4 Best Sights in Western Desert Oases, Egypt

The "forest spring" is a hot spring traditionally reserved for visitors. It lies in a small forest of eucalyptus trees, reached by a picturesque drive—or hike—from Bawiti. The rough track passes oasis gardens where farmers plant, grow, and harvest a variety of crops interspersed with fruit trees.

On the way to Bir al-Ghaba, about 7 km (4½ mi) from Bahariya is Bir al-Mattar, a tepid spring with a slightly sulfurous odor; it's on the left of the road and is a great place for a quick dip. After covering more desert, you enter a garden and, suddenly, Bir al-Ghaba appears. Camping is welcome here, and several primitive "camps" offer basic accommodation in thatched huts with no electricity. Bring your own food and plenty of bug repellant if you intend to overnight here.

This hot spring and picturesque lake amid dunes were created accidentally by exploratory drilling for oil in the late 1980s. The firm found water instead. A cement tank filled with the spring's hot, slightly sulfurous water is relaxing and therapeutic. The nearby reed-lined lake appears like a mirage at the end of a hot day of dune bashing and is perfect for a cool swim. A permit to visit this desert site is easily arranged through the tourist office or safari operators. Most visitors arrive by jeep around sunset.

It's rumored that Cleopatra once swam in this freshwater spring east of town. Nowadays local men frequent the deep circular pool, while women may feel more comfortable using the nearby Tamusi Bath, which is less exposed.

The Natural Hospital on the slopes of Jebal al-Dakrour offers hot-sand treatments for around £E150 and rents bungalows if you'd like to take residential treatments.