What to bring
White Desert packing list
Pack for two climates: sun by day and cold by night. The essentials are a warm jacket, a hat and layers to sleep in, sunglasses, sun cream and a sun hat, closed shoes, a head torch, a charged power bank, toilet paper and wet wipes, cash for tips and your passport for the checkpoints. The camp, bedding, food and water are provided. Keep it to one small soft bag; space in the 4x4 is shared.
Every season
The essentials
- 1Passport. The original, for the police checkpoints and the permit.
- 2Warm layer. A fleece or down jacket for the evening, even in spring and autumn.
- 3Sun protection. Sunglasses, a hat with a brim, sun cream and lip balm.
- 4Closed shoes. Trainers or light boots for rocky ground and sand; sandals for camp if you like.
- 5Head torch. There is no light in camp beyond the fire.
- 6Power bank and spare batteries. There is no electricity and no signal.
- 7Toilet paper, wet wipes, hand gel. And a small bag to carry rubbish out.
- 8Cash. Egyptian pounds for tips and drinks; there are no card machines in the desert.
- 9Medicines. Anything you take, plus something for headaches and stomach upsets.
November to February
Add in winter
Nights in December and January can drop close to freezing in camp. Add a proper warm jacket, a woolly hat, gloves, warm socks and thermal base layers to sleep in. Bedding is provided, but some people like to bring their own light sleeping bag liner. See how cold it gets month by month.
April to October
Add in the hot months
Light, loose, long-sleeved clothes that cover arms and legs, a scarf or buff against sun and blowing sand, and electrolyte sachets. Drink more water than you think you need. Nights are mild, so a light layer is enough.
Photos
For photographers
A wide lens for the formations, a small tripod for the stars, spare batteries (cold drains them) and a bag that keeps out sand. Change lenses inside the car, not in the wind. Drones need a permit in Egypt and are usually confiscated at the airport without one, so leave yours at home.
Not needed
What to leave behind
Hard suitcases (leave the big bag at your Cairo hotel), anything valuable you do not need, and plenty of electronics. Swimwear is worth packing if your trip includes one of the warm springs in Bahariya. See what the camp is like.
Asked often
Packing, answered
- What should I wear in the White Desert?
- Comfortable layers: light clothes and a sun hat for the day, a warm jacket and hat for the evening, and closed shoes for the rocky ground.
- Do I need a sleeping bag?
- No, mattresses and heavy blankets are provided. In December and January bring thermal layers to sleep in; a light liner is a nice extra.
- Can I leave my luggage in Cairo?
- Yes. Most hotels keep bags for guests on a desert trip. Bring one small soft bag.
- Can I bring a drone to the White Desert?
- Drones need a permit in Egypt and are often confiscated at the airport without one, so it is best to leave it at home.
- Is there water at the camp?
- Yes, bottled drinking water is provided. There is no shower, so bring wet wipes.
