Drive to Bahariya
Depart Cairo early in the morning for Bahariya Oasis
5.0 on TripadvisorPrivate tour 2 Days White Desert Safari from Cairo
Two days from Cairo to the White Desert by 4x4, with one night in a camp among the chalk formations and a stop in the Black Desert on the way.
- Duration
- 2 days / 1 night
- Route
- Cairo, Bahariya, White Desert, Cairo
- Transport
- Private vehicle on the road, 4x4 in the desert
- Sleeping
- 1 night in a desert camp
From, per person$3006 or more travellers · 3-star hotels
- Starts any day
- Free quote, no obligation
- Change anything you like
Why travellers choose this trip
This is the shortest way to sleep in the White Desert. You leave Cairo early on day 1, drive west by road, change to a 4x4 in the desert, and camp for one night. On day 2 you walk among the chalk formations at first light and drive back.
The White Desert lies in the Farafra depression, about 570 km south-west of Cairo according to its Wikipedia entry. That is a long way for two days, so most of both days is spent in a vehicle.
It suits travellers with limited time who still want a night under the stars. It does not suit anyone who dislikes long drives, basic camp facilities or cold nights. If you want to see the Bahariya sites or Farafra as well, the 3-day and 4-day trips in this category give you the time.
Black Desert
A drive through a field of dark, volcano-shaped mounds
White Desert
A walk among wind-carved chalk formations
Tented camp
An overnight stay with dinner prepared over a fire
Night sky
No city lights nearby
Sunrise walk
On day 2, then the road back to Cairo
Places on this trip: Bahariya, White Desert
Your route
1Cairo1 night
2Bahariya
3White Desert
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 · White DesertCairo to the White Desert
Pick-up. Your driver collects you from your Cairo hotel early in the morning in the private vehicle, with bottled water on board. The road runs about 370 km to Bahariya Oasis. You stop there for lunch, which is included, and change to the desert 4x4 with your local desert guide.
Afternoon. South of Bahariya the route crosses the Black Desert, a belt about 30 km long of mounds up to 100 m high, capped with dark basalt. Your guide stops at a viewpoint and explains what you are looking at, then the 4x4 continues to the White Desert. You reach the chalk formations in time to walk among them before sunset and to help set up camp.
Evening. Dinner is cooked on the fire and is included. You sleep in a tent on a mat. Bedding and what to bring are confirmed when you book. UK government advice says visitors to Bahariya, Farafra, the White Desert and the Black Desert must apply for permits in advance and use an official guide. We arrange the permits and confirm them when you book.
- Pick-upPrivate transfer to your hotel
- GuideYour private guide
- TransportPrivate air-conditioned vehicle
- MealsLunch, Dinner
Overnight in desert camp - 2
Day 2 · White Desert, CairoSunrise and return
Morning. Breakfast is at camp as the light changes on the chalk, and it comes with the camp night. Your guide walks you through the formations close to camp and explains how wind and sand carved them. Then you break camp and the 4x4 takes you back to Bahariya, with your local guide and bottled water as on the first day.
Return. At Bahariya you continue by road to Cairo, with lunch included on the way. Timings for the return are confirmed when you book. The drop-off is at your Cairo hotel or the airport. Book flights that leave late in the evening or the next day, because the arrival time in Cairo depends on the desert track and the road.
- Drop-offPrivate transfer to the airport or station
- GuideYour private guide
- TransportPrivate air-conditioned vehicle
- MealsBreakfast, Lunch
Trip ends in Cairo
How much does this 2-day trip cost?
| Per person, by group size | 3-star hotels | 4-star hotels | 5-star hotels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single traveller | $475 | $560 | $730 |
| Sharing a double room 2 travellers | $370 | $440 | $570 |
| 3 to 5 travellers | $325 | $385 | $500 |
| 6 or more travellers | $300 | $350 | $455 |
In US dollars, per person, for a private trip. The price in your written quote, made for your dates and group, is the one that counts. International flights are not included. Choose a hotel level in the booking box to see the total for your group.
Where you’ll stay
Desert camp · 1 night
Tented camp with dinner and breakfast.
Trip ends in Cairo · 1 night
Hotel with breakfast.
What’s included
Included
- Private vehicle on the road and a 4x4 in the desert, with driver
- Local desert guide for both days
- 1 night in a desert camp: tent, sleeping mat, cooked dinner and breakfast
- Lunch on both days
- Bottled water
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cairo
- Desert permits, arranged by us and confirmed when you book
Not included
- International flights and Egypt visa
- Drinks other than water
- Optional extras
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Booking policies
Important information
- International flights, the Egypt visa, extra-ticket tombs, optional tours, drinks and tips are not included.
- Programs can start on any day. We may change a time, route or hotel for reasons we cannot control, and offer you the closest alternative.
- You need a valid passport and the right visa for your nationality. Apply on the official Egyptian eVisa portal.
- Tell us about any health, mobility or diet need before you book, so that we can plan around it.
Payment and deposit
- Prices are in US dollars and the price in your written quote is the one that counts.
- The deposit is 30 percent of the total price (50 percent for trips that start from 18 December to 5 January).
- The balance is due 15 days before arrival. If you book later than that, the full amount confirms the booking.
- Payment instructions come with your written quote.
Cancellation and refund
Send every cancellation by email so that we can confirm it in writing. The charge is a percentage of the tour price, and anything you paid above it is refunded.
| Days before arrival | Normal dates | 18 Dec to 5 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Until 61 days | 20% | 35% |
| 60 to 31 days | 35% | 50% |
| 30 to 15 days | 50% | 75% |
| 14 to 1 days, or no-show | 100% | 100% |
A bank and payment fee of 6 percent is deducted from every refund. Full rules: terms and policies.
