WHAT makes Sinai so distinctive is its beautiful deserts and hills. The spectacular mountains, oases and wadis of South Sinai take up approximately one-third of the Peninsula. Few places are as steeped in Biblical history as the great Wadi Feiran Sinai's largest wadi and one of its most topographically important features. Wadi Feiran, surrounded by palms, vines and trees, is South Sinai's largest oasis, often called the 'Pearl of the Sinai'. Egypt's oases are the most varied in the world, each with its own peculiar characteristics, where the Bedouin pursue their tranquil lives and where you swiftly forget your cares and worries. In Sinai, there is also a rich diversity of plant and animal life, including more than 50 per cent of all the plants that are endemic to Egypt. Its location makes it ideal for safari and desert tourism, especially in South Sinai, whose terrain is perfect for car and motorbike races. The mountains surrounding Sharm el-Sheikh are also perfect for desert tourism, with visitors enjoying staying in tents and experiencing the unspoilt Bedouin lifestyle, a welcome refuge from the modern world. “Many tourists come to Sharm for safaris,” says Ibrahim Abdel Gawad, an Egyptian tour guide. "The desert round here is the place for adventure and natural beauty.” He explains that the tourists can drive across the desert on especially equipped motorbikes, followed by a barbecue in the evening and Bedouin entertainment. Mahmoud Nawaz, a Kuwaiti tourist, loves coming to Sharm for the safaris. He's into everything: hunting trips, car races and all sorts of other adventures. Regular flights are available from Cairo to the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el- Sheikh. Chartered flights are also arranged from overseas. Awaf el-Badri, a Saudi tourist, is impressed by the safety measures for safari tourism in Egypt, with excellent medical care if anyone gets hurt. Ibrahim Shukri, a tour guide, says that Europeans are particularly fond of safari tourism, while another tour guide, Sayyed Ibrahim, stresses its safety, as terrorism in the Sinai is a thing of the past. Sharm el-Sheikh receives tourist groups from all over the world, especially Russia, Germany, Italy and Spain. Between 500,000 and 1 million people come to Sharm every year for safari tourism, which is obviously good news for the local economy. Where to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh
Hilton Sharm el-Sheikh Fayrouz Resort: Sitting across the boardwalk from the largest section of beachfront on Na'ama Bay, this hotel is a low-rise series of whitewashed bungalows within mature gardens. Address: Peace Road, Na'ama Bay. Tel: 069/360- 0136. On the Web: www.hilton.com. Number of rooms: 206 rooms, 4 suites. Facilities: In-room: safe, Internet. In-hotel: 3 restaurants, room service, bars, tennis court, pools, beachfront, diving, water sports,children's programmes (ages 4-11), laundry service, Wi- Fi, parking (free), some pets allowed, no-smoking rooms. Ritz-Carlton: Combining the sensuality of ancient Egypt and the breezy hush of a desert oasis. The Ritz offers its guests the definitive Red Sea resort experience. The Ritz had thought of everything, from aromatherapy and massage treatments in a tent overlooking the sea to childproof rooms and bathrooms. A maze of fresh water streams allows guests to float through lush gardens and waterfalls. In the evening, you can dine at one of five unique restaurants featuring Lebanese, Italian, and Asian cuisines. Address: Om el-Sid, Hadaba. Mailing address: Box 72, South Sinai. Tel: 069/366-1919. On the Web: www. r i t z c a r l t o n . c o m Number of rooms: 286 rooms, 35 suites. Facilities: In-room: safe, Internet. Inhotel: 5 restaurants, room service, bars, tennis courts, pools. gym, spa, beachfront, diving, water sports, laundry service, parking (free). St. George Three Corners Resort: High on the escarpment between Na'ama Bay and downtown Sharm el-Sheik, this family-friendly hotel is highly regarded by the British visitors who frequent it. The kitchens cater to special dietary needs such as dishes for diabetics. Rooms are simply furnished but spacious enough to store the extra equipment (strollers, etc.) that families might be toting. There are always organised activities around the busy pool, but the hotel balances this with a separate quiet pool. Enjoy the fully equipped gym and five-room spa. A shuttle bus provides access to the hotel's beach. Address: Magless El- Madina St., Um el-Sid. Tel: 069/366-0888. On the Web: www. threecorners.com Number of rooms: 262 rooms. Facilities: In-room: safe, refrigerator. In-hotel:2 restaurants, room service, bars, gym, spa, diving, water sports, laundry service, Internet terminal, no smoking rooms. Courtesy of ‘Fodor's Egypt,' a guidebook published by the American University in Cairo Press.
