The White Desert of Egypt: A Complete Guide

Few places on Earth look as strange as the White Desert. Wind and sand have carved huge blocks of chalk into mushrooms, towers and animal shapes that glow orange at sunset and silver under the moon. A night here, sleeping in a Bedouin camp under thousands of stars, is often the moment our guests remember most from their whole trip.

Where is the White Desert?

The White Desert is a protected area in Egypt’s Western Desert, south of Bahariya Oasis. The drive from Cairo to Bahariya takes about four to five hours on a good road, and from there you switch to a 4x4 vehicle to cross the sand.

What you will see on the way

• The Black Desert – volcanic hills covered with dark stones, like a landscape from another planet.
• Crystal Mountain – a ridge of quartz crystals that sparkle in the sun.
• Agabat Valley – a dramatic valley of sand dunes and white cliffs.
• The famous Mushroom and Chicken rocks in the heart of the White Desert.
• Hot and cold springs in Bahariya Oasis, perfect for a swim after the drive.

A night in the desert

Our Bedouin team sets up camp in a sheltered spot among the formations. You watch the sunset, share a dinner cooked over the fire, listen to music and fall asleep under a sky with no light pollution. Desert foxes often come close to the camp at night – keep your shoes inside the tent! In the morning, enjoy sunrise and breakfast before the drive back to Cairo.

When to go

The best months are October to April, when the days are warm and comfortable. Winter nights can be very cold, sometimes close to freezing, so bring warm layers. From May to September the days are hot and the trip is still possible, but it is best to travel early and rest in the middle of the day.

What to pack

• A warm jacket, hat and socks for the night.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf against the wind and sand.
• A torch or head lamp.
• A power bank – there is no electricity at the camp.
• Cash for drinks and tips in Bahariya.