Ecolodges are on the increase in Egypt. Some are desert ecolodges, others diving. Some are situated in oases such as in Siwa, others by the sea like in Nuweiba and Marsa Alam or in historical sites such as in Saint Catherine. Adrere Amellal (+202 736 7879) is one of the most exclusive ecolodges in Egypt. It is located in Siwa at the foot of the White Mountain. Better known as Gaafar, the ecolodge is located 25km from downtown and overlooks the Great Siwa Lake. Composed of 35 double rooms and two suites, the ecolodge is lit only by candles and flambeaus. No electricity in sight. Gas, however, is used for round-the-clock hot water. Doors are made of palm trees while others from karshif (mud taken from salt-impregnated soil, becoming white cement-solid after drying). Door knobs are made of olive trees while bathrooms are of red bricks taken from Fetnas Island. Beds are made of palm fronds. Adrere Amellal is constructed in high style, meeting the basic with the sophisticated at one point. There are three restaurants, a swimming pool that was once a spring, a horse track and a stable for seven horses. Taghaghien Island Resort (+202 634 4420) is another ecolodge in Siwa that offers travellers many facilities but on a less luxurious scale than Adrere Amellal. The resort is an island amidst the Great Siwa Lake, located 13km from downtown. It has 30 bungalows that are made from the oasis's mountains, red bricks, clay and salt extracted from Siwa's lakes, while the ceiling is made of palm fronds. The interior of the bungalows is coated with white paint and Siwan drawings. Bathrooms are made of red bricks. The Taghaghien ecolodge, with palm trees scattered around, is dominated by olive trees used in the making of tables, chairs and swings. On the island is a cold spring, fit for a summer swim, in addition to a felucca for a quiet ride along the lake. Deep to the south lies Fustat Wadi El-Gemal ecolodge (+202 100 1109), 850km south of Cairo in Wadi El-Gemal National Park. It is a desert ecolodge, a tented camp that is located seven kilometres into the eastern desert from the main coastal road. Camel safaris into the valley is the main activity offered at the moment. Guests are offered a selection of tours starting from half days either in the morning or evening, to overnight stays. In Nuweiba lies one of the oldest ecolodges in Egypt, Basata Tourist Village (+2069 30 0481). Established in 1986, Basata is only 24km to the north of Nuweiba, about 450km from Cairo, and is located between Taba and Nuweiba on the Gulf of Aqaba. It is situated in a small bay in a sandy beach a little way off the main road. Its accommodation varies according to preference. There are a few buildings and chalets or bungalows built of clay and natural stone. For a simpler approach, one can find huts made of bamboo and reeds scattered across the beach. And those who like a camping style of life can just march in with their tents, or even just a sleeping bag. If you want to combine desert with history, then Al-Karm Ecolodge, situated in Saint Catherine protectorate, is the place. The ecolodge, situated in Wadi Gerba, is managed by local people where visitors could have Bedouin-mediated experiences of the cultural and natural features that make the St Catherine area unique. The ecolodge with a capacity of 18 people, has been built to operate on the principle of minimal environment impact, thereby offering very basic facilities -- waterless composting toilets and showers that are water-efficient and solar-heated. Guests will use their own bedding to sleep on locally-made mats, laid on raised platforms within the rooms or outside the garden.
