| Information in Depth | Desert excursions 2008 | Gear Hire | Frequently Asked Questions |
The
ultimate diving adventure! For over
20 years Hossam Helmy and his Red Sea Diving Safari team have explored
the fringe reef oceanography on the Egyptian coastline between Safaga
and Sudan. This unique tour gives diving enthusiasts exclusive access
to many outstanding reefs from these still relatively remote locations.
Each tour has been carefully designed and located at two sites from which you can discover further reefs along this extensive coastline. Marsa Shagra, the main site, and Marsa Nakari, the satellite (20km north & 18km south of Marsa Alam respectively) benefit from fantastic house reefs with hard and soft corals of offshore quality, excellent for dive training, snorkelling and night diving. Marsa Nakari will be opened for a minimum of 12 divers making this an ideal location for Clubs and groups. Our guests say these Villages are the best value and all-round diving experience you will find in the Red Sea.
As well as diving the house reefs of Shagra and Nakari, the trucks leave twice daily to explore the sharms, marsas and reef walls along the coral coast. Enjoy over 150km of coral fringe reef, from 8m coral gardens to 60m drop offs, pitted caves, elaborate tunnels and a diversity of marine life to match.
The outstanding offshore reefs of Elphinstone, Abu Dabbab, Nakari, and Shaab el Gadeer are effortlessly accessed from our Villages by either hard boat or RIB. Elphinstone, a jewel of the south is directly opposite Shagra, with walls covered in soft coral plunging down into 400m of water. Here the strong currents and multitudes of fish attract up to seven species of shark. Shaab Samadi (Dolphin House), another gem lies just off Nakari, with beautiful soft and hard corals grafted into caves and caverns.
Truck Dives
The safari trucks leave twice a day at approximately 8am and 2pm to dive the sharms, marsas and reef walls along the egyptian Red Sea, they cover approximately 100 kilometers of coastal fringing reef sites where easy access makes this area ideal for shore based diving. The truck dives are organized so that divers have an opporunity not to repeat the same locations during their stay.
In-Range Boat Dives
In addition to the unlimited house reef diving package and 2 daily guided truck dives, at from the villages we also include 4 in-range boat dives by RIB or hard boat. The in-range boat diving program allows divers to discover stunning dive sites within an approximate distance of 3-4 nautical miles such as Sharm Abu Dabbab, Marsa Egla Top and Shaab or Habili Nakari as well as the new sites at Gabal el Rosas, Abu Nawas Garden , South Garden, Sharm Hesham and Ras Samadai.
Long-Range Boat Dives
Please note that long range dive sites (exceeding 4 nautical miles) such as Elphinstone and Dolphin House are now arranged and paid for locally.
For the budding photographer the house reefs are in an ideal setting to perfect your underwater camera techniques. Don’t forget to submit your pictures to our ‘Picture Of The Day’ web page!
There are 3 types of accommodation at both Shagra and Nakari:
Spacious twin bedded tents have electricity and modern toilet and shower facilities. A great choice for those who enjoy an expeditionary feel and briefly wish to leave the western world behind.
Traditional domed, vaulted desert architecture and thick stone walls keep the rooms cool. Each Mandarah has its own terrace, two beds, wardrobe and electricity with separate toilet and shower facilities.
Built in the same attractive Arabic style as the Mandarahs, they are more spacious with en-suite facilities. Enter by the hallway to the large and airy bedroom opening onto your own sun terrace. Enjoy the sea and desert mountain views.
Photograph by Gavin Parsons
Marsa Shagra is the main Village, as it is here where the dive centre, classrooms and equipment are stationed. Shagra also has 24-hour electricity and water desalination. Nakari, is the ideal location for dive clubs or groups as this camp can be opened for a minimum of 12 divers. The Safari team are extremely friendly and helpful. Always let us know if you have a birthday or anniversary coming up, as they love an excuse to organise something special.
Shagra and Nakari eco-villages are a unique concept, superbly located to provide the very best diving in this southern area. As a guest you are completely free to dive at leisure and relax in one of the most peaceful of environments on the planet.
Red Sea Desert Adventures offer you a unique experience for Eastern Desert excursions with visits to Al Shelatan camel market, or mountain trips to Pharaonic, Ptolemaic and Roman ruins or gold and emerald mines. Stargazing is something you should not miss as you explore the crystal clear night sky.
