLAGE RE SOR T www.dolphinswims.co.uk The Eco-village resort has been hosting divers and snorkelers for 20 years. The village is renowned for its work with marine conservation

and organized swims with dolphins. They follow strict guidelines so as not to negatively impact the dolphinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; natural behavior and habitat, and only work with experienced local guides. There are three styles of accommodation at the beachside eco-village resort, which are surrounded by the many magnificent coral reefs that attract both divers and snorkelers: The Madyafah en suite chalets, The Mandarah Stone Hut and the Domed Canvas Tents.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

259

RED SEA - LODGES

Source: Kite Village

KI TE VILLAGE www.neu.kite-village.com The camp contains 24 small rooms. One can choose between rooms with one big double bed or two single beds. All rooms are equipped with a shower/toilet, air conditioning, refrigerator, SAT/TV and a shady terrace. Beach chairs are also available. Two towels, two bottles of water and two soft drinks per person/day are included. In the afternoon and at night you can enjoy the beautiful starry sky while smoking a shisha under the stars. For all who are in search of ease during their holidays but do not need the comfort of a hotel, the camp is a great low-budget solution.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

MA R S A N A K A R I V I L L AG E http://www.redsea-divingsafari.com/

Photo by thomas. chiroux on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

Red Sea Diving Safariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camp is located 18km south of Marsa Alam city and provides basic accommodation, a reasonable choice of food and a great diving spot. The village features 25 chalets, 7 royal tents and 30 standard tents. Tents are located in the center of the village and feature hand-made furniture, lighting, electricity outlet and a seating area with sea view. Royal tents are twice the size of a standard tent and well equipped with fan, mini-fridge, wardrobe, bean bag, table and chairs. Standard tents have twin beds. Toilets and showers are located just a short walk away. Please bring your own towels for shower and beach use. Chalets feature a hallway, an en suite bathroom and a terrace. Pets are allowed and free parking spots are available. Several diving companies operate from here utilizing either the house reef or speed boats to take you to other areas. Camel safaris and kite surfing may be available on request.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

261

RED SEA - LODGES

WA D I L A HMI http://www.redsea-divingsafari.com/

Photo by: Watter Al Bahry

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Another Red Sea Diving Safari outpost 80km south of Marsa Alam Airport, Wadi Lahmi is well off the beaten track and located on the doorstep of the famous Fury Shoals. It is the ideal location for anyone looking for privacy, seclusion, and proximity to nature. The tents are the village hallmarks and are located right in front of the mangroves close to the sea. They feature hand-made furniture, lighting, electricity outlet and a seating area just outside the tent. The Royal Tents are also an integral part of the minimal impact concept. The interior is well furnished with a minibar, fan, bean bag chairs, table, and a seating area just a few meters from the mangroves in front of the sea. Chalets are standard rooms overlooking the spectacular mountains on one side and the Red Sea on the other. Chalets feature two single beds, a wardrobe, table, a fan and an en-suite bathroom and towels are provided for showering.

by Watter Al Bahry

M A R S A SHAGA RA http://www.redsea-divingsafari.com/ The main Red Sea Diving Safari location is 20km north of Marsa Alam city offers similar accommodations with more facilities than Wadi Lahmi and Marsa Nakari. Red Sea Diving Safaris, the operator of the camp are striving hard to give back to nature and encourage their guests to do so. There are many things you can do to get involved, from joining their organized clean-ups, eco-diving workshops, or take time to visit the local community and learn more about the culture.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

263

RED SEA - LODGES

Source: Al Quseir Hotel

A L Q US EIR H OT EL http://www.alquseirhotel.com Explore the history of the Red Sea at the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s renovated traditional building. The house is located in the historical part of Al Quseir, right in front of a pleasant beachfront area but is more a cultural destination than beach get-away.. The house offers six rooms all with shared bathrooms and fans.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Source: Rocky Valley Divers Camp

R OC KY VA LLE Y D IVER S C A MP www.rockyvalleydiverscamp.com Rocky Valley offers organized groups the possibility of hiring the whole camp for private use. The bungalows are built with natural stone, palm wood, bamboo and the roof covering is made from palm wood and leaves. The camp also features two wide white tents with sea views. Each bungalow is equipped with two to three beds. Bathroom facilities are shared.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

265

RED SEA - LODGES

DEEP SO UT H D IV E CAMP Deep South Diving Located 14 km away from Marsa Alam and overlooking the beautiful Um Tondoba Bay. Accommodation in Deep South lodge is either in constructed palm huts, which are individually decorated by a local artist, or in chalets with ensuite toilet and shower. Guests meet after sunset at the moonshine restaurant and exchange their daily encounters over fish, pasta or vegetarian dishes. After dinner there is the possibility to hang out in the bar for drinks, shisha and lots of fun with music from all over the world. The camp offers yoga, meditation, photography, art and other workshops. Call them to see whether such an event is taking place during your visit.

