Nuweiba: A Peaceful Vacation Spot in Egypt
At the northern part of the Great Sinai Peninsula is a tranquil desert town in Egypt called Nuweiba.
Also known as the port town connecting to Jordan, Nuweiba is blessed with a magnificent coastline, stretching 15 kms facing the Gulf of Aqaba. It has a unique character, made up of a few native strewn lodgings and a peaceful Bedouin settlement, which grants every traveller, hospitality, serenity and solitude.
Bedouin tribes that reside here are the Tarabin and the most populous Sinai tribe, called Muzeina. These desert folks have a legendary reputation of being hospitable and friendly. In fact, they own most of the business establishments in Nuweiba.
Over the years, this serene desert town has developed as a melting pot for laid-back Egyptians, retired Europeans and adventurous divers, aside from the pioneering Bedouins.
Since the Egyptian Revolution in 2011, Nuweiba, like all of Sinai, has experienced major population downgrade.
Foreign settlers have returned to their country; travelers have chosen to visit other destinations; and Egyptians turned to the big cities to secure consistent jobs.
Yet, Nuweiba has remained peaceful in the midst of the random chaos that occur around the country and in its neighboring lands, such as Israel and Palestine.
Its rocky mountains and spiraling desert landscapes still holds the remains of the Israel-Egypt war, as do a few family-run cottages like Nakhil Inn and Dream, Safari Beach Resort, Habiba Beach Lodge and Swisscare Nuweiba Resort Hotel.
As does the fascinating panorama of camels freely grazing the desert, goats and sheep scurrying behind its leader, and lethargic donkeys waiting for their master to lead them.
A week’s stay in Nuweiba promises an extraordinary vacation filled with Arabic meals consisting of lamb, vegetables and tahini sauce with freshly baked pita bread prepared by friendly Bedouins; aromatic shai (tea) served at the deserted beach on clear sunny weather; snorkeling with the vibrant marine life in the crystalline Red Sea; touring around the desert and mountains on the back of a camel; and campout under the blanket of stars.
Nuweiba is indeed a place to experience, ideally in winter and spring, as it gets unbearably hot in summer.
Flights leading to Nuweiba is via Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. It is followed with a 4-hour land ride along the long Sinai highway, passing Dahab town and high rocky ridges.