Easily among the most popular travel destinations in the world, Egypt is widely known for its different landscape marvels. One such otherworldly location within the country is its famous Black Desert. Nestled between the White Desert and the Bahariya Oasis, the Black Desert is both a unique and mesmerising travel location within the African nation. Spanning 30 kilometres, the Black Desert offers an ethereal experience for those who are willing to take a dive into its rich geological history. Despite its fascinating features, the desert has managed to stay off the tourist radar all these years.
The Black Desert in Egypt gets its name from the marvellous volcanic hills and mounds scattered across the location. These mounds are capped with black basalt sills. The size and shape of the mounds may also vary with some towering several metres high. The basalt rocks and remains of all the volcanic eruptions in the past, give the desert a distinctive dark pigment. The stark contrast between these dark volcanic formations and the golden colour of the surrounding sands results in an eye-catching environment.
Attractions To visit in the Black Desert in Egypt
There are three main attractions that you can visit in the Black Desert. They include:
The Crystal Mountain
The Crystal Mountain in the Black Desert is a natural wonder that has large quartz crystals embedded in the black volcanic rocks. These crystals also create a shimmering effect when the sun rays reflect through it.
Agabat Valley
The Agabat Valley is situated close to the Black Desert and features a striking collection of granite formations, serving as a photographer’s paradise.
El Haiz Oasis
The lush El Haiz Oasis is filled with palm trees, freshwater springs and mud-brick settlements. It is a must-visit when taking a detour to the Black Desert.
How to get to the Black Desert in Egypt?
Travelling to the Black Desert in Egypt is relatively easier than one might anticipate. This off-beat location is tentatively 370 km away from Cairo. There are several tour packages available that allow you to travel to the Black Desert. The journey is usually a part of a day trip or an overnight safari that you can take from the Bahariya Oasis. Most of these tour packages include 4×4 rides along with meals and the option to camp under the desert stars.
With everything the Black Desert has to offer, visitors will certainly have the experience of a lifetime when visiting this unconventional travel destination. It will be quite a refreshing trip for those travellers who are looking to dive beyond Egypt’s pyramids and bustling cities. A detour into this desert just might be everything they are looking for.