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!
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.
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.
Is your Diving Club, Diving Centre or Diving Shop looking for a suitable location for your group excursion? The Red Sea Diving Safari Club Package is especially designed for official and licensed diving clubs, centres and shops with it's new pricing structure.
If you are a group of 12 or more divers, you could be entitled to additional special offers when booking your next club trip at Southern Dive Village, Marsa Nakari
We also offer the possibility to conduct your own diving courses with your students while staying at our Ecolodge and for groups starting from 36 guests, you have the possibility to have Ecolodge Nakari Village all to yourself if you book in low season! Contact us today for more details.
Christmas and New Year celebrations at The Eco-Villages - Always a great time to spend at Marsa Shagra. Gala Christmas Dinner and New Year Party is 30 Euro's payable on site.
Linen is provided, but bring towels and toiletries.
3 meals a day including all soft drinks, mineral water, tea & coffee.
Egyptian beer & delicious ice cream can be purchased on site.
Large meeting hut for meals.
220v re-charging (bring fast re-chargeables 6 hours max).
Medical kit and emergency oxygen.
Equipment hut, cylinder storage, drying lines plus 1 dip tank for rinsing regs, cameras & computers and 1 for regular rinsing.
Dive equipment available for hire – payable on site.
Daily dive transfers by flatbed lorries.
The Hyperbaric Medical Centre/Recompression Chamber, located at our Shagra Eco-Village, is comprehensively equipped and manned around the clock.
Nitrox.
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 of £35 for arranging flights and pass on the cost to the traveller, including, when it happens, any reductions.
| 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 | £455 | £263 | No Charge |
| MANDARAH LODGE | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £485 | £296 | Add £65 |
| MADYAFA GUEST HOUSE | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £555 | £360 | Add £90 |
| MADYAFA GUEST HOUSE WITH AIR-CON | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £585 | £394 | Add £90 |
| 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 | £420 | £230 | No Charge |
| MANDARAH LODGE | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £450 | £264 | Add £65 |
| MADYAFA GUEST HOUSE | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £515 | £329 | Add £90 |
| MADYAFA GUEST HOUSE WITH AIR-CON | |||
| Diver | Non-diver | Single Supplement | |
| 7 NIGHT TOUR | £550 | £360 | Add £90 |
2 week tours also available on request
Don't forget to check out our
Late
Availability page!
We can arrange direct flights from Gatwick or Manchester to Marsa Alam and to Hurghada (other UK regional airports may be available to Hurghada). Prices vary and are subject to availability.
5 year olds and below have free accommodation and transfers. Flights will be charged. Please call for a quotation.
6 - 11 years Accommodation and transfers 50% discount. Flights will be charged. Please call for a quotation.
12th, 22nd & 30th divers are free.
A day trip to Wadi Lahami RIB diving Fury Shoal costs 65 Euros for 2 dives or 75 Euros for 3 dives. A minimum of 4 divers are required. This excursion is booked & paid for on site.
Marsa Nakari - Restaurant
We offer PADI dive training from entry level to Divemaster at Marsa Shagra Village. Course costs are added to the ‘Diver’ tour costs shown on this page and after completing the courses you will continue the normal dive programme. Courses include diving equipment (except for the Divemaster course) Any course materials or manuals must be purchased prior to your arrival in Egypt. Please contact us for prices. A $30 fee is payable to PADI upon completing certification courses.
| 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 | £209 |
| EMERGENCY First Response | 1 day | £125 |
| Rescue Diver | 3 days | £267 |
| Nitrox Diver | 2 dives (excl. equipment) | £100 |
| night Diver | 3 dives (excl. equipment) | £125 |
| deep diver | 4 dives (excl. equipment) | £167 |
| Drift diver | 2 dives (excl. equipment) | £84 |
| UW naturalist | 2 dives (excl. equipment) | £84 |
| peak performance buoyancy | 2 dives (excl. equipment) | £84 |
| Specialities per dive | 1-5 dives | £36 |
| Boat Diver | 2 dives | £90 |
| Dive Master | 15 days | £485 |
| Photography course | 2 dives | £130 |
| DIVING EXTRAS | |
| eLPHINSTONE 1 dive per day | €20 |
| ELPHINSTONE 2 DIVES PER DAY | €35 |
| Dolphin house | €50 |
| Wadi Lahami Day trip | €65 |
| nitrox per cylinder | €2 |
| 15 litre cylinders per dive | €3 |
| 2 dives filmed & edited 1 day - dvd | €56 |
| ALL BOOKED & PAID FOR LOCALLY. lOCAL gOVERNMENT sALES tAX APPLIES | |
We have a special programme suitable for school groups at a number of locations. These are designed to include diving or snorkelling, fun events such as quad-biking and discos and educational visits to a Bedouin village, study of local marine biology, desert safari and boat trips. These are all led by experienced guides. Please contact us for a fact-sheet and to discuss your school’s own requirements. Easter and October half term are best avoided due to limited availability.
