Gilf Kebir

Gilf Kebir is a remote sandstone plateau in the southeastern Sahara, located in Egypt’s far southwest near the Libyan border in the New Valley region. It is noted for dramatic cliffs, deep wadis and extensive prehistoric rock art panels.

The plateau contains well-known rock-art sites such as the so-called Cave of Swimmers and large painted panels in Wadi Sura that depict human figures, animals and other motifs dating to the Neolithic period. These sites are important for the study of prehistoric Sahara environments and cultures.

European and desert explorers first brought wider attention to Gilf Kebir in the early 20th century during Saharan exploration; archaeological study of its rock art has continued intermittently since then. The area’s combination of geological features and ancient paintings makes it a focus for specialists in desert archaeology.

Geographically the plateau sits in the southeastern Sahara close to the Egypt-Libya border, within Egypt’s New Valley Governorate, and is accessible only by long desert overland journeys from the nearest settlements.

• Neolithic Rock Art: Contains Neolithic rock art panels that depict humans, animals and occasional aquatic scenes; these paintings are a major reason for archaeological interest.
• Remote Access: Extremely remote desert location; visiting normally requires a desert expedition, local permission and experienced guides.

What to See #

• Cave of Swimmers: A rock-shelter famous for large painted human and animal figures, often called the 'Cave of Swimmers', discovered by 20th-century explorers.
• Wadi Sura (Cave of Beasts): A site of dramatic painted panels known as the 'Cave of Beasts' in Wadi Sura, containing distinctive large-scale prehistoric paintings.