Camping trips are a great way to disconnect from our daily-routine. Now that summer is over, we can no longer look forward to the sunny beach for a getaway weekend. But luckily, Egypt is filled with a variety of other landforms that are suitable fall and winter making perfect so a short trip away from the hectic city life.
One of the best ways to escape the city is by going on a camping adventure. Because of Egypt’s unique geography, there are a variety of places across the country that accommodate camping trips.
We have compiled a list of great camping spots scattered near the capital that are ideal for an evening underneath the stars and moonlight.
Wadi Degla
Popular for hiking, Wadi Degla is located minutes away from Maadi in central Cairo. However, many are unaware that the protectorate is also a camping location for many Cairenes making is one of the most accessible camping spots in the capital.
In the late 90s, the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency labeled Wadi Degla as a protectorate to preserve it from environmental threats and deterioration. The protectorate is also home for Egypt’s wildlife such as birds, foxes, bats, and gazelles to name a few, making it a great place to explore a new dimension of the city.
Valley of the Whales – ‘Wadi El Hitan’
A little bit further than the capital is Fayoum’s Valley of the Whales or ‘Wadi El Hitan’, home to yet another great camping location. Located merely hours away from the outskirts of southwestern Cairo, the Valley of the Whales is one of the most accessible locations due to its flat surface and smooth landscape.
Vally of the Whales was labeled by UNESCO as one of the world’s heritage sites. The location’s name is inspired by its heritage. UNESCO’s World Heritage Center noted that the valley provided evolutionary evidence to the progression of whales from land mammals to aquatic mammals. The paleontological location preserves the fossil remains of what are considered to be the ancestors of whales, scientifically known as Archaeoceti, in a museum on the site.
Farafra Oasis
Located in the isolated Farafra Oasis, just a five hour drive from the busy streets of Cairo, lies the magical landscape of Egypt’s White Desert.
It is one of the most unique sites one could set eyes on, with its fascinating calcium rock formations that resemble great abstract and alien statues.
It represents an open museum of geology, paleontology and natural history, formed by centuries of erosion and sandstorms. As you sit at a camp at night, seeing the stars of the White Desert will be an experience never forgotten.
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