While diving is obviously our thing, time spent with us can offer so much more than that.
A stay at the remarkable Wadi Sabarah Lodge & Botanical Gardens is a perfect example.
Here, diving is quite literally on the doorstep – our centre sits just yards from the Red Sea shoreline – but the experience goes far beyond time underwater. There is time for meditation and tranquility, there is beauty, nature, wonderful comfort, education and, for those wanting to take a walk on the wild side, there is desert exploration.
Wadi Sabarah is far more than a quiet coastal retreat. It’s a place to dive, explore, learn and unwind in equal measure.
Guest Anna found exactly that when she joined us recently, combining time in the water with an adventure into the desert with our sister company, Emperor Adventure.
This is what she discovered…
“If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be swapping my morning coffee for a trek through the Eastern Desert and my evening Netflix for a sunset over the Red Sea, I might have laughed. But here we are, freshly back from a trip with Emperor Adventure that honestly redefined ‘getting away from it all’.
“We stayed at the stunning Wadi Sabarah Lodge which, let’s be real, is a mood all on its own. It’s built from fossilised coral and feels like it just grew out of the landscape. It was the perfect base for the two of us; half the day we were underwater, and the other half we were exploring the rugged beauty of the desert.
“The Hike: Following the Water in Wadi Nabea.
“One of the absolute highlights was our hike through Wadi Nabea. I know what you’re thinking – isn’t the desert just … sand? Honestly, I thought so too until we started this trek.
“We headed out into the mountains to a spot called ‘The Crack’. Climbing through the rocky passages felt like being on a film set. But the real pinch-me moment was reaching the top. Looking out over the Black and Red Egla mountains with my favourite person by my side, feeling that cool breeze … it was pure magic.
“The biggest surprise? The greenery! We descended into Wadi El Waha and found actual trees and lush grass tucked away in the valley.
“It’s incredible how nature finds a way to thrive out there. We finished the afternoon the only way you should in Egypt: tucked away in a quiet spot, sipping traditional Bedouin tea and just soaking in the silence.
“The Balance: Diving, Hiking, and the Art of the Slow-Down.
“What I loved most about this trip was that we didn’t have to choose between being active and relaxing. Because the hikes stay below 400m, we didn’t have to worry about the usual no-altitude rules after diving.
“Our days had this beautiful rhythm: a morning spent drifting over the Red Sea reefs with Emperor Divers, followed by an afternoon laced up in our boots heading into the wadi.
“And for those moments when my legs needed a break? Returning to the lodge just in time to sink into the infinity pool was the ultimate reset. There is nothing quite like watching the desert colours shift from the edge of the water, with the Red Sea stretching out in front of you and your hiking boots finally kicked off nearby.
“If you’re looking for a trip that’s a bit ‘off the beaten track’ but still has those touches of warmth and comfort, this is it. Egypt has a way of stealing a piece of your heart, and between the desert trails and the Red Sea blue, I think I’ve left a fairly large chunk of mine behind.”
Would you like to find out more about Wadi Sabarah and all the delights it holds? Contact us on [email protected] and will answer any questions or you can also discover for yourself the experiences on offer at this resort by going to our Wadi Sabarah page or by checking out the activities available through our sister company Emperor Adventure. Come and join us. Your stay will create wonderful memories you will never forget.