The legendary White Desert in Egypt. fact

Egypt is famous for its largest pyramid in Giza or for its luxurious resorts on the shores of the Mediterranean and Red Sea, but one of the country's most spectacular landscapes that looks like part of a science fiction movie is often overlooked.

Where is the White Desert located?

The White Desert is a sprawling reserve in the Farafra Depression in western Egypt, it is truly a treasure trove of wonder that never tires to visit, people who wander through these exotic lands often feel like they are visiting another planet, despite being only a five-hour drive from Cairo.

The White Desert looks like it's on another planet.

Excursions to Egypt's Western Desert have skyrocketed among locals and tourists alike, with activities ranging from dune bashing with four-wheel drive cars, sandboarding to mountain biking and kayaking in the nearby Bahariya oasis. It's really a completely different place from the planet, you visit once and end up coming back with your friends and family to experience that pleasure for themselves.

White desert or black!

It's surprising about that strange journey that you usually start the journey to the White Desert by stopping at a diametrically contrasting landscape... It's the Black Desert. This desert features countless unique mountain ranges. Each one bears a layer of black stones that were thrown from volcanoes millions of years ago, giving the sandy landscape its colorful name. After hiking in one of the peaks, it turns out that this area is devoid of any sign of life except for one road that runs to the horizon. However, this is not the road that leads to the White Desert. Getting to the White Desert requires unloading the tyres of the Land Cruiser and the dunes across the desert at stunning angles, where slalom and dune racing is an amazing experience of the heart that finally gives way to the instantly stunning view of the White Desert.

Arrival in the White Desert

Within seconds of arriving in the White Desert, you will immediately begin to question the mysterious origins of this White Desert, because its frightening beauty acts as a powerful catalyst to remind us that our planet is undergoing strong climate changes. It is absolutely astonishing to believe that this was once a sea or ocean and that the only evidence left is a collection of calcified limestone rocks carved by sand and wind over time. Sometimes it's hard to believe that these limestone sculptures were not carved by humans, some of them contain shapes that at first glance look like familiar man-made forms, and these chalky abstract shapes also seem to change color depending on the time of day, turning from brilliant white to cream, and then reaching golden brown.

When it gets dark in the White Desert

Among the huge rock formations in the forest valley there is a soft sandy hill ideal for climbing on the sand, and this climb is slower than climbing a snowy mountain, but it still provides excitement and fun for visitors, although there are no ski lifts in the desert like those in the snowy mountains, and climbing a steep sand hill is exhausting. As the sun sets, the White Desert reminds everyone that this is a fantasy land, and it gets colder every hour since the sun has gone requiring a few extra layers to get some warmth in the winter.

After the camp, local Bedouins prepare visitors for an authentic traditional dinner on the campfire.

The smell of food preparation attracts fennec foxes in the White Desert

The sensational smell of food preparation often catches the attention of a rare resident of the White Desert, the fennec fox, also known as the sand fox. These harmless animals are difficult to spot despite their great fun, as they appear as mysterious silhouettes from afar due to their extreme caution and fear of humans, but they often approach camp sites because they are used to relying on leftovers for visitors as part of their diet.

The serenity of nature and the splendor of the stars in the White Desert

Due to the splendor of the landscape and the absence of light pollution in any direction, the stars shine in the night sky, and this magnificent spectacle is arguably one of the best places on the planet to observe the Milky Way in all its splendor and colors. When the moon appears, its bright light is reflected on rocky surfaces, giving a blue glow that illuminates the white desert and invites a nocturnal stroll through its otherworldly terrain. Night explorers need to be careful and bring a flashlight because it's easy to get lost or get stuck on similar, rugged, exotic terrain.

Morning in the White Desert

In the morning, the bright white desert sun wakes up even the heaviest sleep, and before packing the camp and leaving the white desert, do not miss a walk to one of the distinctive sculptures in the well-known white trees, due to their shape that resembles chicken and mushrooms. After leaving the White Desert, most adventurers head to the Marine Oasis, one of the region's famous attractions, where visitors enjoy climbing over the English Mountain, so named after the ruins of a British World War I outpost that culminates its highest peak. Reaching the top offers a magnificent 360-degree view of the entire oasis, including lush forests of delicious dates and olive trees. It is also a challenging journey for mountain biking enthusiasts, as cycling on winding paths filled with loose rocks and sandy patches is not for the faint of heart, but it does provide those with previous experience with an exciting and exhilarating experience.

It may be years or decades from now before travel to the lunar surface is possible. However, for those who can't wait until then, the White Desert in western Egypt may be the second best bet for dreaming of camping on the moon.