egypt’s Deserts
The Western Desert’s famous five
Five green and lush oases break up the country’s quarter of a million square-mile desert and provide yet another range of unique Egyptian holiday experiences
gypt may be famous for its flop and drop beach holidays these days, but beyond the golden beaches of the coastal resorts there’s a different type of sand – and much more – waiting to be explored. Spanning most of the land west of the Nile Valley and stretching towards the border of Libya the Western Desert covers 678,553 square km (262,000 square miles) of dramatic sand dunes, oases, canyons, mountainous plateaus and valleys. This sparsely populated area, with its magical landscape, offers visitors the chance to experience a completely different side of Egypt a world away from the buzz of city life. A few
E
nights spent under desert skies is an unforgettable experience
Awe-inspiring day trips and desert safaris are widely available from the main holiday destinations such as Cairo, Luxor and Alexandria whilst the adventurous can embark on guided desert treks of up to a week or more by jeep, camel or on foot. The desert is a great place for thrill-seekers and exciting activities that form part of many tours include 4x4 driving, quad biking, mountain biking and even ‘surfing’ the dunes on sand boards. The mysterious cave and rock art of Gilf El-Kebir, immortalised in the book and film The English Patient, thousands
of ancient pots strewn across the hill of Abu Ballas and the towering fort of Ain-Um Dabadib are among the many highlights of Egypt’s deserts.
Hot springs
The desert is uninhabited, aside from five oasis settlements with their lush vegetation. The largest of these is Kharga, 350 km (217 miles) from Luxor and an ideal base for discovering the surrounding desert. Ancient Egyptian sites, including the Temple of Hibis, can be found in and around the town. It lies on the ancient 1721 km (1075 mile) Forty Days Road which was a trading route for gold, ivory, animal
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