This customized tour is created for the animal lover, and is suitable for all ages, mixing a fascinating look at Ancient Egypt’s reverence for animals with the beauty of birds, dogs, horses and farm animals in present-day Badrashin. Escape the dusty city for a full day immersing yourself in nature, animals and scenic desert views.
Highlights of the tour include a visit to King Farouk Lake in Dahshur to take in a magnificent sunrise and spot migratory birds, a stop at the Saqqara Pyramids to visit the serapeum, a burial ground for Apis bulls, a visit to one of Abu Sir’s dog shelters, a stop at Al Sorat Farm to mingle with farm animals and learn about their importance in the countryside, and a sunset horseback ride in the beauty of the desert landscape.
Best time to visit: September to April Duration Full day tour. Means of transport:By car or bus
Tour Program
Distance:
- King Farouk Lake near Dahshur village
- Blue Lotus Guesthouse and Serapeum of Saqqara near Saqqara village
- Unleashed Shelter, Al Sorat Farm and Laila Oasis Arabians near Abu Sir village
- Blue Lotus Guesthouse and Serapeum of Saqqara near Saqqara village
- Unleashed Shelter, Al Sorat Farm and Laila Oasis Arabians near Abu Sir village
Sunrise & Bird Watching at the King Farouk lake
Enjoy a scenic and breathtaking sunrise at King Farouk Lake, also known as Berket el Malek or Berket Dahshur, one of the only such surviving ecosystems in Middle Egypt and a pit stop for over a hundred species of migratory birds.
Once upon a time, this was the preferred hunting ground for King Farouk and the royal family and now remains an ideal location for bird watching against the backdrop of the pyramids in peace and tranquility.
Enjoy a scenic and breathtaking sunrise at King Farouk Lake, also known as Berket el Malek or Berket Dahshur, one of the only such surviving ecosystems in Middle Egypt and a pit stop for over a hundred species of migratory birds.
Once upon a time, this was the preferred hunting ground for King Farouk and the royal family and now remains an ideal location for bird watching against the backdrop of the pyramids in peace and tranquility.
Breakfast at Blue Lotus Guesthouse
Take a short break and enjoy a delicious countryside breakfast full of local favorites like feeter, traditional fellahi bread and cheese, eggs, fresh salad, pickled eggplant and local honey, all freshly prepared by Um Mahmoud. Tuck into this one of a kind meal in the impeccable and serene garden at Blue Lotus before taking off to your next destination.
Visit the Serapeum of Saqqara
Head to the Saqqara Necropolis to explore the Ancient Egyptian burial grounds for Apis bulls, sacred bulls which were considered incarnations of the ancient Egyptian deity Ptah. The long boulevard leading to the grounds was once flanked by 600 sphinxes and a catacomb of galleries - now known as "The Lesser Vaults" - were designed to contain the sarcophagi for the mummified remains of the bulls. Mummified remains of several other types of animals have also been excavated at the Saqqara necropolis including cats, crocodiles, and even lions!
Head to the Saqqara Necropolis to explore the Ancient Egyptian burial grounds for Apis bulls, sacred bulls which were considered incarnations of the ancient Egyptian deity Ptah. The long boulevard leading to the grounds was once flanked by 600 sphinxes and a catacomb of galleries - now known as "The Lesser Vaults" - were designed to contain the sarcophagi for the mummified remains of the bulls. Mummified remains of several other types of animals have also been excavated at the Saqqara necropolis including cats, crocodiles, and even lions!
Option 1: Mingle with Dogs at Unleashed Animal Shelter
Unleashed is a non-profit dog shelter that operates solely on donations. Sally and her team have taken in over 80 dogs rescued off the streets of Cairo and you will get the chance to meet these lovely pooches and spend a fun afternoon playing with them, learning how you can help Unleashed’s mission and perhaps, love in love and decide to adopt a new friend!
Unleashed is a non-profit dog shelter that operates solely on donations. Sally and her team have taken in over 80 dogs rescued off the streets of Cairo and you will get the chance to meet these lovely pooches and spend a fun afternoon playing with them, learning how you can help Unleashed’s mission and perhaps, love in love and decide to adopt a new friend!
Option 2: Discover Farm Life Al Sorat Farm
Maryanne and her team welcome you in their farm, Al Sorat, which is home to many (mostly rescued) animals: horses, dogs, sheep, goats, buffalo and much more. Learn how the livestock are raised, how to milk a cow, pick fresh eggs, discover farming techniques, gardening tips and much more from the knowledgeable team running the farm.
