This is an annual event, and 2026 promises to be one of the best years in recent memory due to the 100% New Moon on August 12, which will create exceptionally dark skies perfect for viewing up to 100 meteors per hour!
Program Highlights
· Destination: White Desert National Park (via Bahariya Oasis & Al Haiz) · Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights · Pickup: 8:00 AM from your hotel in Cairo · Return: 9:00 PM on Day 3 · Transport: Private air-conditioned car & 4×4 Jeep safari · Price: €450 per person
Suggested Gratuities of 10% for our staff who make your journey flawless
📅 Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo to Al Haiz & Desert Camp (August 12)
· 08:00 AM – Pickup from your Cairo hotel. Private A/C transfer to Bahariya Oasis (approx. 4-5 hours) · Arrival at Bahariya – Stop at Al Haiz, the southernmost village of the oasis, for lunch and a visit to local natural springs · Afternoon – Switch to a 4×4 Jeep for a safari through the Black Desert and a stop at Crystal Mountain · Sunset – Arrive at the first campsite in the White Desert. Set up camp among the surreal chalk formations as the sun sets · Night – Enjoy a traditional Bedouin dinner and Bonfire, followed by the main event: Perseid meteor shower viewing under a perfectly dark, new moon sky
Day 2: Full Desert Exploration (August 13)
· Sunrise – Wake up for sunrise photography and breakfast · Morning – Explore the New White Desert, visiting iconic rock formations like the “Chicken and Mushroom” . Includes sandboarding on the dunes · Afternoon – Visit the Aqabat Valley and hidden fossil sites · Sunset – Arrive at the second campsite deep in the desert. Dinner under the stars, with a second night of incredible stargazing
Day 3: Return to Cairo
· Morning – Breakfast and a short final tour of the White Desert. · Late Morning – Return to Al Haiz Oasis for lunch and a fresh water spring swim, meet the farm animals or relax under the date palms · Afternoon – 4PM Transfer back to Cairo in your private car, arriving 9PM
✅ Your Package Includes
· Private, air-conditioned transport from Cairo and back · Expert desert guide & driver in a 4×4 Toyota Landcruisers · Fully equipped desert camp (tents, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows) . · All meals (2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners) · Unlimited water, coffee, Bedouin tea, and snacks · Campfire entertainment and Bedouin music
🏜️ About Al Haiz & The White Desert
Al Haiz is the southernmost village of the Bahariya Oasis, a gateway to the Western Desert . The region is known for its unique geology, with the White Desert offering a spectacular, alien landscape of limestone formations that provide a breathtaking backdrop for astrophotography .
The area is a photographer’s dream. The lack of light pollution makes it one of the best places on Earth to capture the Milky Way and the Perseid meteors . This year’s new moon ensures you will capture the best possible shots without any moonlight washing out the stars.
Black Desert Egypt the 2027 Eclipse: Escape the Crowds in Luxor for a Private Desert Miracle
Forget the images of crowded riverboats and packed viewing sites in Luxor. You’re not a tourist; you’re an explorer!
On August 2, 2027, the skies over Egypt will stage a celestial spectacle—a total solar eclipse lasting over 6 minutes. It will be one of the longest of the century, a moment of profound darkness in the middle of the day and we are right in the path of totality. The world’s eclipse chasers will be descending upon the typical viewing spots, creating what promises to be a chaotic and congested experience.
Our offer is different. It is an invitation to an exclusive, private, and profoundly authentic experience.
We are a Bedouin-owned company, and we are inviting a limited number of guests to witness this cosmic event from our ancestral home: the majestic Black Desert, just south of the Bahariya Oasis; 4.5 hours drive SW of Cairo.
Imagine this: instead of jostling for a view, you will have the otherworldly, volcanic landscape of the Black Desert as your private backdrop. The silence of the desert, broken only by the wind and the beating of your own heart, will be the soundtrack to your eclipse.
A 3-Day, 2-Night Immersive Program (Aug 1-3, 2027)
This is not just a viewing; it’s a complete immersion. Here is what we have crafted for you:
Day 1: (August 1) You’ll be meet-up with a private transfer from Cairo at 8 AM, there will be 3 meeting points across Cairo in Giza, Maadi and New Cairo.
