Nature & Eco-Lodges – Discover Sinai

In the high mountains around the town of St Catherine, some of the ancient Bedouin gardens have gradually been transformed into simple nature lodges and ecolodges. The first of these was Al Karm Ecolodge in the hamlet of Sheikh Awad, established in the early 2000s with support from the European Union. It became an inspiring example that others later followed in their own way.

In several gardens, traditional rooms have been improved, composting toilets and washing facilities added, and other basic infrastructure developed for visitors. Some of these places have evolved beyond simple Bedouin huts receiving hikers and can genuinely be considered small ecolodges. They are listed here together with the official ecolodges, although they still continue to function as working orchards and gardens and are also included among the Bedouin gardens.

On the Red Sea coast there is also Basata Ecolodge, often described as the first ecolodge in Egypt, located on the Taba–Nuweiba coast near Ras Shaitan, as well as Habiba Organic Farm in the laid-back and pleasantly rural al-Wasat area of Nuweiba.

Around St Catherine

Al-Karm Ecolodge

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Dar Eid

Helwa Garden (Dr Ahemd’s Herbal Garden)

Mohamed Ouda’s Herbal Garden

Two more lodges in the Saint Catherine area should be mentioned, El Magareen Lodge and the EU-supported Mount Sinai Ecolodge. Unfortunately, however, they are located in a wadi now declared off-limits by the government. If there are any changes in the future, they will be fully listed.

On Red Sea Coast

On the Red Sea coast, you find many simple lodges and camps with a similar close-to-nature attitude. Two stand out for their environmental approach.

Basata Ecolodge

The first Ecolodge of its kind in Egypt. Established by Sherif El-Ghamrawy in 1986, Basata preserves in many different ways the environment and supports the local community. Its concept and design are reflected in its name that means simplicity in Arabic. Basata attempts to create a simple and unique form of tourism that has a relatively low impact on the surrounding environment and native inhabitants.

Web: www.basata.com

Habiba Permaculture Farm

More than 30 years ago, Maged El Said left the city to build a life of purpose and connection in Nuweiba, South Sinai. What began with the Nuweiba Eco-Lodge by the Red Sea has grown into Habiba Community, a regenerative model of farming, learning, and sustainable living.

Web: habibacommunity.com

ACCOMMODATION: Overview > Nature & Eco-Lodges > Mountain Gardens