Discovering the Best Desert Safaris in Egypt
When the mention of Egypt comes to one's mind, what instantly flashes before him will be the pyramids, great temples, or perhaps the touts and crowds of Cairo's teeming bazaars. There is much more to Egypt besides its historical and cultural riches, though. One such exciting adventure one can experience within this magnificent country is to go on a desert safari.
Whether you are an adventure enthusiast, a nature buff, or one looking for something different to add to your packages of Egypt travel, the desert safari will certainly make this experience unforgettable. Read on to know the best of the desert safari adventures that you can indulge in on your visit to this enchanted land.
The Allure of the Sahara: White Desert Safari.
The White Desert, located in the Farafra Depression, is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Egypt. It offers surreal landscape views and has brilliant white rock formations resembling giant mushrooms or floating icebergs across the sand. A White Desert safari will usually involve camping for a night so that you can see the light and the landscape change continuously.
By day, you can explore these natural formations in chalk and take part in sandboarding or hiking. The real stars of the desert come out at night, delivering an unparalleled stargazing experience. This adventure is surely a must for anybody looking to soak up the natural beauty of Egypt.
Thrills and Tranquility: Siwa Oasis Safari
Though farthest to the Libyan fringe, Siwa Oasis is the perfect blend of adventure with a strong chill. It has dense palm grooves, natural springs, and salt lakes, so this desert safari will be absolutely one of its kind. Guests can explore the ruins of the ancient town from the times of the Siwan people, along with the Temple of the Oracle, that is said to have been visited by Alexander the Great to seek advice.
An average Siwa safari would most definitely include a nail-biting 4x4 drive across the Great Sand Sea that lets you have a feel of dune bashing and sandboarding. So after this eventful day, with an overdose of adrenaline rush, relax in some natural hot springs and enjoy a traditional Siwan dinner. The oasis, lush and serene against the harsh backdrop of the desert, is a welcome plus in your Egypt luxury tours.
Adventures in the Eastern Desert: Marsa Alam Desert Safari
Marsa Alam is home to some of the most pristine beaches and sublime marine life along the Red Sea. That doesn't mean the Eastern Desert surrounding this town has anything less to offer in the form of exciting experiences. Most Marsa Alam desert safaris constituency with a quad biking tour. You can speed across endless plains and even cross rugged terrain.
This is where you can take a leisurely safari excursion. You will have a halt at one of the Bedouin camps in the desert, where you will learn about the authentic lifestyle and traditions of the Bedouin people who inhabit the Desert. Taste Bedouin tea; try riding a camel; watch with your own eyes how the sunset looks from the top of the dune. After all, indulge in a scrumptious barbecue dinner under the stars, complete with Arabic music and dance.
The Mystique of the Western Desert: Gilf Kebir and Great Sand Sea
To the more serious adventurer, the Western Desert is an oddball safari. With both the Gilf Kebir Plateau and the Great Sand Sea being enormous and extremely remote areas, they offer extreme isolation and a sense of exploration without parallel. Dramatic landscapes and prehistoric rock art have made Gilf Kebir famous through the journeys of the great explorer Laszlo Almasy.
Yet, this is certainly not for the faint of heart—across some of the most difficult terrains in Egypt. The rewards are immense, however: discovery of the ancient Cave of Swimmers, captured in the movie "The English Patient," and mysteries like Silica Glass Field make this visit perfect for those seeking an addition that's really different and adventurous over their conventional Egypt day tours.
Sinai Desert Safari: Authentic Luxury Escapes
This is an excellent destination for a desert safari, with its overwhelming mountainous scenery and diverse cultural heritage of the Sinai Peninsula. One of the most famous activities popularly done on a Sinai desert safari includes visiting the Colored Canyon, a natural wonder with vibrantly colored rocks that seem to form a kaleidoscope of hues. Another major highlight is the visit to St. Catherine's Monastery, lying at the foot of Mount Sinai, which is said to be one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world.
For those of you craving a little luxury, several Egypt travel packages include high-end desert safaris in Sinai. This itinerary includes all possible luxuries imaginable amid a desert: luxury tents, gourmet meals, and private guided tours. Whether it is an ascent up Mount Sinai, through which one gets a breathtaking sunrise view of the entire ground below, or indulging in the mystique of the desert on a leisurely ride by camel-back, this experience of the desert safari is going to be unlike anywhere else across the Sinai Peninsula.
Cultural Encounters: Fayoum Desert Safari
Not far from Cairo, Fayoum Oasis offers an excellent getaway for a desert safari that brings in great doses of cultural history alongside adventure. The outstanding site—Wadi El-Hitan —with fossil remains of ancient whales is a UNESCO site. To be able to see this area gives a deep insight into the prehistoric past of these regions. Other activities that form part of a desert safari in Fayoum include visits to Qarun Lake, surrounded by various dunes that offer opportunities for a variety of dune bashing and forms of bird watching. Furthermore, one can visit traditional pottery villages. Being close enough to Cairo, Fayoum makes for an excellent choice for those looking for a short but rewarding desert adventure to combine with their Egypt day tours.