Basata Eco Lodge
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About
4.5
#2 of 15 lodges in NuweibaLocation
4.4
Cleanliness
4.2
Service
3.9
Value
4.1
The first Ecolodge of its kind in Egypt. Established by Sherif El-Ghamrawy in 1986, Basata preserves in many different ways the environment and supports the local community. Its concept and design are reflected in its name that means simplicity in Arabic. The Lodge attempts to create a simple and unique form of tourism that has a relatively low impact on the surrounding environment and native inhabitants.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Beach
Canoeing
Hiking
Snorkeling
24-hour check-in
Room types
Ocean view
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Ocean View
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Arabic, German
Location
Nuweiba Taba Road, Nuweiba Egypt
Name/address in local language
Getting there
2 Restaurants
within 5 miles
2 Attractions
within 5 miles
68Reviews2Q+A14Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
I visited the camp 2 years ago; the place is very good to relax and overcome all of the stressful times you experienced over the year. They make food at the dinner don't miss it is very delicious.
people there who manage the place is very helpful and they are caring for their guests' happiness and the environment too
people there who manage the place is very helpful and they are caring for their guests' happiness and the environment too
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Date of stay: September 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â choose one of the huts on the beach directly if you will travel in summer season
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Basata is one of Egypt's first eco-lodges. We spent our first night in a hut but my daughter and I were a bit cold so for the next 4 nights we moved to a chalet. The beach is serene and calm and my daughter swam for hours in the sea. We cooked our own breakfasts and lunches but for dinner they made us lovely vegetarian meals. The eco-lodge also arranged an excursion for us to go hiking in the Wishwashi Valley.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is so magical. Perfect vibes and atmosphere that makes you feel like home. From the magical beach and coral reef there to the inspiring owner of the place Sherif who has a very great story to tell. I loved the food there and how the place is operated and finally Its the safest place to stay in.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Everything about Basata Eco Lodge was incredible. Starting from the philosophy of Sherifs to the amazing environment to the wonderfully kind people there.
Everything about Basata is genuine - the sort of thing you wish existed but generally does not - but here it does!
Everything about Basata is genuine - the sort of thing you wish existed but generally does not - but here it does!
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Date of stay: December 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â This is a natural place - NOT TO EVERYONE - but amazing if its your think.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sohaila Ghamrawy, Owner at Basata Eco Lodge
Responded Jan 1, 2021
Thank you Helen for your kind words. We enjoyed having you and hope to see you again very soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shariff and his German wife Maria do not allow Jews and Isrealis in 'because they cause tention'(BTW Israelis were the ones who opened the place in the 80ties!)
In short-they are antisemitic
I was there Saturday and they sent an armed guard to send me away(ten years ago I took the whole place for my birthday)
They pretend to be people lovers and envoirment lovers while they are ripping tourists-nt the locals!
In German(the people they love dearly)I would call them POTZ!
In short-they are antisemitic
I was there Saturday and they sent an armed guard to send me away(ten years ago I took the whole place for my birthday)
They pretend to be people lovers and envoirment lovers while they are ripping tourists-nt the locals!
In German(the people they love dearly)I would call them POTZ!
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Date of stay: December 2009Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In a nutshell:
Don't consider staying here if you aren't Egyptian or an Egyptian resident - there are plenty of other places not too far away with cheap food and obliging, fun staff. Basata is by no means the only camp with a good stretch of beach.
If you are Egyptian or a resident, get a hut by the beach, but bring as much of your own food as you can - that way you'll swerve the worst of the outrageous charges they levy. As the best thing is the beach and the huts' tranquility, you'll want to spend most of your time there anyway, thus handily avoiding the weird, 'insular yet free love' vibe rocking the main area.
