Siwa Oasis

Introducing Siwa Oasis

Ringed by salt lakes, dunes and desert escarpment, Siwa is a haven of date plantations and olive groves. It has a distinctive Berber culture, preserved due to its relative isolation – an asphalt road to the coast was only constructed in the 1980s. With the 13th-century shali (fortress) at its core, there’s plenty to potter round while relaxing into the rhythm of life in the slow lane.

Women need to be careful if wandering alone in plantations or bathing in springs. Several assaults have been reported. North of the main square, El Negma Internet Centre (460 0761; per hr E£10; 9am-midnight) is near the shali. Banque du Caire (8.30am-2pm & 5-8pm) has an ATM and there’s also a post office and helpful tourist office (9am-5pm Sat-Thu).

Siwa’s attractions include springs where you can swim, the remains of the Temple of the Oracle, where Alexander came to confirm his divinity, and some Graeco-Roman tombs. At the edge of town are the towering dunes of the Great Sand Sea.

There are innumerable safari companies in Siwa, most of which charge around E£100 to visit the Great Sand Sea and E£120 for an overnight camping trip to White Mountain and Lubbaq Oasis. You can hire sand boards at the Nour el-Wahaa Restaurant.

The best buy in town are locally grown dates and olives.

Last updated: Sep 23, 2008