"Sahara Desert Trekking" Muhafazat Matruh by csordila

Muhafazat Matruh Travel Guide: 124 reviews and 389 photos

For Sahara Trekking is the best the late fall, where daytime highs are in the low 30's or the spring
before the heat and the Oasis-mosquitoes arrive. Occasionally you may encounter the Gibli,
the Saharan Sirocco - a strong, hot, dust laden wind that can make travelling quite unpleasant.

Saharan oasis

The date palms

An oasis can vary in size from about 2.5 acres for a tiny village to larger farm lands. At its hub is water, often in the form of natural springs, artesian wells or entire irrigation systems. The western desert has only 5 oasis.
About 75 percent of the Sahara's population live in oases, which make up only a tiny 800 square miles of the desert's vast sea of sand and gravel. The date palm is most characteristic of the vegetation that flourishes there.
The date palms grow at least 35 m tall, their regular, fierce green foliage is an enchanting sight.

A place of changing topography

..from rocky stream beds to powdery piles of sand

Count Almasy the well known Hungarian desert researcher was a real person, while its character in the Oscar-winner film, The English patient, is mostly fictious.
It's easy to dismiss a desert as being sand, and nothing but mountains of sand. But, just like the less dry areas of Africa, the Sahara is a place of changing topography, from rocky stream beds to powdery piles of sand.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The Sahara is like a Diva, which promises everything,......"
Cons:....but hardly something holds!!!

Last visit to Muhafazat Matruh: Oct 2005
Intro Updated Jan 30, 2012
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (2)

Season of Trekking Things to Do (1)

The best time for visiting the Sahara is probably late autumn or early spring, at this time temperatures range from 15... more travel advice

Safety in Egypt - terrorists' War on... Warnings and Dangers (1)

A tourist police was created following the attacks on tourist target in the country. The authorities do not allow the... more travel advice

Comments (6)

Reply
- Report abuse
MalenaN Mar 29, 2012 at 10:02 AM

When I visited I could take the local bus between most destinations, but not between Aswan and Luxor. They did not allow me to buy a ticket, but told me to wait for the tourist convoy that left a few hours later. In the convoy there was one tourist bus and a taxi, a police car in the front and a police car in the back.
Reply
- Report abuse
hunterV May 18, 2010 at 8:57 AM

Thanks for your interesting story, my friend! Keep well! ><><><
Reply
- Report abuse
Yaqui Jun 17, 2009 at 10:04 PM

Great warning tips, good things to know. Nice page!
Reply
- Report abuse
SLLiew May 30, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Nice camel crossing sign or was it a mirage :) SL
Reply
- Report abuse
Nemorino May 29, 2009 at 3:55 PM

Looks like a fascinating place for trekking -- if you go at the right time of year and keep to secure regions! Interesting warning tip . . .
Reply
- Report abuse
jumpingnorman May 24, 2009 at 3:45 PM

LOL...comparing the Sahara to a diva --- and yet it's so true! Great pages!