Farafra Oasis

Farafra Oasis is a magical hidden gem filled with the most natural attraction in Egypt. The main purpose of this article is to offer every traveler all the facts and information about Farafra Oasis. This article was written by a group of very skilled team of tour operators, tour guides, and travel consultants who know all details about Farafra Oasis.

Within the endless lands of the western desert of Egypt lies a miraculous phenomenon, the Farafra Oasis is one of the purest examples of natural beauty. It has acted as a habitat for some of the most hypnotic natural attractions in Egypt.

The oasis is incredibly beautiful as it has complete quartes of extraordinary architecture filled with incredible colorful drawings featuring the culture of the ancient Bedouin.

1- Location & Climate of Farafra Oasis

Farafra oasis is famed for its geographic location and geological formation, it is located in the western desert between Dakhla and Bahariya Oases inside the border of the new valley governorate. It is 980 km2 (380 sq mi) geological depression which is 170 km away from the Bahaerys Oasis, 627 km away from Cairo, and 370 km southeast of the Mediterranean sea.

The weather in Farafra between October and March has an average temperature of under 86°F (30°C) and reaches high temperatures of 90°F (32°C). The wettest month is September, with an average of 1mm of rainfall.

The average climate is at 19°C, wind N at 5km/h, and humidity levels as 48%. There is also a number of enchanting hot springs like the EL-Mufid lake and Bir Sitta. The Farafra oasis contains over 100 natural water wells which are used in cultivating the land of the oasis. There is also a huge lake called Abu Nus located 15 km to the north.

2. Farafra Oasis Ecolife 

Farafra has a population of more than 20 thousand people. The capital and the most important town in the Farafra Oasis is the city of Qaser Farafra. The oasis is filled with endangered Rhim gazelle and rare Dorcas gazelle, as well as Barbary sheep; Rüppell's, red and fennec foxes; jackals; and the sand cat.

The Oasis has become an irrigated grove of date palms together with citrus, olive, apricot, and carob trees, and is a cool haven amid the arid landscape. In Farafra Oasis is Badrs Museum which the main goal is to shed light on Farafroni history, culture, and traditions.

3- The History of Farafra Oasis

The history of Farafra Oasis dated back to prehistoric times, it was mentioned many times in the ancient texts during the 21st century BC in the reign of the 10th dynasty. The Farafra was referred to as "Ana Akhet" which means "The Land of the Cow" as the cow represented the symbol of fertility in the image of the goddess Hathor.

It was known as the city of conquest & invasion due to its remoteness, Ramses (1279-1213 BC) imported stones from the Farafra oasis and used them in constructing his various temples in Luxor. The site was also the interest of the Romans as many grains were cultivated in its lands, there are also some ruins of some roman temples, tombs, and palaces.

The oasis was also the center for the Copts who escaped the aggressive roman rule. After the Arab conquest in 641 AD, The Farafra oasis flourished due to the trade of the dated and olives plus cloth, tea, and others between it and the Nile. Throughout the modern era of the 19th and 20th centuries as the oasis served as a worship site until today.

4- The White Desert

The white desert of the Farafra Oasis is one of the most famous, popular, and interestingly enchanting locations in the western desert. It is a surface area of around three thousand kilometers, located 5 km north of the town of Qsar El Farafra which is part of the park in the Farafra Oasis found in the New Valley Governorate of Egypt. It is basically a bizarre rock formation while resembles animals, mushrooms, and other strange shapes.

Some believe that the white desert is the ultimate proof of All Might's creative power. The entire area was once covered with seawater as some seashells are located in the halls of the rocks. One of the most known rocks is "The finger of God" or "Al Qubar" which is a 20 m high rock that resembles a huge finger rising from the sandy heart of the western desert.

El Qess Abu Said is the highest part of Farafra Oasis; 353 m above sea level and the lowest part is at Wadi Hennis which is 32 m. In the northeast of the white desert is the Aqabat or the obstacles as it is full of obstructions to whoever tries to enter. In the middle of the white desert is the infamous mountain of Twin Peaks.

5- Black Desert and Crystal Mountain

The black desert of the Oasis was formed out of various volcano small stones and rocks which lay on an orange-brown background like a majestic painting. Close to it is the Crystal Mountain that consists of a barite substance that is much softer than crystals and looks as if it came straight out of a fairy tale.

6. Water wells in Farafra

Farafra Oasis holds a very important geological formation and geographical location which enjoys having a number of natural water wells. The area is filled led with more than 100 wells spread all over Farafra which are used in the aggregation of the cultivated land in the oasis.

Some of the wells in Farafra have become a favorite touristic destination; Bir Sitta is called well number 6, Bir Sab'a is a well-called number 7, and Bir Athnain wa ishrin is the well number 22 which is known to be the most important wells in the Farafra Oasis.

Due to the warm temperature and the slight percentage of Sulfurous in the water of water wells in Farafra, which is ideal to enjoy some swimming and relaxing time. Within the Farafra Oasis is a huge lake that holds well known as Abu Nus located 15 kilometers to the north of the Farafra Oasis.

Tours to Farafra Oasis & Egypt Attractions

There is no place in the world that can match the magical beauty of this oasis so if you ever found yourself in Egypt, don't miss the chance to explore such an incredible place by booking one of our Egypt tours.

Also seize your chance to be a witness to all the historical attractions in the beautiful cities Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan with a wide variety of overland tours and Nile River Cruises.