M.A.T.E. [Man and the Environment] Sinai Guides - Guided Safaris, treks, environmental resource centre, Sinai, Dahab, Egypt, conservation, volunteers, eco-diving, eco-safaris, Bedouin cultural activitiesall are part of MATE's activities

Sinai Guides Menu List

Sinai Guides

Awwad Aleyan - part-owner with his brother Awayed - Bedouins

of the Oasis Fighting Kangaroo Camp [the origin of the name lost in mysterious circumstances] and its manager, is attentive to his customers with a relaxed manner. It is located in the heart of Masbat, the casual part of Dahab. The Camp is clean, well run and offers the customer a range of accommodation standards from inexpensive cabins to air-conditioned self contained rooms. A small kitchen is located on the premises where you are welcomed to prepare your own meals free of charge.

Manshad Salman - Camel owner and guide - Bedouin

a man known for his smile and voice. Always on safari, Manshad entertains and teaches those with him the traditional Bedouin songs. His is extremely hospitable, forever making sure the comfort of the guest is considered. Though this rough warmth is ever present, he would not tolerate irresponsible acts by those trekking. As a child he was living the life of a nomad with his mother, grandfather and extended family. He was free to roam, to fish, and to learn the ways of the desert. He has seen this being slowly eaten away by the increasing presence of tourism in the area.

Awwad Abu Reif - camelowner and old-time character - Bedouin

this is his country - Ain Hudhra. A Sinai Bedouin, his age somewhere around that of the Sinai itself. He is a man of great knowledge and a well known character/story teller. He has trekked much, in the past, as a nomad going about a normal day's activity. He has only one arm, but it's not been a liability that has affected his sense of humour nor his ability to handle his camels. He is an important part of treks where comprehensive knowledge is required to traverse some areas.

Hamd - camel guide and translator - Bedouin

is of less age than Manshad and Awwad but he is born of the mountains, and knows the ways of the camel. He spends his time now between driving for a diving company and supporting the safaris during the trekking season. He has learnt English from his work and is on hand to help with the translations. He had a role in the BBC "Racing with Camels" story.

Ahmeed - camel owner and guide - Bedouin

Ahmeed, like Hamd, was born in one of the valleys of the Sinai. He turned to western habits driving a frond-end loader, before returning to his roots. He now offers his camels for tours and supports the Sinai Guides during the trekking season. He is man who entertains and keeps the spirits of his guests alive. Here he is seen with the BBC crew.

Ian Penberthy - ex-camel owner and guide - Australian

He has trekked much of southern Sinai with the Bedouin, having spent over 20 years in the Middle East. He bridges the cultural gap between those from the west and the Bedu, by bringing to life their realities. The Sinai Guides are used for their knowledge and expertise. He listens to advice from the Bedu, as their experience in the art of surviving in these barren mountains, is paramount to a successful trek. Having studied Arabic, he will be able to cover most circumstances which require translations.
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Services of the Sinai Guides

The coastline of the Gulf of Aqaba in South Sinai, is home to the Bedouins, who migrated here in the 14th century from the Saudi Arabian region. They're a hospitable race, pragmatic and good at what they do best - looking after their guests.

It's the Sinai that the trekker is being encouraged to visit, there to live and work with the Bedu [ = plural of Bedouin]. Though it's not possible to become a Bedouin in a few days, at least a taste of their lifestyle will be a lasting meaningful memory.

The Sinai Guides are able to show you the best of their country whether by camel, vehicle, or by boat [if diving offshore]. All Guides, know the region well and are experienced camel handlers. Dahab is the centre of trekking activities, drawing from the Bedouin community located just a little north in the Bedouin village of Assala. If you are not sure of what you wish to do, talk to them and they will advise you.

They will provide the following:

accommodation at the Oasis - Fighting Kangaroo Camp - for one night and camping facilities while trekking;
all camels and camel handlers
all meals [including those requiring special diets], this includes drinking water, while trekking only
vehicle transportation if needed to start or complete a trek, not general local transportation
assistance in transfers, but they will not accept responsibility for this - this should lie with the tour agents or the individual
they will arrange for the payment of all government fees required for and known at the start of a trek
they will provide English/Arabic speaking guides to accompany the trek. Where other languages are involved outside the capability of the Guides to find a bilingual translator, the trekker must organise this at their expense.

NB: The Guides will ensure that the camels provided will be suitably trained to safely carry trekkers, and to always consider the safety of the visitor first, to the best of their ability. However, it has to be made known that from time to time, camels, being of their own special temperament, will do unexpected things. For this reason, no rider will be encouraged to act alone with his or her camel. They are a herd animal and prefer to stay with others in the herd. The Guides will have the ultimate say over the conduct of the trek where a safety issue exists. This also includes trekking conditions which may turn against the trek eg. floods, excessive heat.

Terms of engagement:

The Guides will provide guiding services and not fixed package tours - the minimum period of engagement is 3 days for a minimum of 4 trekkers - current guiding fees are € 70.oo / day / trekker, variations to this will be negotiated. See the Trekking section for prices on transportation, accommodation and fees in general. Variations in fee price occur depending on: the size of the group; taking a bi-lingual guide; the time of year [more water may needed to be carried in the summertime]; length of the trek and the feasibility of resupply if needed; remoteness of locations and availability of water.
There will be no quantity discount, due to the nature of trekking by camel. Where greater numbers exist, more logistics are required eg. extra water to be carried hence extra camels, more handlers. The Guides will not pay any unexpected expenses where these have occurred outside the initial trek conditions eg. an increase in National Park fees.
The trek starts and finishes in Assala, Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt - here is 1 day allocated, where the guides, at their expense, will accommodate the visitor at the 'camp' level. This 1day can be used before or after the trek.
The trekker will pay on arrival at Assala before the trek, the full amount. If you must cancel, please try to do so as early as possible. Theses arrangements are based on a trust system, a handshake, a fundamental Bedouin means of negotiation.
The Guides will NOT provide insurance cover, this will remain the personal responsibility of the trekker.
Camel supported diving treks will include tanks, weights and a diving guide in addition to the normal trekking fees.