Traveling through the Desert in Egypt: a Complete Rider’s Guide
A traveler’s dream with dunes and marvelous pyramids, that is Egypt for you. No matter how old civilizations can be, every traveler wants to visit Egypt at least once in their lifetime. Many people think of the Sahara tours and traveling through the exciting deserts of Egypt. In this blog, we are going to guide you through the adventurous journey of the Egyptian Sahara.
In Egypt, every year, millions of tourists visit the Western Desert. Many of them choose the Sahara tours in Jeeps, Quads, or Buggies. This Egyptian desert is expanded in two-thirds of the land surface of Egypt. Geographically, the location of this place is on the western side of the River Nile, extending towards the Libyan border. Apart from that, Egypt also has other deserts such as the Black Desert, the Blue Desert, and the Eastern Desert.
But before traveling through the Egyptian desert, you need to choose your particular tour style. The duration of the desert tour can vary depending on the type of tour operator.
How to Choose Your Safari Style?
Contact your tour operator and ask them about the durations and mode of traveling through the Egyptian desert. There should be an option to choose between half-day and full-day tours.
Half-Day vs Full-Day Tours
In half-day desert safaris of Egypt, you can get a taste of everything within the desert without committing your entire day. These trips typically last approximately 4 hours, and they are exciting enough to make you fall in love with the desert. Half-day plans are perfect for visitors who have other plans. Plus, it makes the travelers less exhausted so that they can continue their tour for further days.
But, if you are looking for more adrenaline rush, go for a full-day tour plan through the Egyptian desert. These tours generally last for 8 to 10 hours. From quad biking, exciting camel rides to dune bashing, and sandboarding, there is no shortage of excitement for you once you sign up for a full day trip of the Egyptian Western desert.
4x4 Jeep Tours vs. Camel Treks
Visitors looking to get a more traditional feel can ask for a camel trek. This is for those who love to have a slow, yet immersive experience, which is ideal for natural explorers. On the other hand, travelers who want to get more adrenaline rush look for a 4X4 Jeep tour, which is fast and comfortable. However, consider camel treks as a traveling option only when you are ready to endure the heat of the Egyptian Sahara.
What to Expect When Traveling Through the Desert in Egypt?
Most people visit Egypt for the attraction of traveling to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the City of Luxor, or the ruins of Abu Simbel. However, the untouched beauty of the country really lies in the spectacular desert. Here are the things that you can explore in the desert in Egypt:
The Thrill of Dune Bashing
People prefer to go dune bashing by riding powerful 4X4s up, down, and across massive dunes. This is an exciting experience for the travelers as this is like an unprecedented roller-coaster ride. Many desert safari tours often combine dune bashing with sandboarding, quad biking, and camel treks.
Sandboarding Down the Dunes
Sandboarding in the dunes can be one of the most memorable experiences for you and your family. The Great Sand Sea is a great place for trying sandboarding in Egypt. In this area, the stretch comprises long ridges that run from north to south. One of the best things about sandboarding is that you have access to the dunes throughout the year.
Visit A Bedouin Camp
Many desert trips in Egypt provide guided tours to the oasis communities that have lived in the desert for generations. A Bedouin camp trip is something that you should not miss while traveling through the desert dunes of Egypt. During this trip to the Bedouin village, you can learn about their traditions, customs, and survival abilities in the rough desert environment. You can expect a meal cooked over an open fire and sip on the specialty mint tea. This will be a moment you will never forget.
Stargazing in the Desert Sky
At night, you will definitely be able to witness the clear desert sky. Ask your tour operators for an overnight desert tour, where you can camp under the night sky. Stargazing in the desert sky is a popular activity for travelers visiting Egypt and camping overnight. You can see some stars that you cannot see generally with your naked eyes, as desert skies are clearer.
What Are the Best Tours for Desert Travel in Egypt?
For every adventure traveler, the Egyptian deserts are something that has great value and attraction because of the breathtaking beauty of the natural sites in the Egyptian Sahara. Here are some of the best locations in the Egyptian deserts.
The Black Desert and Crystal Mountains
Located in Western Egypt, this is one of the best stretches and a marvel of nature. This desert carries this name because of the countless small volcanic rocks and stones, which are scattered throughout the surface. These dark visual spectacles originated from the unique volcanic landscapes.
The Blue Desert
The blue desert is a remarkable and visually engaging area, which is located around the Sinai Peninsula. The stunning blue hue contrasts with the Rocky Mountains. Here, travelers can expect Bedouin-style camping, witness sunrise or sunset, and go stargazing. Other than this, in Blue Desert, visitors can opt for camel rides or desert trekking. Besides, the unique rock formations located here are iconic, for which people visit here again and again.
The Western Desert
The Western Desert, situated on the Western side of the River Nile and up to the border of Libya and Sudan. This desert is famous for having some of the most famous Oases, which include Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, and Kharga.
Some of the best activities to do in the Western Desert include:
- Desert Safari
- Camping under the night sky
- Exploring the Caravan routes
- Traveling to the ancient sites like the Roman Fort
The Eastern Desert
The Eastern Sahara is located significantly at the eastern flank of the Nile River. This desert also covers a key part of Northern Africa, which is uniquely positioned between the Nile River and the Red Sea. This area of desert is known for its rugged beauty and the dramatic backdrop of the stark coastline of the Red Sea.
Here, Quad Biking, Camel Riding, and Jeep Safaris are considered the most thrilling activities. People also love to spend some nights in the hospitality of Egyptian Bedouins.
Travel Documents Required for Traveling Through the Desert in Egypt
To travel the mesmerizing deserts of Egypt, you need to first come to Egypt from your home country. By applying for an Egyptian visa for travel, you can easily enter the country and make your dream trip come true.
You can avail both a physical tourist visa and an Egyptian visa online, called an eVisa. This eVisa is an official travel document that can be used for tourism purposes. The process of obtaining a tourist eVisa for Egypt is easy. Alongside this, if you want to drive any type of car in the desert, you will also need an international driving license.
Documents Needed for an eVisa Application
- The valid original passport with a minimum of six months' validity, from the date of arrival in Egypt.
- A photocopy of the bio page of the passport
- A passport-sized photograph captured on a clear background. The photo should not be taken not older than 6 months.
- A copy of the return flight tickets and proof of funds in the form of bank statements.
- US tourists need to show the Green Card, which should be valid for at least 6 months.
It is generally recommended to take a copy of the submitted eVisa to the port of entry.
Online Application Process for Egypt eVisa
- Creating an account in the Egyptian eVisa portal and logging in
- Choose ‘Apply Now’ and select the type of eVisa you are looking for
- Go through the instructions and fill out the eVisa form
- Pay the eVisa fees using a debit card
It generally takes seven days to process the multiple-entry Egyptian eVisa.
Other Travel Documents Needed for the Desert Tour
Keep your passport and confirmed eVisa ready at your disposal. Plus, if you are thinking of a Desert Safari, then you need to have an international driver's license.
Wrapping Up
Exploring the desert dunes of Egypt is a dream for most travelers. A melting pot of culture, history, tradition, and stunning desert destinations, Egypt remains one of the most sought-after locations among tourists. Egypt is much more than the Pyramids and ancient temples. It is a land of breathtaking desert environments.
Pack Your Bags and Set out For an Unforgettable Adventure in the Egyptian Deserts
Got a holiday soon? Plan your next vacation in the Egyptian Sand Dunes and explore the amazing deserts of the country.
Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 5 (five) days in advance of your flight. Citizens of many countries including German citizens, Australian citizens, Croatian citizens and Japanese citizens can apply online for Egypt e-Visa.