Before traveling to Egypt we saw that a friend went to the White Desert in Egypt. We were simply stunned by the pictures and videos, and knew that we had to add it to our Egypt itinerary.
We were on a bit of a budget, so were researching how we could visit the White Desert without just going ahead and booking an expensive tour.
After speaking with some local friends, we ended up going for it. We booked a trip to the White Desert in Egypt, and it was as magical as we had imagined.
In this guide we're going to share everything you need to know for visiting the White Desert in Egypt, and hopefully inspire you to also add this to your Egypt bucket list!
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Where is the White Desert in Egypt?
The White Desert is a national park in Egypt, and is located in theFarafra depression, about 45 km north of the town of Qasr Al Farafra. The park is 115 square miles, which is 300 square kilometers, and is a little north west of the center of Egypt.
How Far is the Black and White Desert from Cairo?
The Black and White Deserts in Egypt are about 500 km from Cairo, and it takes around 4-5 hours driving from Cairo depending on the traffic in and around the city.
How to Get to the White Desert in Egypt
There are three ways that you can get to the White Desert in Egypt.
1. Take a Tour from Cairo to the White Desert
This is definitely the easiest way to experience the White Desert and Egypt, and honestly the way we also recommend.
We were hesitant to book a tour as we typically like exploring on our own. However, there are some places in the desert that we never would have been able to find without a guide.
Guides are also in charge of making a meal right in the desert, and without the right equipment or knowledge, it would have been a real challenge trying to go on our own.
2. Take a Bus and Hire a Guide
If you want to save a bit of money, you could take a bus from Cairo to Bahariya, which is a tiny town that is near the white desert. It definitely can be cheaper to get a local from the area, and we did read about other people doing this.
If we weren't on a super tight schedule, this may have been our second choice for exploring the White Desert in Egypt.
3. Rent a Car
This is certainly the cheapest option, but not something we'd recommend unless you know a local or are very prepared.
This is because other than the main road pictures above, there are a lot of areas that we had to drive simply through the sand to get to. So unless you are following someone else, or have an idea where to go, it can be easy to get lost, or worse, get stuck in the sand.
If you are feeling confident though, just make sure to rent a jeep or other similar 4x4, and try to get as much information as possible from the locals in Bahariya.
You need a 4x4 to drive through the desert,
Experiencing the White Desert in Egypt
It's finally time to experience the incredible White Desert in Egypt! So what exactly does a White Desert tour look like anyway? Well, we're about to dive right into that.
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The White Desert Tour in Egypt: Pick Up
Pick up for White Desert Tours are typically very early, since the drive is so far. We were originally supposed to leave at 8 AM, but requested to start earlier so that we could maximize our time.
Most tours will arrive to the starting point of the tour in the town of Bahariya around lunch time. In our case, we stopped at the salt lake first, and then had lunch after.
The White Desert Tour in Egypt: Lunch
Our lunch was at a local restaurant, and we had a large spread of food including chicken cutlets, eggplant, spaghetti, salad, fries, and bread.
One thing you'll notice in Egypt is that portion sizes are extremely generous! We honestly got enough food for four people.
The White Desert Tour in Egypt: The Bahariya Oasis Salt Lake
The first stop of the tour is at a salt lake in the oasis of Bahariya. There is a beach area with small shops, a swing, camels, and small wooden boats.
Since we were there much earlier than the other tour groups, we had the place to ourselves and took out one of the wooden boats on our own. We stayed for about a half hour, and our guides weren't strict on the time at all.
On the way to and from the Oasis you'll have beautiful views of palm trees surrounding the area, where we requested to stop for some photos.
The White Desert Tour in Egypt: The Black Desert
Now it's time to head to the desert! But did you know the White Desert Tours aren't just the White Desert? They actually include the Black Desert, which is completely different than the landscapes you'll come across in the White desert. It's about a half hour from Bahariya Oasis, and just off the main road.
The Black Desert is vastly different than the White Desert which is nearby.