All Christmas, Easter, Bank holiday & Half-term periods will carry a flight supplement.
Is your Diving Club, Diving Centre or Diving Shop looking for a suitable location for your group excursion? The Red Sea Diving Safari Club Package is especially designed for official and licensed diving clubs, centres and shops with it's new pricing structure.
If you are a group of 12 or more divers, you could be entitled to additional special offers when booking your next club trip at Southern Dive Village, Marsa Nakari
We also offer the possibility to conduct your own diving courses with your students while staying at our Ecolodge and for groups starting from 36 guests, you have the possibility to have Ecolodge Nakari Village all to yourself if you book in low season! Contact us today for more details.
| SHARK SCHOOL 2008 |
| Marsa Shagra |
We are now taking bookings for this years Sharks School which takes place on 23 - 26 November. Flights depart from Gatwick to Hurghada on 21 - 28 November. The cost is £995. The package includes transfers, 7 nights accommodation in tents (upgrades available), 4 daily workshops about sharks by Dr. Erich Ritter, 6 boat dives to Elphinstone by daily boat and/or speedboat, plus SHARKSCHOOL workshop documents and certification. (Please note price may vary according to flight price at time of booking).
To join SHARKSCHOOL and dive on Elphinstone you must have at least Advanced Open Water level and 50 logged dives.
During the 4-day program you will learn all they needed to know about the
behaviour of different species of sharks and how to be a safer diver while
diving with them. Key goal of the program is to make the participants aware
that there is no such thing as shark attacks, only shark accidents. There
are no dangerous sharks, only dangerous situations, knowingly or unknowingly
created by humans because they do not understand shark behaviour. Ritter
therefore focuses on understanding of shark behaviour and “just having fun
and enjoy hanging out with the great buggers (sharks)”. The workshop program
covers:
* Evolution,
* Biology (senses, mating, birth and juveniles),
* Ecology & Food Chain
* Shark-Human Interaction ADORE-SANE (Interaction concept of Dr.
Erich Ritter)
http://www.sharkinfo.ch/SI1_01e/communication.html
* Myths, fears and phobias
* Longlining, Finning, Nets, Trade & Sales / Stop Finning, Stop Sales
* Longimanus special
Call today to reserve your places! (01323) 648924
| Information in Depth | Karen’s Desert Trips 2008 | Frequently Asked Questions | To Top of Page |
| Information in Depth | |||
The Red Sea Diving Safari has been operating for over ten years and runs the Southern Dive Villages. This pioneering team has created the most professionally run shore based diving operation in Egypt. However, the Dive Villages do not suit all tastes and for some the facilities are too basic. Therefore it is important to have enough information to be able to decide if the Southern Dive Villages are suitable for your dive holiday. To help you make your choice, we have compiled this fact sheet with information that we hope you will find helpful.
The Red Sea Safari team have continually extended south and now operates from its three bases at Ecolodge Shagra Village, Ecolodge Nakari Village and Ecolodge Wadi Lahami Village. From here they cover approximately 142 kilometres of coastal fringe reef sites.
Guests are given unlimited access to the house reefs where the Villages are based. These house reefs are shallow, sheltered bays approximately 10m in depth, slowly dropping as they reach the outside walls which are 40-50m in depth. The house reefs and the coastal fringe-reef sites are rich in marine life and contain an excellent variety of hard corals. Some sites have elaborate shallow tunnel systems within the reef, which are almost never seen in the northern territory. The night diving on Safari is strongly recommended and torch hire is available on site if required. On your first day you will receive an orientation dive of the house reef accompanied by our guides, but after that if you wish and your dive ability allows, you are free to dive the house reef at your leisure. It is wonderful to have the freedom to dive in buddied pairs at your own pace and at the times you want. Do not worry if you are on your own - there are always other divers very keen to join you for a dive. In addition, they provide 2 shore dives each day away from the Village. Your equipment is loaded on the truck by the staff, and usually leaves the Village at about 8:00 am. The flat bed trucks are open and the guests sit in the front part on mattresses, whilst the dive gear and cylinders are loaded into the back. These dives will be guided, and the guide will give you a briefing on arrival at the site. To help keep your equipment free of sand whilst kitting-up, a tarpaulin is spread on the ground. After the dive you can rinse your face in the fresh water provided, and you will either move back to the Village for lunch or have lunch on site before heading off along the coast at around 2:00 pm for the second dive. If you opt for a 12-day dive package instead of the 5-day, you will see more sites. You will be based at Shagra or Nakari village and taken by truck each day to the best sites along the coastline. Included in the 5-day dive package are 4 boat dives, either by hard boat or Sea Ox to Elphinstone, Abu Dabbab, Samadai, Nakari and Dolphin House Reef [8 boat dives are included if you are on the 12-day package]. Boats trips normally take place early in the morning so that you will be back for lunch in time to join the afternoon truck dives along the coast. You may wish to arrange a 6-day or 13-day shore diving package only, which is available on request at time of booking. You may then arrange to do the boat dive options as an extra which is payable locally.
Full dive equipment can be hired on site and is included free if you are on one of our diver training courses. As the equipment choice is limited, you need to inform us in writing if you need gear. If you need booties and wetsuits we will need to know your foot size, height and build. Full gear hire (without computer) for 5 days is €140 per person and is payable locally. The equipment hut has 220v power points for battery recharging. At all Ecolodge Villages the electricity is 24 hours. There are fresh water wash tanks beside the equipment hut for rinsing regulators, cameras & computers etc, and also a drying rail for hanging equipment. Full cylinders (12lt aluminium) are used.
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.
Nitrox tanks are available for hire to qualified Nitrox divers, for €6 per tank at Ecolodge Shagra Village, payable locally. The 2 day Nitrox Users qualifying course costing £100 (added to ‘diver’ tour cost) is also offered at Ecolodge Shagra Village and should be booked in the UK, prior to departure.
At Ecolodge Shagra Village we now have Egypt’s newest hyberbaric medical centre. 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 6 Euros, 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. Guests are welcome to inspect the centre and can even experience a dry chamber dive which costs 35 Euro each for a minimum of 4.
The Southern Dive Villages have 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 Villages. Mosquitoes are not a problem but a little insect repellent at dusk will stop the odd sand fly bite.
On arrival at the airport, our transfer representative (who will be holding up a Red Sea Diving Safari sign as on the front of this fact sheet), will meet you outside the terminal building. The cost for an Egyptian visa for British Subjects is £15 and a rep (inside the terminal) 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. You will then need to make your way outside after collecting your luggage to meet the Red Sea Diving Safari rep.
From Marsa Alam Airport the journey takes approximately 30 minutes (3 and ½ hours from Hurghada), although sometimes longer if there are roadwork delays. We recommend that you take some snacks and water 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.
Inside each tent there are 2 beds a metre apart and you are supplied with 2 sheets, blankets (not necessary in summer) and a pillow per person. If you book as an individual you will have a tent to yourself. The Safari team are very accommodating and should you need an extra mattress (for most people one is fine) or additional bedding, just ask. You are supplied with candles and matches in addition to an electric light bulb. We would stress that you ensure that your candles are extinguished before leaving your tent unattended. Taking a 'head torch', may prove useful. When you arrive at the Village the staff will explain how you can use the tent flaps to stop sand entering the tent. There are several attractive shower/toilet blocks nearby and toilet paper is supplied and used paper is put in a bin beside the loo. The loos are regularly checked, however, if one is full or a bin needs emptying please tell a member of staff and it will be rectified immediately.
