White Desert

A trip to the White Desert (Sahara Al-Beida) is an unforgettable experience. As soon as you enter the area you can see that the wind has eroded the gleaming white rock into surreal forms resembling hawks, chickens, Nefertiti's head, mushrooms, chess pieces and a wide variety of other shapes. You can use up several memory cards capturing the strange formations and spend hours deciding what the shapes remind you of!  As the sun moves across the brilliant blue sky so the shadows and shapes change and the desert alters in front of your eyes. A few ancient trees surviving on the limited water available in the desert cling to life on the sides of dunes. The 300-year-old acacia known as “Santa “is especially tenacious. As green as any tree in Europe and spreading out over a wide expanse of dune and rock face it is hard to remember you are in such an arid area as you stand beside Santa. The dusty desert floor itself is strewn with shells, crystals and contrasting stark black iron pyrites also in a staggering number of shapes.

The area nearest to the entrance is known as the 'Old Desert' simply because it was easily accessible on foot or camel before 4WD vehicles were common here in the oases. Immediately you find yourself in an area of outstanding and almost surreal beauty. Driving, walking or riding your camel further into the White Desert you will pass Santa and enter the area known as the 'New Desert' which has only become readily accessible since 4WDs were introduced.

No matter where you camp or watch the sunset from the changing light plays tricks with the rock formations around you. What you saw a few minutes before as a glaring white rock will soften before your eyes and finally be darkly silhouetted against a spectacular crimson and fiery orange sky.

If you have chance ( at the moment legally forbidden ) for camping then you will have the chance to see the myriad stars appear as the night draws in. Around your cheerful campfire you will be able to gaze at the glittering sky- far brighter and clearer than most of us ever see in cities. The food eaten under the desert sky will taste utterly delicious and after you eat there is plenty of time for a star-navigation lesson, smoking a sheesha (water pipe) or just sitting in blissful silence and appreciating the beauty of the desert environment. As you lie down to sleep you will hardly want to close your eyes and miss a moment of the display above you.

 As dawn breaks the dark formations around you are re-lit and new shadows and shapes appear as you sit and drink tea or coffee made from water heated on the embers of last night's fire. It's almost as if there was a whole new desert in front of you.

  Please contact us to tell us about your desert dream and we will try to help it come true.

 We are looking forward to adding you to our list of valued partners and guests.