🌾 It’s the dead of winter in Cairo and mornings find you glued to your bed. You begrudgingly get up and get ready for the day, only to find visions of your pillow following you into your daydreams. It’s a hard slump to get out of, but we’re here to remind you of the blessing that is the Egyptian sun and the perfect winter weather for quick getaways from Cairo’s hustle and bustle.

It’s time to leave behind the horrors of modern-day life — the shadows of tall buildings, relentless glow of computer screens, honking of cars, and less-than-fresh air — and pack a small bag, and drive out to the nearest farm stretch, and reconnect with God’s green earth.

!_Subhed_! Away from the city, in the city

#1- VeryNile’s Shoka w Megdaf: You can’t think of rural Egypt without thinking of the Nile. Tucked away behind the tall palm trees and long bushes, VeryNile — an initiative for protecting the Nile — makes the most of the river on Qursaya Island and the natural rural scenery it evokes.

If you’re not there to help clean the Nile, their offshoot and community kitchen Shokaw Megdaf offers an experience of the island that lets you escape through fishing boat tours, upcycling workshops, walking tours, and a rooftop for small parties and gatherings. Shoka w Megdaf is open for visits only on weekdays, so you’ll have to carve out a weekday escape — all the more relaxing.

WHERE TO FIND IT- VeryNile is on Qursaya Island in Giza. You can book your visit to Shoka w Megdaf through this form.

#2- Mazhar Botanic Garden: Also in the heart of Giza is a plant-lover’s escape: the lush MazharBotanic Garden. Though not exactly rural, the botanical haven serves just as much of a nature fix and an ideal break from the urban life hustle. The garden and its herbarium engross you in a wave of green, with educational tours that let you geek out while learning about the many plant species expertly cared for on the grounds. Even if you’re not there to learn about the flora, the visual and sensory escape alone makes it worth it.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Mazhar Botanic Garden is located in Giza. You can book a visit through their website.

!_Subhed_! On the outskirts

#1- Shagie Farms: Established in 1985, Shagie Farms is a decades-old, recognized mango and strawberry producer — reached with a road-trippy drive to Ismailia. The farm property turned agritainment spot makes for a down-and-dirty farm experience — you can milk cows, ride donkeys and horses, and even fish in a natural lake. With strawberry season in place, Shagie Farms lets you try your hand at harvest amidst beautiful green scenery and a duck-busy pond. Baking is also in the mix, with a clay oven for fresh bread and feteer meshaltet.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Shagie Farms on the Ismailia-Suez desert Rd. For details and booking, you can visit Shagie Farms’ Instagram.

#2- Rahaya Farm: Further along Cairo-Alex Road lies a farm that won’t let you slow down, hosting a range of farm adventures and activities to keep you off your phone the entire trip. After munching on a good ol’ Egyptian breakfast, duck feeding is first on the agenda, followed by a tour of Rahaya’s bird collection and the 25 species of herbs and plants grown on-site — some of which you can pick yourself to be cooked into a full-course lunch. Ice cream on a farm? You heard that right, and made with buffalo milk, and sugar-free.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Rahaya Farm is located in West Nubariyah, Beheira. The farm offers three visiting packages — you can head to their Instagram or Facebook for more information.

#3- Rif Dahshour: Rural life is exemplified at Rif Dahshour — think towering palm trees, overgrown bushes, rows of plants, roaming cows and goats, large oriental breakfast trays, traditional mastaba-style seating, and green, green, green. Down south in Manshat Dahshour, the secluded farm is the perfect calm rural getaway. If you’re not big on activities but big on getting out, Rif Dahshour might just be your kind of excursion.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Rif Dahshour is located in Manshat Dahshour, Giza. For more details, you can head to Rif Dahshour’s Instagram.

!_Subhed_! A yoga retreat, but rural

#1- Ardi Dahshour: Wellness enthusiasts, what’s better than getting into your yoga flow with a backdrop of serene rural scenery? Nature, calm, fresh air, open skies — most would argue these are the ethos behind yoga. Dahshour’s Ardi Holistic Wellness Center is just the space for that. With earthy-toned archways, lines of palm trees, and a relaxing pool at its center, the place eases you right into retreat mode. The healing space hosts alternative therapy retreats focused on mindfulness and holistic wellbeing.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Ardi Center is also located in Manshat Dahshour, Giza. You can check out their Instagram for information on upcoming retreats and bookings.

Feel like your rural reset deserves more than a day? You can check out our guide to spending a weekend in Fayoum.

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