Source: Deep South Dive Camp

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Andrew A. Shenouda on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

D I VI N G STATI ON: REEF VILL A Beachfront and right in Marsa Alam, the villa offers an on-site diving and water sports center and a restaurant. All rooms at the Reef Villa are simply decorated, each with sea view, a wardrobe, and a bathroom. Note that house rules in the villa do not allow for alcohol to be consumed before six in the evening.

Book your stay over Airbnb.com or Booking.com

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

267

RED SEA - LODGES

Source: Fatamorgana Lodge

FATAMORGA N A LODGE www.fatamorgana-egypt.com Fatamorgana, is a peaceful Bedouin farm just 15 minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive from Lahmi Bay. The desert lodge is secluded by 360 degrees of splendid desert mountains and enables a wide range of activities and desert experiences. Fatamorgana provides an opportunity to dine on a traditional Bedouin dinner under a blanket of stars before a restful nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep in desert huts.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Hossam el-Hamalawy on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

RED SEA: HANDICRAFTS

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

HA ND IC RAF T S OF RED S EA

The local residents of the Red Sea area are Bedouins mainly from the Ababda tribe. These nomadic herdsmen wandered the desert and mountains with their livestock and camel caravans. On their journeys, they produced household items like bowls for camel milk or leather hangers that are still made today. Small villages dot the road from Shalateen all the way to Marsa Alam, each crafting different things such as palm weaving and carpet making. Unlike crafters found in Fayoum, Red Sea artisans make all their baskets (and palm leaf goods in general) by hand.. There are tens of methods by which crafters produce their products: threading by color, individual knots, and weaving. Local carpet makers mainly produce woven bed covers by way of color threading. However, each of the other methods are also used by Red Sea crafters to produce actual floor and wall decorative carpets. While visiting the different Red Sea crafting villages, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to spend some genuine time with the locals, drinking their unique freshly brewed and home-grown coffee, while sitting on their hand made carpets and floor pillows.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

271

Photo by Matthijs on flickr.com, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

RED SEA: FLORA AND FAUNA

flickr.com CC F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

FLOR A A N D FAUN A OF RED SE A

M ar i ne Lif e : T he D ugong The Dugongs, commonly known as sea cows, can be found grazing peacefully on sea grass in the shallow coastal waters. Like the sea turtles, these rare animals are facing a high risk of extinction, being similarly threatened by fishing nets, herbicides, and pollution from the booming hotel constructions in the area. Your best chances of a sighting are at one of their feeding locations off the coast of Abu Dabbab, located 30km north of Marsa Alam. The area also boasts a wide variety of marine life, including butterfly fish, sturgeon, wrasses, damsels, Groupers, Blue and Picasso triggerfish, puffer fish, clown fish and stingrays. Bi r ds For the bird watchers out there, be on the lookout for the following birds: Yellow Bittern, Goliath Heron, Crab Plover; Sooty Falcon; Brown Boobie and Osprey.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

273

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Photo by Watter Al Bahry E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

275

C ON SIDER YOUR OWN RE SPO N SIBILI TIE S To get the most out of your journey while traveling on a light footprint, consider not only staying at a lodge with eco-friendly facilities but also the way you travel. A few ideas on how you can be a responsible, featherlight tourist: •

•

Get involved with people. Whether you are Egyptian or an international tourist, there is a lot to be learned when you speak with your hosts, are open for a chat with residents and listen to their stories and recommendations. Who knows which hidden gems you might find? Apply the basic rules of saving resources. 95% of Egypt is covered by desert; saving water while showering or washing should be a daily habit. Moreover, Egyptian habitants suffer from major electricity cuts, especially in summer time. Remember that the most sustainable energy is the energy which is not being used – even if your lodge applies renewables. Treat waste consciously. Think twice when being offered plastic bags. Make use of recycling/ separation facilities if available. Take your own waste back with you, especially in the desert. Do the extra effort and pick up waste others left behind for the sake of the environment.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

