Stargazing in the Egyptian Desert
Leave the lights of Hurghada behind and something remarkable happens: the sky fills with stars. On our evening programmes, dinner is served under one of the clearest skies you will ever see.
Why the desert sky is so dark
Three things make the Eastern Desert ideal for stargazing: very dry air with almost no cloud, the mountains that block the glow of the coast, and the simple fact that hardly anyone lives there. Light pollution is a growing problem worldwide — the DarkSky International organisation explains why dark places are worth protecting.
What you can see
- The Milky Way — on moonless nights it arches across the sky as a pale band.
- Planets — Venus, Jupiter and Saturn are often bright enough to spot first.
- Orion and Scorpius — two constellations ancient Egyptians and Bedouin navigators knew well.
- Shooting stars — especially during meteor showers.
Stars and the Bedouin
Long before GPS, desert people navigated by the stars and timed seasons by the rising of certain constellations. Ask at the camp — guides often know the Arabic names, many of which survive in the star names astronomers still use today, such as Aldebaran, Betelgeuse and Rigel. More on desert culture in Inside a Bedouin Village.
Tips for the best view
- Step a few metres away from the camp lights and wait two or three minutes for your eyes to adjust.
- Use a free sky-map app to identify constellations.
- Check the moon phase on timeanddate.com — new-moon weeks are darkest.
- Bring a light jacket in winter.
Which programmes include the night sky?
All our dinner programmes stay in the desert after dark: the Quad 5 Hours, the Mega Safari and the Jeep Safari. See the night shots in our gallery and book your evening.
