Poor mans desert exploring - Gilf Kebir

[Arch]

Hi,

I have become really interested in the Gilf Kebir area while planing my trip to Cape Town next year, but the more i read the more I find it is out of reach for the budget of our trip and the fact we are on bikes.

As doing a tour is certainly out of our budget, is their any other way of exploring this area with maybe a local guide/jeep from one of the 'near' towns? (I am guessing that getting the correct paperwork and permits on our own is going to be one of the negatives towards this option if it was possible/advised)

Or

What could be a good alternative for us...Does anyone have any suggestions of a good route/areas in Western Egypt that maybe a bit more accesible for us to explore?

Thanks

Archie

...Or even is there anyone out there who woud let us tag along with their trip in March to share expenses of a tour maybe?

[jamieT]

Archie,

There are lots of possibilities but the Gilf is not really one of them. We were lucky enough to do a bikes only Gilf trip, with fuel dumps and the occasional meet with suppport 8 years ago, but it seems that nothing is possible that far south without compulsory guides/military/police, and hence expensive.

However, depending on your off road ability (and tyres usually) there are lots of possibilities.... from day trips from Cairo, to multi day trips supported by a guide from Siwa/Bahareya/Farafra.

Before now we've simply hired a guide with a pick up or Landcruiser, thrown all of our gear in the back and he's followed us out to have desert fun. It would probably be more suitable for you to follow him....ish.

Permits for small trips of just a few days staying relatively close to the oasis loop (or Siwa town) are quite straight forward at the moment.

Not sure what we're up to in March, but keep in touch and fire away for more details.

[ursula]

hi
the cheapest way to travel through the Western Desert is to stay on the main Oasis road. There are nice places and dunes to discover and make camp just near the tar.
To pass the police and military controls a reservation of a hotel in Dakhla or Kharga is very helpful.

The Gilf Kebir is a lot of hassle and costs - this paperwork takes days and days and for the permissions you need a TO.
Franco Picco who used to offer bike trips to the Gilf has therefore stopped his expeditions and has gone elsewhere.

Good luck
Ursula
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72664388@N00/

[Arch]

Thank you both for the replies.

JamieT, this guide with a pick up option sounds interesting and could suit us well. How much were you paying a day for these guides? Is there a particular area you could recommend doing this?

Permit wise for veering of the main road, how and where can we get these?

We will certainly keep in touch and give you a shout nearer the time incase you have any plans.

Ursula, Thanks for the tip of the hotel reservation, will certainly remember that. Great photos btw!

[ursula]

view from the main road - gorgeous, isnt it?

[goodwoodweirdo]

Its amazing out there, for white desert trips I strongly recommend Ahmed Abed from Farafra Oasis www.rahala-safari.com or sahara_farafra@yahoo.com …. I’ve been looking into a Gilf Kabir trip including the classics like Eight Bells, pottery hill etc but haven’t found an operator, plenty of old reports on the internet but nothing recent. Ahmed would arrange a trip but needs to be 8 paying and 3 vehicles.. so we’re 2 !!

One day I’ll make it there… but for now might need to be happy with the amazing black & white deserts…
Cheers
Matt

[ursula]

hi Matt
there are trips for 2 persons to the Gilf Kebir - it depends of your budget
for example http://www.sandrose-hotel-baharia.co...d/tour2_en.pdf
good luck
Ursula

>>> google with
gilf kebir "2 persons"
to find more

[goodwoodweirdo]

Fantastic, many thanks.. I'll keep looking...

Douhhh I guess my google search was too complicated :-)

[Trumpton]

Drop mariusz Budek an email, he may be able to help, I've done 4 gilf trips with him, he also does all other areas too.
Saharainfo@egyptian-sahara.com