After 1 rest stop you will arrive in The Black Desert camp on 25 acres of private land, surrounded by hundreds of ripening date palms and the sound of a rushing fresh water spring. This is your base camp, a sanctuary of tranquility.
Checkin on arrival and room and tent assignment, orientation, lunch.
We will have set up, a massive main tent with fans and A/C for dining, meeting & lounging, charging stations, and crucially, for you to set up your photography equipment to capture the perfect shot. Toilets and shower facilities on site in several locations for your accessibility and comfort.
This day is yours to settle in, acclimatize, and plan for the big event.
Join our day trip 4×4 Safari to the White Desert! Don’t miss this incredible photo opportunity only an hour away. Price 150€ per person. Includes 4×4 Landcruisers, Bedouin tea, juices, water and snacks along the many stops. We will see the magnificent Aguabat Valley, Crystal mountain and finally the White Desert at sunset!
Tour will return after sunset to Bedouin BBQ dinner in the Black Desert camp in Al Haiz Oasis.
Exact location is 2 seconds away from center line of totality at 6m 20 sec! Our location:
Day 2 – The Day of the Eclipse (August 2, 2027): By now, you will know this land intimately. You’ll have already scouted the perfect vantage points.
In a place where the Bedouin sky has been read for generations, you will witness the sun’s corona blaze high in the cloudless sky, against the backdrop of the palm trees and the black desert hills. There is no rush; we have prepared everything for your comfort.
Breakfast will be served before & lunch after the eclipse for all guests. Timeline of activities and meal times will available during orientation. After you finish lunch, if you choose, we will have cars moving for a 2 hour Black desert excursion for photography of the desert away from the camp. Off-road you will visit an ancient Roman Winery, soft dunes and stunning black-topped mountains, who 12 million years ago were under water. Free to all guests, booking times available on site through Joanne our General Manager. Minimum 4-5 people per car.
Al Haiz Oasis will have cold drinking water, fresh juices, sodas, snacks, coffee, Turkish coffee, herbal teas available all afternoon. Swim in our fresh spring pools, refresh under the many outdoor showers or relax under the palm trees until sunset. Camels will be available all 3 days for photos and riding, and a full animal farm, yoga and meditation space with spectacular 360° views, and our organic vegetable garden to visit.
After dark, Dinner will be served in the communal tent, and of course a Bedouin party with dancing & drums for your last night with us in the desert.
Step away from the activity go for a walk to several locations across the property and enjoy the millions of visible stars, the Milky Way and the beginnings of the Perseid Meteor Shower! Day 3 – Departure (August 3): After a final sunrise & breakfast, you have full access to Al Haiz Oasis property, meet the camels, (rides 20€, please tip for pictures) or swim in our fresh spring pools. Lunch will be served before the private transfer arrives to take you back to Cairo at 3PM, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime. Bus option to Luxor available, price is variable (not set yet)
The Details & The Offering:
We believe in responsible, comfortable, and authentic travel. This is what is included:
Full Board: You will enjoy delicious, organic, locally-sourced meals each day. Afternoon snacks, fresh juices and coffee station. Transport & Accommodation: Transfers by minibus from 2 pickup locations (Giza and Maadi), your tents based on group size, extra tents available for luggage and gear, all camping equipment is provided, light cotton top sheet and pillows.
Private car – hotel pick up one way (minimum 2 people) +50€ each
Pricing:
Single rate: 1200€/1350€
Couples rate: 2200€/2500€
Family rate: 2200€+800€ per child (White Desert 300€+50€ per child)
Deposit & Cancellation policy:updated August 31st, 2026
• 15% down upon booking (50% refundable until March 30, 2027
• 25% deposit (+10% top up) of total must be completed by April 1st, 2027 or cancelled
• an additional 25% or (50% of quoted total) by June 1st non refundable
• final 50% at completion of trip on August 3rd in cash – as we assume all transaction fees for the first 50%
Payment on website (Apple pay and credit card)
PayPal: jojo.clayton@gmail.com
Final installment must be paid in cash.
This is more than a trip; it’s a chance to be a part of a story as old as the desert itself. While others are fighting for a view of the sky in Luxor, you will be standing beneath it, in one of the most remote and beautiful places on Earth.
