| PADI Courses & Information in Depth | Desert Treks 2008 | Gear Hire | Frequently Asked Questions |
NEW - PADI COURSES AT LAHAMI
A great adventure for experienced divers. Situated on the extensive lagoon of Wadi Lahami, 400km south of Hurghada and just above Ras Banas, this unique ‘deep south’ camp is owned by the most professional and experienced pioneers along this coastline - Red Sea Diving Safari. From this superb location we are directly opposite the multitude of offshore reefs collectively known as Fury Shoal.
The diving from the Camp is a first in the Red Sea as the dives are conducted from fast RIBs (as opposed to the more traditional hard boats) which have been specially designed to access Fury Shoal, 6 miles offshore, as quickly as possible. The RIBs carry 8-10 divers and we currently have 3 RIBs at the Camp. As with the Southern Dive Villages, divers have the freedom to chose when they dive.
From our Dive Camp you can explore the many offshore islands, ‘habillies’ and ‘ergs’ of the Shoal.
These include 27 sites that we consider
well worth visiting - Erg Abu Diab, Sha’b Mansour, Galawa, Sataya (Dolphin Reef) and Claudia Reef - as well as many
unnamed and newly
discovered reefs which have yet to be put on the charts. These offshore islands and chain-reefs have very rich marine life, and pelagics such
as jacks, tuna, hammerhead sharks and rays are cruising visitors. Three very photogenic wrecks have been found in the Shoal.
“Throughout the entire Red Sea no territory is blessed with a more remarkable and extensive coral forest. The hard corals that make up the reef topography of Fury Shoal are believed to be the best example in the world”
The dive programme is led by divers with an extensive knowledge of this remote territory. On a typical day RIB diving will start at 7.00am with 2 dives at Fury Shoal. After lunch and a siesta, guests dive the local ‘house’ reefs and have the opportunity to night dive.
Spacious twin bedded tents with electricity and locally made furniture completes the Egyptian style. A 20-litre supply of water and wash bowl is left outside daily. Toilets and showers are a short walk way.
Traditional domed, vaulted desert architecture and thick stone walls keep the Madyafas cool. Enter by the hallway to the large and airy bedroom with en-suite facilities and enjoy the sea and desert mountain views from your own sun terrace.
As with the majority of the Egyptian Red Sea coast, developments and resort hotels are springing up. The magic of Lahami and the privilege our divers have to explore these reefs by themselves with rarely another dive boat on the horizon will not last. This is an excellent dive adventure and we highly recommend diving here now before these resorts become established.
This is a great opportunity to dive ‘deep south’ sites whilst having the freedom and flexibility of being land based. This safari is for adventurous divers seeking the opportunity to discover pristine reefs, living in a ‘close to nature’ expedition environment.
All three villages give the best opportunities for non-diving family and friends to see the diversity and colour of marine life.
At Sataya Reef off Wadi Lahami, a permanent “floating hotel” offers the possibility to swim with Dolphins too!
For prices, take the Non-diving price below.
The lagoon and thermal winds at Wadi Lahami are ideal all year round for the fastest growing of water sports, kite and wind surfing. This uncovered secret paradise is the perfect training ground for beginners and experts alike.
For prices, take the Non-diving price below.
Wadi Lahami is an excellent bird watching location and home to the exquisite Goliath Heron, Sea Eagle and other species, which can be viewed as they perch in the mangroves next to the lagoon.
For prices, take the Non-diving price below.
Please bring a cagoule / windcheater jacket with you to wear in the RIB on the return journey to protect you from the wind.
Due to the volatility in both the exchange rate and the costs of flights the prices below should be taken as a guide - please call for the current price. Prices often rise and occasionally fall. Oonasdivers charge a simple handling fee for arranging flights and pass on the cost to the traveller, including, when it happens, any reductions.