•

Buy local. When looking for souvenirs, make use of the craft descriptions in this guide. They will help you to find the authentic goods that benefit local employment and incomes. Stay away from items made from endangered animals or pirated archaeological treasures. And if souvenirs are not your cup of tea, you can still contribute to local incomes by buying food and drink, trying the local way to brew and drink tea etc. Be conscious of what you give. When visiting popular touristic sites it is common to encounter children and adults asking for money, food or other handouts. Be mindful about the community and certain situations when giving something might create more harm than good. Ultimately, it’s your personal decision. Regarding tipping, be aware that many professions and parts of the informal economy are sustained in large part, or even entirely, through tips. Dive into local culture. Ask for local recipes – there are many varieties of cuisine depending on the region, village and even family, and there is so much more to be explored when leaving the capital. Learn and use a few words in local languages – if your Arabic is good, you can still go for Nubian or Siwan. Respect people’s privacy. Dying to take the picture of that shop owner in front of his display? Ask permission first, only promise to send the photo if you intend to do so and do not be surprised if someone wants your picture or a photograph with you in return.

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

277

C OMMUNI TIE S, NGO S & TOUR OPERAT OR S Dayma Dayma journeys let you explore Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse natural and cultural identities, while learning how the best human innovation can come from nature. Embark on a memorable journey of discovering and connecting with Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nature and its communities. http://dayma.org/ Wilderness Ventures Egypt Wilderness Ventures specializes in cultural tours and adventure holidays in Sinai and the Western Desert while working in partnership with a team of young guides in Cairo and some of the leading dive companies on the Red Sea. http://wilderness-ventures-egypt.com/ Mandala Yoga Retreats Launched in September 2013, Mandala Yoga organizes sweet yoga retreats in beautiful and unique locations around Egypt. Think of it as an escape, a getaway from the madness of Cairo, think of it as a sanctuary from the stress, think of it as a detoxification of mind and body. https://www.facebook.com/Mandala.Cairo

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Dune Raider Dune Raider is one of the biggest sandboarding event organizers in Egypt. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not only enjoying sandboarding, but a full adventure including camping, thrilling 4x4 rides and delicious Bedouin BBQ. https:// www.facebook.com/Duneraidersandboarding/ timeline?ref=page_internal Sandboarding Egypt Get that adrenaline rush while sliding down some of the best sand dunes Egypt has to offer. This group organizes trips to Cairo/Giza, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Hurghada and the Red Sea. www.sandboardingegypt.com Funlozia Funlozia is another company that organizes weekend adventure trips in the desert featuring sandboarding, rock climbing, hiking, safaris, camping, paragliding, mountain biking and more. www.funlozia.com Dabuka Travel & Co Dabuka is a German-based company that specializes in North African desert travel, not only through Egypt, but also through Libya,

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

279

Sudan, Tunisia and Jordan. In Egypt it arranges multiday safaris into the Great Sand Sea, Gebel Uweinat and Gilf Kebir, as well as organizing camel expeditions and off-road driving courses. If you want to follow the traces of WWII in the Western Desert, contact these folks. Who knows, maybe you’ll find one of the relics of the British. http://www.dabuka.de/ Mateegi – Booking website Mateegi.com started off as an idea in 2012 because many boutique hotels, campsites, and a lot of activity centers in Egypt do not have proper representation on the web and access to such facilities has been limited and virtually unexplored. This web-portal aims to feature the most beautiful and hospitable places in Egypt that deserve the attention of travelers. http://mateegi.com/ Desert Adventures Egypt “Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints” is the motto for this safari company. With a wide range of trips and desert-related services, they offer up-to-date camping gear, navigational equipment, quality food and safety. With a long-standing history and highly experienced staff, they give unique adventures

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

around the country. http://www.desertadventuresegypt.com/ Egyptian Sidekick Egyptian Sidekick is a network of Egyptian university students and their international friends who facilitate sightseeing and cultural experiences in and around Cairo and Lower Egypt, providing maximum flexibility for all travelers at a low, flat daily rate. It is a fair-wage tourism network, designed to engage young Egyptian university students in tourism and provide them with fair compensation. No more than $5 USD goes to the site to pay the bills, with the rest going straight to those Egyptians actually doing the work on the ground. www.egyptiansidekick.com/ FAYOUM Eco Egypt Innovative ecotourism programs include camping, safari, horseback riding, swimming, sandboarding and magical sightseeing tours through the Fayoum Oasis, all organized by locals who know their regions by heart. https://www.facebook.com/EcoEgy.official/timeline?ref=page_internal