Quote of the trip:
'You're checking out? Good.' (Receptionist/Kitchen dude)
Review:
I'm not an eco-freak by any means and I'm wary of places that tout themselves as 'ecolodges': I've often seen the worst kind of hypocrisy shown by some hotels in this category. The ones that work - like Siwa's 'Adrere Amelia' - are unforgettable. Basata isn't the worst, but it certainly isn't nearly as eco-cool as it claims to be and its much touted (and shaky) eco status comes at a steep price which just leaves a bad taste and highlights its flaws.
I'm an Egyptian resident and was traveling with my Egyptian partner. The base accommodation costs are cheap if you're a resident foreigner/Egyptian (60LE each for a hut by the beach; 350 LE for a 3 bed chalet further back); much steeper for non-resident foreigners at 18Euros for the huts. If you stay here you'll be given a run-down of the system ('the talk'), essentially a hippy, 'we're all family', 'make-your-own-and-clean-up-after-yourself' situation. Extremely overpriced ingredients are provided (plus 15% tax, also added to everything else, from candles to scuba masks), with a note inscribed on the price list on the kitchen wall 'Please make sure you eat, drink, consume at least 50LE per day.' Not difficult - you'll find that food and drink will constitute the bulk of your bill here, even if you just help yourself to cartons of strawberry milk, Cokes or the Twixes thoughtfully provided by the big corporation hating management. You write what you take, then pay at the end. Laptops are banned in the main space (although we saw the staff using one with no issue), but you're free to charge up your phone or lappy in the kitchen. The main space has seating, a small library (mostly German books) and some board games.
The huts are basic but comfortable, and soft bedding and candles are provided. The beach is stunning and defo the main attraction of the place. The bathrooms are at each end of the camp and are new and clean. Although we found the owners, Sherif and Maria, to be friendly and obliging, what really detracted from our enjoyment of the place was the arrogant attitude of some of the staff. There is an optional communal dinner for 70-100LE every evening; when we declined this it was clear the guy working there was not happy. We didn't stay long in the kitchen/main seating area as we found the atmosphere very unwelcoming - we felt like we were uninvited guests at a party, with stares from some residents who seemed to have been staying there for a while. Another couple staying there at the same time said they'd noticed the same thing and had avoided the place except for at breakfast. We also heard this place doesn't accept Israelis, which is strange, not only because it's Sinai and most places are pretty free and easy in that respect, but also because Israel is only 40 miles up the road.
As far as ecological awareness goes - and you'll be made aware of it as it's a central part of 'the talk' - it's a bit of a mixed bag. There's plenty of recycling and 'non-waste' taps in the bathrooms, but when we wandered around the site we noticed bags of plastics/cardboard/glass just dumped in the middle of nowhere, definitely not waiting for the plastics/cardboard/glass man to come along. Overall the place seems geared more towards screwing causal visitors out of their money to fund their other projects. We won't be returning to Basata or recommending it to anyone heading to that part of Sinai, irrespective of how long they've been around and how many Mars bars they give the local Bedouin kids during breaktime. Eco-cool thumbs down man.
Don't consider staying here if you aren't Egyptian or an Egyptian resident - there are plenty of other places not too far away with cheap food and obliging, fun staff. Basata is by no means the only camp with a good stretch of beach.
If you are Egyptian or a resident, get a hut by the beach, but bring as much of your own food as you can - that way you'll swerve the worst of the outrageous charges they levy. As the best thing is the beach and the huts' tranquility, you'll want to spend most of your time there anyway, thus handily avoiding the weird, 'insular yet free love' vibe rocking the main area.
Quote of the trip:
'You're checking out? Good.' (Receptionist/Kitchen dude)
Review:
I'm not an eco-freak by any means and I'm wary of places that tout themselves as 'ecolodges': I've often seen the worst kind of hypocrisy shown by some hotels in this category. The ones that work - like Siwa's 'Adrere Amelia' - are unforgettable. Basata isn't the worst, but it certainly isn't nearly as eco-cool as it claims to be and its much touted (and shaky) eco status comes at a steep price which just leaves a bad taste and highlights its flaws.