| Tour Price - With Flights - high season | |||
| High Season - March, April, May, & September, October, November & 16th
- 31st December. Prices based on 2 sharing, 6 days diving - includes transfers from Marsa Alam |
|||
| TENT | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single tent | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £855 | £614 | No Charge |
| MADYAFA GUEST HOUSE | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £950 | £708 | Add £94 |
| Tour Price - With Flights - low season | |||
| Low Season - 1-15 December, January, February, & June, July, August. Prices based on 2 sharing, 6 days diving - includes transfers from Marsa Alam |
|||
| TENT | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single tent | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £799 | £583 | No Charge |
| MADYAFA GUEST HOUSE | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £899 | £677 | Add £94 |
| Tour Price - Direct Booking - No Flights - high season | |||
| High Season - March, April, May, & September, October, November & 16th 31st December. Prices based on 2 sharing, 6 days diving - includes transfers from Marsa Alam |
|||
| TENT | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single tent | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £545 | £280 | No Charge |
| MADYAFA GUEST HOUSE | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £640 | £379 | Add £98 |
| Tour Price - Direct Booking - No Flights - low season | |||
| Low Season - 1-15 December, January, February, & June, July, August. Prices based on 2 sharing, 6 days diving - includes transfers from Marsa Alam |
|||
| TENT | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single tent | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £489 | £248 | No Charge |
| MADYAFA GUEST HOUSE | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £589 | £346 | Add £98 |
2 week tours also available on request
Don't forget to check out our
Late
Availability page!
12th & 24th divers are free.
This tour suits divers with a sense of adventure and we also suggest a minimum experience level of 20 dives or Advanced level. As the RIB journeys can be quite long to certain sites we would not recommend this style of dive transfer for those with a bad back.
Quotations for tailor-made tours are also available on request.
| Training Cost | ||
| Resort Courses | ||
| Course | Duration | Cost |
| discover scuba diving | 1 dive | €50 |
| Scuba Review | 1 day | €40 |
| Open Water diver | 5 days | £267 |
| Open Water REFERRAL | 2 days | £150 |
| Advanced OPEN WATER | 2 days | £210 |
| EMERGENCY First Response | 1 day | £125 |
| Rescue Diver (excl. equip) | 3 days | £267 |
| Nitrox DIVER (EXCL. EQUP) | 2 dives | £100 |
| Night diver Deep Diver Drift diver uw nat boat diver |
1-5 dives | £125 |
| uw photo | 2 dives | £146 |
A certification fee of 30 Euro is payable on completion of each course.
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| Information in Depth | ||||
The Red Sea Diving Safari has purchased a sheltered Marsa just above Ras Banas known as Wadi Lahami. This remote bay is 100km south of Ecolodge Nakari Village and is located directly opposite the multitude of offshore reefs collectively known as Fury Shoal. From our Wadi Lahami Village we dive the wall dives and habillies of the offshore islands of Fury Shoal, which include Sha’b Mansour, Abu Galawa, Sataya (Dolphin Reef) and Claudia Reef by specially designed fast RIBs (Ridged Inflatable Boat). These offshore islands and chain-reefs have very rich marine life. Pelagic such as jacks, tuna, sharks and rays are cruising visitors. The hard corals, which make up the reef topography of Fury Shoal are believed to be the best example in the world. Throughout the entire Red Sea there is no peninsular comparable in length to the 51km promontory of Ras Banas and it is blessed with the most extensive and remarkable coral forest.
This is a great opportunity to dive ‘deep south’ sites whilst having the freedom and flexibility of being land based. This safari is for adventurous divers seeking the opportunity to dive pristine reefs, whilst living in a no frills ‘close to nature’ expedition environment. Our RIBs are continually moving up and down the house and offshore reefs so it does not matter when the guests join the tour. If they opt for the 13-day dive package instead of the 6-day, they will simply see more sites instead of repeating the same ones.
The diving from Wadi Lahami suits experienced divers and we require a minimum of 20 logged dives.
In some sea conditions the transfers by RIB can be quite physically demanding and are not suitable for people with back problems.
The dive area has fresh water rinsing tanks for rinsing regulators, cameras & computers etc. and drying rails for hanging equipment. There is also has a bank of 220v power points for battery recharging. Although the generators at the Wadi Lahami Village run 24 hours, it is recommended that the guests bring fast chargers (6 hours max.). Full cylinders (12 ltr. Aluminium) are stored inside the spacious dive hut. In addition there are hand showers to rinse yourself after a dive.
Full dive equipment can be hired on site but as the site is remote, choice is limited and we need to be informed in writing if any gear is required. For wetsuits and booties we will need to know your height & build plus foot size. Please complete section ‘G’ on the back of our booking from with size requirements. All guests are required to dive with a dive computer, if not they can be hired at €10 per day or €40 for 5 days.
