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A-Z

Accommodations
Please bring towels for the beach and your own toiletries and cosmetics. If staying in a Tent or Bungalow you should also bring bathroom towels. You will find a set of clean sheets and pillowcases on your bed. Only towels left on the floor will be taken for laundry. Blankets are provided in winter months. There are no TVs or mini-bars in the rooms. Chalets are normally semi-detached, sharing front and back terraces and are spacious enough to accommodate a third bed if you wish to share a triple room. Families may wish to do this, or take 2 adjoining Chalets.

Climate
Egypt is in the arid desert belt and is very hot during the day, cooling at night in summer and warm during the day but cold at night in winter (mid November - March). In winter wetsuits are necessary, and warm clothes for boat trips and evenings. Watch for dehydration due to low humidity. Drink far more water than usual and add salt to meals.
Average temperatures in °C

Clothing
In towns and desert communities modest clothing is required. In the resorts however, dress is informal. In the summer months a sun hat, sunglasses, long sleeved cotton shirt and sun block are necessary even though you may have a cool breeze at sea. When snorkelling it is advisable to wear a white T-shirt to reflect the u/v rays. In the winter months, you will need warm clothing in the evenings.

Communications
There is generally a mobile phone signal on site.
Shagra has a satellite phone and fax. Guests can use it at US$ 7/ min. As a guest you can be contacted on: Tel & Fax : +20-195-100 262
There is internet access at Shagra only.

If you need anything during your stay please call/text Ruth on +20 125 637 094 or Khaled Saeed on +20 104 444 489. Please use one of these numbers to let us know if you have any travel delays so we can inform the driver who will be meeting you.

Currency
Although the currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound we suggest that you bring Euros cash because most prices are in Euros and they are accepted everywhere. Note that in Egypt it is not always possible for banks to provide a cash withdrawal against your Visa card. There is a 5% charge on credit card transactions and 1.5 % on Travellers Cheques on site. All purchases in Egypt are subject to 10% sales tax on top of the shown price.

Eco Policy:

• In the water: We are deeply committed to preserving the coral reefs and marine life. You will be asked to comply with the local regulations pertaining to this.
• Wild and Free only swim with wild and free dolphins and promote and work only with International Dolphin Watch approved operators.
• On land: Please use washing water sparingly and refill your drinking bottle from the water stations.
• Staff: We work with local Egyptian companies for all our programmes who employ local people and work in environmentally respectful ways. The buildings at the ecovillage are built with local stone in the traditional manner by local artisans. There are no swimming pools - please enjoy the warm clear sea.
• Red Sea Diving Safari have received awards in 2002, 2003 and 2005 for promoting Nature Conservation both under and above water in their building concept, service, comfort and safety of their guests.

Electricity
The ecovillage has full electricity, the sockets are 2 pin European style.

Flights
You can book your flights online from here, after we confirm your reservation. Please call us for assistance if needed, on 0845 345 9052. Flights must be paid for by credit card - your payment goes directly to the ABTA/ATOL Travel Agent and you will receive full confirmation from them. We cannot accept flight payments by cheque or transfer. For non-UK departures, flights leave from major airports in Germany and most countries in Europe and Scandinavia. Let us know your proposed travel times and we will make the holiday reservations and arrange transfers to suit you.

Floods
The Eastern desert is supposed to flood every 10 years, however, in fifteen years of operating there have been 2 floods. The last one was in November 1996 and the team was well prepared, so none of the tents or equipment was lost. In a flood situation the team will make every effort to maintain normal life but everyone has to be prepared to compromise. Dive sites may become unsuitable and tents may be damp. The positive side is that you will be one of the few people from the western world to witness the wadis flooding and the spectacular phenomena as everything bursts into bloom!

Food & Drinks
Guests will be supplied 3 meals a day with cake in the late afternoon. The food is basic but wholesome. Guests are asked to tell us in advance if they are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements. Soft drinks, mineral water, tea, cofee, hot chocolate are included free and Egyptian beer is available at approx. 2 Euros. Bottled drinking water is freely available and the bottles can be refilled at the water stations in every dining area and shelter (saves on plastic pollution). Also available: Ice cream, fruit juice, espresso, crisps and souvenirs can be purchase from the cafeteria. All the extras should be paid for in Euro cash at the end of your stay.

Health
Please bring any personal medication, a First-Aid kit, insect repellent, rehydration sachets and sun-block. Always drink plenty of bottled water. Take extra care with cuts and scratches as they may be tiny but the coral polyps in the Red Sea can aggravate them, causing slow healing. To avoid infection dry the wound after diving and apply an antibiotic spray or powder. Short-term diarrhoea is a common complaint for new arrivals to Egypt. Clean your teeth only with bottled water. Always check the seal is still intact. At the onset of diarrhoea drink as much fluid as you can to offset dehydration, avoid alcoholic drinks, take Imodium or something similar and rest. Symptoms should clear up in less than 12 hours. Grapefruit seed extract, available from Health Food shops is an excellent preventative.