Secure your place in the shadow of the eclipse. Contact us today.
Joanne Clayton: alhaizegypt@gmail.com
Abdu Shaban: +20 100 9510219
This offer is for serious travelers and photography enthusiasts.
Note on Pricing: While the exchange rate on the website is dynamic, we have made our best effort to ensure the price is up-to-date and consistent. Final invoice will be sent by email in May 2027.
Why Choose the Black Desert?
• Zero Light Pollution: Far from major cities, the celestial corona will appear exceptionally sharp against the pristine desert atmosphere.
• High Sun Angle: The eclipse occurs with the sun high in the sky, providing perfect angles for panoramic photography and tracking the shadow’s approach over the mountains.
• Weather Certainty: August in the Western Desert features a statistical cloud cover of under 5%, offering virtually guaranteed visibility.
• This specific location will experience an astonishing 6 minutes and 16 seconds of complete darkness in the middle of the day, making it one of the absolute best natural settings on Earth to witness the event!
When the sun sets on Al Haiz Oasis, the real magic begins. 🔭✨
Summer in the desert isn’t just about the heat — it’s about crystal-clear skies, zero light pollution, and the Milky Way stretching from one silent horizon to the other.
Grab your camera. Set up under the immense skies, and let the cosmos put on a show you’ll never forget. 📸🏜️
📍 Al Haiz Oasis, Bahariya 🌡️ Night 18°C-25°C 📸 Video & astrophotography
Hosted by Al Haiz Oasis Tours – Bedouin Safari Experts Since 2006
Forget everything you think you know about Egypt. Beyond the pyramids and the Nile lies a world of shifting golden dunes, ghostly white chalk forests, ancient Roman springs, and a sky so thick with stars it feels like a dream. This is the Egypt of the Bedouin—and we’re inviting you to experience it all.
Their positioning will create the illusion of cosmic choreography. Alignments like these are relatively rare and bring an aura of mystery and fascination, as ancient cultures often associated them with pivotal changes or moments of great significance.
Astrology views such alignments as amplifiers of planetary energies. Mercury, the planet of communication, might stir deep conversations. Venus, shining brightly, symbolizes love and beauty, while Mars energizes with its fiery passion. Jupiter’s presence brings expansion and wisdom, while Saturn offers lessons in discipline and resilience. Together, they create a dynamic mix of energies, sparking reflection on personal and collective paths.
Travel the dunes by day and camp under the expansive sky at night, warm up by the fire and enjoy the Bedouin food, music and hospitality.
This 2 night safari will have many points of time to meditate, take a contemplative walk, discover ancient desert tools and travel over the smooth sands in 4×4’s with awe.
Itinerary for 8 nights Cairo to Aswan -through Alexandria, Siwa, White Desert and Dakhla Oasis
Day 1:
• Pickup AM from airport, visit Pyramids of Giza, spend a few hours there. Take lunch before heading west along the North Coast.
• Arrive in Alexandria check into hotel, dinner out in the city. Visit the castle and waterfront at night.
Day 2:
• Breakfast then early start to Siwa, Possible stop in Ageeba Beach for picnic lunch if time permits.
• Arrive to Siwa at around 4 PM. Visit Al Mawta Mountain, then Fatnas Lake for sunset. Dinner, hotel.
Day 3:
• Early breakfast for full day in Siwa. Visiting Salt pools 1st for a swim and amazing pictures! Then Temple Umm Abayda, Cleopatra Spring fresh water spring and swim, lunch there.
• Head to Great Sand Sea desert in 4×4 to see Bir Wahad (requires permission) relax in the palm trees, swim, tea and snacks. Ending up at Siwa Salt lake for sunset. Return to village for market shopping, dinner then hotel.
Day 4:
• Early breakfast and full day driving to Baharya Oasis with lunch stop along the way. Arrive at Al Haiz Ecolodge for checkin.
• Move to 4×4 and visit Roman Winery and sunset tea in the dunes. Return to Lodge for dinner and settle into rooms.
Day 5:
• Leisurely wakeup, breakfast, small tour of Tabl Amon, swim in warm spring of Bir Sherif. Return to Lodge, pack up from room and light lunch. Move to 4×4 and start Safari of Western Desert.
