5 min read | Published: Jan 26, 2023 | Updated: Jan 28, 2023 | TRIPS IN EGYPT

Black desert is a peculiar piece of natural art that showcases the power of volcanoes that changed the fabric of the entire area to be covered in the color black. This strangely beautiful wasteland is an anti-utopia filled with a number of enchanting natural marvels showcasing the dark side of nature and the harsh atmosphere of the Sahara of Egypt.

The scenery of the magnificent treasures of the Egyptian desert will be a truly magical marvel uncovering some of the rarest natural creations in existence. This marvelous attraction will provide a very unique experience that will make your time in Egypt truly incredible.

Location & How to Get to the Black Desert

This magical volcano-shaped attraction is filled with many vast spaced mounds found across 30 km (19 mi) in the core of western Egypt between the northern side of the Bahariya Oasis and the southern area of the white desert. All the mounds of the black desert have a black color as they are all covered with basalt sills. To get to this unusual black desert is about a 4 to 5 hours drive from Cairo.

Geology of the Black Desert

There are a number of mounds found across the black desert which have an average height of 100 meters (328 feet) high plus each mound has different variations in composition, size, shape, and height. All the dark mounds are made of iron quartzite which has some reddish color on its surface and is made of iron sandstone.

Located on the outside area of the black desert are incredible volcanic hills which were formed around 180 million years during the massive eruption of volcanic dark dolerite which is responsible for the color of this marvelous place. There are a number of fossilized woodlands and shrubs showcasing that life once existed in this great area. In 2010, the black desert was declared a natural reserve after the discovery of a number of dinosaur skeletons.

Best Time to Visit the Black Desert

The average temperature of the black desert is about 21.4 °C and the best time to visit the black desert is during the months of May, June, July, August, September, and October. July and August are the warmest months while December is the coldest month.

Visiting Interesting Sites in the Black Desert

The black desert is filled with a number of incredible sights of true pieces of natural beauty in the shape of a legendary landscape of colossal black hills, one of the most incredible hills is the English Mountain which was a lookout station in WWII. Just 30 km away from the Oasis is Crystal Mountain which has amazing colorless crystals & colossal columnar-shaped stalagmites and the Agabat Valley.

From the Black desert, everyone can explore all the archaeological wonders located in the Bahariya Oasis such as the Golden Mummies Museum, Qarat Qasr Salim, Temple of Ain Al Muftella, and more.

Things to Do At the Black Desert

There are a number of many things to do in this golden attraction that stood the test of time and will be very entertaining and completely magical such as:

1. Bedouin Style Camping

Campaign in the golden black desert is a very thrilling and entertaining adventure offering the chance to enjoy all the black beauties of the western desert and feel a magical sensation of tranquility and amazement. Everyone will get to enjoy the most entertaining Bedouin meals which have the most incredible and delicious flavors worthy of traveling across the western desert. The atmosphere of this divine wonder will make your camping trip worthy of remembering.

2. Spectacular Views of the Black Desert

Everyone will explore the most entertaining rock formations and incredible hills which include: Gebel Ingliz which is known as Williams Mountain, Gebel Ghaba which is known as Mountain of Forest, Gebel Ghurabi which is known as Mountain of the Crow, Gebel Dist which is known as the Pyramid Mountain, Gebel Maghrafa which is known as Mountain of the Ladle, Gebel Hafuf, Gebel Mandisha, Gebel Maysir, a Gebel Hammad, Gebel Tibniya, Gebel Hadaom, Gebel Miteili Radwan, and Gebel Shahut.

3. Stargazing in A Desert Night of the Black Desert

The sight of the stars from the black desert will unveil the most epic and fun feelings of amazement and tranquility. Stargazing in these magnificent skies of the western desert while surrounded by the magical hills of the black desert will be like a movie come to life that uncovers the celestial beauty of the stars and open your eyes to the hidden beauty of the universe and its secrets wonders that came during its early days.

4. Trekking the Black Desert

Traveling across this unique attraction will feel like a dream come true, as all the incredible giant back mountains of the black desert will come to life and feel like an absolute wonder. Every second of exploring all these heavenly creations will uncover the hidden force of nature and its epic power to change the entire landscape of a large area in moments. Everyone will discover the most amazing wildlife and cast their eyes on the most mesmerizing rock formations.

Conclusion

The black desert is a living natural piece of art showcasing the true force of nature and offers a glimpse into the magnificent wealth of the western desert. Our Egypt Sahara tours will put everyone on an epic path leading to all the magnificent treasures of this divine destination where everyone will have the most thrilling and memorable super safari.