Have you ever heard of Egypt’s Black and White deserts? If you’ve previously stumbled upon the picturesque, out of this world, landscapes on social media, then you probably know what I’m talking about. If not, then let me introduce you to one of Egypt’s hidden gems and underrated desert adventures.
The following destination guide covers everything you need to know to plan an epic weekend getaway – breathtaking places to see, fun activities to do, and ways to book your trip.
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About the Black and White Deserts Trip
As their names suggest, the Black and White Deserts are literally black and white. They’re both located in Egypt’s Western Desert, in the governorate of New Valley to be more precise.
The Black Desert, which is a result of ancient volcanic activity in the area, is located in the Bahariya Oasis. On the other hand, the White Desert’s distinctive nature is because the entire area used to be covered with water millions of years again. The desert’s iconic rock formations, compromised of either calcium, quartz, or limestone were the result when the ocean retreated.
The White Desert, located near the Farafra Oasis, was named a natural protectorate in 2002. The weekend-long trip includes lots of stops on the way, and isn’t just about these two main destinations – other mesmerizing places include Crystal Mountain and the Valley of Agabat.
Top Things to Do in the Egyptian Western Desert
Bahariya Oasis
Visit the Black Desert
As I previously mentioned, the Black Desert is entirely covered with black powder and black stones as a result of ancient volcanic activity in the area. The geologic phenomenon makes the desert a great location for stunning views. You can go to Jebel El Marsous (or El Marsous Mountain) and take in all the beauty.
Visit the Valley of Golden Mummies
If you’re a history buff, then this open-air museum would be your cup of tea. The Valley of Golden Mummies is a huge burial site that dates back to the Greco-Roman era.
Hike up Jebel El Engeleez (The English Mountain)
There’s a reason this mountain was named “The English Mountain”, which is because there are ruins of a British reconnaissance post that date back to the occupation during World War I.
Check out the water springs
Bahariya Oasis is pretty well known for its abundance of both hot and cold springs. The two I’ve been to were really worth visiting. The first one is a small man-made spring that goes back to Roman times, called E’in El Serw. What’s quite interesting about this one is that it would dry out until any living creature approaches it – then, it would start pumping water again! It’s such a magical mystery!
The other one that I visited was a hidden swimmable hot spring in a random secluded spot. The water was pretty hot, but very relaxing, especially with the beautiful view of the oasis’ palm trees.
The White Desert Protectorate
Camp in the White Desert
Imagine waking up to the breathtaking view of the White Desert? Well, I’m coming from the future and I’m telling you it’s a magical site to wake up to. Camping for a night or two in the White Desert is definitely something you won’t regret. Plus, who doesn’t like stargazing, bonfires, and a warm Bedouin meal?
Explore the White Desert
The White Desert spans over an area of 3,000 KM2, so expect to be mindblown with the views and rock formations you’re going to see there. The iconic rock formations there include the popular Mushroom and Chicken (because they obviously look like a mushroom and a chicken) as well as the Rabbit (that some people actually see as a duck).
In addition to that, you can also visit the Santa Tree, one of the White Desert’s hidden gems. The mindblowing fact about this Acacia tree is that it doesn’t get water from the roots like normal trees, but rather from the dew collected on the tips of its branches. It also offers some shade and some pretty views, so it’s totally worth the stop!
Crystal Mountain
The name obviously gives it away – this mountain is made of Quartzite crystals. Prepare to be wowed by the shiny sections of the mountain. You’ll also stumble upon loose crystals on the ground, but please be a responsible traveler and don’t take anything – LEAVE NO TRACE!
Valley of Agabat
Also known as Valley of “Aqabat”, this spot promises a spectacular view, as well as some sand dune fun!
Djara Cave
This stop isn’t always included in the typical Black and White Deserts itinerary, but it’s totally worth adding! All you have to do is tell your Bedouin guide/travel company in advance (if it’s a customized trip) as it would take up some extra time as it’s 160 KM away. However, it’s such a magical experience and is definitely worth the ride!
Djara Cave is a dripstone cave in the heart of the Western Desert on the Wahat road connecting Farafra Oasis to Assiut governorate. The cave dates back to around 55 million years ago and is a result of rain corrosion into the limestone. It also contains animal engravings that go way back to the Neolithic period.
STORYTIME: If you’ve been following me for a while, you probably know that I made it a tradition to travel on my birthday. For my 27th birthday, instead of traveling solo and internationally, I planned a local trip (to the Black and White deserts, duh) and let my friends tag along.
