enjoy and discover the fascinating nubian villages situated at the bottom of elephantine island sandwiched in the heart of the river nile are two colorful nubian villages siou and koti.stroll through the shady alleys and gardens of the villages and discover the simple and natural life of the people that populate them. enjoy a trip down the river aboard a felucca .a traditional wooden sailing boat. and listen to stories of where elephantine island might have got its name. while some believe it was due to its role as an ivory trading place .