Adrere Amellal Eco-Lodge
At the foot of the so-called White Mountain, overlooking the salt lake of Siwa and the endless dunes of the Great Sand Sea, lies the Adrere Amellal Eco-Lodge – one of the most unusual hotels in Egypt. The entire facility was built from Kershef, a traditional mixture of dried salt rock, clay, and straw, supplemented by sandstone, olive wood, and handwoven fabrics. There is intentionally no electricity: at night, the lodge is illuminated solely by hundreds of beeswax candles, oil lamps, and the starry sky of the desert. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs come from the lodge's own pesticide-free gardens, while meat and poultry are sourced from local farmers. Those who book Adrere Amellal consciously choose to forgo WiFi, air conditioning, and room service in favor of a unique, meditative experience in nature right in the desert.
Details
Country
Egypt
City
Siwa Oasis
Price
from approx. 250 € per night/person (All Inclusive)
Best travel time
October - April
Rooms
Each of the 40 rooms and suites of Adrere Amellal is uniquely designed, with walls made of Kershef, wooden floors, and hand-knotted kilim carpets. Some bathrooms are carved directly into the rock, and many rooms open onto a terrace overlooking the salt lake or the oasis. Furniture made from palm wood and olive wood, as well as handwoven textiles, underscore the intentionally reduced, authentic character. As there is no electricity, each room is bathed in a warm, romantic light by candles and oil lamps in the evening.
Culinary
The cuisine of Adrere Amellal consistently focuses on organic, homemade ingredients: fruits and vegetables come from the lodge's own gardens, bread and pastries are freshly baked daily. Meals are served in changing locations – sometimes on the terrace with lake view, sometimes in a cave or by the campfire under the starry sky. Breakfast includes homemade date jam and local cheese, while fresh vegetarian dishes are often at the center of lunch. In the evenings, occasional Berber music and dances by the fire create an authentic cultural experience.
Activities
The pool of Adrere Amellal is fed by a natural spring and is shaded under a grove of palm trees – ideal for a cool down after a day in the desert. Among the most popular activities are horseback rides through the palm groves and the desert, jeep tours into the Great Sand Sea and the White Desert, as well as a picnic at Cleopatra's Bath. A swim in the salty Siwa Lake is also part of the program, as are excursions to the tombs of Gebel al-Mawta and the Oracle of Amun, which was consulted by Alexander the Great. At night, one of the clearest starry skies in Egypt reveals itself over the desert.
Location
Adrere Amellal is located on the edge of the Siwa Oasis, at the foot of the White Mountain and with a direct view of the salt lake and the dunes of the Great Sand Sea. The journey is part of the adventure: the drive from Cairo takes about eight hours through the desert; alternatively, a private flight can be arranged. The lodge is only a few minutes' drive from the town of Siwa with the Shali Fortress and the house of the Siwa Museum. Those who accept this seclusion are rewarded with one of the most authentic and untouched landscapes in Egypt.
Contact person
CEO / Managing Director
