Our Incredible desert Tour Egypt
Egypt is an amazing destination that has a lot to offer beyond the typical tourist attractions. During my visit, I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and booked a desert day tour with a local company. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I certainly didn’t anticipate being driven around in a beat-up 4×4 with two locals who were around the same age as me. At first, I was apprehensive and thought we might be taken off into the desert and abandoned, robbed or worse… but what could we do… The day however, was incredible! This was our desert tour Egypt experience.
Our destination was Al-Fayoum, Egypt’s largest oasis, which is located approximately 100 km away from Cairo. As we drove down the empty desert road, I couldn’t help but notice the excitement in our tour guides’ eyes. They soon turned off the main road and headed straight into the sand dunes. With each sand dune acting as a ramp, they sped up, and we started getting some air. Unfortunately, the 4×4 lacked seatbelts, and we were bouncing around in the back, which only added to the adrenaline rush.
The Drive – desert tour egypt
Despite the lack of seatbelts and the feeling of vulnerability, we couldn’t help but enjoy the thrill of the ride. These guys were absolute nutters, and I couldn’t help but wonder what we would do if we got stuck with no signal, cars, or buildings for miles around. The dunes were quite steep, and I’m still amazed that they managed to keep the car from rolling over.
As we approached a very steep cliff that overlooks the lake, our tour guides revved the engine and shouted, “Are you ready?!” We looked down at the jagged rocks below and panicked, but it turned out to be just their sick sense of humour… I’m not sure if the other Egyptian desert tours do this… highly doubt it!
(Apologies for the poor quality images… I hadn’t learnt to take decent travel pictures in 2016)
Magic Lake – desert tour egypt
The Magic Lake, also known as Lake Qarun, is a saltwater lake located in the Fayoum Oasis. It is the largest lake in Egypt and is known for its unique properties. The lake has a high salt content, which makes it denser than regular freshwater lakes. As a result, swimmers can easily float on the surface of the water without any effort. The lake is also believed to have healing properties and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
After the adrenaline rush of the desert drive, it was a relief to see the road again. Our next stop was the stunning Wadi El-Rayan waterfalls, which were a pleasant surprise to find in the middle of the desert. We saw lots of locals swimming in the rock pools at the top of the falls, and the water flowed down into the magical lake below.
Wadi El-Rayan Waterfalls – desert tour egypt
Wadi El Rayan is a protected area located in the Fayoum Governorate. It is a desert valley that consists of two connected lakes, known as the upper and lower lakes. The lakes were formed as a result of the construction of a man-made waterfall in the 1970s, which was designed to divert excess water from the Nile River into the depression. The area is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including several species of birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Felucca (Boat Trip) – desert tour egypt
Taking a traditional Egyptian felucca around the lake was a must-do experience. We were lucky enough to be taken out on a boat by a local kid and his family, which was a nice and relaxing way to enjoy the scenery. Some reviews we read beforehand suggested that the experience could be underwhelming, but just being on a boat in the middle of the desert was pretty cool.
What made the experience even better was that we had bought a local sim card, and we had good signal on the boat, which meant that we could live stream the experience to our family back home. It was amazing to share the beauty of the Wadi El-Rayan waterfalls and the magic lake which is what inspired me to write this blog! Please make sure to tip the local lads for their rowing effort!
Sandboarding on the Saharan Dunes – desert tour egypt
After venturing deeper into the desert, we finally reached the sandboarding location, an oasis of stunning golden sand dunes and a serene lake. Just a stone’s throw away from ‘whale valley,’ where one can catch a glimpse of whale skeletons buried in the sand. Regrettably, we didn’t have enough time to explore that site, but I wished we did. Sandboarding sounded like a thrilling activity, but the reality of trekking up steep dunes in the sweltering heat proved to be more challenging than anticipated. It was unlike skiing in Chamonix, and the board felt more like a strapped skateboard, making it quite arduous and even painful. After a few attempts, we decided to take a well-deserved break and unwind. This was probably the highlight our desert tour Egypt.
