Attractions

Eastern Oases: Tabaghbagh

an exceptional and unique oasis located to the east of the Siwa Depression. Some 15 km long, it is formed along a sloping limestone ridge that is part of the southern margin of the Qattara Depression. Water is discharged by a series of springs along this ridge.

Great Sand Sea

covers the Eocene plateau with dunes and sand sheets extending almost 700 km south. Enter the Siwa depression from the south and concealing its southern edge, the dunes of the Sand Sea are mostly of the longitudinal Seif type, with extensive inter-dunes, where the underlying plateau is frequently exposed.

Bir Wahid

Bir Wahid hot spring

Al Gara

This small oasis is found on the western border of the Qattara Depression. Representing the only permanent settlement within the protectorate, the small village is dominated by the remains of an ancient mud brick fortress. A small, isolated community lives in Al Gara and cultivates olive trees and date palms.


Eastern Oases: Bahrein, Nawamisa and Sitra

These oases form a lose cluster lying to the south-east of the Siwa Depression. Characterized by brackish lakes standing against the backdrop of sand dunes, these have enormous charm. The westernmost of them, Bahrein, boasts two lakes

Eastern Oases: El Arag

is a medium sized uninhabited oasis, hidden in an isolated depression and surrounded from one side by imposing limestone cliffs and from the other by sand dunes. Because of its breathtaking landscape and rich archaeological heritage,

Qattara Depression

covered with limestone, clay and halite is the one of the largest and deepest in the world, with an estimated area of 19,500 km2 and maximum depth of 134 m below mean sea level. Aeolian sands intrude into the depression along parts of its southern boundary.

Western Oasis

Shyata, Um El Ghuzlan and Hatiyet El Kheiba are a cluster of small, uninhabited oases located west of the Siwa Depression. Located approximately 45 km from Siwa town Shayata has a small brackish lake, and when military authorities allow access,