Headed to Siwa soon? Here’s how to spend a weekend there

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

CBE pauses easing cycle, keeps rates steady

Good morning, friends, and happy weekend. It’s been another intense week in the press as the regional repercussions of war continue to unfold. We have the full rundown for you below. Also today, we break down what is arguably already the best movie of the year, find solace in the pages of a classic gothic novel, treat ourselves to Mediterranean flavors, and tune in to a podcast worth the hours-long runtime.

Already planning your Easter long weekend? In today’s edition of The Enterprise Guide, we’re looking at how you can make the most out of a long weekend in Siwa — sights to see, things to do, and much more.

🗞️ LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

ECONOMY-

#1- The Monetary Policy Committee moved to leave interest rates unchanged at its most recent meeting, according to a statement from the Central Bank of Egypt. The bank kept the overnight deposit rate at 19.0%, in line with the projections of the majority of analysts and economic experts polled by EnterpriseAM. This marks a sharp shift from February’s “crisis management is over” narrative as regional tensions trigger capital outflows, EGP depreciation, and a surprise fuel price hike.

#2- Fitch Solutions’ research arm BMI now sees our GDP growth ending the current fiscal year at 4.9% y-o-y, down 0.3 percentage points from its previous forecast. Oxford Economics likewise downgraded its 2026 forecast 0.4 percentage points to 4.5% y-o-y. S&P Global Ratings also sees GDP growing at a 4.7% y-o-y clip in the current fiscal year, down 0.1 percentage points from its previous forecast.

#3- Egypt’s fiscal performance showed a modest improvement during the first eight months of the current fiscal year, with the budget deficit narrowing to 4.6% of GDP — a 0.2 percentage point decrease from the same period last year.

DEBT-

#1- The cabinet approved a debt-targeting draft general budget for the next fiscal year, which looks to build a EGP 1.2 tn primary surplus — or 5% of GDP. Taking this approach will freeup “additional credit for debt reduction and social protection.”

#2- Unlocking the remaining USD 3.3 bn from Egypt’s IMF program now hinges on a faster pace of state asset sales. The government is currently pushing to extend the overall arrangement by two months to December to ensure it satisfies the Fund’s structural benchmarks.

#3- The Madbouly government secured a new JPY 35 bn loan — equivalent to USD 220 mn — from Japan to shore up the budget and grease the wheels of private-sector reform.

IPO WATCH-

The government submitted listing documentation for five state-owned firms to the EGX, which are currently undergoing a review by the FRA. The companies include El Nahda Industries, of which a relatively large stake is expected to be offered, potentially between 30-40%. The planned offerings also include the Egyptian Ferroalloys Company, with an expected stake of up to 20%, alongside El Nasr Glass, El Nasr Mining, and Alexandria Co. for Refractories.

ENERGY-

#1- Production at the Leviathan gas field and its exports to Egypt look set to remain on hold, with Israel extending its state of emergency until 14 April. The delay looks likely to make Egypt’s hopes for first gas in 2027 very unlikely.

#2- It looks like fertilizer manufacturers won't be the only ones that could soon see gas prices rise in tandem with their export values. The government is mulling a flexible, phased pricing structure for natural gas across several sectors.

M&A WATCH-

Construction firm CCC Egypt acquired a 99% stake in Nile Aluminum and Metals Co. (AluNile). The transaction marks a strategic push into the building materials value chain as the Egypt unit of CCC International looks to vertically integrate beyond its core contracting business.

🌍 AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

It was another week dominated by the US-Iran war in global headlines, with a potential end now in sight.

The week began with Yemen’s Houthis joining the strikes, firing ballistic missiles at Israel on Saturday and vowing to keep up attacks as long as US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah continue. The Iran-backed militia fired a second wave of missiles and drones at southern Israel on Sunday. The strikes drove oil prices higher on Monday.

Meanwhile, some 3.5k additional US troops landed in the region on Sunday. A day later, US President Donald Trump topped headlines as he threatened to “completely” obliterate Iran’s energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not “immediately” reopened.

The growing global oil supply crisis prompted EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen to tell governments on Tuesday they should prepare for a prolonged disruption to energy markets as a result of the US-Iran war. On the same day, Trump said he is “willing to end the US military campaign even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.”

Wednesday saw Trump reiterate that the war with Iran could end in “two to three weeks,” as he threatened to leave Nato if European countries don’t step up to stop Iran from blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Not long after, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK would gather 35 countries to discuss ways to reopen and secure the strait. Meanwhile, Iran’s IRGC threatened to attack US tech companies, including Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, and Google, in retaliation for US assassinations in Iran.

Trump’s address made headlines on Thursday, again vowing that the war is “very close” to ending and reiterating his timeline of continuing strikes on Iran for the next two to three weeks if there’s no agreement. Oil saw another hike following the US president’s speech.

IN OTHER NEWS- Major layoffs and hiring freezes also dominated headlines this week. On Tuesday, global consumer goods giant Unilever announced that it is enforcing a three-month global hiring freeze as it grapples with high shipping costs due to the US-Iran war. Oracle made significant job cuts on Tuesday — about 10k workers are believed to have lost their jobs via a 6am email.

CLOSER TO HOME- Israel’s parliament passed a law that makes execution the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of lethal terrorism. Human rights advocates condemned the move, arguing that it contradicts the state’s longstanding freeze on capital punishment.

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND-

We’re in for less tumultuous weather this weekend — fingers crossed — with temperatures in the capital today set to peak at 26°C, with a low of 15°C. It’s more of the same tomorrow, with a high of 26°C and a low of 13°C, according to our favorite weather app.

🎤 HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

AUC Tahrir CultureFest is back under the theme “FUTURE C-AI-RO,” running until tomorrow, Saturday, 4 April at AUC Tahrir Square between 2-11pm. This year’s festival explores how tradition and technology will shape the future of our capital city, featuring panel talks from tech experts alongside a packed lineup of exhibitions, downtown excursions, live performances, a book fair, a bazaar, and a children’s program.

Registration is available at the gate for full campus access, with some events operating on a first-come, first-served basis — you can check out the full program here .

Ehab Tawfik is landing at CJC 610 tonight for a vibrant and nostalgic night of his defining pop hits live. Doors open at 8pm — tickets are available on Cairo Jazz Club’s website.

Egypt Career Summit returns to the British University in Egypt campus this weekend. With over 1k job vacancies available, the summit gathers a diverse lineup of experts and guest speakers for insightful talks and workshops. Career tracks include engineering, marketing, e-sports, e-gaming, AI, tech, mental health, HR, sales, and much more. Today’s summit runs between 1-7pm, and tomorrow’s runs between 11am-6:30pm. Tickets are available on Career 180.

An art exhibition awaits at New Cairo’s Maison 69 at Garden 8, showcasing works by Cuban-born and Cairo-based artist Maria Maher. Running through Sunday, 5 April, the exhibition features Maher’s signature dynamic, large-scale canvases.

🎤 HAPPENING NEXT WEEK-

World-renowned composer Omar Khairat is taking to the stage at the Cairo Opera House’s Main Hall on Monday, 6 April and Tuesday, 7 April. Doors open at 6:30pm on both nights — you can book your tickets on Tazkarti.

Have you always been captivated by The Starry Night? The iconic masterpiece comes to life in Cairo on Tuesday, 7 April at Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. The internationally acclaimed exhibition lands at District 5 by Marakez, transforming over 700 works by Vincent Van Gogh into fully immersive visual and sonic experiences. Ticket sale details are available on the exhibition’s website. Additional dates are set to be confirmed soon.

How to spend a weekend in Siwa

🌴🧳 Looking to escape C-town for the weekend and tired of the usual destinations? Located some 750 km and 12 hours away from the capital, Siwa is far from a tourist trap and the kind of place that whisks you away with its landscapes and history. But this long-haul destination needs some careful planning for a comfortable journey, and we’re here to help.

So, where do you stay in Siwa?

The oasis is famous for its eco-hotels built from kershef — a traditional blend of rock salt, clay, and palm logs. These structures are built to blend into the surrounding nature, preserving its charm. Among these, several stand out:

#1- Adrére Amellal: This eco-lodge regularly secures a spot on international lists as one of the most beautiful sustainable hotels in the world. Located at the foot of a mountain and surrounded by seven salt lakes and olive groves, it offers magnificent panoramic views.

Been needing to go off the grid? Then this stay is for you. The hotel has no electricity or telephones, relying instead on natural light by day and candles by night.

HOW TO BOOK- You can book your stay through the hotel’s website.

#2- Albabenshal Lodge: Need the oasis life without going off the grid? Albabenshal may be the right pick. Located at the foot of the historic Shali Fortress, it puts you just steps away from the old market and the most prominent restaurants and archaeological sites, such as Cleopatra’s Pool and the salt lakes.

The hotel draws its name and design from authentic Siwan architecture, built entirely of kershef and rock salt with palm-log ceilings that provide natural warmth in winter.

HOW TO BOOK- You can book your stay through Booking.com.

#3- Taghaghien Island Resort: Located some 13 km from downtown Siwa, Taghaghien is one of the most tranquil destinations in the oasis. Occupying an island in the middle of the Great Siwa Lake, it overlooks a deep Roman spring.

The resort features 30 cottages designed in a rustic, eco-friendly style. Electricity is available in the rooms from 6pm to 6am, but remains available all day in the reception area — encouraging guests to use daylight to explore the island’s hidden charms.

HOW TO BOOK- You can book your stay through their website.

#4- Centaria Camp: Don’t need all the bells and whistles of a fancy stay? You might want to check out Centaria — an ideal choice for young travellers and groups. The camp offers a warmth removed from usual hotel formalities.

HOW TO BOOK-You can secure your stay through their Instagram account.

What’s on the menu?

Any trip to Siwa would be incomplete without a little culinary adventure. In Siwa, food is less sustenance and more ritual, reflecting the Amazigh culture — here’s what you should try:

Cleopatra: One of the most famous spots in Siwa, thanks to its central location, Cleopatra is frequented by tourists and locals alike. It serves good ol’ Siwan cuisine, including mandi and “makhmakh” — Siwan couscous. Options are aplenty, and prices are reasonable;
Nour El Waha: Famous for its “mardoom” experience — slow cooking underground over embers — the restaurant offers a tranquil experience amid palm trees and olive groves;
Abdu: Another popular culinary destination, Abdu’s central location makes it another favorite. The restaurant offers a mix of traditional Egyptian and Siwan dishes with a diverse menu catering to all tastes.

Where to go

#1- Shali Fortress: Also known as the abandoned city, the fortress was built in the 13th century to protect inhabitants from raids. It remained the center of Siwan life for centuries before being damaged by heavy rains in the 1920s. Today, its ruins stand as a witness to the history of the oasis.

#2- Temple of Amun: This is one of the most important religious and historical landmarks in Siwa. According to ancient legend, Alexander the Great visited the temple during his campaigns in the region to be crowned the son of Amun. The temple sits on high ground, offering a wonderful view of the palm forests and the surrounding Aghurmi Lake.

#3- Mountain of the Dead: This site contains hundreds of rock-cut tombs dating back to the Pharaonic and Roman eras. Among the most famous is the Tomb of Si-Amun, which still retains vivid colors and inscriptions documenting its story to this day.

#4- The salt lakes: If you’re going to Siwa, you’re going to need to float atop one of the salt lakes — we don’t make the rules; it just is. Don't forget your camera.

#5- Sand sea safari: Then you need a 4x4 adventure through the towering, endless sand dunes. The trip begins over soft sands and ends with sandboarding down the slopes, where you can then relax in the absolute silence of the desert with a cup of tea brewed over a woodfire.

#6- Gift shopping: We can confidently say that Siwa is a cornucopia of handicrafts. We recommend you don't leave without visiting the old market to shop for hand-embroidered items with colorful threads that reflect the dominant Amazigh character of the oasis. You should also look for extra virgin olive oil and premium Siwan dates. We also suggest buying rock salt lamps, which, while serving as an air purifier, will look pretty on your shelf back home too.

(** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

Project Hail Mary joins the ranks of space film classics

📽 April has barely started, but the movie of the year may have already landed. Project Hail Mary, adapted from sci-fi author Andy Weir’s fan-favorite space odyssey novel, has already shattered box office expectations, raking in over USD 300 mn since dropping two weeks ago.

The plot: Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is a middle-school science teacher and an undiscovered genius. The film opens with Ryland waking up alone aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is, how he ended up there, or how his crewmates died. After remembering he’s on a last-hope mission to save the Earth, he encounters another spacecraft. There, he makes an unlikely friend.

A new era for sci-fi: This movie is not about the marvels of science, but rather the beauty of life and friendship. Ryland and his newfound friend make a bizarrely heartwarming duo as they learn to communicate, resulting in wholesome scenes we can’t wait to rewatch. Amid a life-or-death mission and the overwhelming vastness of space, their friendship remained the film’s uncontested highlight — driving both its offbeat, defining humor and feel-good charm and its most tear-jerking, heart-wrenching moments.

