Activities in Western Desert
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Fatnas Spring
There's a secluded pool at Fatnas Spring , the small island in the salty Birket Siwa (Lake Siwa) accessible across a narrow causeway. Nicknamed 'Fantasy Island' for its idyllic setting, the pool is about 6km from Siwa Town, and surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery. Although it is a safer place for a swim than Cleopatra's Bath, women should not swim alone and, again, should leave their bikinis for the Red Sea beaches.
There's a small café among the palms, which is good for sitting and puffing on a sheesha, or drinking a cold beer if it's available. This is an idyllic place to watch the sunset. A ministry of agriculture project to try and improve the lake's drainage …
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Bir Wahed
A favourite excursion among local guides is the cold freshwater lake at Bir Wahed 15km away on the edge of the Great Sand Sea. Once over the top of a high dune, you come to a hot spring, the size of a large Jacuzzi, where sulphurous water bubbles in a pool and runs off to irrigate a garden. Cooling down in the lake, and then watching the sun setting over the dunes while soaking in a hot spring, is a surreal experience.
The thorns in this rose are the mosquitoes that bite at sunset. Because it's far from town, women can wear bathing suits here without offending locals. Bir Wahed can only be reached by 4WD, so if you don't have your own, you'll need to hire a guide and car.…
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Cleopatra's Bath
Siwa has no shortage of active, bubbling springs hidden among its palm groves. Following the track that leads to the Temple of the Oracle and continuing past the Temple of Umm Ubayd, will lead you to the most famous spring, Cleopatra's Bath. The crystal-clear natural spring water gurgles up into a large stone pool, which is a popular bathing spot for locals.
Women should think twice about swimming here during the day, and if they decide to brave the stares then they should only bathe with their clothes on.There are changing rooms at the nearby Tanta Waa café.
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Taghaghien Touristic Island
If you’re desperate for a beer, this small island 12km northwest of Siwa Town and connected by a causeway is one of the few places selling the amber nectar (for a whopping E£35 a bottle). There is some humble accommodation and a restaurant here, but its many shaded tables and chairs, paddle-boat rentals and sweet sunset vistas make it better suited for a day trip or picnic. You’ll need your own transport to get here.
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Khalifa Expedition
Khaled and Rose-Maria Khalifa have been running camel and jeep tours throughout the Western Desert from their base in Bahariya Oasis for well over a decade. Rose-Maria is a qualified speech therapist and foot masseuse, which perhaps explains why they also offer meditation tours for people more interested in communing with nature than looking at antiquities.
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Dabuka Expeditions
Dabuka is a German-based company that specialises in North African desert travel, not only through Egypt but also through Libya, Sudan, Tunisia and Jordan. In Egypt it arranges multiday safaris into the Great Sand Sea, Gebel Uweinat and Gilf Kebir, as well as organising camel expeditions and running off-road driving courses.
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Pan Arab Tours
With more than 30 years’ experience, Pan Arab Tours has developed expertise in taking visitors into Egypt’s deserts. Used by archaeologists as well as tourists, the company has a number of specially equipped vehicles and offers six itineraries throughout the country, from two to eight days.
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Zarzora Expedition
Captained by the very experienced Ahmed Al-Mestekawi, a retired colonel who used to conduct military desert patrols, Zarzora does expeditions to Siwa, Gilf Kebir and the Great Sand Sea. Ahmed has in-depth knowledge of the area and moonlights as a lecturer on the desert’s environment and history.
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Shali Camel Safaris Ranch
Abdul at Shali Camel Safaris Ranch also organises camel tours, with all meals included, at a slightly lower cost. These are virtually impossible to arrange in summer, since daytime temperatures are too hot and guides won’t travel by starlight.
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Bir Sitta
A popular stop is Bir Sitta, a sulphurous hot spring 6km northwest of Qasr al-Farafra. Water gushes into a Jacuzzi-sized concrete pool and then spills out into a larger tank. This is a good place for a night-time soak under the stars.
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Bir al-Mattar
At Bir al-Mattar cold springs pour into a viaduct, then down into a concrete pool where you can splash around during the hot summer months. As with all the springs the mineral content is high and the water can stain clothing.
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Bir al-Ramla
The hot sulphurous spring of Bir al-Ramla is very hot (45°C) and suitable for a soak, though you may feel a bit exposed to the donkey traffic passing to and fro. Women should stay well covered.
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Bir al-Ghaba
One of the most satisfying springs to visit is Bir al-Ghaba. It's quite a trek to get out here, but there is nothing quite like a moonlit hot bath on the edge of the desert.
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