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

281

UPPER EGYPT Aswan Individual This initiative is the brainchild of German tourism entrepreneur Petra Dressler who brought together Aswan locals to create a sort of fair-tourism project, cutting out the intermediating tour operators who left the locals actually doing the hard work with little to call a living wage. http://www.aswan-individual.com/ The Glory of Nubia Glory of Nubia offers felucca tours, private overnight cruises and camping on the Nile River in Aswan. Embark with them on an exotic adventure to Nubia. http://gloryofnubia.com/island.aspx WESTERN DESERT Badawiya Group The three brothers behind this group are genuine Bedouin, born and raised in Farafra, the Western Desertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smallest oasis. They organize trips to the White Desert, the Black Desert, Crystal

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Mountain and the sand dunes near Farafra by camel or in 4x4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. www.badawiya.com Dunes Egypt Dunes Egypt is a luxury safari company specialized in providing first-class safari trips and luxurious mobile camps. Their exclusive benefits are all about finding peace in nature and enjoying a selective magical experience. http://www.dunesegypt.com/ Desert in Style Desert in Style is presenting luxury camps in Egypt. Each camp site in Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga comes equipped with first-class accommodation and service, ensuring the wellbeing of guests. Everything will be nature-friendly as the operator strives to respect the desert and its inhabitants. http://www.desertinstyle-egypt.com/index.htm Siwawi This travel outfit is pet and kid-friendly. They cook all the food in

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

283

the desert camp on site and based on organic produce (when they are in season) of Siwa. Their crews are all native Siwan and have deep knowledge about the desert and how to drive safely in this beautiful but harsh environment http://www.siwawi.com/ SINAI School of the Desert The school aims to teach you to think and act like a Bedouin by immersing you in their way of life and activities over several 3-4 day trips in the Sinai mountains. https://www.facebook.com/SchooloftheDesert/info?ref=page_ internal Bedouin History Desert Safaris This operator offers wonderful safaris to Abu Galum, kitesurf trips to Ras Sidr and wonderful hikes through the rarely visited mountains around Ras Sidr. https://www.facebook.com/BedouinHistory?fref=ts Sinai Safari Sinai Safari creates tailor-made trips for groups or individuals at a variety of price levels. They not only respect the environment, but

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

also support the local community. www.sinai-safari.com St. Katherine: Sinai Garden Project Stay with a Bedouin family and help restore their gardens, learning their unique techniques. You can find a list of local gardens to be visited online. http://www.sinaigardens.net/ El Bedawi El Bedawi is a responsible and community-based local tour operator with a mission to strengthen the position of the Bedouins. To explore the company’s website is a journey of Bedouin knowledge in itself. Also check out the community projects. http://www.bedawi.com/ Darb Sinai Discover Sinai through Darb Sina which means the ancient paths of Sinai. If you haven’t visited Sinai and Saint Katherine before, find out about them and the various programs that suit all classes and different ages. http://www.darbsina.com/

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

285

Ras Sidr: Fly Kitesurfing Fly Kitesurfing is a kitesurfing center located in both Ras Sidr and Ain Sokhna. Whether you are an experienced kitesurfer, or if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a complete beginner in need of lessons, fly kitesurfing has something for everyone. http://www.flykitesurfing.com/ Ras Sidr: Moon Beach Windsurfing Moonbeach Windsurfing has been operating for almost 20 years now and offers. good coaching in a perfectly suited location. http://www.moonbeachholidays.com/ Ras Sidr: Soul Kitesurf The Soul Kitesurfing Center is located in Ras Sidr on the premises of Hacienda Bay. The Soul Kitesurfing Center classroom is the shallow, waist-deep lagoon that is protected by sand bars at low tide and mostly on shore wind. It hosts a yearly King of the Lagoon competition. www.soulkitesurfing.com . Ras Sidr: Fin & Dagger Fin & Dagger is located in the heart of Ras Sidr, only 10 minutes

