When I visited Egypt, there were three things on my bucket list that I had to do: see the Pyramids, ride a camel, and camp in the White Desert. I even chose my hostel in Egypt because they offered a White Desert camping adventure that looked incredible. In this blog, I’m sharing my White Desert camping itinerary that cost just $95 USD.
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How I Booked My White Desert Camping Adventure
I stayed at Dahab Hostel in Cairo mainly due to their amazing tour desk. This is where I booked my camping trip in the White Desert. It’s also a fantastic hostel with a ton of character that matches the old Cairo vibe and architecture.
Check out my thorough review of Dahab Hostel, Cairo Hostels – My Honest Review of Dahab Hostel
If you are interested in staying at Dahab Hostel, this is my affiliate link.
Day 1 – Hostel Pick-Up
It was early morning when I was picked up at my hostel. Our first ride was in a van with a small group of five or six people. It took about four hours to reach the Bahariya tourist hub, which serves as the gateway to the White Desert. This building acts as the meeting point for White Desert tours. After enjoying a good lunch, we headed off for the next leg of the trip.
We Were Off to the White Desert
Two 4×4 sport utility vehicles picked us up, and we set off to explore the White Desert in Egypt. As the only solo traveler, I was excited to sit in the front seat. It was a nicely paved road winding through the desert, dotted with mountains. The trip was very scenic. From Bahariya, it’s about a two-hour drive to our campsite for the night, but not before a few epic stops along the way.
We Stopped for A Hike in the Black Desert
On the way to the White Desert, we passed through the Black Desert for a somewhat challenging hike up a steep hill or mountain, whatever you want to call it. At the top of the hill sat what might be the best view of the entire trip. This was one of the most stunning landscapes I’ve ever seen. It was also the first of many Instagram-worthy moments on this journey.
A Few More Desert Stops Along the Way
It was time for some joyriding through the desert. I now have an idea of what it might be like to race in the Baja 1000. We were hitting over 100 km per hour in the deep sand; I kid you not. I was completely loving every second of it.
We made some stops along the way, notably Crystal Mountain. There were impressive rock formations, stunning scenery, and another mountain to hike. The views of the landscape with the desert in the distance were pure bliss.
It Was Time to Cool Off in a Natural Pool in the Middle of The Desert
We dipped into a natural pool in the middle of the desert. Yes, a natural pool. There’s water beneath the desert, and I was told it is 600 meters deep. It sounds hard to believe, but I know they had no issues filling that pool. We were refreshed and ready for some fun at the next stop.
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Add Sandboarding in the White Desert to Your Bucket List
Next, I had the chance to do something really fun that I had never done. Yep, sandboarding in the White Desert in Egypt. We found the perfect spot with a stunning desert backdrop. My guide prepared my board, and I was off. What a thrill! Now, climbing back up the steep sandy hill was tough, but it was totally worth it.
We Were Off to Chase An Epic Sunset
When I say we were chasing sunsets, I’m not exaggerating. Time was flying by, and we were racing through the desert to catch the sun before it dipped below the horizon. We arrived just in time, and the sunset was epic. We were on top of a hill with an incredible view of the desert, surrounded by stunning rock formations as far as the eye could see. I’m telling you, this was one of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever witnessed. Words can’t fully capture it, but the picture gives you a good idea.
We Found the Perfect White Desert Camping Spot
Not far from the sunset viewpoint, we found the perfect campsite for the night. These weren’t official campsites, but I spotted another group in the distance. All you could see was sand and rock formations stretching as far as the eye could see. Someone pinch me, I was about to camp in the White Desert in Egypt.
Our guide set up the camp while we familiarized ourselves with our new surroundings. He pitched a tent to store all his stuff, including food, and to have a place for him to crash. Next, he arranged a fire pit, a sitting area, and a table. He brought out some unfamiliar musical instruments and a kettle, placing them by the fire pit. (Some foreshadowing for later)
He then began preparing dinner while our group hung out and got to know each other better. Before we knew it, the fire was burning, and the cooking area was ready. It was almost dinner time. We were both starving and excited, not fully knowing what we were about to experience.
