“ A year has passed since we left Siwa Oasis, and only now do I feel capable of writing this review.
At the time, I knew our three months with Daniel and Camilla were meaningful. I knew something inside us had shifted. But I don’t think I fully understood the depth of that transformation until we returned to our normal lives and began noticing the ripples extending through time — quietly, persistently, changing the way we live, think, eat, parent, move through the world, and relate to one another as a family.
What Daniel and Camilla have created in Siwa is not simply a place to stay. It is not tourism. It is not an escape. It is something far rarer: an invitation to reset.
Not in the superficial sense of “disconnecting” for a few days, but in the far deeper and more confronting sense of stripping life back down to what is essential and asking yourself honestly: if I could begin again with a blank slate, while still holding onto the best parts of who I already am, how would I choose to live?
And somehow, in the stillness and vastness of Siwa, through slow mornings, intentional meals, meaningful conversations, deep presence, and the grounded example they themselves embody, Daniel and Camilla make that question unavoidable.
Over those three months, we began to slow down. Truly slow down.
We became more conscious of the food we eat and the way we treat our bodies. We became more intentional about our rhythms as a family. We started noticing how much of modern life is noise — how much speed, stimulation, consumption, and distraction quietly pull us away from ourselves and from each other.
But beyond all of that, something even deeper happened: we began seeing the world through a different lens.
What makes Daniel and Camilla extraordinary is not only their hospitality, but the depth of their humanity. They are profoundly genuine people with a rare emotional intelligence — people who truly see those around them. They observe the world, and the people within it, with attentiveness, empathy, nuance, and care. In a world where so many interactions feel transactional or performative, being around them feels grounding and deeply human.
And their children — had a profound impact on our family as well.
Watching our children interact together was one of the most unexpectedly moving parts of our time there. Seeing kids free from constant digital input, screens, devices, and overstimulation — simply outside in nature, among the trees, sand, air, and desert — felt like witnessing something ancient and deeply human reawaken.
Their imaginative play seemed limitless.
They created worlds together. Adventures. Stories. Games born entirely from presence, curiosity, and the environment around them rather than from something programmed or consumed. Against the backdrop of Siwa’s timeless and historical landscape, it was profoundly beautiful to witness children reconnect with creativity, nature, and one another in such an organic way.
And as parents, it affected us deeply.
It reminded us of what childhood can look like when given space to breathe. It reminded us how much imagination exists naturally within children when the noise is stripped away. Even now, a year later, that experience continues to influence how we think about parenting, environment, technology, presence, and the kind of life we want to create as a family.
Daniel and Camilla have an extraordinary ability to guide without imposing, to support without controlling, and to create an environment where transformation feels natural rather than forced. Their generosity goes far beyond hospitality. They gave their time, energy, wisdom, emotional availability, and genuine care in ways that are increasingly rare in this world.
And perhaps the most remarkable part is this: the impact did not fade once we left.
A full year later, the lessons from Siwa are still unfolding in our lives. Decisions we make today are still being shaped by those months. The way we structure our days, the way we raise our children, the way we nourish ourselves, the way we define success, peace, health, and connection — all of it carries fingerprints from our time there.
There are very few places in the world that can genuinely become an inflection point in a person’s life.
For us, Siwa was one of them.
And Daniel, Camilla, Luca, Astra, and Indigo were all part of that transformation.
If there is a part of you that has ever wondered:
“What would my life look like if I truly reset?”
“What if I stepped outside the systems, habits, and assumptions I’ve always lived within?”
“What if I slowed down enough to hear myself think clearly again?”
Then go to Siwa.
Go with openness. Go with humility. Go willing to be uncomfortable enough to grow.
Because what waits there is not just rest.
It is perspective.
It is clarity.
It is reconnection.
And, if you allow it, it can quietly alter the trajectory of your life long after you leave. “
Josiah - Costa Rica - June 2026
“I wanted to tell you what an amazing experience you’ve created in Siwa. As our first worldschooling community experience, I had no idea what to expect. Although I am an experienced traveler myself having traveled to over 35 countries (before kids), I had never done it solo with my kids in tow so in some ways it was a very new experience for me. I’m a person who relies heavily on my intuition about situations and people, and from the start, I trusted that this was going to be a good experience. My intuition has never steered me wrong and this was no exception. Siwa did not disappoint.
