Desert Tours
Strangely for an oasis on the edge of the Sahara, Siwa has almost no camels. Instead, excursions to the desert are conducted by four-wheel-drive vehicles, which can take you to springs, sand-covered ruins, and some of the most impressive dunes you’re likely to see in Egypt. Local safari operators can have you dune bashing in the Great Sand Sea in no time, and a few outfits even offer sand surfing.
Most of the hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops in Siwa can organize trips, so pricing is competitive. At the time of this writing, the going rate for an afternoon of dune bashing ending with a refreshing dip in the spring-fed lake at Bir Wahed is £E80–£E100 per person. The trip requires a permit (about $5 per person), which can be arranged by your safari operator or the tourist office.
Popular day trips and overnight excursions include visits to Bedouin settlements, Zeitun Lake, and Qara Oasis. A shared pickup truck or jeep to Bahariya Oasis costs £E1,200–£E1,600 and can be arranged through the tourist office or safari operators. All desert trips require permits, which may not be included in the cost.
The top-end resorts tend to offer more luxurious and professional tours, but if you’re looking for a decent tour on a budget, you might try some of the smaller or more specialized operators.
Tour Operators
Tourist Information Office. At the Siwa tourist office, Mahdi Hweiti is a mine of information about Siwa and local tour options. Siwa, Matruh. 010/546–1992.
Sahara Adventure Shop. This is the place to go for sand-boarding safaris. ‘Abdullah Baghri rents boards for £E30–£E50 and can have you surfing 100-foot dunes till sunset then camping under the stars for about £E400 per person. On the main street, near Banque du Caire, Siwa, Matruh. 010/203–0215.
Siwa Safari Tours. This company organizes trips to sites around the oasis or further afield. On the main square, Siwa, Matruh. 046/460–1904.
Tala Ranch. This company offers camel trips within the oasis and to the Great Sand Sea. Overnight trips start at £E300 per person. Jebal al-Dakrour, Siwa, Matruh. 010/588–6003.