We had an Incredible Egyptian Meal
We grilled some chicken over the fire, and the spread was exceptional. I can’t quite describe the food other than to say it was incredible. It was a typical Egyptian meal, and I loved both the food and the ambience of dining deep in the White Desert on a traditional tablecloth while sitting on the sand.
Entertainment, Egyptian Tea and an Epic Bon Fire
After dinner, the other camping group joined us by the fire to enjoy the desert night. One of the guides made us all Egyptian tea, which I swear was the best tea I’ve ever had. He had a teapot and a cup, and he would pour the tea from the teapot into the cup, then back into the teapot, and repeat. This made the tea stronger, which was fine with me.
Then came the instruments. There was a horn and a bongo drum. The horn was made of wood and almost resembled a wooden flute, but sounded like a clarinet or a kazoo. They sang as we soaked in the experience. Egyptian tea and music under the White Desert stars in Egypt; it doesn’t get any better than that.
We Slept Outdoors in Sleeping Bags
It was time for bed, which on this night meant a sleeping bag under the open desert sky. This was pure bliss. It took me a while to fall asleep because I was mesmerized by the sky. It’s just so epic, it’s pitch black, with stars lighting up the sky like I’ve never seen. It’s hard to describe, but I hope the pictures do it justice. What an end to a perfect day in the desert.
Day 2 Of My White Desert Egypt Adventure
The second day highlights include more exploring, the desert sunrise, wild camels, and an authentic breakfast on the desert sand.
Early Morning in the Desert
I was up at the crack of dawn, yet still the last to get up, just as the sun was beginning to rise. If you haven’t experienced a desert sunrise, add it to your list. The sunrise in the desert hits differently. I probably didn’t get more than a few hours of sleep, but I felt energized as if I’d slept in. Watching the sun slowly rise from below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the sand and beautiful rock formations, was an absolute thing of beauty.
We Had An Authentic Breakfast
After the breathtaking sunrise, it was time for breakfast, and it was a good thing because we were starving. That desert air sure builds up an appetite. The table was set with a beautiful tablecloth and an impressive spread. It included some freshly brewed coffee, soft naan bread with a variety of spreads and cheeses, croissants, juice, and boiled eggs. It might not sound overly fancy, but you know that morning camping feeling where everything tastes better? This is amplified tenfold in the desert.
We Explored Rock Formations That Look Like Animals
It was back to desert exploration mode to check out some rock formations that look like animals. Two that are stuck in my head looked like a chicken, and another looked like a rabbit. Honestly, what they look like depends on how vivid your imagination is. I saw a chicken and a rabbit—that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
We Saw a Herd of Wild Camels
On our way out of the desert, our driver spotted a herd of wild camels and stopped so we could admire them. There were at least twelve crossing the sands, including two white camels, which are quite rare. Could there be a better way to end my time in the White Desert in Egypt than being joined by wild camels? This is definitely bucket list stuff.
We Stopped for a Coffee at a Rest Stop on the Way Back to Cairo
We started our six-hour journey back to Cairo, stopping at a rest stop along the way. It was a pretty cool experience; it felt like being in a movie with a desert backdrop, hundreds of miles from the nearest town. Out front, there was a 1950s motorbike, no cars passing by, and mountainous desert stretching as far as the eye could see. I grabbed some snacks and a coffee for the ride home, and we were headed back to Cairo.
Hopefully, this blog helps convince you to camp in the White Desert on your trip to Egypt. You can find tours through your hostel or hotel, or via booking websites like Get Your Guide and TripAdvisor. Enjoy planning your trip to Egypt, and don’t forget to add camping in the White Desert to your Egypt itinerary.
If you are headed to Cairo and looking for things to do, check out my blog, Cairo, Egypt-Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary.
Heading to Giza to see the Pyramids, check out my blog, Pyramids of Giza – How I Explored Them With a Free Guided Tour.
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