Last Updated on October 8, 2023
You can enjoy sandboarding in the Sahara Desert across several locations in Egypt, from the immense dunes of the Egyptian Great Sand Sea near Siwa, west of Cairo, to the slopes of the Sinai peninsula near Sharm El-Sheik, or sand surfing down the dunes of the Nubian desert by the Nile river.
Every sandboarding location in Egypt is unique and enriched by stunning natural landscapes, which is why in this country the sport has become a tourist attraction and is often offered as a travel experience together with Desert safari tours.
Sandboarding locations in Egypt
Gharb Soheil Village – Aswan
Sandboarding can be practiced in the Nubian Desert and can be combined with a tour of the picturesque Nubian Village and “AnaKato Nubian Houses”.
The Gharb Soheil Nubian Village is located on the on the west bank of the River Nile, one-hour flight from Cairo and 15 minutes from Aswan International Airport, 25 minutes by boat from Aswan old market (east bank), approximately 30 minutes by car from Aswan train station.
Recommended tours
Hurghada Desert – Hurghada
The Hurghada desert is located close to the coast of the Red Sea and home to bedouin culture. It is also a popular destination for activities such has quad biking, camel riding and sandboarding.
Desert safaris can be easily arranged from Hurghada, Makadi or Sahal Hasheesh.
Recommended tours
Sinai Desert – Sharm El-Sheik / Dahab
The Sinai Desert is located in the peninsula of the same name, where the cities of Dahab and Sharm El-Sheik are located.
The area hosts very high sand dunes, such as the 150m Haduda sand dune or the dune of el-Safra near Wadi Arada. To reach the highest peaks it’s necessary to travel on a 4×4 vehicle, so this is best done as part of a tour.
The desert is located to the east of Dahab, and the sand dunes can be found in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula. The journey from Sharm El-Sheik to Dahab should take about an hour and a half, depending on traffic and road conditions. There are several tour operators in the area that offer 4×4 desert safaris and sandboarding trips, which can be a convenient and safe way to explore the desert and dunes.
Recommended tours
Western Desert – Bahariya Oasis
The Bahariya Oasis is a natural depression easily accessible from Cairo and Giza, located in the heart of the Western Egyptian Desert. It is an excellent spot for sandboarding as there are numerous large dunes all surrounding it.
The Bahariya Oasis is a beautiful and unique destination, located in the heart of the Western Egyptian Desert and accessible in about one hour drive from Fayoum.
Recommended tours
Great Sand Sea – Siwa Oasis
Possibly the best sandboarding location in Egypt, the dunes of the Great Sand Sea are spectacular golden sandhills located near Siwa.
They make for the world’s third largest dune field, located in the Egyptian Western Desert close to the border with Libya. There are dunes of all shapes and sizes, up to 140 meters tall.
Wadi El-Rayan – Fayoum
The Wadi El Rayan valley is an area located southwest of Fayoum city in the Fayoum Oasis.
The valley is famous for the presence of lakes and waterfalls in the middle of the desert, and there are plenty of dunes for sandboarding to be enjoyed all around. Fayoum is the nearest sandboarding location to El Cairo.
Recommended tours
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