Africa's desert environments encompass some of the world's most significant and diverse arid landscapes, from the vast sand seas and ancient eroded plateaus of the Sahara and the ancient gravel deserts of the southwest to the semi-arid thornbush environments of the east and the unique succulent desert of the southern Atlantic coast. The continent contains the world's largest hot desert alongside some of its oldest and most ecologically distinctive arid environments.
The Sahara offers some of the most dramatic and historically significant desert landscapes on earth, with ancient caravan routes, rock art sites and nomadic cultures adding depth well beyond the physical environment. The ancient deserts of the southwest deliver a contrasting experience built around extraordinary endemic wildlife, vast dune systems and fog-fed ecosystems of remarkable ecological distinctiveness.
Heat, remoteness and navigation present serious challenges and guided access with experienced local operators is strongly advisable beyond established circuits. Seasonal timing is critical as summer temperatures reach dangerous levels across most Saharan zones. Your money goes a long way making extended desert itineraries practical on modest budgets.
