Prices
What a White Desert trip costs
A shared two-day, one-night White Desert camping trip from Cairo costs about US$150 to US$300 per person. That usually covers the transfer from Cairo, the 4x4 with a local driver, the camp, dinner, breakfast and lunch, water, the permit and the stops on the way. A private trip, a third day or a stay in a Bahariya hotel costs more. Drinks beyond water and tea, and tips for the driver and cook, are extra.
In the price
What the price usually includes
- 1Transport from Cairo. Pick-up from your hotel in Cairo or Giza and the drive to Bahariya, about four hours, then the 4x4 into the desert.
- 2The 4x4 and driver. A local Bedouin driver who knows the desert, and the fuel.
- 3The camp. Mattresses, blankets, the windbreak or tents, and the fire.
- 4Meals. Usually lunch and dinner on the first day and breakfast on the second, with water, tea and coffee.
- 5Permit and stops. The paperwork for the park and the stops: Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, Agabat and the White Desert itself.
Not in the price
What is usually extra
Soft drinks, snacks for the road, any museum ticket in Bahariya, and tips. Tipping the driver and cook at the end is normal in Egypt; bring some Egyptian pounds in cash, as there are no card machines in the desert. Ask whether the national park entry fee is in your quote; on our trips we tell you up front.
Shared or private
What makes a trip cost more or less
- 1Shared or private. A shared trip splits the 4x4 with other travellers; a private one is just your group and costs more per person, less so for four to six.
- 2Nights. A second night, usually in a Bahariya hotel or a second camp, adds a day and a cost but makes the trip far less rushed.
- 3Group size. A 4x4 carries up to about six people, so a family or group of friends fills a car and pays less each.
- 4Dates. Christmas, New Year and Egyptian holidays are the busiest and book up first.
- 5Starting point. Joining in Bahariya saves the Cairo transfer if you are already there.
Tell us how many you are and your dates and we will quote the exact trip. See how many days to allow.
Be careful
When a price looks too low
A very low price often means a long day in a crowded car, a short stop in the desert in the midday heat, or a camp without proper bedding. Check what is included, how many people share the car, where you sleep and when you get back to Cairo before you compare prices. See choosing a safe operator.
Asked often
White Desert prices, answered
- How much is a White Desert tour from Cairo?
- A shared two-day, one-night camping trip from Cairo costs about US$150 to US$300 per person, including transport, the 4x4, the camp and meals. Private trips cost more.
- Is the White Desert worth the money?
- For most people, yes: it is the trip many say they remember most. The overnight camp is what makes it worth it, so choose a trip with a night in the desert.
- Are meals included?
- Usually yes: lunch and dinner on the first day and breakfast on the second, with water, tea and coffee.
- How much should I tip the driver and cook?
- Tipping is normal in Egypt. Bring Egyptian pounds in cash and tip at the end, as you would for a guide on a day tour.
- Is a private White Desert trip much more expensive?
- More per person than a shared trip, but the gap narrows for a group of four to six, who fill a 4x4 anyway. Ask us for a quote.
