HOW TO HAVE THE BEST OASIS EXPERIENCE

This might sound crazy, but getting into the back of a car and driving 10 hours through the desert into the night to the Siwa Oasis was one of the best decisions I made during my time in Egypt. The Siwa Oasis is truly something from another planet with breathtaking emerald pools, a mirage of sand dunes, and fortresses that look like they belong in a movie set. We decided to drive there during the nighttime so as to not waste a day getting there. There is no direct flight and you want to be sure you ask questions about the vehicle itself you are taking there as I met some people who made the mistake of getting a ride without air conditioning. The Siwa Oasis is something you absolutely need a guide to do, for a variety of different reasons. 

Bedouin Culture

Bedouin Culture is a shift from what you will have experienced in Cairo or other parts of Egypt. During our time in Siwa we did not see many local women out on their own and were told it’s not normal for women to drive or leave the house alone here. It’s extremely important for your safety that you have a tour guide with you at all times. We were treated very nicely but there was definitely a shock when people saw us, because of this I suggest dressing extremely conservatively. We stayed in a Bedouin hotel and really enjoyed getting to experience their dances and customs, but it can be a bit of a culture shock. 

The Salt Flats

The Salt Flats are the aquamarine pools that originally attracted me to this location. It’s actually part of a Salt companies property and completely free to go to, this is where the majority of Egypt gets their salt. You will want to arrive earlier or later in the day to beat the heat as it’s intense direct sunlight. Do not shave the week before going here as any small cuts will burn due to the high salt content. Our guide brought a huge water jug for us to rinse off with after swimming in them which is very much necessary unless you want to feel like your whole body is salted. 

Safari Experience 

Siwa is located along the border of Lebanon and we spent the evening going on a Safari with our guide and an experienced driver through the sand dunes. Sometimes they will have a military officer accompany you for safety but our guide got permission to take us without one with the proper documentation which was very much preferred. Go during sunset to see the most vibrant colors. There is also a very cool starfish fossil field from when this region was once the ocean. 

Go Prepared 

There are many forts and extremely cool cultural attractions to see here. Some of my favorites were the Eye of Cleopatra and the Shali Fortress. You will probably want to dedicate at least 2 days here and optimize timing by driving back and forth during the night if you can. The Oasis is very dusty with minimal paved roads and spotty service. I would suggest packing outdoor clothing, and bring a scarf to cover your head and shoulders. We ended up eating a lot of meals with our hands here so baby wipes and hand sanitizer is also a must.