Camping in the Desert at Fayoum, Egypt: Silence and Stars! by guest blogger Sarah
When you think about Egypt, you probably think about the pyramids and maybe Red Sea coastal resorts such a Hurghada. You probably aren’t thinking about a desert oasis just two hours from Cairo where you can camp out under the stars. And I’m fairly certain you aren’t thinking about seeing a real whale skeleton in the desert!
I experienced these on my latest trip to Egypt and it was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
Camping in the Desert | My desert diary | Fayoum, Egypt
Day 1: Two hours. That’s all it took to leave behind Cairo’s noise and find silence in the desert. Fayoum felt different immediately with green fields, then suddenly there was a desert that seemed endless.
That night, we discovered our tents then made our way to the roaring fire pit. There were carpets on the ground and blankets to keep away the desert chill. Dinner tasted like comfort—grilled meat, rice, warm bread straight from the fire. Plus sweet tea in tin cups. We sat close, sharing stories, sometimes laughter, sometimes just silence. It all felt rather comfortable.
Day 2 – Exploring
We had an early start after breakfast and the air was still cool. Our first stop was Wadi El Rayan. Egypt’s only waterfalls. Water in the middle of the desert was very unexpected. Even more so when we learned they are manmade! Then we went to Wadi El Hitan and was completely amazed by real fossils of whales and whole whale skeletons that are 40 million years. Turns out this stunning desert oasis really was a sea rather long time ago. Now, it’s home to silence and sand. I could have stayed there all day!
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Day 3 – Back to the desert
We had only planned to stay one night. But the desert had captured our hearts. So we booked a private day trip back into into the desert. We visited temple of Sobek and Ra at Qasr Qarun and Medinet Quta, which took my breath away. Then we had time to go back to Wadi El Rayan to quietly sit and enjoy the desert.
An amazing day was followed by an equally amazing night in the camp. Wanting to absorb as much of this mesmerising location, I wandered to the edge of the camp after dinner and sat watching the sky. Fayoum’s sky gave me shooting stars and the brightest stars I have ever seen.
We left Fayoum the following morning and took a private taxi to Soma Bay with 123 Taxi & Tours Hurghada. But I think I’ll always carry this desert inside me!
Below, I have shared the links I used to book our unique desert adventure. Hopefully you too can go camping in the desert and fall asleep watching shooting stars!