I'm an Egyptian resident and was traveling with my Egyptian partner. The base accommodation costs are cheap if you're a resident foreigner/Egyptian (60LE each for a hut by the beach; 350 LE for a 3 bed chalet further back); much steeper for non-resident foreigners at 18Euros for the huts. If you stay here you'll be given a run-down of the system ('the talk'), essentially a hippy, 'we're all family', 'make-your-own-and-clean-up-after-yourself' situation. Extremely overpriced ingredients are provided (plus 15% tax, also added to everything else, from candles to scuba masks), with a note inscribed on the price list on the kitchen wall 'Please make sure you eat, drink, consume at least 50LE per day.' Not difficult - you'll find that food and drink will constitute the bulk of your bill here, even if you just help yourself to cartons of strawberry milk, Cokes or the Twixes thoughtfully provided by the big corporation hating management. You write what you take, then pay at the end. Laptops are banned in the main space (although we saw the staff using one with no issue), but you're free to charge up your phone or lappy in the kitchen. The main space has seating, a small library (mostly German books) and some board games.
The huts are basic but comfortable, and soft bedding and candles are provided. The beach is stunning and defo the main attraction of the place. The bathrooms are at each end of the camp and are new and clean. Although we found the owners, Sherif and Maria, to be friendly and obliging, what really detracted from our enjoyment of the place was the arrogant attitude of some of the staff. There is an optional communal dinner for 70-100LE every evening; when we declined this it was clear the guy working there was not happy. We didn't stay long in the kitchen/main seating area as we found the atmosphere very unwelcoming - we felt like we were uninvited guests at a party, with stares from some residents who seemed to have been staying there for a while. Another couple staying there at the same time said they'd noticed the same thing and had avoided the place except for at breakfast. We also heard this place doesn't accept Israelis, which is strange, not only because it's Sinai and most places are pretty free and easy in that respect, but also because Israel is only 40 miles up the road.
As far as ecological awareness goes - and you'll be made aware of it as it's a central part of 'the talk' - it's a bit of a mixed bag. There's plenty of recycling and 'non-waste' taps in the bathrooms, but when we wandered around the site we noticed bags of plastics/cardboard/glass just dumped in the middle of nowhere, definitely not waiting for the plastics/cardboard/glass man to come along. Overall the place seems geared more towards screwing causal visitors out of their money to fund their other projects. We won't be returning to Basata or recommending it to anyone heading to that part of Sinai, irrespective of how long they've been around and how many Mars bars they give the local Bedouin kids during breaktime. Eco-cool thumbs down man.
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Date of stay: June 2011Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Have residency or be Egyptian!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I used to go to Basata regularly until they increased the prices that it became not worth the value in compared to other camps in the same line.
Last time we were there, we camped in our tents and had our meals in Newuiba as its much cheaper and more delicious. Maria (the owner’s wife) rudely told us that we are not paying enough, so she decided to add charges for using the kitchen and refrigerator although we didn’t use them. She was so rude to us that we decided not to go there again, and we never did.
Staff has an attitude issue, especially the young collage kids that volunteer to welcome and give orientation. They think they are too cool for the guests
The huts are nice, clean, few feet away from the beach. It is suitable for people who are not used to camps. i have never tried the shallet.
The beach is nice since as it is mostly sandy and there are not much corals, so its pretty safe and enjoyable to swim specially if you are travelling with small kids. There are couple of coral reefs where you can swim to watch couple of colored fish.
Food is horrible, mostly you make your own food buying the ingredients from the place, however since the ingredients are very limited so you are kinda stuck with pasta, tuna, and fava beans. You also pay for using the kitchen.
they bake tasteless oily bread in the morning and fish or veggie dinner at night but you have to make reservation for dinner.
Alcohol is not allowed in the place, so it is good to know if you are planning to bring any.
Overall, find another camp where people are friendly and welcoming and ready to make your food. I can comfortably recommend Ananda or crazy horse which is 1 km away from basata. Also there is Magaana, which is close to Ras Shitan.