I traveled with a cake all the way from Cairo (yes, I’m a sucker for cake, so save the looks) and I was hoping to celebrate and blow out the candles at sunset after we set up camp in the White Desert. Unfortunately, because we were a little behind schedule, that wasn’t going to happen as we were still in Djara Cave in the afternoon and we were going to have lunch there (outside of the cave). So, we had 2 options; either celebrate there (and I wasn’t really a fan of the parking view) or at the campsite later that night.
Luckily, one of my friends came up with the idea of celebrating INSIDE THE CAVE, and I LOVED IT! We went back up, brought the cake (after we had lunch, of course), and somehow made our way down with it with the least damage possible. By the time we went back down there, the candles inside the cave had all melted, so lit up some more candles and the whole setting was just magical – it was an unforgettable memory! Check out the video below.
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Where to Stay in the Black and White Deserts
Looking for a place to stay a night or two in the Black and White Deserts? You have two accommodation options:
Camping in the White Desert
The Wahati Bedouins of the region run several campsites in the White Desert. So, if you fancy traditional tent camping and sleeping under the stars, the White Desert is hands down one of the top camping spots in the entire country. It’s an experience you shouldn’t miss!
Eco-lodges in Bahariya Oasis
On the other hand, if you prefer to stay in a more upscale accommodation, or if you wish to go camping for one night and enjoy a bit of comfort for your second night, you can stay at an ecolodge.
Booking.comHow to Book a Trip to the Black and White Deserts
The easiest way to plan a trip to the Black and White Deserts is to book an organized tour with a local adventure travel company. Companies in Egypt usually have fixed dates on their calendars that you could check, and if the dates don’t suit you, you can always ask for customization. Even if you’re a solo traveler, they might have a group of other travelers that they could let you join.
Here are some local travel companies to check out:
- Homadventures (I haven’t done this trip with them but this is one of my top service providers in the country and the one I trust the most)
- Egylust (That’s the company I planned my trip with and I highly recommend them)
- Gazef
- ChillOut Egypt
- Stamps
Did I manage to put the Black and White Deserts on your Egypt bucket list? If the answer is yes, don’t forget to pin this post for later and share it with your friends.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.
SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.
This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.
GET INSURED NOW – Nomad Insurance
Booking a trip soon? Here are some useful travel resources:
- Book your flight with Skyscanner, Kiwi, CheapOair, or WayAway.
- Book your hostel with Hostelworld.
- Book your hotel with Booking.com or Agoda.
- Get your travel insurance with SafetyWing.
- Hire a car with Skyscanner, Discover Cars, Rentalcars, or AutoEurope.
- Book your tours with Viator or Klook.
- Download an eSIM from Airalo.
- Check out my trip planning tools for more travel resources.
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You might also like:
- Siwa Oasis, Egypt: A Paradise in the Western Desert
- Fayoum & Tunis Village: An Amazing Getaway From Cairo
- Camping for Beginners: A Complete Guide for First-Time Campers
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Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
Wow, what an amazing adventure! Haven’t heard of this part of Egypt before, definitely adding to my
travel wishlist stat.
Happy to hear that 🙂
Well Wow! I have never heard of this. We will be in Cairo next year, just might need to add an additional
week to see this remarkable spot. Thanks for opening my eyes to it!
It’s the perfect weekend getaway from Cairo actually 🙂
This is a real eye-opening post, Nadine. I had never heard of these areas so thanks for sharing.
Always happy to do so 🙂
Tbh I didn’t know there’s something like a black and white desert in Egypt. Thank you so much for
showing this to me. It looks like such an awesome and surreal place, would love to see it with my own eyes
🙂
Always happy to unveil hidden gems to fellow travelers 🙂 Hope you get to visit one day!
I completely agree that the Black and White deserts in Egypt are underrated and offer a unique and
breathtaking experience. Your guide is informative and well-written, providing useful tips and
recommendations for anyone interested in visiting these hidden gems. The pictures you shared are
stunning and really capture the beauty of the landscapes. Great job!
Thank you for your feedback, Adrian! I highly appreciate it 🙂
Where exactly is this hidden
swimmable oasis?!
I might also be celebrating my
birthday in this cave!
They’re not in the same place! But all the locations are in the Egyptian Western desert. All the details are mentioned above.