Children
- Children under 3 travel free.
- Children from 3 to 11.99 years pay 50 percent of the tour price.
- From 12 years, travellers pay the adult price.
Please give the age of every child at the time of travel when you ask for a quote.
Travel tips
Good to know before you go
Best time
October to April is the comfortable season. The Christmas and New Year weeks (18 December to 5 January) sell out first.
Visa
Many passports get an e-Visa online or a visa on arrival in Cairo. Check yours before you fly.
What to pack
Light layers, a hat, sunscreen and closed shoes. Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches.
Money & tipping
Cards work in hotels; carry small notes for tips. Tipping is expected but not included.
Traveller reviews
What our travellers say
A Fantastic Tour of Egypt
“The entire trip was seamlessly executed.”
Best tour guide!!
“He made our trip to the pyramids and Alexandria fun and memorable.”
Amazing 2 week trip
“My friends and I spent two weeks in Egypt and he was with us every step of the way.”
FAQ
Questions about this trip
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and a real person from our team will answer.
How cold is the White Desert camp at night?
Cold. The Farafra entry on Wikipedia gives an average January low of 4.1 degrees C and a record low below freezing. Bring a warm jacket, a hat and warm trousers from October to March.
Which season suits this trip?
October to March is the usual camping window, when days are mild and nights are cold. Summer is hard on a camp: Bahariya's July average maximum is about 37 degrees C, according to Wikipedia.
Is two days too short?
You spend most of both days on the road. You get one evening and one morning in the formations. If you want a second night or the Bahariya sites, choose the 3-day trip.
Will we see wildlife?
We cannot promise it. The park lists gazelles and foxes among its animals, but desert animals are shy and rarely seen on a short camp.
Add a day
Day tours you can add to this trip
8 Hours Cairo, Giza
Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis Private Day Tour
- Private guide and car
- Free enquiry, no payment now
- Quote usually within 24 hours
13 Hours Cairo, Fayoum, Wadi El Hitan
Wadi El Hitan Whale Valley Private Day Tour from Cairo
- Private guide and car
- Free enquiry, no payment now
- Quote usually within 24 hours
14 Hours Alexandria, Cairo, Rosetta
Rosetta (Rashid) and Alexandria Private Day Tour from Cairo
- Private guide and car
- Free enquiry, no payment now
- Quote usually within 24 hours
Same style
More Egypt Safari Tours
Egypt Safari Tours 3 days / 2 nights Bahariya · Black Desert · Cairo · White Desert
3 Days Bahariya, White & Black Desert Safari
Three days from Cairo: a night in Bahariya Oasis, the Black Desert by 4x4, and a camp in the White Desert, with time to see the oasis properly.
- Private vehicle, 4x4 in the desert
- 1 night in a hotel in Bahariya, 1 night in a desert camp
Egypt Safari Tours 3 days / 2 nights Cairo · Fayoum · Wadi El Hitan · Wadi El Rayan
3 Days Fayoum Oasis & Wadi El Hitan Safari
Three days south-west of Cairo: Lake Qarun, the Wadi El Rayan lakes and dunes, and the whale fossils of Wadi El Hitan, with a night in a desert camp.
- Private vehicle, 4x4 on the unpaved tracks
- 1 night in a hotel in Fayoum, 1 night in a desert camp
Egypt Safari Tours 3 days / 2 nights Eastern Desert · Hurghada
3 Days Red Sea Desert Safari from Hurghada
Three days based in Hurghada: a 4x4 into the Eastern Desert and the Red Sea Mountains, one night in a desert camp, and a morning by the sea.
- Private 4x4
- 1 night in a hotel in Hurghada, 1 night in a desert camp
Before you go
Guides for this trip
Egypt desert regions: permits, seasons and safety rules for oases, White Desert, Siwa, Fayoum and Sinai
Read the guide
Egypt packing list: what to bring by season, cruise and desert day
Read the guide
What to wear in Egypt in 2026: clothing by season and place, mosques, churches, sun and shoes
Read the guideYou may also like
Similar Egypt tour packages
Classic Egypt Tours 8 days / 7 nights Abu Simbel · Aswan · Cairo · Luxor
8 Days Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel
Seven hotel nights, no cruise: three in Cairo, two in Luxor, two in Aswan, with a day flight to Abu Simbel and a road day via Edfu and Kom Ombo.
- None, hotels only
- Four domestic flights, private vehicle Luxor to Aswan
Budget Egypt Tours 9 days / 8 nights Abu Simbel · Aswan · Cairo · Luxor
9 Days Cairo, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel
Sleeper train to Luxor, 4 nights on a Standard category ship to Aswan, then Abu Simbel by road convoy on day 9 before a flight to Cairo.
- 4 nights Luxor to Aswan, Standard category, full board
- Sleeper train, Nile cruise, road convoy, one domestic flight
Budget Egypt Tours 8 days / 7 nights Aswan · Cairo · Luxor
8 Days Cairo, Luxor & Aswan Overland
Hotels only: a sleeper train to Luxor, then the road to Aswan through Edfu and Kom Ombo, and a flight back to Cairo on day 8.
- None, hotels only
- Sleeper train, private vehicle, one domestic flight
Tell us your dates. We’ll send a day-by-day plan and a clear price.
Free and no obligation, from our team in Giza.