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

from downtown. Lovely north side shore wind conditions and sunny pleasant climate year round allows all types of riders to get the ultimate experience. http://finanddagger.com/ El Tur: Dacha The surf station “Dacha” (Russian house) is on the beach of the Moses Bay Hotel and offers windsurfing classes. www.katalka.ru/ Sub Sinai Sub Sinai employs professional guides who make the hiking, trekking, camel and Jeep safari expeditions safe and memorable. They also work with dive centers who give PADI dive courses in Dahab. www.subsinai.com Sheikh Sina Bedouin Treks Sheikh Sina, a Bedouin-run trekking company, strives to be sensitive to the local environment and its people by promoting responsible travel in protected areas that have been selected as World Heritage sights by UNESCO. http://www.sheikhsina.com/

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

287

St. Katherine Trips Whether you prefer a short and easy hiking trip, a complete threeweek safari in south Sinai, or anything in between, the Bedouins of the Jebaleyya tribe will gladly fulfill your specific wishes. http://www.saintcatherinetrips.com/ Sheik Mousa The Bedouins of the Jebeleyya Tribe have lived in the high mountains of Sinai, since the 6th Century. A local guide will take you hiking in the mountains, to visit villages or on desert safaris.. Go on http://www.sheikmousa.com/ Desert Divers Desert Divers can organize dive courses, hiking, trekking or camel trips all around Dahab. They are very active in developing sustainable tourism in the region and actively organize clean-ups. http://www.desert-divers.com/ Red Sea Environmental Center The RSEC provides training in marine biology, underwater survey techniques and scientific diving skills. A varied course program is suitable for divers and snorkelers, whether they are students of the center or just visitors. http://www.redsea-ec.org/ F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Open Ocean Science Centers The Open Ocean Science Centers are private research centes in Dahab and El Quseir. We closely collaborate with the Suez Canal University in Ismailia, the i-Dive Dahab Dive center, the Roots Luxury Camp in El Quseir and the local community of the South Sinai region. The centres offering a range of facilities and services for individual researchers, universities and school groups and people interested in the marine environment. http://openoceanproject.org/ Black Jack Bike Far removed from the beaten track of mass tourism, Black Jack Bike offers fabulous guided mountain bike tours in the Ras Mohamed national park, the Nabq nature reserve and around Dahab as well as training in all aspects of the sport. www.blackjackbike.com/ Crazy Camel Camp With Crazy Camel Camp you can travel with a Bedouin guide through untouched wadis, sandstone canyons and beautiful oases. www.crazy-camel.de

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

289

Bedouin Way Whether you want to go fishing, on a safari, to climb a mountain or just sit and chat with local Bedouins, the Bedouin Way can arrange your trip. www.thebedouinway.com RED SEA Red Sea Desert Adventures Red Sea Desert Adventures runs excursions to the Eastern Desert and the region around Marsa Alam. You can take short or longer trips to explore rock art along the Nile or take a tour on the back of a camel. www.redseadesertadventures.com/ Desert Experience Desert Experiences Your Way provides the unique experience of visiting the Eastern Desert by car, camel, horse, donkey or hiking. The center is based 20 km north of Marsa Alam along the Red Sea coast and all of its tours are presented together with local Abada Bedouins to encourage regional development of tourism. http://www.desert-experiences.com

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

NGOS AND COMMUNITIES Cycle Egypt As the biggest club for cycling amateurs in Egypt, Cycle Egypt promotes the use of bicycles as an alternative means of transport to cars. Ultimately, the group also wants to spread cycling as a sport through road races, mountain biking, organized trips and carnivals. Website: MTB Egypt This group is made of mountain biking enthusiasts who are interested in growing and promoting the popularity of the sport in Egypt. The website features trail guides, a group ride schedule, and forums for sharing riding experiences and everything mountain bike, from equipment recommendations and reviews to maintenance tips and much more. http://mtbegypt.com/ Nature Conservation Egypt Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) is an Egyptian non-governmental organization created to protect the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural heritage. Founded in 2005, its purpose is to develop more efficient meth-

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

291

ods to conserve natural wildlife locations and it is dedicated to the conservation of Egypt’s natural heritage and the promotion of its sustainable use for the benefit of present and future generations. https://sites.google.com/site/natconegy/ Abu Salama Foundation The Abu Salama Society is a non-profit NGO dedicated to sustaining the natural resources of the Red Sea. They also joined forces with the National Parks of Egypt to start a program for underwater trash clean-ups and reef regeneration, enlisting teams of volunteer divers, snorkelers and others in cooperation with Hurghada dive centers and hotels. http://www.abusalama.org/ WESTERN DESERT Desert Fox Club DFC’s mission is to educate their members and locals by taking them on excursions highlighting the desert’s geographical features, flora and fauna, unparalleled vistas and breathtaking photo opportunities. The desert is a rich environment for all ages to learn and enjoy. Year after year, members return with new friends to share the joy of their desert travels and helping the environment. http://www.dfcegypt.com/

