Horns honking. Engines revving. Hawkers…hawking. Ah, Cairo. Now, don’t misunderstand me! Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Cairo, but sometimes you just need a little silence. A little protection, if you will, of your sanity. If you feel you need a little time out, then you are in luck. Just a 15-minute drive from central Maadi is the Wadi Degla Protectorate, a 30km-long wadi (valley) that is free of development and chock full of sand, fossils, gorgeous rocks, hiking, and photo ops galore. A 25 EGP ticket (per person, adults and children) gains you access at the main gate. Vehicles are charged an additional 30 EGP.
So, what are you waiting for? Slip on your Chacos, grab your water bottle, and head on over to Wadi Degla this weekend! Knowing there are different types of adventurers with different needs, I recommend several options for a day (or hour) of solitude and nature connectedness. Any of the following recommendations can be done with or without children. That said, please be aware that the only bathrooms are located at the entrance and are often locked or unkempt. Don’t let this deter you! Take a little tutorial on outdoor bathroom etiquette and get on your way.
Option 1: The First-Timer
First of all, decide how you intend to get to the Wadi. You can take a personal car or order an Uber. Uber will drop off or pick up from the entrance.
Once you arrive, pull up to the main gate, pay the entrance fee, and proceed slowly down the unpaved (but passable) road to the first kilometer mark (1KM). Alternatively, ditch your car in the parking lot (or say ma’assalama to the Uber driver), strap your toddler to your back, and set off with snacks and water. Either way, the 1KM mark is not too far down the road. There you will find shady cliffs on your right to shelter under for a picnic and a stone “maze” on your left that is endlessly entertaining for the littles. Please note: this is a popular site, so on a weekend you will find more people here and trash than you may like. Simply be aware and consider bringing a bag with you to conduct your own volunteer trash pickup.
Option 2: The Day-Tripper
Proceed either by car or by foot to the 3KM mark. Here you will find a dam. Yes, a dam! It is easy to find, but please note that by this point you will not have cell phone coverage down in the valley. As you approach, you will notice a huge pipe that connects one side of the dam to the other. This is perfectly safe and, again, highly entertaining to the slightly older and bolder child. Flashlights recommended, as it is pitch-black. Those not too keen on walking through a pitch-black pipe can hike up and over the face of the dam or take the vehicular road.
Remember to bring your water and toilet paper/hand sanitizer because there are no drinking fountains or toilet facilities.
Option 3: The Hard-Core Adventurer
Continue on to the next dam (yes, there are more!). This dam is located shortly before the 7KM mark. The distance from the entrance of Wadi Degla to the second dam is hikable (my 8 year-old has done it several times) but you will want to be equipped with plenty of water, sun protection, and snacks. Here you will actually find the quiet you may be searching for, as very few people make it out this far. Please note that as you approach the second dam there is a very large bump in the road that will not be navigable by sedan cars in poor condition. Hearty sedan cars can make it, but please be cautious. Feel free to ditch your car before the second dam, take the road up and over on foot, and drink in the gorgeous landscape not often viewed by casual Wadi Degla visitors.
A final note or two:
Wadi Degla truly is family-friendly. Bring the kids! But also bring plenty of water, sun protection, toilet paper, and snacks. I recommend going in the winter or in the very early hours of the summer.
Craving even more adventure than this? Hire a rock climbing guide! Or bring a tent and camp! For just 200 EGP (or 50 EGP for locals) you can stay the night. It is safe and oh-so-memorable.
See you in the Wadi!
Photo Credit: Abanoub Melad
