Siwa Protected Area
Siwa one of the most inaccessible oases of Egypt till recently is considered to be the most fascinating as well. Its location 60 feet below sea level makes it even more attractive among desert daydreamers. The oasis seems to have its mentioning at 331 BC during the visit of Alexandria the Great who consulted Oracle of Amun. The oasis is located just 50 km from the border of Libya and is populated densely with olive and palm trees. The place is very important for its faunal and cultural diversity. Scattered all over the oasis are crystal-clear springs, which are a heavenly break from the harsh heat.
The rich natural wealth of Siwa
The oasis is covered with a number of lakes and around thousands of springs but the water is still saline supporting very little agriculture and crops which can be grown here are dates, olives and a few vegetable. Siwa oasis is a home to some endangered species of animal which are Slender-horned Gazelle, Gazella leptoceros, and Fennec Fox, Vulpes zerda. Also the place is a natural habitat to the Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, one of the most threatened cats in the world. Typical birds which can be found here include the Turtle Dove, Streptopelia
A famous tourist destination
The Siwa oasis is looked upon as a famous tourist destination of Egypt which has even pushed in becoming a protectorate whose design has already been made and will be finished soon. To promote eco tourism in Egypt two privately owned, world class eco-lodges in the oasis have also been built. The oasis seems to have a pleasant climate which gets chilling in winter and hot in the summer while the spring sees a moderate climate.
The unique tradition of Siwa
The geographical location and inaccessibility of Siwa has helped in standing here a unique society which still seems unique from the mainstream Egyptian culture. People here are very traditional and girls are still said to get married here by the age of 14. Siwa was considered independent a few hundred years ago. For hundreds of years the oasis had connection only with few caravan traders that passed along this way via Qara, Qattara and Kerdassa and the occasional determined pilgrim seeking the famous Oracle of Amun. Today, local traditions and Siwi, the local Berber language, still dominates the protectorate.
How to get to Siwa Oasis
Getting to the Siwa oasis now seems easy as there are many international flights which can take you to Cairo through which you can find many tours organized by tour operators. Also you can choose to travel to the location through a bus or a service taxi as well. Also reaching Siwa from Alexandria is easy which has a direct bus as well as a connecting one through Mersa Matrouh as well.
Siwa oasis is famous for its dates and olives, and is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Egypt. An interesting fact about this place is that every October there is a three-day festival during which Siwans must settle all of their past year's disputes.
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