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Bahareya Oasis NGO This NGO runs a second-hand shop in the oasis that sells collected and donated clothing (especially childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) at a low price. Any profit is used to finance NGO projects. The NGO mainly deals with the education of kids and has been organizing rubbish collections in Bahareya . http://www.Bahareyaoasis-ngo.org/Home/home.html Al Hayah: Farafra Development Association Al Hayah is an independent, developmental NGO established in 2004. The headquarters is a traditional mud brick building in Farafra Oasis. They are working to build a waste management system in Farafra, organizing clean-ups and preserving traditional handicrafts produced within the community. Website: http://www.al-hayah.org Bawiti: As Salam Development Aid Project In 2007, the NGO started to work with the handicapped and those with chronic in Bahareya. They bring in specialists and physiotherapists from Cairo and supply the hospitals of the oasis with needed medicine as well as water filters for the town. http://www.egyptvacations.eu/

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

293

El Heiz Project El Heiz is a village south of Bahareya Oasis and is home to around 600 households with a total of 3,300 residents. The people of El Heiz adopt a rather primitive lifestyle mostly focused around agriculture, and suffer greatly from the lack of a continuous electrical power supply. This leaves them unable to enjoy the most basic of conveniences such as the ability to store food in fridges, which they overcome by traveling 40 km to Bahareya Oasis on daily basis to stock up on supplies. Since their livelihood depends on farming, El Heiz residents spend the daytime tending to their farm land, and are left in darkness at night. Even young students are unable to find a light source to study by.

How Will the Project Help? Tanweer El Heiz Project is installing solar energy systems that will provide the local residents access to electricity 24 hours a day, in addition to setting up a villagerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trust fund to ensure the proper maintenance and sustainability of these installations. The project will fund the purchase of the solar panels, batteries, and all the other necessary equipment like mountings, inverters, casings, cabling, and bulbs.

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

Villagers will be trained to install, operate, and maintain all aspects of the solar energy installations.

The Targeted Results The availability of electricity will make it possible to store perishable foods in small refrigerators, therefore improving local health and nutritional conditions. Residents will not need to commute to Bahareya Oasis as often for basic goods, thus reducing transportation expenditures and use of fossil fuels. Young residents will be able to study at night (after completing their daytime farming chores) due to the availability of electricity, which will allow for an improved level of education among residents. The project will create new job opportunities through training the villagers to install, operate, and maintain household solar installations There will be a general improvement in the quality of life since villagers will be able to use light bulbs, fans, televisions, computers and all other electrically-driven equipment.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

295

UPPER EGYPT New Hermopolis New Hermopolis is a lodge and NGO located 340 km south of Cairo and less than 3 km from the antiquities of Tuna al-Gebel. The lodge is a limestone structure consisting of 16 rooms that can accommodate up to 52 visitors. The whole building is run on ecological principles based on preserving water and energy. The buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heat comes from solar energy. The architecture is brimming with symbolism fitting for its ancient roots; for example the axis of the buildings are designed to have an astrological relationship with the sun whereby the light of the sun will flood the retreatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inner courtyard with its square Lotus lake following the times of the solstice. New Hermopolis is a great experience and offers exceptional accommodation in a beautiful and culturally rich strip of Egypt. http://www.newhermopolis.org/ SINAI Sinai Palm Foundation Established and operated by the Habiba Organic Farm, the Sinai Date Palm Foundation is bringing new means of sustainable income to the local community. By encouraging the local population to invest in a share (a date palm tree), Habiba will organize and coordinate the planting and care of an organic, fruit-producing

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

tree that can provide a steady stream of income for the community years into the future. http://www.habibaorganicfarm.com/#!sinai-palm-foundation/ cspq Red Sea Sharks Because it’s so cool, we had to feature it here again. Red Sea sharks collects scientific data and raises awareness about the sharks found in local waters, and the plight of sharks around the globe. You can “adopt” a shark or donate to the cause, or simply find information on shark biology and behavior or ongoing research efforts and how you can support them. The website also has an online photo-ID database and store and users can submittheir own images of Red Sea sharks. www.redseasharks.org/ Hemaya Foundation The Hemaya Association for Community Development is a non-profit NGO founded in 1997 in Basata ecolodge. They operate a solid waste management system in Nuweiba, promote handicrafts made by Bedouin women as a means of empowerment and run educational and health projects. www.hemaya.org/

