Fossilised tree trunks some 35 million years old, lying in the desert on the edge of New Cairo.
- Arabic name
- محمية الغابة المتحجرة
- Type
- Protected area
- Governorate
- Cairo
- Area
- 3.30 km²
- Protected since
- 1989
- Nearest city guide
- Cairo
- Official website
- eeaa.gov.eg
The Petrified Forest protectorate is on the eastern edge of Cairo, off the road between Maadi and New Cairo, close to the Qattamiya area. It is one of the easiest protected areas to reach from the capital, and a good short outing for families.
The fossil wood
Across the gravel desert lie hundreds of fossilised tree trunks and fragments, some several metres long. The wood was buried around 35 million years ago, in the Oligocene epoch, when rivers flowing through a lush, forested landscape carried logs that were later replaced by silica. Bark texture and growth rings can still be seen in the stone. The site is a natural monument and one of the most extensive petrified wood deposits known.
What to do
- Walk among the fossil trunks with a guide who can explain the geology.
- Photograph the trunks against the open desert in the late afternoon light.
- Combine the visit with nearby Wadi Degla.
Getting there and best time
The site is about 30 to 45 minutes by car from central Cairo; ride-hailing drivers may not know it, so arrange a driver. Taking fossils is strictly forbidden. Visit between October and April, avoiding the midday sun.
Entry fee: a small fee for foreign visitors (last checked October 2026).
Last checked October 2026. Entry fees and access rules change; check with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency or a local operator before you go. Sources: eeaa.gov.eg, en.wikipedia.org.
Frequently asked questions
What will I see at the Petrified Forest?
Hundreds of fossilised tree trunks and fragments, some several metres long, buried about 35 million years ago and turned to stone by silica. Bark texture and growth rings are still visible.
How do I get there?
It is on the eastern edge of Cairo near Qattamiya, about 30 to 45 minutes by car from the centre. Ride-hailing drivers may not know it, so arrange a driver.
Can I take a piece of petrified wood?
No. Taking petrified wood or other fossils from the Petrified Forest Protected Area is strictly forbidden.
When is the best time and is there a fee?
Visit between October and April and avoid the midday sun; late afternoon light is good for photos. There is a small fee for foreign visitors.
Do I need a guide?
It is recommended, as a guide can explain the geology. The visit combines well with nearby Wadi Degla.
