Western Desert Egypt: Travel Guide & Tours
Egypt · Desert & Oases
Western Desert Egypt: Travel Guide & Tours
The Western Desert covers most of Egypt west of the Nile: an immense Sahara landscape of dunes, chalk formations and volcanic hills, with green oases spread across it. This is where we specialise. Here is how the region fits together and which trip takes you where.
See desert toursAsk us on WhatsApp
The main places in the Western Desert
| Place | Known for | Our guide & tours |
|---|---|---|
| White Desert | White chalk formations, desert camping under the stars | White Desert guide |
| Black Desert | Volcanic-looking hills on the road from Bahariya | White vs Black Desert |
| Bahariya Oasis | Palm farms, springs, gateway to the Black and White Desert | Bahariya guide |
| Siwa Oasis | Salt lakes, Shali Fortress, the Oracle Temple, the Great Sand Sea | Siwa guide |
| Fayoum | Wadi El Hitan whale fossils, lakes, waterfalls, dunes, close to Cairo | Fayoum guide |
| Dakhla Oasis | Deir El-Hagar Temple, Al-Mozawaka Tombs, the old town of Balat | Dakhla tour |
| Kharga Oasis | Hibis Temple and the El-Bagawat necropolis | Kharga tour |
Which trip should you choose?
- One day from Cairo: the Fayoum Safari.
- One night under the stars: the White & Black Desert, 2 Days / 1 Night.
- More time in the desert: the White & Black Desert, 3 Days or Bahariya & White Desert, 3 Days.
- A remote oasis: Siwa in 2, 3 or 4 days.
- History and heritage: the Dakhla and Kharga heritage tours, which continue to Luxor.
When to go
The most comfortable season is October to April, with warm days and cool nights. Read our month-by-month guide and our desert packing list.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us how many days you have and what you would like to see, and we will suggest a route through the Western Desert.