E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

297

Sinai Garden Project Stay with a Bedouin family and help them rebuild their gardens. The idea of this project emerged after the devastating floods in early 2013, when paths, gardens and stone buildings got badly damaged or washed away. The aim is to support the gardeners, to help them rebuild and improve their gardens, and in the long run, to encourage the younger generations to carry on with the tradition. http://www.sinaigardens.net/ The Sinai Desert rock climbing guidebook project A group of dedicated climbers is developing a Sinai Desert Rock Climbing Guidebook to be published in 2015.They are always on the lookout for experienced climbers. http://expeditionconsultancy.com/wp/2011/06/egypt-sinai-rockclimb-climbing-guidebook-project/ Dahab: Red Sea Environment Center RSEC promotes coral reef research, education and conservation on the Red Sea. The center directly assists local environmental conservation through cooperative activities with other local organizations and the National Parks of Egypt. It engages in volunteer activities, such as corl reef monitoring and underwater and beach clean-ups, providing a forum for residents and guests in Dahab to F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

help protect the natural environment. http://www.redsea-ec.org RED SEA HEPCA The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association’s mandate is to safeguard the land and marine ecology in the Red Sea area. The internationally recognized NGO ensures that both the marine and terrestrial ecosystems retain their natural beauty, and that their resources are utilized in a sustainable manner. They not only run the Samadai Dolphin House and several other projects to protect Red Sea marine life, but they also organize the waste collection in Hurghada. http://www.hepca.org/ Red Sea Sharks Because it’s so cool, we had to feature it here again... an organization dedicated to the shark species of the Red Sea. Find information on their biology, behaviour, ongoing research efforts and how you can support these efforts. Browse their online photo-ID database, submit your images of Red Sed sharks, or find your favourite item in our online shop. Adopt one of our sharks or donate to our cause, which is to collect scientific data and raise awareness about Red Sea sharks, and the plight of sharks around the globe. www.redseasharks.org/ E G Y P T ’ S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

299

Samadai Dolphin House Samadai, also known as “Dolphin House” is considered one of the world’s leading dolphin retreats. This strategic and precious dolphin sanctuary run by the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association is one of the Red Sea’s most important natural resources and a marine life habitat for a diversity of species. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to interact with dolphins in their natural habitat. By visiting Samadai, you are contributing to the protection of dolphins, as well as supporting many other environmental protection initiatives throughout the Red Sea. https://www.facebook.com/SamadaiDolphinHouse HANDICRAFT ORGANIZATIONS Yadaweya You left Sinai without buying some of the locally made handicrafts? Don’t despair. Yadaweya not only tells the stories of their producers but they also ship worldwide. Their mission is to connect (offline) local Egyptian artisans with (online) customers worldwide. www.yadaweya.com Ayadi Masriya Ayadi Masreya Foundation (AMF) is an Egyptian Platform working to represent and empower small scale producers in handicraft

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

and agricultural sector through heritage preservation and access to global market and socio-economic justice. Shops available in Cairo and Siwa. For more information: http://www.amfegypt.org WESTERN DESERT Bahareya Oasis NGO Shop The NGO sells handcrafted items, produced locally, like embroidery, mint, peanuts and other things. All goods are created by the people of the Bahareya Oasis. Embroidery and sewing has a long tradition in the oasis. In the past the traditional women-dresses (galabiya) were only hand made. Today they still use the same cross-stich style, just the design has changed. All profits go directly to the local people and the NGO. http://www.Bahareyaoasis-ngo.org/Home/home.html Bahareya Art by Mahmoud Eid Mohmoud Eed set about capturing the authentic culture of the Bahareya Oasis in clay. The museum also shows a collection of his paintings, some traditional clothing, jewellery and other folkloric accessories. You can buy his work in his museum in Bawiti. Siwa Creations For centuries, Siwan girls would learn the skills of sewing and em-