The guides will give a detailed briefing at the dive sites. If guests feel they require a more in-depth briefing they should tell the guides, who will be pleased to elaborate. The Red Sea Diving Safari does not allow decompression diving and the maximum depth allowed is 30m.
We have had Egypt’s newest hyberbaric medical centre for two years at Ecolodge Shagra Village (90 minutes drive north). Red Sea Diving Safari is a member of the D.E.C.O. INTERNATIONAL (Diving Emergency Centre Organisation) and can therefore offer guests an insurance for decompression treatment for the fee of US $6, which is payable on site. This insurance is valid for 21 days. It includes chamber treatment (including HBO sessions if needed), doctor’s fees, diagnosis, as well as equipment and medicines used in treatment. The program does not cover hospitalisation or any means of transport of the injured person.
The Ecolodge Wadi Lahami Village has comprehensive medical kits and an ample supply of emergency oxygen. Take great care with minor cuts and scratches as the coral polyps can aggravate and cuts can easily turn septic. Ask the staff for antibiotic powder and make sure that the wound is dried between dives. Dehydration and illness can be avoided by drinking far more water than usual. Mineral water is free and readily available at the Village. It is a good idea to take mosquito and fly repellents; this may occasionally be necessary as the Village is situated beside mangroves.
The tents at the Ecolodge Wadi Lahami Village are behind the meeting area, approximately 200m from the waters edge. Inside each tent there are two beds, 2 metres apart and they are supplied with 2 sheets, blankets (not necessary in summer) and a pillow per person. Guests booking as individuals will have a single tent to themselves. However, due the limit on tents, divers within the same party will have to share, two to a tent. The Safari team are very accommodating and should one of the guests need an extra mattress (for most people one is fine) or additional bedding, they should just ask. The tents are supplied with electricity at night; however, taking a ‘head torch’ may prove more useful when walking around the camp. Each person is provided with a 20l container of fresh water each day, which is left outside the tent, to warm in the sun and can be used for washing.
There is a toilet & shower block – ‘civilization’ has arrived!!
The guests will be supplied with 3 meals a day, with cake in the late afternoon. The food is basic but wholesome. Guests are asked to tell us in advance if they are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements. However, whilst the cook will do his best to accommodate you, please bare in mind that variety is very limited and if you are on a restricted diet – you may find that it is just that!! If night diving, you should inform the staff if you would like to have dinner before or after diving. Soft drinks are included free. Egyptian Stella beer is available at approximately 2 Euro. Guests help themselves to beer and mark off a slate, which is settled at the end of the week.
The compressor filling area and generators are kept quite a distance away so guests are not disturbed by the noise.
We recommend that the guests take Euro’s, US dollars cash or travellers cheques with them as there are no facilities for credit cards or normal cheques. The guests settle their account at the end of their tour. Guests may leave their valuables with the manager, if preferred, who will lock them away.
On arrival at Hurghada airport, our representative (who will be holding up a Red Sea Diving Safari sign), will meet you upon entry into the terminal building. The cost for an Egyptian visa for British Subjects is £15 and our rep will have the visa stamps with him and will organise immigration formalities for you. You pay the representative at the airport for the visa charge of £15 per passport in sterling cash. He will escort you out of the terminal building and to your minibus for the transfer to Wadi Lahami.
The journey takes approximately 5-6 hours, although occasionally longer, if there are roadwork delays. We recommend that you take some snacks with you for the journey. Although we can also transfer you from Luxor airport, we do not recommend it. Since 1998 all vehicles with tourists leaving Luxor must go in a convoy to Hurghada first before travelling south to the Villages and vice versa. This extends your transfer time by at least an additional 5 hours and possibly more if there are convoy delays.
The Eastern desert is supposed to flood every 10 years, however, in ten years of operating, the Safari has experienced 2 floods. The last one was in November 1996 and the Safari was well prepared, so none of the tents or equipment was lost. In a flood situation the Safari will make every effort to maintain camp life but the guests have to be prepared to compromise. Dive sites may become unsuitable and tents may be damp. The positive side is that they will be one of the few people from the western world to witness the wadies flooding and the spectacular phenomena as they burst into bloom!
The Red Sea Diving Safari has a satellite phone and fax at Ecolodge Shagra Village. Satellite calls cost approx. US$ 5 per minute. If the guests would like to be contacted, this is possible under the following numbers Tel. 0020122449073/5 Fax.0020195100262. Mobile phones are able to get a signal at Ecolodge Shagra Village and for emergency 0020122461656 is the mobile of the general manager of Red Sea Diving Safari, Hesham M Kamel.
Please bring a Cagool / windcheater jacket with you to take in the RIB to protect you from the wind on your return journey. Guests should bring their own towels for the beach and showering, plus toiletries. During the warmer months, please remember that they may be some mosquitoes about - so don't forget your repellent!
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| Frequently Asked Questions | ||||
Routes have been designed to cover the best examples of hard and soft corals the Red Sea has to offer. A typical day in Wadi Lahami is as follows. Wake up at 06:00, breakfast is served at 06:15, prepare for departure around 06:45 then the adventure begins as you ride by RIB into the heart of the Fury Shoals for two dives. Coffee, tea, cake are served on the rib between dives. You return to the dive camp around 12:00 for lunch. After lunch and a short siesta you depart again to discover the local and inshore reefs (which are considered as house reefs), returning around 16:30, preparations are made for night dives, which start around 19:00.
Diving from Wadi Lahami suites experienced divers. We ask for a minimum of 20 logged dives.
Full dive equipment can be hired on site and is included free for the participants on one of the diver training courses. As the equipment choice is limited and the Ecolodges are in the desert, you would need to inform Oonasdivers when making your booking if you need gear. If you need booties and wetsuits we will need to know your foot size and general height & build. All guests are required to dive with a dive computer, if not they can be hired at €10 per day or €40 for 5 days.
Not really. Snorkelling here is not an option as the dive sites are very exposed and not suitable for snorkelling.
The tents in Wadi Lahami are located near the beach. Inside each tent there are two beds, 2 metres apart, each with mattress, sheets, blankets (not necessary in summer) and a pillow per person. The tents are supplied with electricity at night, however, taking a head torch may prove more useful when walking around the camp. Each tent will be provided with 20-litre container to be used for washing etc. Shower and toilets are located at the main building.
The package is provided on a full board basis. Guests will be supplied with 3 meals a day, with cake in the late afternoon. The food is basic but wholesome. Guests are asked to tell us in advance if they are vegetarian or have any special dietary requirements. If night diving, you should inform the staff if you would like to have dinner before or after diving. Soft drinks are included and Egyptian beer is available and be paid extra. All extra purchases will be settled at the end of the stay
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| Desert Treks 2007 | ||||
Desert trips from the Marsa Shagra Dive Village are offered as an optional extra to guests who wish to visit the mountains and wadis in the area by jeep or foot. They can be booked through Oonasdivers, but are paid for on site.
Karen Van Opstal is a Dutch geologist and keen astronomer as well as one of the original dive pioneers with the Red Sea Diving Safari, in the southern Egyptian Red Sea. She has lived in & studied the desert interior for many years and speaks Arabic. She is a fascinating person to travel into the interior with, not only because of her knowledge, but also for her love and enthusiasm for this territory. She has her own camels and vehicles for desert treks and is well equipped to handle longer expeditions should they be requested.
The Eastern Desert of Egypt lies between the river Nile and the Red Sea coast. The area of desert that we are introducing for our safari trips is around the small mining village of Marsa Alam, about 300km south of the resort town of Hurghada. The most important features of this area, apart from its unique natural beauty, are the historical sites dating from the 1st to the 6th century. Contrary to what is normally referred to as “Classical Egypt”, such as temples and other works from the Pharaonic and later civilisations in the Nile Valley, the sites we will be visiting are largely unexplored and not fully documented. This is due to their relative inaccessibility, and adds to the feeling of adventure and the thrill of discovering virgin territory where tourism has not yet been introduced.
The Eastern Desert is composed of an almost uninterrupted chain of mountains running the length of the Red Sea Coast, with a very complicated network of wadis as we move inland. The only source of water, apart from the occasional rains, are brackish wells. Vegetation in the form of plants, shrubs and trees grow naturally in the wadis. In the months after rain, these areas are covered with different hues of green and yellow plants, which provide food for the herds of goats, sheep and camels and for gazelle, foxes, rodents and small creatures who make up the desert fauna. The Ababda Bedouin tribes inhabit this territory, and use some of the shrubs for medicinal purposes.
