Luxury Sahara
Tours made for you
The city of Fayoum
dating back to 3200 BC
Prehistoric history
explore the many sites across the desert
Wadi El Rayan National Park
for climbing, swimming and sandboarding
Desert Oases
to explore the olive groves, salt lakes and mineral springs
Dry deserts contrast with lush oases
The Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert spanning a massive 9,200,000 square kilometres (3,600,000 square miles). It engulfs most of north Africa, including massive swathes of Egypt. In fact the Nile Valley, where the bustling metropolis of Cairo sits, officially falls within the Sahara’s reach. That being said, rolling dunes and vast, empty yellow sand plates are easily accessible from the capital and hold incredible opportunities to uncover rich culture, prehistoric history, and lush oases complete with waterfalls and pools.
Siwa, an oasis in the dry dusty Western Desert, promises visitors an eye opening adventure. In what feels like the middle of nowhere it’s a surprise to come across an abundance of olive and palm groves, azure blue natural swimming pools and incredible history. There’s the Shali Fortress which dominates the town, the Temple of the Oracle, once visited by Alexander the Great himself, and there’s even the Siwa House Museum.
The great dunes themselves, orange and yellow and sweeping into the horizon, can become a wonderful outdoor playground. Exciting excursions such as sand boarding or dune driving in adapted 4×4 jeeps that feel like rocket-like roller coasters as they take the dunes at speed, are fun ways to experience the magnitude of the desert landscapes.
Highlights
Marvel at giant prehistoric whale skeletons at the UNESCO site of Wadi El Hitan
On horseback, wade through the shallow waters of Lake Qarun, surrounded by vast desert and swaying palms
Lace up your hiking boots and set out with your guide to scale the mighty sand dunes of Wadi Al Rayan
Be amazed and lush, verdant oasis villages and towns, surrounded by hot, dry desert
Jack Beckford
Travel Designer
What I love most about the Sahara is the secrets it holds. Everyone is always so surprised by its lakes, pools and waterfalls. There is something so special about the sunsets and sunrises here too, the deep reds, oranges and yellows are intense and spectacular.
Jack Beckford
Travel Designer
Trip Inspiration
Discover more of Egypt
Cairo
The capital, Cairo, is steeped in history and bustling with diverse neighbourhoods and contemporary quarters and home to the famous Giza Pyramids.
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Alexandria
A Mediterranean seaside city, ancient landmarks, delicious seafood and iconic historical sites.
Discover more
Aswan and Abu Simbel
Deep in the desert and home to one of Egypts most impressive temple complexes
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Luxor
Set on the banks of the Nile, Luxor promises stunning touring of both Karnak and Luxor temples
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Red Sea
Warm waters, sandy beaches, luxury hotels and plenty of activities to enjoy at the Red Sea
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Nile
Spend balmy evenings on a luxury cruise floating down the historic River Nile, or try your hand at Felucca sailing.
Discover moreMeet your Middle East team
When to Visit
Egypt’s Sahara is a surprising contrast of masses of sweeping sands and verdant oases and national parks. Unsurprisingly the summer temperatures (June to August) are sweltering and best to be avoided. During October to November and April to March the daytime temperatures are best suited to adventures and activities. In peak winter, December and January, the nighttime temperatures can reach below freezing.
Peak summer
June - Aug
Coolest temperatures
Dec - Jan
Plan your trip to the Sahara
Whatever you want from your adventure in the Sahara, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.