The Badawiya Safari Company is owned by three genuine Bedouins, the brothers Sa'ad, Hamdi and Atef Ali (Awlad Ali). They wereall born and raised in Egypt's smallest oasis, Farafra, and they know their desert like the back of their hand.

Sa'ad later studied abroad in Austria and Germany, but soon became homesick for the warmth of his native-land. When early 'travelers' passed through Farafra, it occurred to him that they needed desert guides and the idea of a tourism business was born.

Now the brothers have built a traditional domed-style Badawiya Hotel and restaurant which blends in with the local village surroundings. On their family's agricultural land they use organic farming methods to produce much of the fresh fruit and vegetables for the Badawiya Hotel. It is also at the farm that the 120 camels rest, when not trekking with tourists through the beautiful White Desert. For those with less time, or those who prefer ease of travel, a fleet of 4WD cars is available.

Since the outset, the brothers have made every effort to act responsibly towards the environment. They organize an annual 'Clean up the White Desert' trip for volunteers to collect rubbish left behind by rally drivers and less enlightened tourist groups.

Looking towards the future, Sa'ad and his brothers hope that more tourists will opt for the utterly peaceful, eco-friendly camel tour of the desert, where everyone can leave behind him all thoughts of the rush and stress, noise and pollution of city life and work.