Winter blues got you down? Need some time away from the city but can't bear the meet-and-greet at Egypt's traditional holiday destinations? Why not spend your time lazing around a campfire munching on marshmallows under a starry sky? This year, for something alternative, Nuweiba may be your answer.
For the same price as one night in a hotel in Sharm El-Sheikh or Gouna, you can spend four nights at one of the numerous camps lining the Red Sea coast near the city of Nuweiba — and have triple the fun to boot. All you need is a group of friends, a deck of cards or boardgames, food and drinks and some warm winter clothes to keep the night's chill at bay.Situated in the eastern part of Sinai peninsula, on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, Nuweiba has become a destination for those who want to break away from the pack. Approximately a five-hour drive from the capital, Nuweiba is the perfect weekend destination for a much-needed dose of nature. Known for its Bedouin-style camps and minimal setting, it's easy to find accommodation at any of the camps by the beach, you just need to call a week in advance.For a spacious hut right on the beach, we recommend Sawa Camp. Laid back with a white sandy beach (one of the very few on the strip) and a backdrop of Sinai's rocky cliffs, the camp gives you the chance to indulge in both nature's plentiful beauty and the camp's primitive luxury. The huts are extremely spacious and come with a porch, comfortable hammock and a mosquito net. The staff are friendly and the menu from the camp's kitchen is extensive, offering the best of the local ingredients. The communal bathrooms are hygienic and have solar-run hot water on a sunny day.
You could do a lot on your trip, but we recommend you don't. The ideal itinerary for a trip like this should be: sit by the beach with a book, eat food with your bare hands, watch the sunset in the company of a partner or friends and spend your nights laying on your back next to the campfire making up your own star constellations as you listen to local Bedouins play their music or share their tales.
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If you must get active
But, if you really must have some form of activity, Castle Zaman would be a good place to start. Perched on top of a hill with views of Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, this impressive castle-like getaway is the perfect place to spend the day. You can take a dip in the natural springwater pool with a panoramic view of the sea or read a book and enjoy a gossip session with friends on the beanbags scattered around the pool. You can also indulge in some yoga on their yoga platform or just sip cocktails and enjoy the best slow-roasted lamb and sweet potato dish you'll probably ever have. (Just make sure to call and place your order in advance as the meal can take between two to four hours to prepare.)
For those with a more adventurous streak, ask the camp keepers to book a daytrip offroading with a local Bedouin guide. There are numerous canyons to explore such as the Colored Canyon, White Canyon and Rainbow Canyon and interesting oases, like the Green Oasis, to set up camp and dig into a traditional Bedouin meal made right in front of you. Get involved in setting up the camp and preparing the meal to really get a taste of the local life. Make sure you try and get the Bedouins to share the recipe for their homemade bread, you'll be craving it like mad when you're back home. A camping trek could take up an entire day at least, so plan your travel gear and supplies accordingly.
Those of you to who chose to stay put for your stay, go spiritual. Ask if there are yoga, pilates or Reiki instructors at the camp you're staying in for a meditative experience that will leave you feeling refreshed, energized and ready to go back to the real world.
Excursion fees are set by the guides and depend on the type of trip. Dinner and drinks plus pool use per person at Castle Zaman will set you back around LE 200. Sawa Camp fees, including food, are about LE 100 per person per day.
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