In the vast sand ocean of the Western Desert lies the beautiful green Kharga Oasis, a jewel emerging from the lifeless desert nature.
Kharga Oasis is one of the most beautiful places in the world, especially at sunset! Everything you see at this "green island in the middle of a yellow ocean of sand" is 100 percent natural! Whether sleeping under the stars or just relaxing between the high palm trees, you will feel completeness and relaxation in the beautiful environment.
The main goal of this article is to offer every traveler all the facts and information about Kharga Oasis. In the vast sand ocean of the western desert lies the beautiful green Kharga Oasis, which lies out of the lifeless nature of the desert like a jewel in a pile of coal. It offers the best view of the stars and the most relaxing and complete experience imaginable.
The Kharga Oasis depression and its vast surrounding desert area consist of a variegated natural environment punctuated by archaeological remains of various periods that allow us to reconstruct the history and evolution of civilisation both at a regional and at a trans-national scale: acting as a crossroad for long-running caravan routes, Kharga played an important role in the historical evolution of Western and Central Africa.
Nowadays, Kharga is famed for many palm trees, pigeon-houses, farms, fields, monuments, wells, artisans, traditional handcrafts, and honey-colored hills, which can be found here. Another attraction is riding camels, which many tourists and visitors consider an entertaining adventure. On the rocks of some sites, some graffiti is left by tourists to commemorate their visit to that beautiful Oasis.
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Kharga Oasis is a magical attraction filled with heavenly attractions worthy of exploring. Kharga Oasis is located in Egypt's Western Desert, 550 km south of Cairo.
Kharga Oasis from space.
Location and Climate
The Kharga Oasis is located 550 km south of Cairo and 232 km south of Asyut; it is on the west bank of the Nile Valley, about 200 km west of the western desert. The Oasis was known as the Southern Oasis by the ancient Egyptians, and the Oasis Magna was known to the Romans as the largest oasis in the Libyan desert of Egypt.
The Kharga Oasis occupies around one-third of the entire land of Egypt and has around 20,000 inhabitants nowadays. The marvelous Kharga Oasis is known to have a hot desert climate, mostly clear skies and sunshine year-round, where the heat dominates the area most of the year, with average highs of around 38°C (100°F) from May to September. Winters are significantly milder than summers, which are still warm, with average highs hovering around 22°C (72 °F) from December to February. Nights can get chilly and drop to lows of around eight °C (46°F) in December and January.
The climate is 28°C, Wind N at 8 km/h, and Humidity at 23%.
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A Glimpse into History
Archaeological evidence suggests a human presence in the Kharga Oasis dating back to 7,000 BC.
Some historical evidence showcasing the city dates all the way to the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2700 BC -2200 BC) as a trade road in the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2700 BC -2200 BC) for gold, animals, spices, ivory, wheat, and plants. The Kharaga Oasis became very well known as an important transit point for the desert caravans in the 12th dynasty (1786 BC-1665 BC) of the middle kingdom when the Hyksos controlled northern Egypt and the Pharaohs controlled southern Egypt and Nubia. It acted as the southwestern gate or portal of Egypt because it was able to make a connection from Egypt all the way to southern Africa through a 40-day-long road.
Kharga Oasis was an important transit point for desert caravans as early as the 12th dynasty (1786 BC - 1665 BC). Kharga Oasis has always been considered the southwestern gate of Egypt.
The Kharga Oasis during the 13th dynasty thrived as a stronghold, providing refuge for Egyptian Christians amidst the oppressive reign of Roman rule. It is worth mentioning that the renowned dagger of King Tutankhamun was crafted from an Iron Meteorite sourced from the Kharga Oasis, showcasing the oasis's significance in ancient metallurgy and craftsmanship.
In August 2010, an Egyptian-American archaeological mission discovered the ruins of the most ancient residential area in southern Egypt until now, and it goes back to the second intermediate period. The mission found the ruins of vast buildings, passageways, and a large bread bakery. These ruins go back to the Middle Kingdom (2134-1569 BC), and scholars believe this civilization continued until the new Kingdom (1569- 1081 BC).
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During the third and Fourth centuries A.D., many Egyptian Christians fled to Kharga Oasis and the surrounding area to escape from the unjust Romans, who persecuted the Copts of Egypt because of their Christian beliefs.
The Greek historian Herodotus mentioned that the great Persian King, Campuses, sent a massive army (about 50,000 men) from Thebes to destroy the Oracle Temple of Amon-Zeus at Siwah. The vast army reached Kharga Oasis, was provided with food and water, and then they continued their march towards Siwah, but the campaign vanished, and no one knows what happened, even today!
Kharga Oasis was a prosperous place during ancient times and was linked with the Nile Valley by many routes.
