Bahariyya

By bus

By microbus

• The Black Desert is about half an hour's drive away from Bahariyya. It consists of an area of the Sahara Desert which consists of small mountains and hillocks which are sooty black in color. The combination of the black stones covering the hills along with the orange/ochre ground of the desert makes for dramatic viewing. A climb up one of the hills rewards the visitor with an excellent view of a fascinating landscape.
• White Desert National Park is a large expanse of the Sahara Desert characterized by white chalk formations. Centuries of erosion have moulded the rock into fantastic shapes and has resulted in a spectacular sights which have become extremely popular with visitors. The White Desert National Park is located about 100 km from Bahariya off the road that goes to Farafra. The usual way to go there is via a 4X4 - though there is also the option of going on a walking tour once you reach the place. More adventurous travelers can pack a sleeping bag, food and a lot (a lot!) of water and ask the driver of some Bahariya-Farafra bus to stop in the middle of the desert (there are at least two Upper Egypt buses daily plus a variety of local transports). This should be arranged in either of the oases before the bus takes off, as the driver will probably require a consent of the Tourist Police first. After one or two days in the desert, you will run out of water - just return to the road and hail another bus (if you are spotted by the police, you may be taken to the nearest checkpoint for your safety, do not worry).

• Deserttrekking

  phone: +20 12 59 89 733
  address: White desert,Bawiti, Bahariya Oasis

• Oasis Heritage MuseumIt is split in 3 parts: a mummies museum (about 6-8), two well-conserved tombs and a third one (?). The first two can easily be joined by foot, but you need a car to get to the third.

• Desert safariBahariya serves as the main departure point for safaris in the Western Desert ranging from one-day-trips to the nearby White Desert to long-range expeditions to the remote Gilf el-Kebir near the Libyan border or the Great Sand Sea. Since the desert is not a children’s playground, it is strongly recommended to book a tour with a local operator who is familiar with both the imminent dangers and the hidden beauties of the Western Desert. Most of them offer 4x4 (usually a Toyota Land Cruiser), camel or hiking tours with overnight and open sky camping in the desert – with all meals prepared on site. Even though network coverage is fairly good – at least in the White Desert area – make sure your guide has a satellite phone.

• Western Desert Tours

  phone: +20 12 716 0782
  Established by native Bahariyyans in 2000. Organizes 4x4, camel and hiking tours to all places of interest in the Western Desert area.

• Desert-blanc

  phone: +20 12 6845 495
  address: Bawiti,Bahariya Oasis,Egypt
  The white desert and safari trips, camping, trekking, sand surfing.

• Desert Safari Egypte

  phone: +20 1 86 82 47 51
  address: bawiti
  Organizes tours in 4X4, camel and hiking tours in the white desert, the western desert, siwa, farafra, dakhla, kharga.

• Alpenblick Hotel Oasis

  phone: +20 2 38472184
  address: Bawiti , Bahariya Oasis
  Established in 1984 as first hotel in Bawiti and the oasis of Bahariya to serve adventure seeker from all over the world. The view on the surrounding mountains inspired a Swiss traveler from the earliest guests to give the hotel the name Alpenblick "Alpine View", as the prospect was reminding him of his homeland on the Alps. And he persuaded the owner to call the hotel Alpenblick. With the participation of a German partner, the hotel was completely reconditioned and brought up to the latest modern standards. Beside the spacious dome shaped rooms of the old building, the new extension adds a whole new dimension to the hotel, allowing guests to feel at one with nature and rejuvenate their spirits

• Qasr El Bawity Ecohotel

  phone: +20 2 847 1880
  This hotel is set up like a small village, with 28 comfortable rooms built entirely from natural materials indigenous to the oasis.

• Old Oasis Hotel & safari

  phone: +20 2 3847 3028
  address: Bahariyya Oasis (Western Desert)
  The hotel is surrounded by 100-year-old date palms, olive and banana trees. They are situated on a hill inside the oasis, providing views of the oasis and desert. There are cozy seats scattered throughout the beautifully landscaped property as well as a pool fed by a hot spring. The hotel is designed to blend naturally into its setting and offers clean spacious rooms including rooms with balconies and specially designed dome shaped rooms. There is also a restaurant with a private chef.

• Desert Safari Home

  phone: +20 23 847 1321
  Price depends on dormitories, air-conditioning, private bath, double, triple, etc. Dinner costs about LE 15 pounds. A good walk from the city centre though (about 30 min but you can ask for free pickup when arriving and get the bus near the hotel when leaving). Also organize cheap desert safari (about LE 175 per day per person but you have to be at least two or three.

• Hotel Desert Rose Eco Lodge

  phone: +20 18 9825599
  address: Bir El Mattar, Bawiti
  Eco-friendly hotel built to evoke the spirit of traditional villages of the Oasis using branches of local palm trees and natural clay. Spacious rooms are tastefully outfitted with high-quality wooden furniture made by local craftsman and decorated with textiles made in Egypt. Facilities are modern, full housekeeping service, rooms cleaned daily. Pasha Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving food cooked with local organic ingredients, “all you can eat” style. Outdoor café offers various teas and Arabic coffee. The hotel arranges safari to the Black and White desert, excursions to the historic and natural sites, and authentic Bedouin entertainment.

• Going back to Cairo: bus each day at 6:30AM, 10AM, 3PM. Ask your hotel for booking.
• Go to next oasis, Farafra: bus at unknown hours. You need 3 days to go from Bahariya to Assiout/Luxor by bus through the oasis (Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga).