National park · Egypt
Gilf Kebir National Parkمحمية الجلف الكبير
Enter Gilf Kebir National Park with a 4WD expedition (2–3 weeks), hike the Cave of Swimmers or Great Sand Sea trek in November‑March; no entry fee reported, bring own camp.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
9,219 km² (3,559 sq mi)3,559 sq mi (9,219 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Egypt ↗Check visa rules for your passport on the official Egypt e-visa portal before flying; visa on arrival availability depends on nationality and can change.
- Egypt ↗Drones need prior permission and are routinely confiscated on arrival; leave them at home.
- Egypt ↗Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings; some museums and tombs charge for or ban photography.
- Egypt ↗During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants still serve.
At a glance
- Country
- Egypt
- Area
- 9,219 km² (3,559 sq mi)3,559 sq mi (9,219 km²)
- Approx. 3,560 mi² converted to km² (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cairo
Gilf Kebir National Park is a remote desert plateau in Egypt’s Western Desert, spanning over 9,200 km² of dunes, canyons and prehistoric rock art, requiring a 4WD expedition with permits and guides.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
9,219 km² (3,559 sq mi)3,559 sq mi (9,219 km²) · national park since 1990
Approx. 3,560 mi² converted to km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cairo.
Why go
- Remote desert plateau with dramatic sand dunes, canyons and prehistoric rock art.
- Spot rare desert wildlife such as Nubian ibex and Addax antelope.
- Experience a true wilderness expedition far from tourist crowds.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool nights, mild days.
- FebCool, low sandstorm risk.
- MarEarly spring, still cool.
- AprWarming, occasional winds.
- MayHotter, Chamsīn winds start.
- JunHigh heat, sandstorms possible.
- JulVery hot, strong winds.
- AugPeak heat, sandstorms.
- SepCooling down, still dry.
- OctMild, winds increase.
- NovCool, dry, ideal for trekking.
- DecCool, low sandstorm activity.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nubian ibexAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Desert foxAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dorcas gazelleAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Addax antelope (endangered)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Cairo
Drive or join a 4WD expedition via White Desert to Mūṭ, then continue to park gate.
2–3 days (expedition travel time)
Open the page →
From White Desert
Join a guided desert convoy that continues east to Gilf Kebir.
1–2 days
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mūṭ gate | Entry point, vehicle check, basic facilities. | Open with permit. |
| Cave of Swimmers area | Rock art site, short hike from gate. | Guided access only. |
| Great Sand Sea trek | Long cross‑desert route across dunes and canyons. | Requires 4WD convoy and guide. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates based on park centre and main points; approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No fee reported (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Expedition permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- All visitors must hold a valid expedition permit.
- Camping
- Only allowed within organized convoy camps; no open‑air camping outside.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves.
- Vehicle access
- Only 4WD vehicles with guide allowed on park roads.
- Cultural sites
- Do not touch or deface rock art; stay on marked paths.
Where to stay
In the park
Self‑camping in convoy
Tent set up at designated convoy camps; bring all gear.
Near the park
Cairo
Hotels and hostels for pre‑ and post‑expedition rest.
Safety
Extreme heat / cold high
Sandstorms (Chamsīn) medium
Vehicle breakdown high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Requires 4WD vehicle and guide; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Travel with licensed operators that follow park regulations.
- Pack out all waste; avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Use solar chargers where possible.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gilf Kebir National Park?
No standard entry fee is listed; a permit for an organized expedition is required (cost varies, check with operator).
What are the best hikes in Gilf Kebir National Park?
Cave of Swimmers short hike and the multi‑day Great Sand Sea crossing are the main routes; both need a guide and 4WD support.
When is the best time to visit Gilf Kebir National Park?
November to early March offers cooler temperatures and lower sandstorm risk; this is the recommended window.
Do I need a guide to visit Gilf Kebir?
Yes, the park requires a licensed guide and 4WD convoy for safety and permit compliance.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is only permitted within organized convoy camps; open‑air camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go