Siwa Oasis, The Magic of Nature
Siwa Oasis, Egypt
Siwa Oasis is A nature reserve in Egypt. Siwa is famous for medical tourism, such as burial in the sand, treatment by the hot salt lakes and safari.
Siwa Oasis is located between the Qattara
Depression and the Great Sand Sea in the Western Desert, 50 km east of the
Libyan border, and 560 km from Cairo. Siwa is considered one of the most
remote cities in Egypt and is inhabited by about 40,000 people, most of whom
are Berbers, who have developed a distinct desert culture and a unique
language different from other languages in Egypt, called Siwa, as they
speak the Egyptian dialect fluently.
There are famous monuments in Siwa, including the Temple of Amun, which was
the seat of a famous fortune-teller at the time, which Alexander the Great
visited in 333 BC, where the priests installed him as the son of Amun and
prophesied to him to rule Egypt.
As for the geographical shape of the oasis, it forms a natural depression
that was formed in ancient times due to natural erosion factors, and it is
approximately 18 meters below sea level. Sand dunes constitute the largest
proportion of its composition, and the rest belongs to the depressions that
formed some lakes due to the leakage of groundwater from the many springs
flowing between sulfur and fresh, as for the presence of salt lakes, because
of the saline nature of the rocks and depressions in which those lakes were
formed, and that is also because the whole region was The bottom of a great
sea that covered the entire area of the desert in previous eras, which is
evident in the remains of sea snails and fossilized coral reefs in most
parts of those surrounding areas.
Siwa Oasis climate
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| Siwa Oasis climate |
Siwa’s weather prevails in a continental desert climate because Siwa is
located deep in the desert. The weather is very hot in the summer and the
winter is warm during the day and very cold at night, and rain rarely
falls in the winter. The annual precipitation rate is about 10.5 mm on
average.
The temperature may exceed 48 degrees Celsius in the summer, and frost
may form during the winter, and the humidity and wind speed are usually
low. The Khamsin winds blow at the beginning of summer, it is hot and dry, and
many landscapes are formed by the wind.
Where is Siwa located?
Siwa Oasis, Egypt is located 300 km south of the Mediterranean coast, where it is
bordered to the north by the city of Marsa Matrouh. It includes many
archaeological, tourist and medical sites that attract tourists from all
over the world.
Siwa Oasis... Rest, treatment and recreation
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| Siwa Oasis... Burial in the sand treatment |
If you suffer from bone and back pain and want a medical trip for
recreation and comfort, you cannot miss visiting Siwa Oasis, which is
famous for medical tourism, where its sands have natural elements
suitable for alternative medicine purposes.
The medical tourism season, or "burial in the sand" as it is called,
begins in Siwa Oasis, about 560 km from Cairo, from July 15 to September
15. The picturesque Siwa Oasis opens its doors to visitors from all over
the world, for the medical tourism that it is known for during this
period each year.
Siwa is famous for its 7 places where sand baths are made for patients
with rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, and others. To 7 days
each, according to his health condition.
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| Therapy in Siwa Oasis |
Siwa is a spring of water that is used for therapeutic purposes for
psoriasis and rheumatic diseases, Ain Kigar is the most famous, as
its water temperature is 67 °C, and it contains several minerals and
sulfur elements.
The best tourist activities in Siwa Oasis
Shali Fortress, Siwa Oasis
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| Shali Fortress, Siwa Oasis |
Shali Fortress is a castle and a historic city in the heart of Siwa Oasis.
It is famous for being one of its most famous historical landmarks. Its
construction dates back to thousands of years BC. It is home to one of the
historical temples of Amun, which was established by the ancient
Egyptians. Kharshef, a mixture of Salt and Clay, Shali Castle is also an
ideal destination for a panoramic view of Siwa Square.
Mountain of the Dead, Siwa Oasis
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| Mountain of the Dead, Siwa Oasis |
Mountain of the Dead is located approximately 2 kilometres from Siwa Oasis.