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

301

broidery from their mothers and grandmothers. Siwa Creations has a wonderful collection of hand-embroidered galabeyas, abbayas, blouses, shawls, linen table cloths, cushions and jewelry. Their salt rock candles are not to be sniffed at either. http://www.siwacreations.com/ SINAI FanSina FanSina, Arabic for Art of the Sinai, is a Bedouin-run social enterprise in Egypt that produces carefully embroidered and beaded handicrafts. The patterns and motifs the Bedouin women use in their crafts were rediscovered and rescued from the oldest women of the ancient local Jabaleya tribe at a time when younger generations had turned away from producing traditional crafts. Though traditional in their inspiration. FanSinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fundamental aim is as basic as it is pressing and important: to provide income to Bedouin women in a deeply conservative culture which offers them almost no avenues to contribute economically to their familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; survival. Their shop is located in the small village of St. Catherine in South Sinai, Egypt. http://fansina.net/ Bedouin Craft Run from the home of Mohamed el Hashash in the El Sebeia Val-

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

ley, this small handicraft business is a way of improving the lives of Bedouin families living in the Saint Katherine region. As it is Bedouin custom to build strong family ties and work together as a community, a large portion of the money earned through BedouinCraft. com goes towards those in need of assistance. This can range from putting something towards a hospital bill, building a new roof or well through to giving a widow a little extra food for the month. http://www.bedouincraft.com/ FAYOUM Pottery School in Ezbet Tunis The most famous pottery school is found in Tunis Village. Children as well as adults, beginners as well as experts, can apply for courses and classes and be taught all about the craft of pottery and clay making. Situated in the beautiful village of Tunis, the Pottery School is a source of artistic inspiration in and of itself. It is here where the potters of Tunis learned their art. You can take courses there or buy some of their beautiful pieces at their shop.

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

303

We hope you enjoy this guide and spent some wonderful time travelling Egypt. If you know of a place which is considered one of the best in Egypt and has not been included, please email us the name of the place or post it on our “Featherlight EG” Facebook page. Acknowledgements Many people have helped in the efforts of putting this guide together. We have relied heavily on many people and organizations in preparing it. The Featheright Team wants to thank all participants in the ecolodge workshops and ecolodge meetups. Your contributions helped us understand the needs and hurdles of lodges in Egypt. We also want to thank all people who helped us with valuable contributions via Facebook, Email, or simple hints from colleagues and friends. Without you this guidebook wouldn’t have been possible. We especially thank the team of the Cairo Climate Talks for their constant support. They have been encouraging us throughout the way and giving us a platform to present the Featherlight Guide at

F E AT H E R L I G H T T O U R I S M

the 29th Cairo Climate Talks in Cairo. A special thank is dedicated to Lindsey Parietti for her extensive editing work and her valuable assistance and comments. http://cairoclimatetalks.net We also want to thank the team of Nature Conservation Egypt that provided us with valuable insights into the Flora and Fauna of Egypt. Especially Noor Ayman was a great help through offering information on nature, birds, and birdwatching in Egypt, which you now find throughout the guidebook. http://www.natureegypt.org Moreover we want to explicitly thank the team of Ayadi Masriya that explained to us the different crafts in each region, introduced us to beautiful products and provided the guide book with beautiful pictures from each destination. http://www.amfegypt.org/ For reviews or new entries contact us on: Email: natalie.elassiouty@giz.de Facebook: Feaherlight EG

E G Y P T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S N AT U R E - A N D - C O M M U N I T Y - B A S E D T O U R I S M G U I D E

305

Imprint Published by: Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂźr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Registered offices Bonn and Eshborn Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40 53113 Bonn, Germany Phone: +49 228 44 60-0 Fax: +49 228 44 60-17 66 Dag-HammarskjĂśld-Weg 1-5 65760 Eschborn Phone: +49 61 96 79-0 Fax: +49 61 79-11 15 Email: info@giz.de Internet: www.giz.de Lead Authors: Sahra Gemeinder, Basma Bishay Edited by: Lindsey Parietti Layout: Natalie El Assiouty Place and Date of Publication: Cairo, July 2015

Items from named contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.

featherlight Travel Egypt on a light footprint

Featherlight EG – is all about traveling Egypt on a light footprint. It aims to promote and power a more environmentally friendly and socially inclusive way of traveling Egypt. Featherlight EG offers networking space, marketing support, skill-development to tour operators, lodges, handicrafts producers and engaged NGOs. To make a difference, it also addresses the costumers: national and international tourists who want to travel Egypt on a light footprint. Featherlight EG evolved from a joint initiative of two GIZ programs* and community partners in various destinations in Egypt. Join us on this journey and let’s show the world that there’s a whole country to be explored. And the best, while exploring, you support Egyptian communities with all its treasures! #featherlightEG *Private Sector Development Programme and Responsible & Inclusive Business Hub MENA