Maryanne and her team welcome you in their farm, Al Sorat, which is home to many (mostly rescued) animals: horses, dogs, sheep, goats, buffalo and much more. Learn how the livestock are raised, how to milk a cow, pick fresh eggs, discover farming techniques, gardening tips and much more from the knowledgeable team running the farm.
Lunch at Al Sorat Farm
Enjoy an organic farm-to-table lunch at Al Sorat Farm in Abu Sir. Maryanne and her kitchen crew come up with imaginative meals, from traditional cuisine to oriental favorites, sourced straight from her farm. Vegetables can be sourced and bought directly from the farm.
Enjoy an organic farm-to-table lunch at Al Sorat Farm in Abu Sir. Maryanne and her kitchen crew come up with imaginative meals, from traditional cuisine to oriental favorites, sourced straight from her farm. Vegetables can be sourced and bought directly from the farm.
Sunset Ride at Laila Oasis Arabians
Head to Claude’s stable and riding school to take a horseback ride into the desert. Depending on your level, riding coach Ahmed will teach you the basics of horseback riding. You will then head out into the desert to enjoy a picture perfect view of the Abu Sir, Saqqara and Dahshur pyramids from the dunes and watch an unforgettable sunset.
Head to Claude’s stable and riding school to take a horseback ride into the desert. Depending on your level, riding coach Ahmed will teach you the basics of horseback riding. You will then head out into the desert to enjoy a picture perfect view of the Abu Sir, Saqqara and Dahshur pyramids from the dunes and watch an unforgettable sunset.
Back to Cairo
Make sure to drink one last cup of sweetened tea
before you head back!
Make sure to drink one last cup of sweetened tea
before you head back!
Note: Please book ahead of time with your host to ensure availability and punctual service.
Can someone show me around? To get the most out of your experience in Badrashin, we strongly recommend moving around with someone from the local community. Here you can find young men and women from the province of Badrashin who will be happy to organize your trip and tell you everything there is to know about their villages, community, and local touristic sites.
Some tips
Can someone show me around? To get the most out of your experience in Badrashin, we strongly recommend moving around with someone from the local community. Here you can find young men and women from the province of Badrashin who will be happy to organize your trip and tell you everything there is to know about their villages, community, and local touristic sites.
Tips for Ethical Animal Tourism:
Visit Badrashin! upholds the principles of ethical animal tourism and chooses locations for you to support the responsible and ethical treatment of animals. Bear in the mind the following when touring and visiting locations with animals:
- Don’t support locations that cage animals for long periods of time
- Don’t support the use of animals as photographic props
- Avoid locations where animals are trained to perform humanised tricks such as dancing
- Support locations that put your safety first while touring a place with animals such as dogs, camels, horses, cows etc
Important Tips for Rural Tourism:
Abu Sir, Dahshur and Saqqara are considered rural areas, so please be aware of the following when touring in the countryside:
- Dress in an appropriate way – covered shoulders and long skirt/trousers
- Respect local traditions and always listen to your guide’s advice
- Don’t trespass onto private land
- Say hello to people you meet while walking through
- Always ask for permission before taking pictures of people
- It can get muddy and dusty, wear comfortable closed-toe shoes
- The weather can be hot and sunny even in winter, hydrate well and bring a hat
Scenes from the tour
Visit Badrashin! upholds the principles of ethical animal tourism and chooses locations for you to support the responsible and ethical treatment of animals. Bear in the mind the following when touring and visiting locations with animals:
- Don’t support locations that cage animals for long periods of time
- Don’t support the use of animals as photographic props
- Avoid locations where animals are trained to perform humanised tricks such as dancing
- Support locations that put your safety first while touring a place with animals such as dogs, camels, horses, cows etc
Important Tips for Rural Tourism:
Abu Sir, Dahshur and Saqqara are considered rural areas, so please be aware of the following when touring in the countryside:
- Dress in an appropriate way – covered shoulders and long skirt/trousers
- Respect local traditions and always listen to your guide’s advice
- Don’t trespass onto private land
- Say hello to people you meet while walking through
- Always ask for permission before taking pictures of people
- It can get muddy and dusty, wear comfortable closed-toe shoes
- The weather can be hot and sunny even in winter, hydrate well and bring a hat
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