Siwa Oasis 2022 Travel Guide: Accommodation, Food & Outings

October is approaching fast and we can already feel the slight drop in temperature with that cold sting in the air -don’t you just love it?- but if you really want to enjoy this weather then you need to head to Siwa Oasis

Let’s introduce you to the sunset Oasis. Siwa is a very relaxing place with untouched natural landscapes, a place where you can still see the stars at night unlike most urban areas so if you want to really relax and distress you should visit Siwa Oasis for a week. Don’t worry Faydety is here to give you all the details on how to spend a wonderful week there for the least expenses.

Also read: the best day use in summer 2022 for only 100 EGP

Siwa Oasis:

Siwa Oasis or as it is commonly called the sunset Oasis is an Egyptian Oasis located in the western desert. It is part of Matrouh governorate, and is located 560 kilometres away from Cairo and only 50 kilometres away from the Libyan borders.

The people:

The natives are mostly Berbers (or Amazigh) and speak their own dialect of Berber called Siwi. Children only start learning Arabic once they begin school. 

Siwa’s people are kind but very attached to their culture.

Marriage traditions:

What did Wegz mean with his lyrics:

• I intend to buy jammar and diamonds
• And declare my love in public

What is this jammar? What does it have to do with his ladylove? Or Siwa Oasis?

Siwa is famous for its palm trees which is the natives’ main source of income. One of their marriage traditions is for the groom to give his mother-in-law on the wedding day the most expensive and important possession he owns; the heart of palm tree also known as jammar in Siwi. 

The jammar is decorated with roses and gold -within the groom’s means- and given to the mother-in-law in exchange for her most valuable possession; her daughter

“Jammar is edible and if you’re really lucky maybe you’ll be offered one to eat

More holiday tips: Affordable & Fun Holidays all over Egypt

The best ways to travel to Siwa:

Option one: book West Delta bus from Cairo to Siwa. 

• The bus leaves Abdel Moneim Riyadh square at 10:30 PM. You can also take the bus from Tagneed or Torgoman at different times
• It takes 12-14 hours to reach Siwa and there are three rest-stops on the way
• The bus from Siwa o Cairo leaves at 7:30 PM
• You can book your ticket the same day two house before departure at the bus station ticket office.
• One way ticket price: 280

Option 2: Cairo-Matrouh-Siwa

• Cairo- Matrouh

You can ride the new Cairo-Matrouh train. Ticket prices are 150 EGP for air-conditioned trains and 220 EGP for night trains. 

The train ride takes 8 hours and stops at Moharam Bek, Alexandria on the way. 

• Or you can take a microbus from Mashaal- El Haram to Matrouh. The trip takes about four to six hours Faster than the train but also less comfortable.

Once you reach Matrouh you will have to find another transportation to siwa which is another 4.5 hours.

Option 3: Driving to Siwa

• Trip takes around 7 hours
• You will have to take El Alamaein- Sahel-Matrouh-Siwa road (the last part is 3 hours more after Matrouh)
• Or Cairo-Dabaa road from 6^th October city
• Keep in mind there are no gas stations on the road from Matrouh to Siwa. The last gas station is at the entrance of Matrouh.

Accommodation:

Congratulations you have arrived at your destination! Now you need to find a place to stay or head directly to your hotel if you already have a reservation.

Siwa Oasis has many eclectic stays. You can choose what you like and what’s affordable for you. You will find hotel stays anywhere from 290 to 9000 EGP per night and that’s not an exaggeration.

Hotels in Siwa Oasis

• Eco-lodges built from salt rock and mud called Kershef
• Camps
• Regular hotels
• Traditional homes

More on reservation and prices here

Food:

• Food in Siwa Oasis is delicious and one of the most famous dishes there is bomordum a dish of Libyan origin made of any type of marinated meat especially lamb and the meat is baked in a hole in the ground. It can be cooked with any available vegetables and rice.

• Chicken tagine with olives try it at Al Babinshal restaurant served with rice. Also don’t miss Siwa molokhia.

• Grilled meat in all forms are extremely delicious.

Outings in Siwa:

• Fortress of Shali
• Mountain of the dead
• Temple of the Oracle of Amun
• Salt lakes

• Mineral-rich natural springs
• Fatnis island. Don’t miss the sunset while you’re there, the view is amazing.
• Dakrur mountain. Each year the mountain plays host to the feast of peace between Siwa’s people for three days. They talk, hash out any arguments and feast for those three days. If you’re lucky enough to be there at the same time you will be treated like a king

The best part about Siwa Oasis is the desert. Safaris, sandboarding, and swimming in several cold and hit natural springs such as Bir Wahed are all experiences not to be missed

You will need:

Security clearance and permit from Al Mokhabarat (the general intelligence agency) for both people and vehicles. Renting a vehicle can cost around 3000 to 4000 EGP.

The cars are 4x4 and big enough to fit seven people

Transportation in Siwa:

Transportation in Siwa Oasis is a bit primitive so unless you have a car with you or if you’re not travelling with a travel company you will need to rent a suitable vehicle to go around such as:

• Motorized tricycle for short trips
• 5 person Suzuki
• 14 person microbus which you can pay for by the hour or the day

Before you travel to Siwa:

Natural spring in Siwa

1. Note that Siwa has a desert climate which is hot during the day and chilly at night so bring a jacket
2. Bring your swimsuit
3. Mosquito repellent. They are vicious
4. Don’t forget to buy authentic Siwa products from the market like olives and dates. Don’t miss their date jam or anything in jam form really, and hibiscus. Also do not miss the herbal tea, it’s to die for and you’ll be addicted by the time you leave.