We did the “Budget White Desert Tour” and it was lacking. You get a driver, not a guide, who barely speaks during the tour (while it does say this online, we were expecting a bit more). There was not a lot of communication throughout the tour or once we got to camp so we were often confused. The desert itself is way out there so you spend a lot of time in the car driving to and from locations. But, camping in the desert was a cool experience, the food was great, and we sang and danced at night which was fun. Besides the lower quality of our budget tour, we also just didn’t think the White Desert was worth it.
We have just returned from our desert camp, and are disappointed with the activity we did.
Breathtaking landscapes, but poor service provider.
First of all, the taxi that took us to the desert was pleasant, although we didn't speak with him, no problem.
The problem started when we arrived at the restaurant, we don't find it normal that water is not included. We were on the bus for 6 hours and the temperature was around 36/37 degrees, so the least we could do was give everyone a bottle of water, especially for the price we paid (120€ per person !!). We had no water from the moment we arrived (12:00 p.m.) until we stopped in the desert (2:45 p.m./3 p.m.?). Obviously, they tell you that you can buy some, so bring some change… The meal was OK, but nothing more.
Then, the camp manager came and asked us for 250 LE per person to enter the desert, something we were not aware of. We had no change so the guide then took us to not 1, not 2, but 3 different ATMs to get money because none of them worked. It was terribly hot, and we were the only ones in the village waiting for over 20 minutes in the sun to withdraw money for something we didn't know about! (And without water, I remind you). To get money we also left the other guests in the car in the sun.
The guide was watching us from afar to make sure we weren't in trouble, but we didn't think it was a good thing to be alone at that time.
Then the biggest problem was our "guide". He was kind and polite, but seemed more of a driver than a guide. When we arrived at the places we wanted to visit, he would take us down and say "you go there and that's it", without any explanation, without any timing to respect, we were constantly forced to ask him for information. He absolutely did not explain to us how this desert was made, its particularities, its life or that of the village, etc. He drove well, cooked well, took care of the camp and so on. ok no problem, but he didn't try to chat with us, to introduce us to the local culture. For 120€, we didn't want a driver but a real guide to accompany us for two days! We even spent more than an hour on the road to reach the desert without a word or a discussion.
The campsite and the meal were great, but once again we were left to our own devices without the guide. When he chatted with us, he was funny and nice, but it didn't even last 1 minute, we barely chatted with him... In the end, we didn't even get a goodbye or anything else, nothing!
In the end, the landscapes were magnificent, but we did not at all appreciate the relationship with the guide, who completely sidelined us.
I told them my recommendations but this was normal for them.
I advise you to take another agency.