This mountain, a conical mountain with a height of 50 meters, is one of
the favourite historical destinations for visitors to Siwa and is famous
for being home to ancient Pharaonic tombs, including a royal tomb
decorated with Pharaonic inscriptions. The ancient tombs in the mountain
were discovered by chance during the Second World War.
Safari trips, Siwa Oasis
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| Safari trips, Siwa Oasis |
There are many tourist activities in Siwa that you can do to enjoy,
including taking one of the most exciting safari trips in the world,
taking a four-wheel drive tour between the sand dunes and enjoying
swimming in the warm natural waters of Siwa before camping in the evening
and eating tea, local sweets and Bedouin-style food.
It is one of the best experiences for those looking for peace and
relaxation, Siwa is the paradise of the Sahara desert. It is a mixture of
meditation, healing and adventure. It is a chance to feel the secrets of
nature, mountains, springs, dunes, salt lakes and one of the best sunset
views in the world.
Lake Siwa, Siwa Oasis
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| Lake Siwa, Siwa Oasis |
If you want to see one of the most beautiful natural destinations in Siwa,
head to the beautiful Siwa Lake, which is characterized by its stunning
natural beauty, which makes it a favourite location for taking pictures.
You can also watch their flocks of birds resting on the side of the lake
before continuing their journey to the heart of Africa.
After a walk of hours, you will see nothing but sand and desert that
attracts your attention to an oasis in the middle of a great lake of salty
water, even very salty, to the extent that you find salt on the edges of
the beach and great rocks in the middle of the edges of the lake.
Fatnas Island, Siwa Oasis
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| Fatnas Island, Siwa Oasis |
If you want to experience the Bedouin life or see glimpses of the nature
of the life of the local people in Siwa, you may have to visit Fintas
Island or Fantasy Island as it is called by the locals, which provides
tourist activities in Siwa to its visitors in a calm and safe environment.
A wonderful place that is recommended to visit from afternoon until sunset
with a wonderful view of the water blending with the mountains. The island
is located approximately 6 km from the centre of Siwa, and it is one of
the places worth visiting in Siwa Oasis. You can not miss this charming
place. You can enjoy the sunset, a quiet place and eat delicious Siwa
food. You can have the famous drink of the oasis, which is the Date drink.
Cleopatra's Pool/ Spring of Juba, Siwa Oasis
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| Cleopatra Spring, Siwa Oasis |
Cleopatra Spring is a famous historical site in Siwa, famous for being the
bathing site of Queen Cleopatra, the last queen of the Macedonian dynasty
that ruled Egypt. Baths of Cleopatra are famous for their warm natural
sulfur underground water. All ages can relax and swim in the Cleopatra -
Spring of Juba Pool, which is fed by a natural spring. The stone pool
attracts a lot of locals and tourists.
Taghaghien Touristic Island, Siwa Oasis
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| Taghaghien Touristic Island, Siwa Oasis |
It is an environmentally friendly tourist resort, designed in an African
style and located on an island in the middle of the lake in Siwa. You can
rent a boat to reach the resort and spend a whole day there. The resort
offers its visitors a range of tourist activities in Siwa, along with
wonderful traditional huts with thatched roofs for accommodation and
bathrooms Made entirely of desert stones.
Recommended Siwa Oasis hotels
Adrere Amellal Desert Ecolodge Siwa
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| Adrere Amellal Desert Ecolodge Siwa |
Adrere Amellal Hotel is one of the strangest hotels in Siwa Oasis and
unique in the world. The Adrere Amilal Hotel is a 40-room sandy hotel
with decor inspired by the life of Siwa desert residents.
The hotel has nothing to do with contemporary life today.
There is no electricity or phones in the rooms, and mobile phones are
not allowed in public places. Candles are used for lighting at night.