Dinner in the desert – desert tour egypt
Many tours offer restaurants or food vendors, but our desert day tour took us to a local house in the middle of nowhere. Despite the language barrier, the owner was very kind, and our tour guides seemed to know him well. We enjoyed a delicious meal of chicken and rice, which tasted much better than it looked. After dinner, we watched the incredible sunset before heading back.
By this point in the evening, I think I had developed a bit of heat stroke, and although the journey back was a few hours, we both slept along the unbelted benches in the back seat until we arrived back at our hotel. Im desperately trying to find the contact details of the guys who took us on our desert tour Egypt to post on here, so check back soon and I might have them.
Overall – desert tour egypt
Overall, the desert tour Egypt experience was fantastic, especially because it was an unofficial tour, which made it all the more fun. We took the cheapest option, but there are many companies offering a similar itinerary. I highly recommend the desert tour Egypt experience to anyone visiting Cairo – it’s definitely not to be missed!
Things To Remember & Bring
Are you planning a desert tour Egypt and considering sandboarding for the first time? Here are some tips to help you make the most of your day while staying safe and comfortable.
Dress appropriately: The desert can be hot and sunny during the day and chilly at night. Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing to help you stay cool and protect your skin from the sun. There’s a reason the Sahara isn’t the best best for sunbathing. Bring a hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your face and eyes from the sun. Additionally, consider packing a light jacket or hoodie for the cooler evening temperatures.
Wear the right footwear: Hiking boots or trainers with good traction are ideal for walking on the sand. Avoid wearing flip-flops or open-toed shoes as they can fill up with sand and make it difficult to walk. The sand is also unbearably hot so you’ll be glad you did.
Pack plenty of water and snacks: Staying hydrated is crucial in the desert. Bring plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy levels up throughout the day. It’s also a good idea to bring a cooler with ice to keep your drinks and snacks cool. The tour guides should hopfully bring enough but its always an idea to bring more in-case you breakdown or get stuck in sand.
Rent or buy the right equipment: If you’re renting sandboarding equipment, make sure it’s the right size for you. The board should be slightly shorter than your height and have straps to keep your feet in place (if your taking it seriously… If not the tour guides will have boards which are incredibly hard to use as there straps don’t hold you in properly.
Start small and work your way up: If you’re new to sandboarding, start with smaller dunes and work your way up to steeper ones. It’s important to take your time and not rush into anything. Additionally, always sandboard with a partner and stay within sight of each other. The dunes are bigger than you think and landing on hot sand at high speed isn’t fun as you think.
Mind your surroundings: Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid areas with rocks, cacti, or other obstacles that can cause injury. Additionally, be aware of your location and have a map or GPS device with you in case you get lost (unlikely) – There’s also a lot of wild animals (snakes) in the Sahara to be aware of, we didn’t see any unfortunately.
Have fun and enjoy the experience: Sandboarding is a unique and exhilarating experience that should be enjoyed to the fullest. Take breaks when needed, hydrate, and have fun. Don’t forget to take in the breath-taking views of your desert tour Egypt and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Always Check Travel Advice: Egypt has had it’s issues over the year and some places can be very remote so double check the latest travel advice from the Official UK travel website. Al Fayoum is South-West of Cairo on the map.
In conclusion, taking a desert tour Egypt and trying sandboarding for the first time can be an unforgettable experience. Remember to dress appropriately, wear the right footwear, pack plenty of water and snacks, rent or buy the right equipment, start small and work your way up, mind your surroundings, and have fun. By following these tips, you’ll be able to make the most of your day and ensure a safe and enjoyable sandboarding adventure.
If you’re looking for more great things to do in Egypt apart from the incredible desert tour Egypt, be sure to check out my ‘Top 10 things to do in Egypt’ blog post.