What you have here is something very special and I am forever thankful that I was fortunate enough to experience it. The mysticism and magic of Siwa is forever seared into our hearts. This is very much a spiritual place, a healing place, full of mysterious energy and I felt it seeping into me from the moment we arrived. On our first day, Siwa welcomed us with one of the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen. The Shali house gifted me with natural sleep I haven’t experienced in 14 years and dreams I thought I had lost forever.
This world schooling experience in Egypt was exactly the type of experience I was hoping for my kids to have. For J**** and E***, there were epic core memories made here that will last a lifetime. As for me, I leave with a new found love for the land, the culture, and the Siwi people.
I know it takes a lot of time, energy, patience, and planning to host families and organize all the amazing activities, but you do a really fantastic job and we loved every single activity we attended. Thank you for inviting us into and giving traveling families a glimpse into your everyday way of life here in Siwa Oasis. I leave with a full heart, and a profound appreciation for the work you do and what you've created. Siwa has left an indelible imprint on us, and as we move on to our next destination, I know we will forever look back on our time here with immense fondness. Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience!”
Michelle - Seattle - March 2025
“The time we spent in Siwa was amazing, and especially our children had such a wonderful time, thanks to your fantastic children. They are so playful, fun, so relaxing to be around, and such beautiful souls.
I owe Daniel big thanks for all the conversations about everything, Daniel you are so present in conversations! That is really rare nowadays, and I treasure it.
Camilla, you are one special woman! I admire you enormously for being who you are, living your life the way you want, for all you have been through, for your knowledge, your kindness, your beauty.
We felt very welcome at your farm, and with your family. It was a relaxing place and wonderful atmosphere. Your cats are both one of a kind, and our daughter spent hours playing with the kittens, and watching them grow. The friendly goats, the funny chickens, -feeding, petting, and caring for them as much as we wanted was so nice.
Thank you for all the hours spent in the lovely pool! All the hours of playing and splashing in the summer heat! Night bath in the moonlight,- a bit of magic.
Siwa is a very special place, and we were introduced to many one of a kind, special people. Thank you, Amar for all the workshops with our son! For sharing inspiring knowledge, philosophy and mindset. Rodayina, thanks for your sparkle your love for life, creativity and wonderful workshops in arts!
Thank you Daniel and Camilla for taking us out and showing us amazing, interesting places, connecting us to your network to give us more knowledge and information about Siwa and history. We have 2 very different children, requiring different approaches to learning and thriving, and both of them blossomed in Siwa!
They are asking when we can go back to Siwa. I hope we will in not too long.”
Cecilie - Norway - June 2025
“Staying with Camilla and Dan’s family in Siwa is barring witness to a family that epitomizes “slow living.” Time with one’s self, and time with each other seems to be a key tenant to their philosophy of life. They are masters of teaching the art of slowing down. And my family is better off having dipped into this way of life. It’s no coincidence that there are so many stories of people coming away from Siwa with a different perspective of time, and a deep reordering of their value system.
Camilla and Dan generate an infectious drive to explore curiosity and dive deep into passion. While sprinkling in tidbits about time being your most valued asset. You witness a life where sharing time with each other goes beyond the riches of labour, and a community that heads to the call of prayer over the time clock. Never Have I witnessed such Surender in a people to “what is” as I did in Siwa. Its experience ran deep through me.
Watching my kids experience Siwa’s magic along side their children took my children leaps and bounds ahead of anything we could have provided them as adults. Often times as a parent traveling with my kids I joke that my dialogue is “see this over here, you better appreciate it. See that over there, appreciate it” but, having young competent friends to explore Siwa’s spaces with allowed my children to soak in the community and carve a deeper connection to Siwan people, craft and culture than I could ever imagine possible. I can’t thank them enough for welcoming us all in”
Willa - New Mexico - February 2026