Siwa

Siwa is different. That’s what the Lonely Planets says about it and several other guide books. It is different because it is the only oasis in Egypt that is of Berber origin. The culture and way of life is laid back and different to the energy of the big souk’s in Luxor and Cairo. Siwa has a village feel and after a few days everybody knows you and how you take your tea.

Getting to Siwa

Siwa by Car, People carrier, Bus, Micro Bus, Train (well to Matruh). By plane, jeep, and of course by camel. We can arrange any of these for you, or even better, you can read about them here and fix it yourself.

Shali Fort

It’s hard to believe the entire Oasis used to live in the Shali until as late as the 1950′s. Get the history, some story’s of East and West battles and some directions of how to get to the top to see the sun set.

Sand Dunes

They tell you the 100 things to do before you die. Well, it is here, right on our doorstep. Some of the most spectacular scenery in the desert within a few km’s of the edge of Siwa. Have a look and see what I mean.

Siwa Lake

Think dead sea, think, no one gets that in Siwa. Swim in the salt lakes and not see another person. If you have ex ma or rheumatism, or just want to float in water like Jesus, bring your swim suit.

Hot Springs

Some too hot in summer, too cold in winter. Some in town, out in the desert. Some full of tourists and some, perfect temperatures that no one goes to except us. Stay at the Siwa Villa and we will show you.

Cleopatra’s Spring

Bit deserted out? Want to visit ‘the’ tourist attraction of the oasis that has nothing to do with sand? This is it. Sit back with a book and a mango juice along side the most famous spring of them all.

Siwa’s Gardens

The gardens are one of Siwa’s best kept secrets. We are famous for the great sand sea and the Shali etc, but it is the gardens where you step back in time and experience the Berber culture at it’s best.

Oricle – Amun

One of seven Oricles in the world. Where Pharaohs, Alexandria the Great and Prince Charles came to confirm they would be king. If your interested in Greek history, this is definitely worth a visit.

Siwa Festival

For three days in October, the annual festival of Siwa takes place. Every child turns up in there best dresses and galabayas; fantastic for picture taking. A visit to Siwa that this time is highly recommended.

Bir Wahed

No trip to Siwa is complete without a trip out to the hot spring and fresh water lake 12km’s into the desert at Bir Wahed. We visit the lake early in the morning or at night when the tourists are long gone.

Shiata

20km’s out into the great sand sea, on the old donkey route to Libya, there is Shiata lake. A salt lake, just like the oasis you have pictured in your mind. Sand, a lake and a few palm trees. Visit by jeep or donkey.

Qara Oasis

If coming to Siwa Oasis is not enough of an adventure for you. Let us take you to Qara Oasis. You will be one of a hand full of visitors they receive each year. It’s a big occasion and one you won’t forget.

Please click on the links below to see the information we are slowly building up on Siwa. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please contact us and I will see if I can help.

Within a day of being in Siwa you will know people, and people will know you. Sure some of the handshakes you get are from people in the tourist business who are looking to sell their wares but you will also meet regular mohammad, the guy in the street, the olive farmer, who is after nothing from you but your time to share a cup of tea. To experience the Siwa you came to see, get out of the market sq, walk into the gardens, meet the real people and be rewarded with a calmness and genuine hospitality and some great scenery.

Siwa is the laid back oasis you have heard about, its just a little further away from the market sq than it used to be.

Siwa is changing, but it still has the berber slow pace of life and if you stay for more than a few days, you start to get to know everyone and saying good morning in the butcher the baker and… they don’t make candles in Siwa.

Once your out of the market square, you will meet normal Siwan farmers on their way to their gardens. Take a ride on their donkey and cart and spend the day learning how they grow their olives and dates and drink too much tea. It’s fun way to while away the heat of the day and few people do it, so you’ll probably be the only one out there.

The Friday market is a great time to see Siwa locals go about their every day lives

There is a huge amount of history in Siwa, yet few in Siwa know their own past due to there being no documents or books from the past. Most of the history of Siwa is documented from other cultures, mainly Greek and of course from Alexandria the Great who came to visit Siwa in 331 to confirm he was the son of God in the Orical, one of seven in the world