Desert · Giza
Black Desert
Dark, volcano-shaped hills capped with basalt beside the Bahariya road, and usually the first stop on the way to the White Desert.
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The story
The Black Desert is a belt of widely spaced, cone-shaped hills stretching about 30 km across Egypt's Western Desert, between Bahariya Oasis to the north and the White Desert to the south. Most of the hills are capped by dark basalt, so their slopes look black against the golden sand, and some rise to roughly 100 m. The hills vary in shape and make-up, and some take on a reddish tone from iron-rich sandstone. One geological account links ancient volcanic eruptions on the fringes to the Jurassic period, about 180 million years ago, so the dating is best taken as approximate. Visitors often climb English Mountain near Bawiti for a panoramic view before continuing toward the White Desert.
Good to know
- The Black Desert stretches about 30 km between Bahariya Oasis and the White Desert.
- Its dark colour comes from basalt capping most of its widely spaced hills.
- Some hills reach roughly 100 m, and a few are reddish from iron-rich sandstone.
- The area begins about 50 km south of Bawiti, and Bahariya Oasis lies roughly 370 km from Cairo.
Visiting tips
The Black Desert is normally visited on a 4x4 safari with a guide from Bawiti, either as a day trip or as part of an overnight trip that includes the White Desert. The cooler months, roughly autumn to spring, suit a visit best. Please check prices, road access and area permits before travelling.