The area is very rich in minerals and the extent of mining exploitation in ancient times is not yet fully known. We do know that gold, emeralds, gypsum and iron have been extracted since early Pharaonic times.
The ruins date back to the Ptolemiac and Roman eras, with some evidence of Arabic settlement here and there. The sites are either old mines, quarries and villages, or parts of tracks, wells and fortresses which are interlinked. Their main purpose was for the easy passage of goods from the ports along the Red Sea Coast who received goods from India, China and the Far East. The goods were bound for Turkey and Europe, and would cross the desert by donkey or camel caravans to the Nile and eventually the Mediterranean Sea. Goods from the Mediterranean Basin bound for the Far East would follow the same path in reverse.
These trade roads follow the very intricate web of wadis and sub-wadis that cross the desert. Along these routes, within a days walking, wells were dug with an adjoining fortress for hosting, securing taxes on and protecting the caravans. Watch towers were built on mountaintops to form a signal communications system to monitor hostile invasions and to announce information about port traffic and the arrival of merchandise.
The places of interest are many and varied; at the site of one gold mine, a device was built to recycle the water needed to sift gold powder; one of the emerald mines has a unique temple carved in the mountain. A nearby shrine has ancient Greek inscriptions and graffiti dated 1888; ancient hieroglyphs are found carved in the rock at one of the wadis.
Large herds of camels, sometimes consisting of hundreds of individuals, water around a well side by side with goats and sheep. Gazelle roam the wadis in the mornings and hawks send their plaintive cries from high in the mountains. At night, millions of stars fill the velvet sky. All of this creates a wealth of experience awaiting those adventurous enough to experience the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Its real richness lies in its untapped potential as an outstanding adventure destination for those who truly want to ‘get off the beaten track’.
The duration of the trips are as follows (all prices are approximate and in UK pounds sterling, however these trips can only be booked onsite and you will be charged in Euros):
Leaving after breakfast or lunch and returning for lunch or dinner. A minimum of 2 persons required.
Price £20 each (approximately)
Camel trek (which is proving very popular)
Price £25 each (approximately)
Leaving after early dinner and returning 3 - 4 hours later that evening. Ten days a month only, on favourable moonlit conditions. A minimum of 2 persons required.
Price £20 each (approximately)
Leaving early morning after breakfast and returning that evening before dinner. A minimum of 2 persons required.
Price £30 each (approximately)
Leaving after lunch, spending the afternoon, night and following morning in the mountains, returning at lunch time. A minimum of 4 persons required.
Price £60 each (approximately)
Leaving early in the morning after breakfast, spending the day, night and following day in the mountains, returning in the evening for dinner. A minimum of 4 persons required.
Price £70 each by jeep & £55 hiking (approximately)
The itineraries cover archaeological tours visiting old Polemic/Roman sites or nature tours visiting scenic areas. Prices are in addition to the regular diving safari tour cost and are expressed in £ Sterling per person for the entire trip.
Meals will consist of breakfast, lunch and dinner. On trips where dinner is included, a goat or sheep can be BBQ’ed according to the number of participants and by special arrangement. Night accommodation will be in small, 2-person dome tents (or just under the stars if you wish). Ground sheets, sleeping bags, pillows and blankets are provided. Participants will be expected to give a hand with chores like making fire, cooking, setting/breaking up camp.
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| Gear Hire | ||||
| Equipment | PRICES in Euro |
| Full Equipment per Day (incl.: ABC, Regulator with pressure gauge & Octopus, BCD and Wet - Suit ) |
30 |
| Full Equipment ( as above ) for 5 days | 140 |
| Full Equipment (as above) + Computer for 5 Days | 180 |
| Full Equipment ( as above ) for 6 days | 150 |
| Full Equipment (as above) + Computer for 6 Days | 200 |
| The following prices are daily rates | |
| Regulator with pressure gauge & Octopus | 10 |
| Octopus | 4 |
| BCD | 8 |
| Full Wet - Suit | 7 |
| Half Wet - Suit | 4 |
| Mask & Snorkel | 3 |
| Booties | 3 |
| Fins | 3 |
| Depth gauge | 4 |
| Compass | 4 |
| Computer | 10 |
| Torch ( per night dive ) | 10 |
| Information in Depth | Karen’s Desert Trips 2004 | Gear Hire | Frequently Asked Questions | To Top of Page |