Introduction
Elysium, ‘the paradise in the desert’, is an estate in the Bahariya oasis in the western desert of Egypt.
Situated between the date palms and fruit trees of the oasis, at the edge of the desert, Elysium is a heavenly spot where the clock seems to stand still.
The fertile soil is irrigated by mineral-rich water of 31 degrees Celsius, which continuously flows from the well. The well forces the water up from a depth of 100 metres and first fills the 22 x 12 metre pool with the warm water which is mild for people, and then flows over the land surface.
A number of characteristic guest rooms are hidden between the crops on the land.
Elysium was purchased by Corien Elstgeest in mid-2005. Together with their Egyptian partner, Ahmed Shawky, they dedicate themselves voluntarily, in the framework of small-scale development cooperation, to rendering Elysium into a biodynamic farm with respect to nature and society.
The international Sekem organisation in Cairo is a sample project for Elysium. Sekem was founded in 1977 by Ibrahim Abouleish. Together with his family and employees/volunteers, he has developed a model which will eventually ensure a liveable future in all continents.
Elysium was officially opened on 29th March 2006.
Where is Elysium situated?
Elysium is situated at 360 kilometres south-west of Cairo, in the Bahariya oasis in the western desert, a few kilometres outside the village of Bawiti. The Bahariya oasis is approximately one hundred kilometres long and 40 kilometres wide and counts 30,000 inhabitants who live in the various smaller villages. The oasis lies in a valley which is surrounded by mountains and hills and is famous for its Black Mountains which were created by former volcanic eruptions. Bahariya is also known for excavations of mummies with gold masks: “the valley of the golden mummies”.
The Bahariya oasis is situated 200 kilometres north of the following oasis, Farafra. The area between these two oases is abundant with a variety of natural beauty and mountains. Besides the Black Desert, there is a scenic area with crystal mountains and vast sand dunes, while the White Desert with its magnificent white limestone mountains borders on the Farafra oasis.
For whom is Elysium intended?
First of all for the local population who will have an opportunity to be schooled and to further educate themselves thanks to the exploitation of biodynamic agriculture.
In addition, Elysium is an ideal location for ‘people from the busy West’ who wish to recover their breath without pressure of time and stress: back to the basis where nature and people are still close to their origin.
Elysium is a well where one can refresh oneself both mentally and physically. Elysium provides a healthy breeding ground where people can return to their own origin: the source of life itself.
Elysium offers plenty facilities for individual coaching, group training and courses.
Elysium is an ideal operating base for making safari trips in 4WD jeeps or camel and walking tours through the western desert. Further, trips can be organised in combination with all other oases, or cities such as Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, or diving holidays.
