Bahariya Oasis and White Desert

Bahariya Oasis is a Western Desert oasis in Egypt's Giza Governorate, about 330 km south-west of Giza, and the usual gateway to the Black Desert, Crystal Mountain and the White Desert. The road journey to Bawiti, the main town, takes 4.5 to 5 hours, and the White Desert is a further 2 to 3 hours by 4WD. Because of the distance, this is realistically an overnight trip rather than a single day, and most visitors travel with a licensed 4WD operator from Giza for one to two nights of camping. Public buses to Bawiti also run from Cairo and Giza, though onward desert travel still requires a licensed operator.

In Bawiti, the Golden Mummies museum displays Greco-Roman mummies discovered in the oasis, and the surrounding area has hot and cold springs, palm groves and small temples. Typical desert itineraries cross the Black Desert, where dark volcanic dolerite covers the hills, then stop at Crystal Mountain, a quartz outcrop, and the Agabat valley before reaching the White Desert, famed for its chalk rock formations shaped by wind into mushrooms and other shapes. Camping among the formations at sunset and sunrise is the highlight.

A typical arc is to leave Giza in the early morning, reach Bawiti by midday, visit the museum and have lunch, then drive into the desert in the afternoon to arrive at the White Desert for sunset. The following morning allows time for sunrise photography, and the return drive reaches Giza in the evening. Meals are typically prepared by the operator at the camp, so food and water are included in most tours.

The best season is October to April. Nights from December to February can be very cold, and warm sleeping bags are important, while summer daytime temperatures are extreme. A licensed operator is required for desert travel, and visitors should confirm permits, vehicle condition and itinerary in writing before departure.