Travel Guide

Place to Visit: Farafra

Into the White Desert

Nile Valley, Egypt

Halfway between Bahariya and Dakhla Farafra is the Western Desert’s smallest oasis and the location of the amazing mushroom-shaped rocks of the White Desert which lies on its doorstep. A visit to Farafra will give an insight into what was until recently a threatened way of life and allow an exploration of the White Desert.

Great Reasons To Visit

  • Explore the White Desert on a camel or 4WD safari, spending the night if at all possible
  • Take a look at Badr’s Museum, with its exhibits of desert life
  • Wash away the dust in the sulphurous waters of Bir Sitta

Background

The remotest of the Western Desert oases Farafra has nevertheless made-good since investment in irrigation in the 60’s again enable crops to flourish. The town itself is small and surrounded by date palms, soft-fruit and citrus groves; beyond lies the amazing Western Desert. Whilst travellers to Farafra are assured a warm welcome at the few lodging places in town, camping is the way to go to see the best of the area.

Relaxing

As you would expect there is little in the form of organised entertainment in Farafra. Some of the safari hotels serve beer and if spending a night can be pleasant places to meet locals and travellers alike.

Farafra

There are two main attractions in the area with the White Desert being the primary reason for most people’s visit. The soft rock has been sculpted by the windblown sand into a variety of weird shapes from mushrooms to, with imagination, those resembling animals. A visit is a must-do activity for anyone in the area.

Whilst here also take a peep into Badr’s Museum. A local artist Badr has created a museum dedicated to displaying desert life and a visit is worthwhile. The spring known locally as Bir Sitta is a great place to wash off the dust and like those elsewhere is a lovely place to relax at night if you have your own transport. The old Qasr Farafra fort is now largely a crumbling ruin, though some houses do remain.

Bir Sitta

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Western Desert, Egypt

Bir Sitta or ‘Well 6’ is a hot spring lying some 5 km northwest of Farafra. It’s a great place for an evening soak and often used by travellers visiting the area on organised tours.

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