Al-Karm Eco Lodge

I recently had the opportunity to visit Al-Karm, a Bedouin-owned and run eco lodge in South Sinai.  It is under the supervision of the St. Catherine Protectorate and is committed to the preservation of the natural environment and the well-being of the inhabitants.  It is run by the Gebaliya, a Bedouin tribe who have long roamed the desert there.

It is a quaint hotel complete with solar showers, compost toilets and comfortable rooms.  Upon arrival, we were greeted with herbal tea, then headed out for a stroll to learn about  and collect some of the medicinal herbs native to the area.  Our guide was very knowledgeable and helped choose the best herbs for us to pick and take home.

The following morning, we began our camel ride to a camp site nearby, admiring the desert hills and Bedouin camps along the way.  We each got our own Bedouin guide to help lead the camel and chat with us on our journey. The guides set up camp for our group and we shared a lovely evening under the stars around the campfire.

The food during our stay was spectacular.  The ingredients were all fresh and local from the garden or surrounding areas.  One night we ate a traditional Bedouin meal of meat and rice sharing from large platters and eating with our hands.  All the meals were well prepared and beautifully presented.

All in all, the trip to Al-Karm was an eye-opening experience that I would definitely do again.  For more information or to make a reservation click here.