Gilf Kebir National Park
Nature
Egypt's largest protected area, a remote sandstone plateau in the far south-west famous for prehistoric rock art, including the Cave of Swimmers.
- Arabic name
- محمية الجلف الكبير
- Type
- National park
- Governorate
- New Valley
- Area
- 48,524 km²
- Protected since
- 2007
- Official website
- eeaa.gov.eg
Gilf Kebir is a vast sandstone plateau in the south-western corner of Egypt, near the borders with Libya and Sudan. The national park also takes in Gebel Uweinat and parts of the surrounding desert, making it the largest protected area in the country.
Rock art
Thousands of years ago, when the Sahara was greener, people lived here and left rock paintings and engravings of cattle, giraffes and human figures. The Cave of Swimmers at Wadi Sura, made famous by The English Patient, and the nearby Cave of the Beasts, with its crowded scenes of figures and animals, are among the most important prehistoric art sites in North Africa. The landscape is one of cliffs, canyons, dunes and fields of silica glass.
What to do
- Join a multi-day 4×4 expedition visiting the rock art sites.
- Explore Wadi Hamra and Wadi Abd El Malik.
- Camp out in a remote and silent desert.
Getting there and best time
Expeditions start from Cairo or Dakhla Oasis and usually take 10 to 14 days. Military permits and an escort are required, and only licensed operators can organise the trip. November to February is the only practical season.
Entry fee: included in permit and expedition costs (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 makes Gilf Kebir special?
It is Egypt's largest protected area, a remote sandstone plateau near the Libyan and Sudanese borders. It holds prehistoric rock paintings and engravings, including the Cave of Swimmers at Wadi Sura and the Cave of the Beasts, among North Africa's most important rock art sites.
Can I travel to Gilf Kebir independently?
No. Military permits and an escort are required, and only licensed operators can organise the trip.
How long does an expedition take?
Expeditions start from Cairo or Dakhla Oasis and usually take 10 to 14 days by 4x4, camping throughout.
When is the season?
November to February is the only practical season for visiting Gilf Kebir National Park.
Is there an entry fee?
Fees are included in the permit and expedition costs arranged by your operator.
