Egypt has all kinds of desert terrain, from sand dunes to rocky hills and mountains about 96% of Egypt’s territory is desert, So you can see sand everywhere it is also very exciting to discover Oasis in the desert, the Nile valley divided the Egyptian desert into large pieces: the western deserts of Egypt and the eastern desert.
Where are the western deserts located?
The Western Desert is found in the Arab Republic of Egypt and makes up two-thirds of its total size. Libya surrounds it to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and Sudan to the south.
The area between the valley (the Nile Valley) and the delta lies to the east.
The Western Desert spans 681,000 square kilometers and measures kilometers from south to north and kilometers from west to east. a housing development near the pond.
Geographically and Topographically
The highest point in this desert, Jabal Al-uweinat, is around 1934 meters above sea level and looks like a vast plateau.
This desert can be described as a desert of hills and depressions, as follows:
- The plateau stretches from the Sahara in the south toward the Dakhla and Kharga depression in the north.
- The Fayoum, Bahariya, and Farafra depressions are located on a plateau in the center of the desert that faces north. The Natroun depression, the Siwa depression, and the Qattara depression mark the end of this plateau.
- A northern plateau height (200) meters looks over the Qattara Depression and the Siwa Oasis to the south. It also has a height of 50 meters and looks over the sea to the north.
The oasis of the Western deserts of Egypt
Bahariya
Situated in a depression about 300 kilometers south of Cairo, it is one of the Western Desert’s earliest oases. This oasis is supposed to have existed during the time of the ancient Greeks and Pharaohs, and the existence of temples from that period supports this claim.
Dakhla
is one of the oldest oases, indicating that it was inhabited in prehistoric times. Traces of the kingdoms that once lived there can also be found, and it has historical significance to the Egyptians as they served as a point of communication between the “Tawil Path” and Middle Egypt.
Farafra
Before the Roman era, represented by a few ancient monuments of undetermined origin, not much is known about this oasis. On the oasis’ northeastern edge is where you’ll find the White Desert.
Fayoum
is a thin lake separating the Nile Valley from the Fayoum area.
Al-Kharga
The Romans constructed forts to guard the “Darb Al-Arba’in”, which is the caravan route between Egypt and Sudan and is situated on the path of commercial caravans.
Siwa Oasis
stands apart from the other oases because it has numerous salty ponds. It is situated to the west of the previous five oases and is easily accessible by car from the Bahariya Oasis.
Things to do in Western Deserts Egypt :
- If you enjoy sandboarding, the fine sand found at nighttime among the enormous rock formations in the valley of difficulties is excellent.
- The Bedouins prepare a customary supper for guests at dusk. The fennec fox, also known as the desert fox, is frequently drawn to the smell of the meal and will occasionally eat leftovers from guests as part of its diet.
- It is one of the best places to view the beauty of the Milky Way because the area is known for its beauty at night, especially when its stars light up the sky.
- And before packing up and leaving the reserve, it is wise to stop by the rock formation known as the “chicken and mushroom” before the daylight awakens the sleepers’ heavy eyes.
- Some adventurers depart the reserve and head to Bahariya Oasis, where climbing the English Mountain is a popular activity. As a result, reaching the summit offers the chance to have a broad perspective of the entire oasis.
- Finally, you will be able to unwind and appreciate the salt lake at sunset, which is an incredible moment for rowers to take unmatched photos.
Summery
It’s difficult to adequately depict Egypt’s Western Desert, commonly known as the Libyan desert, in a single sitting.
It is one of the largest and driest places on Earth. From the Mediterranean Sea in the south to the Sudanese border, this vast desert is to the west of the Nile.
Huge subsurface aquifers beneath the desert are periodically filled by rain and occasionally leak water to the surface.
Water is essential for life here, just like along the Nile, and flourishing oases have grown around the springs where the water breaks the surface.
These secluded gardens in the desert have long supported sizable populations, significant agricultural growth, and a culture distinct from the Nile Valley.
Don’t miss to check out our package Egypt Desert Safari