The Mandarah is an ancient Egyptian term, which describes a guest room for the very close friends or relatives in an Egyptian house. The huts have a tiled floor and 2 beds with sheets, blankets and a pillow each. There is a bedside table and a clothes cupboard. The Mandarahs are 3.5m x 3.5m with domed roofs and terraces with a sea and bay view. Guests staying in Mandarahs have the use of a communal shower and toilet block which are also in attractive stone buildings with vaulted roofs. These toilets empty to a septic tank and so flush, although to avoid blockages all used paper should be placed in the bin beside the toilet.
These are attractive and spacious Madyafa Guest Houses. The term Madyafa comes from the ancient Egyptian era. It is a bigger room in the Egyptian house which has its own facilities such as two beds, wardrobe, and side table, dressing table with mirror, shower, toilet and terrace. The Madyafa is 40m2 divided into 2 x 24m2 rooms inside with domed roofs. In addition there are 2 terraces, front and rear, each measure 8m2, which have bamboo chairs. The terraces have a mountain view and a sea view.
This shade is very spacious and has tables and chairs, mattresses for relaxing on and for pulling out to sunbathe. A Coleman is kept stocked with cold mineral water. There are some games & fish reference books available but we also suggest that you bring along your own in case the selection is low when you get there. The meeting shade is supplied with electricity at night. At Shagra Village there are 2 meeting shades.
There is another relaxing area near by. Don’t forget to wander down to visit Karen and enjoy her hospitality with shishka , or herbal tea.
You will be supplied 3 meals a day in a buffet style layout, plus freshly baked cakes in the late afternoon. Please tell us in advance if you are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements. If you are night diving, please inform the staff if you would like to have dinner before or after diving. Soft drinks are included free and Egyptian Stella beer is available at approximately €3 and you help yourself to beer and mark off a slate which is settled at the end of the week. A selection of ice cream and crisps are also available at Shagra Village and can be purchased on site.
The compressor filling area is kept away from the Villages so guests are not disturbed by the noise. Similarly, the generators are away from the Villages and sleeping areas.
We recommend that you take any cash, Sterling, Dollars or Euros and some local currency (for tipping) with you as there are no cash machines available. The Red Sea Diving Safari does not have the facilities to accept cheques and credit cards are subject to a 10% local sales tax in addition to a Credit card surcharge of 5%. You account is settled at the end of your tour. The only likely on-site purchases are boat diving excursions, the €6 DECO Chamber Insurance, Nitrox tank hire (if required), beer, ice cream, T-shirts & Sweat Shirts so you should not need to take too much money. You may leave your valuables with the manager, who will lock them away. Karen’s camel treks are also proving very popular. A ½ day trip into the interior by camel is approximately £20.
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 village 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 approximately 5 Euros per minute. If the guests would like to be contacted, this is possible under the following numbers Tel. +20122449073 or 5 Fax +20195100262. Mobile phones are able to get a signal at Ecolodge Shagra and Nakari Village. For urgent: +20122461656 the mobile of general manager of Red Sea Diving Safari, Hesham Mostafa Kamel.
Guests should bring a beach and shower towel, their own toiletries and some re-hydration sachets are advisable.
| Information in Depth | desert excursions 2007 | Gear Hire | Frequently Asked Questions | To Top of Page |
| OPTIONAL DESeRT EXCURSIONS 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. These trips are booked and paid for locally.
These trips are organised by Red Sea Desert Adventures and designed by geologist Karen Van Opstal and Thomas Krakhofer.
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.
| Information in Depth | Karen’s Desert Trips 2006 | Gear Hire | Frequently Asked Questions | To Top of Page |
| 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 2006 | Gear Hire | Frequently Asked Questions | To Top of Page |
| Frequently Asked Questions | ||||
The bays where the Ecolodges are set up have superb house reefs that are home to many species of fish, an excellent variety of hard corals, and have excellent night diving possibilities as many nocturnal fish congregate here to feed (torch hire is available on site if required). These bays are shallow, approx. 10 m. in depth, and slowly dropping as they reach the outside walls, which are 40-50m in depth.
On your first day you will receive an orientation dive around the bay accompanied by one of the guides, but after that if you wish and your dive ability allows, you are free to dive the house reefs at your leisure. This is definitely one of the most enjoyable factors of the RED SEA DIVING SAFARI, as it is wonderful to have the freedom to dive in buddy pairs at your own pace and at the times you want to. Individual guests don' t have to worry, as there always seem to be other divers very keen to buddy up with you and go diving!
