3-Day Private Siwa Oasis Desert Safari with Salt Lakes and Desert Camp

3 Days Round trip from Cairo Moderate pace

View all 9 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Float in the high-salinity Salt Lakes and relax at Cleopatra's Pool
02 Watch a stunning sunset from Fitnas Island (Fatnas Lake) with traditional Siwan tea
03 Explore Siwa's heritage at the Mountain of the Dead, Temple of the Oracle, and Shali Fortress
04 Experience a Great Sand Sea 4x4 Jeep Safari with dune bashing, sandboarding, a cold lake, and hot spring visits
05 Spend the night at a private desert camp with a Bedouin-style BBQ dinner under the stars

Travel from Cairo to Siwa Oasis on a private 3-day adventure that combines desert landscapes, historic landmarks, and relaxing natural springs. Float in the high-salinity Salt Lakes, unwind at Cleopatra's Pool, and watch the sunset from Fitnas Island with traditional Siwan tea. Explore Siwa's heritage at the Mountain of the Dead, the Temple of the Oracle, and Shali Fortress before heading into the Great Sand Sea for a thrilling 4x4 safari with dune bashing, sandboarding, and desert camp dining under the stars. The journey ends with time to browse Siwa's local souk and relax at a traditional hot spring before the overnight transfer back to Cairo.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Cairo, Giza, Matruh, Siwa Oasis

Languages Czech, French, German, Greek, Italian, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Cairo to Siwa Oasis and Sunset at Fitnas Island

Pick-up: 06:00 AM - Pick-up from your Cairo/Giza hotel by private air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle.
Drive: 06:00 AM - 02:00 PM - Scenic drive to Siwa Oasis via Marsa Matrouh, passing through western desert landscapes with scheduled rest stops.
Arrival / Hotel: 02:00 PM - Arrival in Siwa, hotel check-in at a traditional eco-lodge, and time to refresh.
Activity: 03:30 PM - Visit the high-salinity Salt Lakes for a unique floating experience, followed by a relaxing dip in Cleopatra's Pool.
Sunset: 05:30 PM - Enjoy a stunning desert sunset from Fitnas Island (Fatnas Lake) while sipping traditional Siwan tea.
Dinner / Overnight: 07:30 PM - Authentic Siwan dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay at the Eco-Lodge in Siwa.

Day 02

Historic Siwa and Great Sand Sea Desert Safari

Breakfast: 08:00 AM - Breakfast at the eco-lodge.
Guided exploration: 09:00 AM - Guided exploration of historical sites:
- Mountain of the Dead (Gebel al-Mawta): Ancient rock-cut tombs from the Pharaonic and Greco-Roman eras.
- Temple of the Oracle (Aghurmi): Famous site visited by Alexander the Great.
- Shali Fortress: The historic 13th-century mud-brick fortress in the heart of Siwa town.
Lunch: 01:00 PM - Local lunch in Siwa town.
Safari: 03:00 PM - Start your Great Sand Sea 4x4 Jeep Safari (thrilling dune bashing, sandboarding, cold lake, and hot spring visits).
Sunset: 06:00 PM - Watch the sunset over the desert dunes.
Dinner / Overnight: 08:00 PM - Bedouin-style BBQ dinner under the stars with tea around the campfire. Overnight stay at a private Desert Camp.

Day 03

Siwa Souk, Hot Spring Relaxation and Overnight Return to Cairo

Breakfast / Transfer: 08:00 AM - Desert breakfast at the camp and transfer back to Siwa town.
Free time: 09:30 AM - 01:00 PM - Free time to explore the local artisan market/souk for Siwan handicrafts, olive oil, dates, and salt lamps.
Relaxation: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM - Relaxation time at a traditional Siwan hot spring and optional lunch.
Dinner / Preparations: 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM - Farewell dinner and final preparations for the journey back.
Transfer: 10:00 PM - Direct night transfer from Siwa back to Cairo (or Cairo International Airport).
Arrival: 06:00 AM (Next Day) - Early morning arrival in Cairo for drop-off at your hotel/airport.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Cairo 4 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transportation: Private air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle for all transfers (Cairo to Siwa and internal sightseeing).
Transportation: Fuel, highway toll fees, parking charges, and professional driver allowances.
Accommodation: 1 night stay at an authentic Siwan Eco-Lodge (double occupancy) with breakfast.
Accommodation: 1 night stay at a private Desert Safari Camp with full Bedouin setup and breakfast.
Guided Tours & Activities: Professional English-speaking local tour guide.
Guided Tours & Activities: 4x4 Sand Sea dune bashing safari with sandboarding equipment.
Guided Tours & Activities: Entry permissions and desert safari permits.
Entrance Fees: All entrance tickets to sites listed in the itinerary (Salt Lakes, Cleopatra's Spring, Temple of the Oracle, Mountain of the Dead, Shali Fortress).
Meals & Refreshments: 2 breakfasts and 1 Bedouin BBQ dinner in the desert.
Meals & Refreshments: Complimentary mineral water throughout the trip.

What's Not Included

International or domestic flight tickets.
Egypt entry visa.
Unspecified meals and personal beverages.
Personal expenses, shopping, and souvenirs.
Tipping / gratuities for the guide, driver, and camp staff (optional but appreciated).

What to bring

Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Swimwear (for salt lakes and hot springs)
Warm clothing/jacket for cold desert nights
Comfortable walking shoes

Know before you go

Passport Requirement: Original valid passports are mandatory for security checkpoint checks along the desert route.
Luggage Advice: Soft bags/duffel bags are recommended for easier loading during the desert safari section.
Timing Customization: The Day 3 night transfer at 10:00 PM is optimized for travellers catching morning flights or returning to Cairo early the next day.

Logistics