Black and White Desert Egypt

White desert in Egypt (Sahara el Beyda)

The famous and dramatic gleaming chalk landscape of the Farafra Depression is one of the most astounding natural wonders of Egypt. Travellers call the Black and White Desert Egypt for “The most spectacular part of Egypt”.

The word sahara means desert in Arabic so when you hear the name Sahara el Beyda you could be forgiven that it means one thing – sand, sand and more sand.

Covering more than 2.8 million square kilometers, this desert starts at the western banks of the Nile and continues into Libya and contains five isolated, but thriving, oases: Kharga, Dakhla, Farafra, Bahariyya and Siwa. There are magnificent rock formations that form from wind erosion. The colors change at times from the sun, a beautiful sight to see.

Sahara White Desert Farafra Egypt — The White Desert of Farafra, Egypt Image credit: stttijn

Farafra White Desert — A main geographic attraction of Farafra is its White Desert. Image credit: walidhassanein

Sunset Egypt White Desert — Sunset at White Desert. Wind-eroded limestone formations near Farafra, Egypt. Image credit: 98octane

Rocks Desert Egypt — The White Desert of Farafra, Egypt Image credit: Xavi

Desert Farafra Sunrise Egypt — Sunrise at the White Desert of Farafra, Egypt. Image credit: stttijn

White Desert Egypt Map

Where is the white desert in egypt located.

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Black Desert Egypt

A little to the North of the White Desert, the Black Desert is closer to Bahariya than Farafra; approximately 50 km to the South of Bawiti. The mountains have eroded to coat the desert with a layer of black powder and rocks giving it its name. Towards the end of the Black Desert are black volcanic hills that ages ago erupted a dark volcanic material called dolerite, which is what the black rocks are made of. Climb up the English Mountain which is the highest point in the Black Desert and you will be awarded with an amazing view of the strange landscape.