Last time we were there, we camped in our tents and had our meals in Newuiba as its much cheaper and more delicious. Maria (the owner’s wife) rudely told us that we are not paying enough, so she decided to add charges for using the kitchen and refrigerator although we didn’t use them. She was so rude to us that we decided not to go there again, and we never did.
Staff has an attitude issue, especially the young collage kids that volunteer to welcome and give orientation. They think they are too cool for the guests
The huts are nice, clean, few feet away from the beach. It is suitable for people who are not used to camps. i have never tried the shallet.
The beach is nice since as it is mostly sandy and there are not much corals, so its pretty safe and enjoyable to swim specially if you are travelling with small kids. There are couple of coral reefs where you can swim to watch couple of colored fish.
Food is horrible, mostly you make your own food buying the ingredients from the place, however since the ingredients are very limited so you are kinda stuck with pasta, tuna, and fava beans. You also pay for using the kitchen.
they bake tasteless oily bread in the morning and fish or veggie dinner at night but you have to make reservation for dinner.
Alcohol is not allowed in the place, so it is good to know if you are planning to bring any.
Overall, find another camp where people are friendly and welcoming and ready to make your food. I can comfortably recommend Ananda or crazy horse which is 1 km away from basata. Also there is Magaana, which is close to Ras Shitan.
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Date of stay: June 2012Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The so called nature escape, places you 50 meters from a major highway in Sinai. This was only how it started. Mind you all, I am a huge nature lover. My ideal vacation is one, I spend camping. My friends suggested we go there as it will not be too tough on the rest of the group who were'nt used to the outdoors. We were to camp, but have toilets, showers and service.
We enter with our own camping gear. They inform us of a 30LE charge per person to camp in our own tents on their beach. Fine!! We are then given a wheel barrel to move our stuff and set up camp 200 meters up the beach. Wait, wait...Whats this? I am paying to sleep in my own tent, in my own sleeping bag and I don't even get the assistance to set up our camp? Fine!!!
What really killed it for me was the food. You pay, buy your food, you then cook your food, after which ofcourse you wash your dishes. Not only that, but they only provide seafood on one day and vegetarian the next. Thats it!!!
To hell with this place. Its for schmucks only!!!
We enter with our own camping gear. They inform us of a 30LE charge per person to camp in our own tents on their beach. Fine!! We are then given a wheel barrel to move our stuff and set up camp 200 meters up the beach. Wait, wait...Whats this? I am paying to sleep in my own tent, in my own sleeping bag and I don't even get the assistance to set up our camp? Fine!!!
What really killed it for me was the food. You pay, buy your food, you then cook your food, after which ofcourse you wash your dishes. Not only that, but they only provide seafood on one day and vegetarian the next. Thats it!!!
To hell with this place. Its for schmucks only!!!
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Date of stay: November 2007Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
Cleanliness
Check in / front desk
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We wanted to get pampered for two nights since we had a rough night in Zalagi Valley and took the chalet for 400 LE. Although the ecolodge presents their huge solar water heaters in front of each chalet sadly it did not perform. So that was a bit of a pain but when I told the owner she seemed indifferent and didn't do anything about it. When we came to pay she asked us kindly if there was warm water the second day. When we said no she gave us 100 LE discount for each night. That was nice but she could have done better by giving us a different room with warm water for example.
Anyway the rooms are clean , everything but the duvet cover. The self help kitchen is nice but poor, meaning most of the time you do not find what you want. The eggs I had to ask for, the chocolate milk done, the lemon done. Also the guests do not really care about cleaning their dishes and stuff after they ate so you have to clean the stuff you will use once before you use it and once after your done eating.
The view is AMAZING, the sea HEAVAN, and the atmosphere cozy and chilled. The staff is very nice, that's if you are lucky and see one. And a stray dog called Ba7r (meaning the sea in Arabic) is the cutest thing ever. So go but stay in a hut or check the hot water in the room before you take it.
