Western Desert

Take a safari into the Western Desert of Egypt and travel through endless golden sand dunes, canyons, oases, mountainous plateaus, and valleys that span over most of the land west of the Nile Valley. Once you reach the White Desert area, sand and black rocks give way to the awe inspiring sight of a magical landscape full of strange limestone concretions that are shaped like giant mushrooms, fjords and icebergs. Do not miss a chance to and tour the desert in this amazing landscape. Visit some of the five oasis (Bahariya Oasis, Dakhla Oasis, Farafra Oasis, Kharga Oasis, Siwa Oasis) in the area to rest and explore their uniqueness.

Bahariya Oasis is about 370 km away from Cairo in Giza Governate and covers an area of approximately 2000 km². The oval valley lies between mountains and has many natural springs. You will also find many agricultural farms in the area, supplying Egypt with Guavas, Mangos, Dates and Olives. It is the perfect place for camping and watching the night sky.

Dakhla Oasis which means “the inner Oasis” lies in the Nile Valley Governate. It measures approximately 80 km from east to west and 25 km from north to south. The Oasis offers the most beautiful and serene scenery of any of the Western Oasis. Groves of olives, oranges and dates, paired with quietness of the land. It is also full of historical monuments from prehistoric, pharaonic, roman, coptic, islamic and persian times and culture.

Farafra Oasis is the second biggest Oasis in size in the Western Desert 980 km2, but the smallest by population. During Pharaonic times, it was called “Ana Akhet” which means land of the cow, associated with the god Hathor. The ancient Egyptians inhabited this region in prehistoric times since five thousand years BC. The region has some interesting historical ruins, a unique, small village culture, farm land, as well as beautiful undisturbed nature of the white desert.

Kharga Oasis is the southernmost of Egypt‘s five western Oasis. It is a green paradise in the middle of the desert. It has different and unique monuments from different eras. There is one famous object to be said originating in Kharga Oasis – the “Meteorite Dagger”. It is reported that the dagger buried with Pharaoh Tutankhamun is forged from an iron meteorite. Similar proportions of metals (Iron, Nickel and Cobalt) were measured in the meteor shower remains that were found in the Kharga Oasis region.

Siwa Oasis is an urban oasis in Egypt  which lies 50 km east of the Libyan border, and 560 km from Cairo. Siwa is one of the most incredible places for comfort, calm, relaxation and isolation from modern life, where a desert safari is really an adventure into stillness. The Oasis region has a lot of salt lakes, fresh lakes, sulfur springs, and is also famous for a ritual called the “Summer Burial”, where people become submerged in sand. It is said to help with chronic joint illness and give back energy to the body. Similar health benefits are provided by the famous salt pools of Siwa. Of course not to forget, the historic sites as the “Temple of Alexander”, “Temple of Amun”, “Jebel Dakrour” and “Mountain of the Dead”. Another great landmark is the old ancient “Shali Fortress”. It was built from kershif (salt mixed with rock, brick and clay) in the 13th century. It is one of the symbols of Siwa.