There are two areas we stopped at, and it really was such an interesting area!
After the stops at the Black Desert you'll continue on the main road that drives right through the rest of the Black Desert, so make sure to keep looking out the window and enjoying the views along the way.
Keep your eyes peeled while driving through the Black Desert!
The White Desert Tour in Egypt: The White Desert
After the Black Desert you'll start heading towards the white desert, which is just a half hour further down the highway.
There are two main areas of the White desert which are the old White Desert and the new White desert, both of which are incredible but have different landscapes.
The Old White Desert
The first stop in the Old White Desert is Crystal Mountain, which is a mountain that is full of actual crystals! It has beautiful views around it, and the walk up to the top is just 5-10 minutes.
The first viewpoint of Crystal Mountain
We made two stops at Crystal Mountain, both with different but equally beautiful views to appreciate.
The second viewpoint of Crystal Mountain
After Crystal Mountain We went to Al Aqabat, which has large rounded mounds scattered around, making you feel like you've just landed on another planet. You can climb up to the viewpoint, and also walk around at the bottom near the mounds themselves.
Al Aqabat in the Old White Desert of Egypt
The next stop (just across the road) was the Khaled Mady Dunes. Here is where our jeep swerved through the dunes for a bit of adventure. Make sure to hang on! Also, keep your eyes on the journey, as the landscapes around the area are just stunning!
Once we got to the top of the dunes we got to go sandboarding which was super fun. We took 3 turns each, which wiped us out from having to climb back up the dunes each time (they let you go as many times as you'd like though).
Khaley Mady Dunes have beautiful landscapes and are fun for sandboarding.
The New White Desert
After sandboarding it's time to explore the new part of the white desert! This area looks like it's covered in snow, and is full of really cool formations.
The tour will bring you through various areas to explore the different shapes and viewpoints, the two most impressive ones being a mushroom shaped rock, a shinx, and a chick shaped rock.
There are a lot of cool rock formations in the New White Desert of Egypt.
We finished at the famous chick right before sunset, and made it to our camp right as the fun was going down.
The White Desert Tour in Egypt: Dinner & Camping
Once we got to the camp we had time to simply relax for a few minutes. Our guides made us some tea, and we also took some sunset photos while they cooked us up an incredible dinner!
We had barbecued chicken, soup with orzo, salad, potatoes, and rice. It was all incredible, and after such a big meal we were definitely ready to pass out.
The desert is such a great place for astrophotography though, so we powered through to take some fun photos together, and went to bed early to wake up for the sunrise.
The White Desert Tour in Egypt: Day 2
The next morning we had our own little photoshoot for sunrise, and shortly after our guides woke up to make us a nice breakfast at our camp.
We definitely suggest waking up early for the sunrise in the White Desert.
Our breakfast was a simple spread of fruits, yogurt, juice, and tea.
After breakfast we started to head back to Bahariya, which was about an hour and a half drive. Right as we got to Bahariya we had a nice pleasant surprise! Our final stop was a hot spring, which was seriously the perfect way to finish our White Desert tour.
After we spent about a half hour soaking in the water, our driver was waiting for us to take us back to Cairo. Typically they drop you at our hotel, but our guides were so kind to drop us straight at the airport.
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Amenities in the White Desert
The White Desert itself doesn't have any restaurants, bathrooms, or hotels.
Really the only way to experience staying in the desert, is to go camping - and unfortunately do your business in the middle of nature.
The closest town to the White Desert in Egypt is Bahariya, which does have a few restaurants and hotels. This can be an option if you decide you want to try the trip on your own.
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How Much Does it Cost to Visit the White Desert in Egypt?
While there are so many affordable things to do in Egypt, unfortunately the White Desert isn't one of them.
We couldn't find any information about how to cut costs drastically, so we decided the convenience and uniqueness of the experience justified spending more than we were spending on the rest of the trip.