Anyway the rooms are clean , everything but the duvet cover. The self help kitchen is nice but poor, meaning most of the time you do not find what you want. The eggs I had to ask for, the chocolate milk done, the lemon done. Also the guests do not really care about cleaning their dishes and stuff after they ate so you have to clean the stuff you will use once before you use it and once after your done eating.
The view is AMAZING, the sea HEAVAN, and the atmosphere cozy and chilled. The staff is very nice, that's if you are lucky and see one. And a stray dog called Ba7r (meaning the sea in Arabic) is the cutest thing ever. So go but stay in a hut or check the hot water in the room before you take it.
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Date of stay: January 2013Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Choose a hut or check the warm water first if you want o stay in a room!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Basata always gives me a mixed feeling, there are things that i love, and things that i really hate.
let's start with the good side: the location, especially the huts. you're on the beach, right in front of the water.
The huts are very nice, entirely made from natural stuff, however, you should know that you must bring your own coverings. but the problem for me was that the mattress was really hard, same for the pillows, i really had hard time sleeping on them :( next time will bring my own pillows, and try to find something soft to put on the mattress!
there's no electricity in the huts, you buy candles from them (or bring your own), you'll need plenty!! a flashlight is also very useful.
well, what do i really hate about the place: the kitchen!! i do like the idea of cooking for yourself and cleaning your own dishes, but the problem is that the utensils really need replacing, and i really get disgusted from the dishes and the washing area... , it really stinks there, i literally hold my breath when i pass by so that i don't have to smell it :S
I will definitely bring disposable dishes and forks, knives and spoons so that i don't have to use theirs nor use the washing area!! i know it's against the environment and all, but seriously i don't want to use their stuff ever again!
you need to get your own towels, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste.
the bathrooms are communal but very well maintained and clean. the water-saving tap is a good idea. the showers are cold!! (no hot water in winter!), they use solar panels i think, but it's very effective!
in short, i really love when i stay at the hut, have a walk on the beach or go swimming, but really bad time when in the kitchen area!
let's start with the good side: the location, especially the huts. you're on the beach, right in front of the water.
The huts are very nice, entirely made from natural stuff, however, you should know that you must bring your own coverings. but the problem for me was that the mattress was really hard, same for the pillows, i really had hard time sleeping on them :( next time will bring my own pillows, and try to find something soft to put on the mattress!
there's no electricity in the huts, you buy candles from them (or bring your own), you'll need plenty!! a flashlight is also very useful.
well, what do i really hate about the place: the kitchen!! i do like the idea of cooking for yourself and cleaning your own dishes, but the problem is that the utensils really need replacing, and i really get disgusted from the dishes and the washing area... , it really stinks there, i literally hold my breath when i pass by so that i don't have to smell it :S
I will definitely bring disposable dishes and forks, knives and spoons so that i don't have to use theirs nor use the washing area!! i know it's against the environment and all, but seriously i don't want to use their stuff ever again!
you need to get your own towels, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste.
the bathrooms are communal but very well maintained and clean. the water-saving tap is a good idea. the showers are cold!! (no hot water in winter!), they use solar panels i think, but it's very effective!
in short, i really love when i stay at the hut, have a walk on the beach or go swimming, but really bad time when in the kitchen area!
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Date of stay: December 2011Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â a hut in the first row. there's nothing between you and the sea and the beautiful view!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes as long as you clean up after your pet.
"Every hut and chalet is unique and has a view on the sea. I prefer the first row, but then again I'm spoiled."Read full review
ALSO KNOWN AS
basata hotel red sea and sinai
LOCATION
EgyptRed Sea and SinaiSouth SinaiNuweiba
NUMBER OF ROOMS
26
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Frequently Asked Questions about Basata Eco Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Basata Eco Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Coloured Canyon (3.4 miles) and Castle Zaman (1.0 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Basata Eco Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free parking, canoeing, and hiking.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Basata Eco Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, German, and Arabic.
Does Basata Eco Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.