Not at all! In addition, the safari trucks travel twice a day to dive the Sharms, Marsas and reef walls along the coastline. All have easy access to the reef making this area ideal for shore based diving. The coastal reef reaches a maximum depth of 55 m and is heavily pitted with caves and swim-throughs. The equipment is loaded on the Safari truck by the staff, and usually leaves between 8:00 to 9:00 AM. The flat bed trucks are open and the guests sit in the front part on mattresses, whilst the dive gear and cylinders are loaded into the back. These dives will be guided, and the guide will give a briefing on arrival at the site. A tarpaulin is spread on the ground for kitting up on so that the equipment does not become sandy. After the dive the guests can rinse their face in the fresh water provided, and they will move back to the Village for lunch.
Your dive package consists of 6 days [or 13 days] unlimited shore diving. This includes 4 [or 8] boat dives to the off shore reefs. Sites such as Elphinstone Reef and Dolphin house Reef (Samadi) are booked and payable on site.
You should bring thick-soled booties, essential for shore based diving. Please note that regulators fitted with extra second stage (octopus) are compulsory on every diver. The marsa's are ideal for snorkelling as well as diving, so any non-divers would be advised to bring or hire some snorkelling gear.
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.
The diving shade has electricity at night and has a bank of 220v power points for battery recharging. The generator runs 24 hours in ECOLODGE SHAGRA VILLAGE, but in ECOLODGE NAKARI VILLAGE for the time being only 6 hours per day. So please bring fast chargers.
Obviously you must be certified to PADI Open Water or equivalent. Decompression diving is not allowed and the maximum depth is 30m. To dive on Elphinstone you must be PADI Advanced or equivalent and have a minimum of 50 logged dives.
Nitrox tanks are available for hire to qualified Nitrox divers at both villages, the cost of which are payable on site. The Nitrox Users Qualifying Course is also offered at ECOLDOGE SHAGRA VILLAGE.
At ECOLODGE SHAGRA VILLAGE we now have Egypt's newest hyperbaric medical centre. RED SEA DIVING SAFARI is a member of D.E.C.O. INTERNATIONAL (Diving Emergency Centre Organisation) and therefore our guests are automatically members of the Chamber Support Program of the Red Sea and asked for the donation of $6, which is payable on site.
Are the Southern Dive Villages suitable for non-divers?
Yes, as long as you enjoy nothing other than amazing scenery and reading a good book! There are desert tours available, but other entertainment is seriously limited. You may join divers and snorkel above them, or simply lounge around on the idyllic beach. There is a hotel approximately a 25-minute walk further up the shore, which has a few shops and a disco.
You can choose between Tents, Mandarah Lodges and Madyafa Guest Houses.
The tents are located at the water’s edge. Inside each tent there are 2 standard beds a meter apart with mattress, sheets, blankets (not necessary in summer) and a pillow per person. Individually booking guests will have a tent for themselves. The tents are supplied with electricity. The toilet and shower block is only a short walk away.
The Mandarah is an ancient Egyptian term, which describes a room for the very close friends or relatives as a guest in the Egyptian house. The guests can use the facilities of the house like the toilet and kitchen etc.
The Mandarahs are located behind the tents on the side of the wadi, overlooking the bay. The huts have 2 beds with sheets, blankets and a pillow each. There is a bedside table with lamp, which can be used when the generators are running and a clothes cupboard. The terraced Mandarahs are 3.5 X 3.5m with domed roofs and 3 sides have windows. This desert styled architecture is very effective and they seem to stay cool enough without requiring air-conditioning. Fans are provided. Guests staying in Mandarahs have the use of a communal hot shower and toilet block, which are also in a stone building with vaulted roofs.
The term Madyafah comes from the ancient Egyptian era. It is a bigger room in the Egyptian house that has its own facilities (such as two beds, wardrobe, side table, dressing table with mirror, hot shower, toilet, terrace etc.). The Madyafa is 24m² inside with a domed roof. This desert styled architecture is very effective and they seem to stay cool enough without requiring air-conditioning. Fans are provided. In addition there are two terraces, each measuring 8m², which have bamboo chairs. One of the terraces has a Mountain View while the other one is facing the sea.
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.
| Information in Depth | Desert excursions 2007 | Gear Hire | Frequently Asked Questions | To Top of Page |