Desert Dwellers

Inviting people to Egypt

It is a hard task trying to persuade that right now is the right time to come visit Egypt amid all the coverage of many negative events happening in the country.

Egypt has always been a chaotic country and it is both part of its charms and problems.

But it is worth reiterating that Egypt is safe to visit. In addition, you will get incredible deals in many places in Egypt. I just returned from Istanbul yesterday and my flight was full of tourists. Most of them are going to the beach resorts area of Egypt and skipping Cairo altogether. It is better than nothing but Cairo is absolutely worth a visit.

Cairo is safe to visit. Siwa is safe to visit. Egypt is safe to visit.

Even better, the Egyptian pound is losing steadily its value against the dollars and euros so you are getting more for your money.

Update: OK, this MSNBC piece of Sharm looks like a holiday propaganda, however the essence of the story is true, Egypt is safe to visit.

Time magazine on Siwa

"A flyer from the tourist office reads: “Siwa, the world’s first and oldest tourist destination.” Hard to say if > that’s true, but Alexander the Great, for one, was enticed to cross the desert to consult an oracle of Amun, who dwelled in this oasis. Populated mostly by Berbers hailing from Libya, Siwa is accessible only by a single asphalt road and has lost none of its isolated charm. Nowadays European jet-setters flock to the Adrère Amellal eco-lodge, a mud enclave without electricity set against the White Mountain. For more social types, the Albabenshal hotel is built into the old fort at the center of town. As light dims, gaze from its rooftop restaurant while calls to prayer and the cries of livestock bring the main square to life. Sunset is silent, however, at Cleopatra’s Bath—a thermal pool in the middle of the dunes, where countless stars carry you to heaven."

Time

Permit to Siwa

I found out that someone is asking about permit to Siwa. The answer is no. You do not need any permit to enter Siwa.

However, there’s a national park permit to enter the Great Sand Sea. The permit is for 24 hour so if you travel for 3 days in the desert, you need to get three permits.

You don’t have to arrange this permit. Your desert guide will arrange it for you. All you need to give is a copy of your passport.

The price for the national permit is about 10 dollars a day (as far as I can remember). It might be more expensive now.

So when you go to the desert, the authority knows that you are there so in case of emergency, a rescue can be arranged pretty quickly either by local people or by the police.

Standard pricing for 2013 is out

Below pricing latest updated on January 14, 2013 and valid until November 14, 2013.

Safari and Lodging for adults

• 1 – 5 people = 300LE/day
• 6 – 10 people = 270LE/day
• 11 – above = 250LE/day

The price above includes lodging in Siwa, desert safari, food 3 times a day (including freshly cooked desert dinners), campsite in the desert, desert driver/guide, jeep and national park permit (per day).

Kids pricing

• 5 – 10 year of age is free.
• 11 – 15 year of age is half price.

Kids must be accompanied by adults.

Pets pricing

• Cats and dogs are free.

Transportation from Cairo to Siwa and back

Public Transport

• A public bus from Cairo to Siwa : LE 170 per person (two tickets)

Private Transport

• A sedan transport with 4 people capacity: LE 1800
• A minibus with 12 people capacity: LE 2800

The private transport can pick you up anywhere in Cairo at the location and time of your choosing.

Merry Christmas!

From all Siwawi staff, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2013 to you all.