Black Desert | Bahariya Oasis

• 16 / 5 / 2023

What Sets Apart the Black Desert?

The Black Desert is not like the golden dunes of the Sahara; it derives its name from dark volcanic stones and rocks strewn across its surface. The black-topped hills, remnants of the long-silenced ancient volcanoes, rise sheer into the sky where they meet the harsh sand backdrop, magically contrasting as though one stepped onto another planet.

Therefore, the desert's conical hills and mounds sprinkled with black basalt pavements represent geological wonder, mysterious and yet awesome. As the sun traverses the sky at various junctures throughout the day, it transforms the land into hues ranging from rich ebony to warm amber-cooled, resulting in diverse visuals for both photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Black Desert in Egypt 

This is one of the most different areas in the world for the tourists coming to Egypt on their way to the White Desert, the Black Desert. Over thousands of years, the volcanic activity in this site has formed it. Today, black stones of hardened lava decorate the Black Desert of Egypt. In some parts of the area, you observe grand hills covered with black stones and other extensive plains with orange-brown terrain.

The mountains all over the black desert are completely covered with a layer of dust and black rocks, which has given the name to the area. You can climb up one of the highest peaks to get a panoramic view of the whole site of the Black Desert Bahariya Oasis, enjoy the wonderful views of its strange landscape, and observe the iron composition of the black stones.

The most frequent is to access by private four-wheel driving vehicle because the public transport that passes by the area doesn't have an established stop in the Black Desert. There is the possibility to stay in the Black Desert overnight.

Planning any tours to Egypt? or from our varieties of tours from Cairo, you can easily see the beauty of the Black Desert with Cairo Top Tours.

The White Desert Egypt tour usually takes you also to visit the Black Desert, located to the north of Farafra Oasis in Western Sahara. This name is called due to the existence of a layer of black powder covering its mountains, plateaus, and sand; this black material came as a result of rock erosion over the years. It is closer to Bahriya Oasis than Farafra, approximately 50 km to the south of Bawiti. Before you leave the Black Desert heading south, you will see black volcanic hills that ages ago erupted a dark volcanic material called dolerite, which is what the black rocks are made of. Climb up the English Mountain, which is the highest point in the Black Desert, and you will be awarded an amazing view of the strange landscape during your White Desert tours.

The Black Desert is part of the Egyptian western desert, and it is considered one of the must-visit places during Egypt desert safari trips as well as Egypt Day tours. It can be seen as you pass the road from Bahariya to Farafra, but if you want to venture into its depths, a tour guide is advised; tours can easily be arranged from either Bahariya or Farafra. If there is a modern road taking you to Siwa Oasis from Cairo, there is also a new highway that eases the White Desert tour from Cairo, a little to the north of the White Desert, an area of chalk formations carved yearly during the sandstorms into such beautiful shapes where tourists love to go and take pictures. A highly qualified guide from Cairo Top Tours will accompany you every step of the way and answer all your questions.