The Ultimate Desert Experience in Siwa Egypt

Traveling to the desert is an experience unlike any other. There is a sense of vastness, quiet, and wonder that you can’t find anywhere else. But it becomes truly unforgettable when you do it in the right place. I have explored deserts in dozens of countries and joined countless desert tours, yet I can say with complete certainty that my most recent adventure in Egypt stands out as the most incredible and memorable desert experience I have ever had. The combination of the landscape, the culture, and the sense of timelessness in Siwa is unlike anywhere else in the world, and I cannot wait to share why this desert holds such a special place in my travel memories.

This desert experience took place in the city of Siwa, a stunning oasis located in the far western part of Egypt, near the border with Libya. Reaching Siwa is not the easiest journey from major cities like Cairo or Alexandria, but the effort is absolutely worth it. The trip can be a bit challenging, with long drives and military checkpoints along the way, and its remote location means it is far removed from the bustle of Egypt’s larger cities. Yet, this remoteness is exactly what makes Siwa so special.

Driving through the middle of the sand dunes in the desert in Siwa.

Siwa is a relatively small town, and there isn’t a lot of activity in the way of nightlife or crowded tourist attractions. But that’s part of the magic. In the desert here, you really feel alone with the landscape. Unlike some other desert experiences, like in Morocco or the Sahara, where it can feel touristy or overwhelming, Siwa just feels authentic. The environment and landscapes are out of this world, and being there makes you feel like you’re on a completely different planet, in the middle of nowhere. It’s honestly surreal.

Beautiful Siwa desert landscapes at sunset.

The experience we had in Siwa was pure thrill, excitement, and adventure from start to finish. I spent the entire day laughing, smiling, singing, dancing, and just soaking in every single moment because it was honestly that incredible. There’s something about being completely in the moment in a place like this that makes you feel fully alive, and this day was exactly that.

We started by meeting our guides and splitting into four 4×4 vehicles, ready to take on the desert. As soon as we left the main part of Siwa, we were in the middle of nowhere. At first, we drove on flat ground, but before long we were climbing huge sand dunes. Driving across the shifting sand, feeling the wind, and watching the patterns the wind made in the dunes was insane. The drivers knew the desert like it was the back of their hand. No maps, no signs, nothing but their experience. Driving fast, going up and down the dunes, and just feeling the movement of the sand beneath us was such a rush, and I loved every second of it.

The guides made the day even more fun. They played music, encouraged us to put our heads out the windows, and even let us sit on the edges of the cars while they carefully drove across some of the dunes. It was wild, exciting, and just a lot of fun. Sand flying everywhere, the cars bouncing up and down, and just being in the middle of the desert with nothing around you made it feel like we were part of the desert itself. I will never forget those moments and would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Some of the sand dollars that we found in the middle of the desert in Siwa.

At some point we stopped to explore on foot. Walking through the dunes with no one else around felt completely surreal. It was quiet and otherworldly. We even came across a part of the desert with fossils. Sand dollars, shells, and remnants of ancient sea life were scattered everywhere. Standing there, knowing this desert used to be underwater, was mind-blowing. The guides shared stories about the history of the area, which made it feel like we were experiencing both adventure and a little history lesson at the same time.

Later we found a small area with water and sat on a dune for a picnic. We had tea, juice, fruit, and snacks. I just sat there taking it all in. The sun, the sand, the quiet, the sky, everything felt so perfect. It was one of those moments where you just stop and think about how lucky you are to be there.

Sand boarding down the sand dunes at golden hour in the Siwa desert.

As the day went on, we headed to some massive dunes just as the sun was starting to set. The golden light made everything look so unreal. We went sandboarding up and down the dunes, racing each other and laughing, and the views were uninterrupted, endless desert in every direction. Watching the sun go down while sitting around a bonfire with tea, surrounded by this incredible place, was surreal. The colors of the sky were so bright and intense, it felt like the whole world had slowed down just for us.

Just when I thought the day couldn’t get any better, it did. We drove a little further and, in the middle of nowhere, we stumbled upon a candlelit dinner. Rugs on the sand, a bonfire in the center, and tables with local Egyptian dishes made the scene feel magical. We ate under a sky packed with stars, drank tea, roasted marshmallows, and just enjoyed the peaceful, beautiful setup the guides had created. It was the perfect way to end an already unforgettable day.

Incredible desert sunset in the middle of nowhere in Siwa!

This tour was incredible for so many reasons. Most of all, it felt real and uninterrupted. I never saw another tourist, and nothing felt staged or overdone. It was adventure, learning, and fun all in one, in one of the most remote and surreal places I have ever been. I felt like I could fully enjoy everything, the landscape, the activities, the energy of the guides, without any distractions. This is one of the most memorable desert experiences I have ever had, in Egypt or anywhere else.

If you are in Egypt and want to go to Siwa, I highly recommend going with Stamps Tours. They offer full tours that let you experience the desert in a way that feels authentic, adventurous, and unforgettable. Siwa has so much to offer, from adventure to otherworldly landscapes, and it is the perfect escape from cities like Cairo. For me, this tour was everything I could have hoped for and more, and it is a memory I will keep forever.


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