Black Desert
Egypt
Upon arrival, a rugged jeep stands ready to take you on a thrilling desert adventure. Our first destination is the mysterious Black Desert, a living testament to the region’s rich history. From there, we journey to El Hez Village, where the rejuvenating waters of the cold springs await.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Black Desert, a geological anomaly located approximately thirty kilometers south of the Bahariya Oasis. As you stand here, you might feel as though you have stepped off the surface of planet Earth and onto the…
Listen in the app2The Jurassic Legacy: Volcanic Origins
To understand the Black Desert, we must look back nearly eighty million years to the Jurassic period. During this time, the area was a hive of volcanic activity. …
Listen in the app3Jebel al-Ingleez: The English Mountain
Standing as the highest point in the Black Desert is Jebel al-Ingleez, or the English Mountain. This landmark gained its name during World War I, when it served as a lookout post for British forces monitoring the movements of the…
Listen in the app4The Crystal Mountain: A Geological Anomaly
As we travel further into the desert, we encounter a site that seems entirely out of place: the Crystal Mountain. Despite its name, this is more of a ridge or a large rock formation than a mountain, but its composition is…
Listen in the app5The Sulfur Lakes and Desert Oases
In the middle of the arid, monochromatic landscape of the Black Desert, the appearance of the sulfur lakes is nothing short of a miracle. These pools of cool, blue water are fed by deep underground aquifers that tap into the…
Listen in the app6Dolerite and the Jurassic Age
The 'black' of the Black Desert is more than just a color; it is a specific mineral identity. The primary rock found here is dolerite, a mafic, igneous rock that is chemically similar to basalt but has a coarser grain. …
Listen in the app7The Valley of the Volcanic Cones
One of the most visually striking areas of the Black Desert is the central valley where the concentration of volcanic cones is highest. Here, the hills are spaced almost perfectly, creating a rhythmic, undulating landscape. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our exploration of the Black Desert, it is worth reflecting on the incredible journey we have taken through time. We have stood on Jebel al-Ingleez, looking out over a Jurassic volcanic field, and touched the cold,…
Listen in the app
What is Black Desert?
Black Desert is a place in Egypt with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Egypt |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 28.3518, 28.8630 |
| Last updated |