• Visiting points of interest with many stops for pictures and discovery. Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, Aguabat Valley, White Desert.
• Find camping stop and set camp. Bedouin dinner of roast duck under the sand. Evening under the stars with Bedouin tea and music.
Day 6:
• Leisurely wakeup, breakfast, breakdown camp and head to Magic Spring for a fresh water wash.
• Move south to Djara Cave; discover an underground cave full of stalagtites, stalagmites and petroglyphs while chef prepares lunch.
• Move to Caraween dunes for sandboarding and dune ride adventure. Set up camp in the dunes. Relax for sunset, dinner under the stars.
Day 7:
• Sunrise in dunes, break down camp and breakfast. Move to highway to meet sedan car for 10 AM and move southwest to Dakhla Oasis.
• Lunch, visit Deir Hagar pharaonic temple and Mezzawakka tombs.
• Move to Salt Lake in dunes, tea and sunset.
• Arrive at guesthouse Sosal House (beautiful traditional Bedouin house) dinner served in house. Relaxing evening
Day 8:
• Full day in Dakhla Oasis visiting ancient village of Al Qasr and if you missed one of the sites from the day before you will have time today. Dinner in Bedouin restaurant and back to Sosal House for the night.
Day 9:
• Breakfast brought to house and pack a picnic lunch for your big travel day to Aswan, arriving around 7 PM
We can continue with a separate program of Upper Egypt including: Aswan, Abu Simbel, Felucca on Nile, Luxor temples and Tombs and Hurghada for beach days.
Spend 2 nights, 3 days out of Cairo experiencing off road adventure travel in Egypts White Desert, incredible landscapes photography, geological sites, camels, relaxation, fresh springs, traditional Bedouin foods, stargazing & campfires.
White Desert Safari & Al Haiz Ecolodge: 3 Days 2 Nights
• Outdoor camping, meet new friends
•4×4 safari adventures in dunes and White Desert
•Sand boarding, meet local camels •. Traditional cooking methods •Campfire under the Full moon
•Sightseeing, photography, relaxation in springs.
Full detailed program:
Pickup in Cairo 8AM at Cilantro Cafe -Mustafa Mahmoud Square
Travel 360 kms Southwest to arrive in Baharya Oasis, tea and coffee stop at Oasis Restaurant
Arrive in Al Haiz Oasis for Lunch
Take a welcome drink, get settled into rooms, rest under the palm trees, swim in the fresh water spring, discover the farm and surroundings.
Before dinner we will take a sunset dune ride of surrounding area of Al Haiz and Rees. Take tea in the dunes at sunset. Visit some local camels.
Return for a BBQ dinner in Al Haiz Ecolodge
7AM rise and shine for a hot coffee and breakfast for 8AM and final packing. Transfer to 4×4 Landcruisers and start our Safari through the Black Desert, Aguabat Area, arriving at our camp in The White Desert.
Set-up camp, enjoy nature surroundings at sunset and the unique rock formations
Settle in for a Traditional Bedouin meal, fireside evening, music, stargazing and storytelling.
6AM Sunrise in the incredible White Desert, enjoy hot coffee, a full Bedouin breakfast with fresh bread & fresh fruit
After breakfast we will pack up camp and start a tour of Old White Desert, visit ancient Acacia Tree & Crystal Mountain, heading north to Al Haiz Oasis
Lunch served in Al Haiz Ecolodge
3PM Leave for Baharya Oasis, grab snacks for the ride home or shop dates & oil market before leaving back to Cairo, arriving at pickup destination around 9PM
PRICE: 450€ per person minimum 2 people (single rate available)
Price includes: Private room in Al Haiz Lodge, camping tents, sleeping bag, mattress. All meals, water, fruits, snacks, 4×4 transportation, permission, natural park tickets, transfer from Cairo
Don’t forget: Sunhat for the day, bathing suit for natural spring, travel towel, and light jacket for evening, power-bank, head-lamp, cash for purchases or gratuities
The trip might be canceled due to: governmental changes or bad weather.
For reservation to book your trip: Joanne Clayton: alhaizoasis@egypt.com
