
The Black Desert | Bahariya Oasis
The Black Desert
the black desert contains many unique geological forms that characterize this region, and it is one of the most important attractions that attract tourists, as approximately 70,000 tourists visit it annually.
The Black Mountains are associated with some historical events dating back to the British occupation of Egypt, such as the “English Mountain,” which was named after the concentration of English troops on it during the period of the British occupation of the oasis.
The mountain is characterized by its black summit because it contains basalt, a volcanic rock that indicates ancient volcanic activity in the area.
These stones vary in shape, height, size, composition, and even colors, with some being darker and others being redder.
Among the most famous mountains in the Black Desert region is Al-Marsous Mountain, which is a crater consisting of sandstone rocks covered with basalt cliffs that appear in the form of stacked columns, so the people of the Bahariya Oasis called it Al-Marsous Mountain, and its area is estimated at 2 km², and Panorama Mountain, where visitors to the Black Desert used to climb to it to take panoramic pictures of the Black Desert from the highest point.
Bahariya Oasis
Since ancient times, the ancient Egyptians have been interested in the Egyptian Bahariya Oases, and the Romans came after them due to the huge agricultural potential that provided decent livelihoods for them.
This region became a breadbasket for the pharaohs and Romans for long periods, and the biggest proof of this is the number of tombs, temples, and churches that have been discovered in the Bahariya Oases.
As for the most important tourist attractions available in the Bahariya Oasis, it is a vast flat plain and a densely cultivated area, especially the airport well area, which is a historical monument to a main well that represents a deep natural rocky break that reaches its water to agricultural areas 10 to 15 kilometers away through a group of Roman wells. It is a sandy plateau overlooking a group of vast crops in a valley surrounded by a group of high mountains and represents a panorama of the region, as well as a pharaonic funerary temple with two sources of water, one cold and the other hot, that meet in one path in a deep rocky cavity inside a mountain cave.
Dinosaur bones discovered in the Bahariya Oasis desert
Dinosaur bones were discovered in the Bahariya Oasis desert in the Western Desert, which was also reported by Egyptian newspapers, including Al-Ahram on its front page. After studying it, it turned out to be the largest dinosaur found so far, reaching a height of about 30 meters.
11 mummies discovered in Bahariya Oasis
This is the first time Egyptian excavators have found mummies with facial expressions, and the mummies discovered date back 1800 years.
The Black Desert is not like the golden dunes of the Sahara; it derives its name from dark volcanic stones and rocks strewn across its surface. The black-topped hills, remnants of the long-silenced ancient volcanoes, rise sheer into the sky where they meet the harsh sand backdrop, magically contrasting as though one stepped onto another planet.
This is one of the most different areas in the world for the tourists coming to Egypt on their way to the White Desert, the Black Desert. Over thousands of years, the volcanic activity in this site has formed it. Today, black stones of hardened lava decorate the Black Desert of Egypt. In some parts of the area, you observe grand hills covered with black stones and other extensive plains with orange-brown terrain.
The mountains all over the black desert are completely covered with a layer of dust and black rocks, which has given the name to the area. You can climb up one of the highest peaks to get a panoramic view of the whole site of the Black Desert Bahariya Oasis, enjoy the wonderful views of its strange landscape, and observe the iron composition of the black stones.
The most frequent is to access by private four-wheel driving vehicle because the public transport that passes by the area doesn't have an established stop in the Black Desert. There is the possibility to stay in the Black Desert overnight.
The White Desert Egypt tour usually takes you also to visit the Black Desert, located to the north of Farafra Oasis in Western Sahara. This name is called due to the existence of a layer of black powder covering its mountains, plateaus, and sand; this black material came as a result of rock erosion over the years. It is closer to Bahriya Oasis than Farafra, approximately 50 km to the south of Bawiti. Before you leave the Black Desert heading south, you will see 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 an amazing view of the strange landscape during your White Desert tours.