The hotel's fresh food is prepared using natural vegetables grown in the
hotel's garden. Using traditional methods, which rely on natural
vegetables harvested directly from the hotel's garden.
Many people around the world are looking for a quiet place away from
disturbing sounds and the modern world. Also, many visitors liked the
idea of which this hotel was built.
The British Crown Prince, Prince Charles, and his wife Camilla stayed in
this simple hotel.
Siwa Shali Resort
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| Siwa Shali Resort |
This resort is located in the middle of an area characterized by natural
and desert landscapes in Siwa Oasis, and greenery spreads throughout the
resort. It is a three-star resort.
The hotel has a swimming pool, similar to traditional Siwa houses, and a
hot tub. All suites feature a satellite TV, minibar and wardrobe.
Some suites overlook the garden, while others overlook the pool. The
restaurant serves international, Egyptian and Italian cuisine, as well
as low-calorie meals for diet lovers.
The hotel has a secluded garden for outdoor candlelit dining. It offers
a spa, Turkish baths, a massage room and a modern fitness area.
Sand treatments and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas are also
available. It is 3 km from the resort of Jebel Dakrour, and through the
resort, it is possible to participate in daily excursions around Siwa.
Siwa Relax Retreat (Adults Only)
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| Siwa Relax Retreat (Adults Only) |
Siwa Relax Retreat is one of the best natural places that you can enjoy
in Siwa, where everything there is similar to nature, the natural spa
and massage centre will change your mood.
The resort is located on one of the most beautiful lakes in Egypt, 10 km
from the city centre and the view of the Western Siwa Salt Lake is truly
amazing.
All the buildings are made of natural materials, even the natural cotton
towels and bed linen are also handcrafted. There is a private beach for
the resort, as well as a bicycle rental service.
Taghaghien Island Resort, Siwa Oasis
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| Taghaghien Island Resort, Siwa Oasis |
Taghaghien Island Resort is located on the secluded Taghaghin Island,
which lies within Siwa Lake. The island offers tranquillity and a
traditional calm desert atmosphere.
Accommodation at Taghaghine Island Hotel overlooks a wonderful
landscape.
The island and the resort are located 13 km from Siwa city centre,
and 10 km from Anna Maria Cafe.
Taghaghin Island Resort consists of rooms and suites designed in the
traditional Egyptian style.
Also, all rooms have simple fixtures that reflect the usual Egyptian
style in homes.
The resort includes many simple room options suitable for all groups and
ages in different cultures.
Some rooms are designed in a circular shape in the form of a small hut
with sleeping and sitting facilities.
The rooms include sleeping facilities such as beds only and also
include sitting chairs and a wardrobe. This is because hotel life
depends on simplicity.
In addition, all rooms in the resort have an en suite bathroom.
10 important tips if you are planning to visit Siwa Oasis?
- Be prepared for a long trip from Cairo that takes no less than eight hours by car.
- It is highly preferred that you do not take this trip except in an air-conditioned car, as the road is long and part of it is not equipped with the usual services.
- Plan your trip in the months between October and April, to avoid high temperatures and the spread of mosquitoes.
- Prepare in heavy winter clothes, as the hours of the night are very cold, due to the nature of its desert climate.
- Make sure that you have cash with you because banking services are not available in many places in Siwa Oasis.
- A visit to the Temple of Amun is a must, and if you want to go further, the hotels will provide you with a jeep safari.
- The Siwa community still values conservative customs and traditions. It is appropriate to respect the nature of society and to avoid wearing open and short clothes.
- The best way to explore the oasis is to rent a bicycle or a donkey cart. For a few pounds, the villagers will take you to the Bedouin villages, Roman ruins, Cleopatra's Bath, and the ancient Pharaonic and Roman tombs.
- Do not miss the opportunity to swim with the hot water flowing from the ground in Siwa because of its therapeutic effects that cannot be overlooked.
- Be sure to buy distinguished Asian products, whether handicrafts, food products, and others.