Medical advice
The Ecovillage has a comprehensive medical kit and an ample supply of emergency oxygen. Guests should take great care with minor cuts and scratches as the coral polyps can aggravate and cuts can easily turn septic. Ask the staff for antibiotic powder and make sure that the wound is dried between swims. Dehydration is easily avoided by drinking far more water than usual.

Please get medical advice before booking if you are pregnant, over 60 years of age, have endured an injury or operation, or have any doubts about your fitness or ability. We may ask to see a letter from your GP if there is any doubt. There is a doctor on the main site (Shagra) and a modern hospital in Hurghada (approx 4 hours transfer). Please ensure you have fully comprehensive travel insurance.

Money
We recommend you bring Euros or £ sterling cash or travellers' cheques. As we are operating in a remote area and communication with the bank is sometimes difficult, payments by credit card are not always accepted. Please settle your account at the end of your stay. The only likely on-site purchases are ice cream, beer, equipment hire, diving courses, extra boat trips and excursions, T-shirts & sweatshirts and souvenirs. On-site and excursion prices are in Euros, the airport does not accept Egyptian pounds, the local shops will take any currency. On-site payments should be made in either Euros/£sterling cash or travellers cheques. There is an Egyptian Marine Park environmental tax of 15 Euros per visit to Dolphin House reef (from 6 years old) for divers and snorkellers (exempt from tax). There is a 5% charge on credit card transactions and 1.5 % on Travellers Cheques on site, though it is not always possible to use your credit card there. All purchases in Egypt are subject to 10% sales tax on top of the shown price.

Passports must be valid for 6 months after your departure date from Egypt.

Scuba Diving
Scuba diving for qualified divers can be booked on site. You will be asked to show your qualification card so bring it with you.
Introductory Dives for unqualified divers and beginners are available and can be booked on site. If you wish to learn to dive you may take a dive course with us on a seperate holiday or book for 2 weeks. The PADI Open Water course will qualify you to dive anywhere in the world. Please ask our office for details.

Security
Passports and valuables can be left for safe-keeping in Reception. Please ensure you have your flight tickets and passports with you when you leave to return home.

Sharks
There are sharks in the Red Sea and you may be lucky enough to see one. Around the reefs you may spot small Nurse sharks, Lemon sharks, and Black or White Tipped Reef sharks. They are not dangerous to people and we have never had any incidents with them, though the divers swim with them almost every day.

Things to Bring

• Valid Passport
• Personal Medication
• Dive Qualification if you intend to Scuba Dive
• Travel Insurance
• Photocopies of the photo page of your passport (2 or 3)
• Wetsuit (March & Apr and Oct & Nov), mask, snorkel & fins. Although you can hire these it is better to have your own that fit you properly (no child sizes for hire)
• Strong soled wet-boots or trainers to wear in the sea to protect your feet
• Binoculars
• Disposable underwater camera
• Beach towels
• Bathroom towels (Tents and Bungalows only)
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Long sleeved items
• Sun protection cream
• Imodium and/or grapefruit seed extract in case of stomach upsets
• Snacks
• Personal First Aid kit
• Anti sea-sick tablets
• The ecovillage sells beer and wine, you may also want to bring duty free with you.
• Euro cash or travellers cheques (prices on site are in Euros)
• There are few shops locally so you need to bring everything with you.

Tips
We recommend a tip of about £20 per guest or the equivalent in Euros or local currency per week. There is a collection box for tips for the dive guides and staff in the cafeteria or reception, which is divided between the shore based staff. Boat crews and drivers are not included, you may wish to tip them personally on the day.

Transfers

The transfers to the Ecovillage are from Marsa Alam airport or Hurghada airport where the Wild and Free driver will meet you outside the terminal building, holding up a Wild and Free sign. He will transfer you to the Ecovillage. The journey takes between 30 - 60 minutes from Marsa Alam or 3.5 - 4 hours from Hurghada. We suggest you bring some snacks for the journey.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: You must have comprehensive travel insurance.

Vaccinations
No vaccinations are officially required for travelling to Egypt. However, we suggest that you check with your GP as to what they recommend. You will also find helpful information on www.traveldoctor.co.uk Useful telephone numbers include MASTA at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical medicine (0891 224100) and the British Airways Medical Advisory Service (01276 685040).

Visas
An Egyptian visa is necessary for visiting Egypt. If travelling on an EU passport, visas can easily be obtained at the airport on arrival. The cost is £8 per passport in sterling or 15 Euros or $20 US dollars. You do not need a passport photo or application form. If you are travelling on a non-EU passport you must arrange your own Egyptian visa prior to arrival. In the UK visas can be obtained from the Egyptian Consulate Visa Section, at 2 Lowndes Street, London, SW1X 9ET. Telephone: 0906 5508933 for recorded information or 0870 005 6715 for advice. The office is open Monday to Friday, between 09.30 and 12.30 midday. They operate a same day collection service between 14.30 and 16.00 hrs. Payment is by cash or postal order and a passport photo is necessary. Allow four weeks for a postal application. Non-EU passport holders should check with the Egyptian consulate.