Project Hail Mary checks all the boxes: Beyond the laughter and the tears, the movie’s visuals are just as engrossing, with Space Odyssey-like backdrops, mesmerizing colors, and evocative camera work that had us glued to our seats. Even more impressive is the film’s complete avoidance of green screens — only relying on meticulously crafted VFX and elaborate set design.

The verdict: The space genre may be overexplored, but Project Hail Mary brings a distinct twist — an optimistic take on extraterrestrial life and a refreshing alternative to the typically grim genre. Gosling delivered a fantastic performance, charming his way into our hearts. There’s much more to be said, but we’ll let you experience it for yourself.

WHERE TO WATCH- Project Hail Mary is screening at VOX Cinemas in City Center Almaza, Mall of Egypt, Mall of Alexandria, Renaissance Cinemas in Madinaty’s Open Air Mall, Dandy Mall, San Stephano Mall in Alexandria, and Scene Cinemas in CFCM and D5. You can also catch the movie at City Stars Cinema, P90 Cinema, and Cima Arkan. Watch the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 3:04).

We went to Manderley again: revisiting the gothic classic Rebecca

📚 The joys of literary classics lie in elaborately crafted atmospheres, deeply complex characters, and visceral and probing stories. Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 gothic classic Rebecca serves all these elements and much more. If this is your first time experiencing Rebecca, be prepared for a mashup of Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, with a touch of Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House.

The plot: Headlined by one of literature’s most famous opening lines, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again,” the novel follows our unnamed protagonist as she accompanies a wealthy and desperate Mrs. Van Hoppers to Monte Carlo. Right in the heart of the glamorous city, our heroine meets and marries the widower Maxim de Winter, and from there, the story quickly takes off into suspense, drama, and gothic intrigue.

Rebecca is an unconventional classic — it’s 500 pages, but surprisingly easy to read compared to similar hefty classics. While some may feel the prose is too flowery and the beginning a bit slow, what ultimately made Rebecca memorable was its descriptive language — at least for our classic literature-loving selves.

Not really into classics? We’d argue Rebecca is one you might find yourself swept up in. This offbeat modern classic is more plot-driven than most — it reads more like a thriller wrapped in a fully realized and polished story of romance and jealousy. On top of that, the richly drawn characters are bound to resonate with you on some level.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can find the paperback at Diwan. You can also find the eBook on Kindle and Kobo.

A Mediterranean feast at Berro’s

🍴 Berro’s is easy to miss… we walked past it twice as we strolled through New Cairo’s The Nox Mall before noticing it was there. The cozy all-day brasserie ’s walls are adorned with art brought to life by local creatives. Naturally, we had our hopes up for the food, and a quick glance at the menu raised expectations even higher.

What’s on the menu? The New Cairene destination serves up breakfast all the way through 2:30pm, but we were lucky enough to try their dinner. The menu is jam packed with a slew of enticing selections — with salads and appetizers including corn ribs, fried feta, wings, meatballs, and truffle mac and cheese. The mains range from stroganoff to lemon shrimp pasta and gnocchi pesto.

What we ordered: Berro’s signature tomato soup and fried feta as our starters, beef stroganoff and chicken parmesan for our mains, and a pair of peach iced teas as our refreshments. Within 20 minutes, everything was laid out on our table. There was not a single miss.

Our thoughts: The tomato soup proved to be the brasserie's widely-praised signature for a reason, paired with a cheese- and onion-topped garlic bread. Rich, creamy, and oozing with flavor, it threatened to fill us up before we got to the main event. The fried feta was — to risk hyperbole — an exploration of flavor. Drenched in sweet chili sauce and coated in white sesame, the appetizer was among the most memorable we’ve had recently.

Our pick: The stroganoff stole the show. Tenderloin bites mixed in with perfectly soft gnocchi and mushrooms, topped with sour cream demi glace sauce, made for one of the best iterations of the dish that Cairo’s food scene has to offer. The chicken parm stood its own, but ultimately paled in comparison to its beef counterpart. We had high expectations for Berro’s, and yet it still delivered… with flying colors.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Berro’s is located at The Nox Mall in New Cairo.

💵 Per person: EGP 600-700

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: Yes

A deep dive into the history of businesses with Acquired

👂 Acquired is the kind of business podcast that’s actually fun to listen to — even when episodes can run for hours. Hosted by business history enthusiasts Ben Gilbert And David Rosenthal, the podcast sees the dynamic duo dissect the origins behind some of the world’s most prominent legacy brands, leaving no factual stone unturned.

What delivers: Despite the — if we may — absurd runtimes, Gilbert and Rosenthal cut through the fluff, with every kernel of information shared throughout the episodes proving necessary to the narrative. It’s not just surface-level history these folks are relaying, it’s hours of strenuous, visible research that shows how the business sphere’s biggest players got where they are today, delivered with passion, precision, and practicality — essentially offering indispensable advice for today’s — and tomorrow’s — entrepreneurs.

The episode you need to listen to: The Rolex episode. Originally published in February 2025, this episode has since proven itself the podcast’s crowning achievement (and its longest listen too, at a whopping five hours). Throughout its runtime, Gilbert and Rosenthal offer not just the history of Rolex and its founder Hans Wilsdorf, but discuss how the Rolex founder made lemonade out of World War I lemons, leading the wristwatch revolution.

The episode is a goldmine of business lessons and a trove of historical tidbits. The hosts go through the history of watchmaking, dissect Wilsdorf’s memoirs, and analyze the impact of sociopolitical change on consumer needs. Perhaps most prominently, it explains how a business that sells an insurmountable amount of units can still be one of the world’s prime markers of luxury.

Our only qualm? We’d have liked the five-hour listen to be divided into several parts for easy listening and reference. Otherwise, Acquired checks all the boxes of what an excellent podcast should be — proving itself one you shouldn’t miss out on.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anghami | YouTube.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

🗓️ APRIL

31 March (Tuesday) - 5 April (Sunday): Cuban artist Maria Maher’s exhibition at New Cairo’s Maison 69 at Garden 8.

2-4 April (Thursday-Saturday): AUC Tahrir CultureFest 2026 at AUC Tahrir Square.

3 April (Friday): Ehab Tawfik at CJC 610.

3 April (Friday): Salah El Daly at Theatro Arkan.

3 April (Friday): Dogs Day Out — Beyond the Message by Eastwind at Hyde Park.

3-4 April (Friday-Saturday): Egypt Career Summit 2026 at BUE.

3-6 April (Friday-Monday): Kony Spring shopping experience at Arkan Plaza, Sheikh Zayed.

4 April (Saturday): Lege-Cy at AUC New Cairo Campus.

6-7 April (Monday-Tuesday): Omar Khairat at Cairo Opera House Main Hall.

7 April (Tuesday): Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at District 5 by Marakez in New Cairo.

8 April (Wednesday): Black Theama at CJC 610.

11 April (Saturday): Cairo Flea Market at Ghurnata Community Space, Heliopolis.

12 April (Sunday): Backyard Festival: Tamer Hosny and French Montana at Azha Ain El Sokhna.

13 April (Monday): Sham El Nessim.

13 April (Monday): Sharmoofers at Soho Square, Sharm El Sheikh.

17 April (Friday): Amr Selim at Small Theatre, Cairo Opera House.

17 April (Friday): Tul8te at Al Ittihad Alexandria Club, Alexandria.

24 April (Friday): Daylight saving time begins.

24 April (Friday): Medhat Saleh at Ewart Memorial Hall, AUC Tahrir Square.

24 April (Friday): Marwan Pablo at Music Arena in Antoniads, Alexandria.

25 April (Saturday): Sinai Liberation Day.

27 April - 2 May (Monday-Saturday): Alexandria Short Film Festival.

MAY

1 May (Friday): Labor Day.

1-2 May (Friday-Saturday): Cotzl’s Step Into the Light bazaar at Al Horreya Garden, Zamalek.

7-9 May (Thursday-Saturday): Sandbox Festival in El Gouna.

26 May (Tuesday): Arafat’s Day.

26 May (Tuesday): Andrea Bocelli at the City of Arts and Culture in the New Administrative Capital.

27-29 May (Wednesday-Friday): Eid El Adha (TBC).

JUNE

16 June (Tuesday): Islamic New Year.

30 June (Tuesday): June 30th Revolution.

JULY

23 July (Thursday): July 23rd Revolution 1952.

24 July (Friday): Adriatique at the North Coast.

AUGUST

21 August (Friday): Black Coffee at Cubix North Coast.

25 August (Thursday): Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday.

OCTOBER

1-4 October (Thursday-Sunday): She Arts festival across Cairo and Alexandria.

6 October (Tuesday): Armed Forces Day.

24 October (Saturday): Blue 25th Anniversary Tour at New Capital.

NOVEMBER

28 November (Saturday): Shakira at the Pyramids of Giza.

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