The White Desert, in the Farafra area, is one of the strangest landscapes in Egypt. Wind has carved the white chalk into mushrooms, towers and animal shapes that glow at sunset. Reaching it from Cairo takes a long day, which is why the trip includes a night at a camp.
Day one: oasis and desert
You leave Cairo or Giza at seven and drive for four to five hours to Bahariya Oasis. After lunch you change to a 4x4 with a local desert driver. The afternoon takes you through the Black Desert, where dark volcanic hills sit on pale sand, and to Crystal Mountain, a small ridge of quartz. You reach the White Desert in time for sunset on the chalk formations.
The camp
The camp is deliberately simple. You sleep in a tent on a mattress, with a sleeping bag and blankets provided. Dinner is cooked over a fire and eaten outdoors. There are no hotel comforts here, and no hotel room is included. Most people say the stars are the main reward.
Day two: sunrise and the drive back
At about six you walk among the formations at sunrise, when the colours are softest. Breakfast is served at the camp, and this is the only excursion in our Cairo range where a breakfast is included. You then drive back to Bahariya by 4x4, have a break, and continue to Cairo, arriving in the late afternoon.
- Includes: private car and driver, 4x4 with a desert driver-guide, one night in camp, lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast on day two, protected-area fees, water.
- Not included: gratuities, soft drinks, personal expenses.
How booking works
The White Desert is request only. You send your dates and numbers, and we reply with availability and the final fare. No payment is taken until you have agreed to it. Tell us about any health needs or food preferences when you write.
What to wear and pack
Days can be warm and nights cold, even in a mild season, so pack in layers. A warm jacket, a hat and a scarf are useful after dark, and sturdy closed shoes suit walking on chalk and sand. Bring a head torch, sun cream, wet wipes and a small bag for the night. Leave large suitcases in your Cairo hotel and take only what you need. Washing facilities at the camp are basic, so keep expectations simple.
Who it suits
The trip suits adults and older children who are happy with a long drive, a tent and a simple toilet. It is not a good fit for anyone with limited mobility or a medical condition that needs regular care, so tell us before you book. The 4x4 sections are bumpy, and phone signal is patchy or absent. Winter is the usual season, as summer heat in the desert is intense.
Money and phones
Take a little cash for small purchases, as there are no shops at the camp. Mobile signal is weak in the desert, so let family know your plans before you leave Cairo. Charging is limited, so bring a spare battery for your camera or phone. Your desert driver-guide stays with the group throughout, and the camp crew cook and look after you for the evening.
Open the trip page to send your request.
Plan with us
The White Desert from Cairo: two days, one night in a tent
A private two-day trip from Cairo to Bahariya and the White Desert by 4x4, with a night in a simple camp. Route, camp, packing and booking.