Our excursion costed us $200/person, and this is a pretty standard rate for a 1-night/2-day excursion. You could also take the bus to Bahariya and then look for a local guide to save some money, but it might be risky as your options may certainly run low.
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Is it Safe to Go to the White Desert in Egypt?
When we first were planning our trip to Egypt we heard a lot of people warning us about the safety.
We visited March of this year though, and always felt safe everywhere we went! The White Desert is even more safe, as there are only a few tour groups that go, and there is no wildlife to worry about.
Is it Safe to Visit the White Desert On Your Own?
We wouldn't suggest going on your own - not because it's unsafe, but simply because roads go through the sand and it's not really well marked, so it would be easy to get lost.
Also due to the lack of resources (restaurants and gas stations for example), God forbid anything happens, you won't be in a very convenient situation.
A lot of the roads are unmarked and through desolate areas of the desert.
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for Visiting the White Desert in Egypt
Now you know almost everything you need to know for visiting the White Desert in Egypt! But don't go anywhere yet - here are a few other things you may want to keep in mind while planning your visit.
Weather in the White Desert
Egypt experiences 4 seasons, and despite people assuming it's always hot, it does get pretty cold in the winter months.
That being said, it is also very hot and dry in the summer, especially in the desert.
We visited in March and while Cairo had beautiful weather at night, the White Desert definitely got a little cold and windy.
The Best Time to Visit the White Desert
The best time to visit the White Desert in Egypt is in the springtime or fall. This is when it's warm and sunny during the day, and chilly at night.
If you go from April to September it will be uncomfortably hot, and if you go in the winter it will get very cold at night.
If you happen to be in Egypt in the summer or winter, it's not the end of the world. We still highly recommend visiting!
How to Prepare for Visiting the White Desert in Egypt
Here is how you can prepare before leaving for a trip to the White desert.
What to Wear in the White Desert, Egypt
While some areas of Egypt you should cover up (even in Siwa Oasis for example), you won't need to worry about that in the White Desert.
You'll need light and comfortable clothing for the daytime, and warmer clothing for the night since it cools off.
Packing List for the White Desert
Here are some of the things we recommend bringing to the White Desert in Egypt:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Aloe
- Bug Spray
- Insulated Water Bottle (to hold the temperature)
- Comfortable Sandals or Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Small Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are the best in the market and last super long)
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap)
- Wipes to freshen up
- Brush (you'll need it from the wind)
- Light sweater or jacket for the night time
- Pajamas or comfy clothes to sleep in
- USB phone charger or car charger (to use in the car)
- Car Outlet to charge your electronics
- Bathing Suit (for the hot spring)
- Camera - (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Wide Lens for astrophotography (we use the Sony GM 14mm F1.8)
- Tripod for astrophotography (we use the JOBY Rangepod)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 with the extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots)
- Small pillow for the long car ride
Don't forget your bathing suit for the hot spring at Bahariya Oasis!
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Are Drones Allowed in the White Desert?
Egypt as a country does not allow drones, and actually there is a chance that they confiscate your drone upon arrival into Egypt.
We had ours with us as we were traveling straight to India after (which ironically we barely used), and luckily, ours was not taken.
We spoke with our guides and they told us that people do fly their drones in places like Siwas Oasis and the White Desert, but it can be risky. We decided to go for it while absolutely no one was around, but do know that it's not necessarily recommended!
We were so happy we did fly our drone, as we got some pretty unique views, but it was a little scary.
Is the White Desert, Egypt Worth it?
Despite the long journey to get there, we have to say it is absolutely worth visiting the White Desert in Egypt!
It is one of the most incedibly unique deserts we have ever visited, and it really is a hidden gem of Egypt (although maybe not for long!).
Don't sleep on the White Desert! Sign up for an excursion in advance, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
There is so much to see and do in the White Desert of Egypt, and around it!
Tips for Visiting the White Desert in Egypt
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So are you ready for your trip to the incredible white desert in Egypt? We're sure you're going to fall in love with this unique desert just as much as we did!
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