When to go
The best time to visit the White Desert
The best time to visit the White Desert is October to April, when days are warm and dry (about 20 to 30°C) and the sky at night is at its clearest. October, November, February and March are the easiest months: warm in the day and cool rather than cold at night. December and January are beautiful but the camp can drop close to freezing after midnight. From May to September the desert is very hot, often 35 to 40°C by midday, so most trips stop.
Approximate averages at Bahariya
The White Desert month by month
| Month | Day, approx. | Night, approx. | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C | 5°C, near 0°C in camp | Coldest nights of the year; superb clear skies |
| February | 22°C | 6°C | Still cold at night, very pleasant by day |
| March | 26°C | 9°C | Lovely, but the first spring winds can raise sand |
| April | 31°C | 13°C | Warm; the highest chance of a sandstorm day |
| May | 35°C | 18°C | Hot by midday; go early and late |
| June to August | 37°C and above | 20 to 22°C | Too hot for most; the August 2027 eclipse is the exception |
| September | 34°C | 19°C | Still hot; better towards the end |
| October | 30°C | 15°C | The season opens; warm nights, easy camping |
| November | 25°C | 10°C | Many people's favourite month |
| December | 21°C | 6°C, near 0°C in camp | Busy around the holidays; pack for real cold |
Figures are rounded averages for Bawiti, the town in Bahariya Oasis. The camp in the open desert is usually a few degrees colder at night than the town, and a clear winter night can feel colder still in the wind.
Winter
How cold is the White Desert at night?
Colder than most people expect. The desert loses its heat quickly once the sun goes down, so a 20°C afternoon in January can become a night around 0 to 5°C in camp. Good operators bring thick blankets or sleeping bags and keep a fire going, but you still need a warm jacket, a hat and layers to sleep in.
See the White Desert packing list and what the camp is like.
Spring
Sandstorms and wind
March and April bring the hot spring wind that Egyptians call the khamaseen. On some days it lifts sand into the air, cuts visibility and makes a night outside unpleasant. Most days are fine, but if your dates are flexible, autumn has calmer weather. If a windy day comes, the team can move the camp to a sheltered spot behind the rocks.
Night sky
Picking dates for the stars
With no towns nearby, the White Desert has one of the darkest skies within reach of Cairo. For the most stars and the Milky Way, go within a few days of the new moon. A full moon has its own magic: the white rocks glow almost like snow and you can walk around camp without a torch, but you will see far fewer stars.
2 August 2027
The one summer exception: the 2027 eclipse
The total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027 crosses the Western Desert, and Bahariya Oasis gets about 6 minutes 17 seconds of totality around midday under a sky that is almost always clear. It will be very hot, so plan shade, water and a night in the desert either side rather than a long drive on the day. See planning a trip for the 2027 eclipse.
Putting it together
Fitting it into an Egypt trip
- 1Before or after the Nile. The White Desert sits well at the start or end of a trip, from Cairo, so the Nile season and the desert season match: October to April.
- 2Avoid the busiest nights. Christmas, New Year and Egyptian holidays fill the camps; book those weeks early.
- 3Give it a night. Whatever the month, the overnight camp is the trip people remember. See how many days to allow.
Asked often
When to go, answered
- What is the best month to visit the White Desert?
- November and March are the favourites: warm days, cool nights and clear skies. October, February and April are also good. December and January are lovely by day but the camp can get close to freezing at night.
- Can you visit the White Desert in summer?
- It is possible, but from June to August midday temperatures pass 37°C and there is almost no shade, so most trips stop. If you must go, travel in the late afternoon, camp overnight and leave after sunrise.
- How cold does it get at night?
- In December and January expect around 0 to 5°C in camp after midnight. In October, November, March and April nights are usually 10 to 15°C.
- When is sandstorm season?
- March and April, when the spring wind can lift sand. Most days are still clear, and the team can move the camp to shelter if the wind picks up.
- Is the White Desert in the path of the 2027 eclipse?
- Yes. Bahariya Oasis, the gateway to the White Desert, gets about 6 minutes 17 seconds of totality on 2 August 2027.