Map of Kharga Oasis and surrounding areas.
Key Historical Sites in Kharga Oasis
Kharga Oasis is home to several ancient temples that reflect its historical significance as part of the trade routes connecting the Nile Valley and the Western Desert.
1. Temple of Hibis
The Temple of Hibis stands as one of the most important ancient sites in Kharga Oasis, which is just one kilometer north of Kharga Oasis which is renowned as the oasis's largest and best-preserved temple and intricate works of art and is filled with some of the most incredible collection of monuments from Pharaonic, Persian, Ptolemaic, Roman, and Coptic ages. Its origins trace back to the Saite-Persian period (664-404 BCE), during Egypt's 26th dynasty, the last period of native rule before the Persian conquest in 525 BCE. It is dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, as well as Osiris.
The Hibis Temple embodies the syncretism of ancient Egyptian religious beliefs. It is known as "Amun of Hibis" the temple which was initiated by Ahmose II and Pharaoh Psamtik II, with completion occurring during the Persian and Hyksos occupation under Darius I in 522 BCE. Substantial expansions took place during the reigns of Nectanebo I (380-362 BCE), Nectanebo II (360-343 BCE), and Ptolemy II (285-246 BCE), including the addition of two outer portals.
The temple complex features remarkable elements such as a sacred lake, ports, a lengthy hallway, pylons, and a hypostyle hall adorned with depictions of numerous ancient Egyptian deities. An enchanting feature of the temple is its epic ram sphinx passageways leading to a magnificent Roman gate established in 69 AD.
2. Bagawat Cemetery
The Bagawat Cemetery stands as an ancient Christian burial ground, renowned globally for its historical significance and unique architectural style, located just three kilometers north of Kharga, adjacent to the Temple of Hibis. It dates back from the 3rd to the 7th century AD and served as a refuge for Christians fleeing northern Egypt, seeking sanctuary in the Kharga Oasis.
Comprising 263 funerary chapels, the cemetery's layout features small domed structures, with a central church considered one of the oldest Coptic Churches in Egypt. Among its notable attractions is the legendary Tomb of Exodus, which is adorned with intricate carvings that depict various Old Testament and biblical narratives. These include scenes such as Noah's ark portrayed as an "Egyptian Barque" the tales of Adam and Eve, the sacrifice of Abraham, Daniel in the lion's den, Jonah swallowed by a fish, and reliefs depicting figures like Jacob, the Virgin Mary, Saint Paul, and Saint Takla.
3. Temple of Ghweita
The Temple of Ghweita, also known as Qaser Ghweita, translates to "Fortress of Deep Springs" and is situated 25 kilometers south of Kharga. Offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including mountains, sand dunes, and vibrant greenery, the temple highlights the diverse terrain of the region. Alongside the Temple of Hibis, it stands as the sole temple constructed in Egypt during the Persian or Hyksos occupation.
Dedicated to the holy triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, mirroring the purpose of the Hibis Temple, the Ghweita Temple represents a rare architectural feat from a tumultuous period in Egyptian history. Undergoing expansions during the Ptolemaic era between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC, the temple features significant enhancements, including a hall with eight imposing columns, a hypostyle hall, a courtyard, and a sanctuary adorned with intricate decorations depicting scenes of Hapi, the Nile god, and other symbols representing ancient Egypt's nomes.
4. Temple Of Qaser Al Zayyan
The Temple Of Qaser Al Zayyan is a rare gem of history hidden carefully in the golden sands of the oasis, which is found 5 kilometers south of the Temple of Ghweita. This temple was built during the Ptolemaic reign and enlarged during the period of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius in 138 AD. The temple of Qaser Al Zayyan was dedicated to the cult of Amun Ra of Hibis.
The main building comprises a courtyard leading to a sanctuary with an elaborate cult niche and an antechamber with a staircase to the roof. Qasr al-Zayyan served as a crucial stop along a major desert route from Esna during the Roman Period, emphasizing its significance as a water source and a resting place for travelers.
The Temple of Hibis, a major historical site in Kharga Oasis.
Other Notable Sites
- Umm el-Dabadib Village: Located north of Kharga Oasis, filled with ancient Roman and Byzantine remnants and holds amazing mudbrick fortress towers.
- Temple of Dush: Located 120 meters south of Al Kharga Oasis near Kysis, an ancient Greco-Roman settlement with two temples and Roman fortresses.
- Museum of Antiquities of Kharga Oasis: Serves as a treasure trove of archaeological wonders discovered within the region.
Flora and Fauna
The natural vegetation, as well as the naturalized species and the cultivated plants in Kharga and Dakhla Oases, seem to be more or less uniform, and to deal with each of them separately would involve an overlap which may approach a mere repetition. However, the peculiarities of each Oasis will be dealt with apart.
