BAHARIYA OASIS

Set in a depression and covering over 2000 square kilometres, Bahariya Oasis is the lowest point in Egypt. Surrounded by black hills made up of ferruginous quartzite and dolerite.

Most of the villages and cultivated land can be viewed from the top of the 50-metre-high Jebel al-Mi'ysrah, together with the massive dunes, which threaten to engulf some of the older settlements. Wildlife is plentiful, especially birds and the fertile land makes it possible to grow a wide number of crops including dates, olives, apricots, rice and corn.

Bawiti is the largest village in the oasis. Set on a hillside, it overlooks lush palm groves irrigated by the Ain al-Beshmo, a natural spring hewn from the rock in Roman times which gushes water at 30^oc. There is the chance to take a dip in the spring.

Another reason for a trip to Bahariya Oasis is that it is the starting point for a fantastic safari into the western desert. Relax in the oases, create reasons for the creation of the Black Desert and explore the lunar like environment that is the white desert.