If five-star hotels and sprawling resorts aren’t your cup of tea and you prefer to connect

With nature in a quieter setting, Egypt has some unique places to stay off the beaten track.

Ecolodges

Whether it’s a desert oasis, a mountaintop, a beach, or along the River Nile, there is an ideal ecolodge in Egypt to suite every traveler’s taste.

In the Desert

The Siwa, Fayoum, Bahariyya, and Dakhla oases all have beautiful ecolodges that offer everything from luxurious but ecofriendly amenities to just the basics. What they all have in common is that they use the land and local traditions as their main theme. Many ecolodges are built with local materials and pay homage to local architecture and building traditions. Without the hustle and bustle of conventional hotels and resorts, you can relax and enjoy the surrounding views, soak in a natural hot spring, sample local cuisine by candlelight, and hide under a blanket of stars.

Along the Nile

Ecolodges with colorful, Nubian-style dwellings set against the serenity of the Nile in Upper Egypt will enchant you with the magical scenery and simplistic charm of Nubia. Unplug and unwind as you take in the Nubian culture that’s on display in the colorful architecture, flavorful food, and serene pace of life. Idyllic Nubian ecolodges can be found throughout the islands of Aswan, and many are reachable only by boat.

Insider Tip

While visiting Aswan’s Nubian villages, make sure to sample unique local dishes like “solaih”, which is meat and vegetables cooked and served in a clay pot with a side of bread. If you’re a seafood lover, try the local Nile Perch caught fresh from the river. You can even enjoy a home-cooked traditional meal with local families who open up their homes to small groups for pre-arranged tours.

In the Mountains

For travelers looking for rugged terrain, hiking trails, and incredible biodiversity, it’s best to stay at one of the ecolodges located in the mountainous area surrounding the St. Catherine Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula. Many of the establishments are owned and operated by local Bedouin tribes who have lived off the land for centuries. Experience their way of life and get to know their rich cultural traditions.

On the Beach

Create your ideal getaway with a visit to a beachfront ecolodge on the Red Sea in Dahab and Nuweiba. Accommodation there ranges from campsites, khosha (Bedouin-style tents), to bamboo huts and chalets. No matter what you choose, you will wake up to amazing views of the sea. Sink your toes into the soft sand, eat breakfast on colorful handmade rugs, and jump into the sea for a morning dip. These beachside ecolodges are perfect for independent travelers looking for unique experiences off the beaten track. At night, rest and dine under the stars around a warm communal campfire where you will meet and laugh with new friends.

Diving Lodges

Natural spectacles of life, technicolored reefs, legendary shipwreck sites, and underwater caves and islands make the Red Sea one of the best diving destinations in the world. Whether you plan your diving experience well in advance or make a last-minute decision to become a certified diver, the abundance of easily accessible diving establishments in Egypt make it easy to find a place to stay in towns like Dahab, Sharm al-Sheikh, Hurghada, Safaga, and Marsa Alam.