Seven vegetation types are recognized in Kharga and Dakhla, described here mainly after Zahran and Willis (1992). Like islands in the ocean, oases are islands of water in the ocean of dry sands.
Compared to other areas in Egyptian deserts, there may be few endemic species restricted to Kharga and Dakhla Oases. Melilotus serratifolius Täckholm and Boulos (Leguminosae), is endemic to Dakhla Oasis. A rare species is Rhazya stricta Decne. (Apocynaceae), known in Egypt only from Kharga Oasis.
The Kharga Oasis, in particular the western area, currently not inhabited, represents one of the last outposts where Dorcas Gazelles live free in the oases area.
Among the peculiarities of the local fauna to be highlighted, there is certainly the endemic oligochaete (an earthworm) Nannodrilus staudei, discovered in the Nile region and described by Michaelsen in 1887, was re-discovered in 1959 by S. Ghabbour from Ain Khosh, in the south of the Kharga Oasis.
Lush palm trees in Kharga Oasis.
Modern Kharga
Although Kharga Oasis occupies around one-third of Egypt's land, it has the lowest popularity in the nation, with around 20,000 inhabitants today and a population density of only four people per square kilometer.
Tourism is not a significant part of the local economy for the people living in Kharga. Most of the people of the Kharga work in regular jobs, like the inhabitants of Cairo, Alexandria, and the other cities of Egypt.
Kharga Oasis is connected to the Nile Valley with a set of roads. The first goes from Asyut to Kharga; the second goes from Farafra to Dakhla to Kharga.
Pure springs and natural wells are completely unpolluted by chlorine or other chemicals and scattered in several Oasis locations. The local people seem to be "at your service"; they are very kind and give visitors the feeling of being very welcome.
Kharga means "outside" in Arabic. It is located in a broad depression that extends 220 kilometers from north to south and comprises all of southern Egypt except for the area beside the Red Sea. Al Menya, Asyut, Sohag, and Qena occupy the eastern border of the governorate.
The oasis has a population of around 101,283, with a mix of Christian, Roman, Arab, Nubian, and Berber families.
The total population in 2021 of the area is around 101,283, with a density of about 100 people per square kilometer (260 per square mile). The oasis is filled with notable families of Christian and Roman descent that include Al-Jawiya, Al-Bahramah, Al-Tawayh, Al-Sanadiyah, Al-Na’imah, Al-Badayrah, Al-Azayza, Al-Hosnieh, Al-Mahbasiya, Al-Sharayra, as well as Nubian families in Baris village.
Key Arab families migrating to Kharga from around 300 AH include the Idris family from Tunisia or Libya, the Rekabia family, the Jewehera family from the Hijaz, the Shakawera family, the Al-Radawana family, families from Mecca, the Al-Shawami family from the Levant, as well as Egyptian families like Asawiya and Dabatiya from Sohag or Assiut, Awlad-el-sheikh, and Njarin from Qalamoun in Dakhla.
Activities and Experiences
Kharga Oasis offers various activities for visitors, such as desert safaris, hot air balloon rides, and exploring ancient ruins.
Some of the experiences that await tourists in Kharga Oasis include:
- Desert safaris
- Hot air balloon rides
- Exploring ancient ruins
- Hiking trips
- Camel treks
- Visiting local craftspeople and markets
- Experiencing Bedouin hospitality
- Attending traditional dance and music performances
Accommodations
The Kharga Oasis is a magically remote and fascinating destination in the Egyptian desert, which is filled with a variety of hotels to choose from that suit all budgets and needs. Around the area, there are also a number of guesthouses and homestays available in the Kharga Oasis.
Some accommodation options include:
- Qasr El Bagawat Hotel: A luxurious hotel located right next to the Qasr El Bagawat necropolis, offering stunning views of the desert landscape, which has a swimming pool, spa, and several restaurants.
- Solymar Pioneers: A 4-star hotel that is a good option for families, with a water park, kids' club, and several restaurants. It's also located close to the main town of El Kharga.
- Basata Lodge: A small, eco-friendly lodge, which is a great choice for those looking for a unique and authentic experience.
El Kharga Oasis is well-known for its verdant date palm orchards, historic remains, and lively local culture. It is situated in Egypt's western desert. El Kharga, one of Egypt's five principal oases, provides an insight into traditional oasis life, with its rich archeological legacy on display at monuments like the Temple of Hibis and the necropolis of Al-Bagawat.
An overview of Kharga Oasis.
Best Time to Visit
Kharga Oasis has more suitable temperatures for outdoor activities and exploration throughout the colder months. Daytime highs and lows are between 20°C and 30°C (68°F and 86°F), which is perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing.
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