Gilf Kebir National ParkAbout Gilf Kebir National Park
Gilf Kebir is a vast sandstone plateau and desert region in Egypt’s far southwest, noted for its steep escarpments, deep wadis and prehistoric rock art.
The area contains numerous rock-art sites and sheltered caves, including panels that depict humans and animals from a time when the region experienced a much wetter climate.
The plateau has been visited by 20th-century explorers and archaeologists and is a focus for specialist desert expeditions rather than general tourism.
Gilf Kebir sits in the Western Desert of Egypt near the Libyan border and is accessible only by off-road expeditions; it lies within Egypt’s remote southwestern desert zone.
- Remoteness: Extremely remote desert plateau in Egypt’s Western Desert near the Libyan border, requiring long overland travel and logistics to reach.
- Archaeological significance: Contains prehistoric rock art panels that date from a period when the Sahara region was significantly wetter than today.
What to See#
- Rock art and caves: A concentration of prehistoric rock-art panels, including the well known “Cave of Swimmers”, which show human and animal figures and scenes from a formerly wetter climate.
Best Time to Visit Gilf Kebir National Park
Winter and early spring provide the safest and most comfortable windows for visiting the Gilf Kebir region.
Weather & Climate near Gilf Kebir National Park
Gilf Kebir National Park's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 36°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 3° - 18° | 11° | 1 mm | clear | 42% | 3.1 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.7h |
| February | Excellent | 5° - 21° | 13° | 1 mm | clear | 32% | 3.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.3h |
| March | Ideal | 9° - 26° | 17° | 2 mm | clear | 24% | 3.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 13° - 31° | 22° | 1 mm | clear | 18% | 4.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Ideal | 18° - 35° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 17% | 4.0 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.1h |
| June | Ideal | 20° - 37° | 28° | 0 mm | clear | 18% | 3.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.4h |
| July | Ideal | 21° - 36° | 29° | 1 mm | clear | 20% | 3.5 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 13.3h |
| August | Ideal | 20° - 36° | 28° | 2 mm | clear | 22% | 3.4 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.8h |
| September | Ideal | 18° - 34° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 25% | 3.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 14° - 30° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 31% | 3.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| November | Ideal | 8° - 24° | 16° | 1 mm | clear | 39% | 3.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 10.9h |
| December | Excellent | 4° - 20° | 12° | 0 mm | clear | 46% | 3.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.6h |
How to Get to Gilf Kebir National Park
Access to Gilf Kebir requires permits from Egyptian authorities and is typically arranged through licensed expedition companies based in Cairo or Aswan. Expeditions run from oases such as Bahariya or from nearer bases in southwestern Egypt; overland travel is by 4x4 across desert tracks and requires experienced drivers and support vehicles.
Tips for Visiting Gilf Kebir National Park
- Only visit with a licensed desert operator-this area is remote, militarized in places, and navigation is difficult.
- Hydration and satellite communication are essential; bring at least 7-10 liters of water per person per day on desert treks.
- Respect the fragile rock art sites-do not touch petroglyphs or camp directly beside them.