4x4 trip to Egypt in the Libyan Desert? (page 2 of 2)

The desert loop is open. I was in Bahariyya-Farafra a few weeks ago.

Hi, thanks Sébastien.

Did you go with an agency?

starting from Bahariya, yes for the 4x4

Will you keep a travel journal or do you have a blog where you’ll share your trip?

Not really. I can give you some info in a PM if you'd like.

I'd love to! Thanks.

I wanted to get updated info on desert tours in Egypt.

Here we go—I feel like I’m gonna have visitors soon...😕 😏

Alright, I feel like I'm gonna have visitors soon...

Not right away, but why not in August? Lol: my heart’s torn between Egypt and Algeria. So you’ve been to the Egyptian deserts then? Ahhhhhh! 😄😏

Hi Diamina,

You can reach the Siwa Oasis by taking local buses from Alexandria. I made the trip in March 2018.

If you're interested, you can find more details in an article on my blog:

https://marie-alain.blog4ever.com/egypte-15-au-coeur-du-desert-libyque-l-oasis-de-siwa#

Best regards, Alain

Hi Alain,

I read your page about the oasis... you two are real adventurers. You mention that the oasis is in a red zone, according to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Was it already in that zone when you went? But you didn’t do any desert tours? Thanks for the link to your blog. I’d already had the chance to read some articles about your trip to Ethiopia, which is a destination I’m also considering.

See you soon.

Diamina,

Red Zone:

Yes, when we went, it was already "strongly discouraged" by France Diplomatie, but the bus companies in Alexandria were selling the trips without any issues.

The information we got on the ground guaranteed a trouble-free route. The only thing we couldn’t do at that time was the oasis loop, which remained off-limits (White Desert, etc.).

The Siwa Oasis is heavily secured, with multiple checks on the bus and several checkpoints along the way.

In the oasis itself, no problems—really peaceful!

Safe travels and good trip prep! Alain

I totally agree with Alain. It's in the red zone but without any real reason. A post on this topic already exists. The stances on zones are more diplomatic than security-related. For example, some countries (Canada, I think) currently classify all of Egypt as a red zone.

The Oasis Loop is open. It's the Siwa-Bahariya route that's closed.

Hi Dominique. Are you still active on the forum? I’ve got a question about Gilf el Kebir.