The desert destinations everyone visits in 2020
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The planet may be getting hotter, but there’s never been a better time to visit the world’s best desert destinations. Offering historic landmarks, stunning natural landscapes and life-changing experiences, these desert destinations must be on your bucket list for 2020.
Soak up the history of Egypt
Cairo has been named one of the top destinations to visit in 2020, but Egypt itself is an awesome desert destination that should be on your bucket list. The African nation is a haven for history buffs as well as anyone interested in witnessing some of the most awe-inspiring structures the world has ever seen.
The fertile lands along the banks of the Nile are where the majority of historical attractions are located. The Pyramids of Giza are essential for anyone visiting Egypt for the first time, as are the Ottoman monuments in Cairo.
Luxor, Egypt is home to many ancient monuments and has been hailed as “the greatest open-air museum in the world”. There are a number of important sites that you can easily explore while basing yourself in Luxor, including the wonders of the Valley of the Kings, the temple ruin complex of Karnak, and the Colossi of Memnon.
RELATED: 15 Fascinating Theories People Have About Egyptian Pyramids
Witness the wonder of Uluru in Australia
At the heart of Australia’s “Red Center” sits Uluru, the sandstone monolith that has become one of the country’s symbols. Believed to be around 550 million years old, Uluru is sacred to the native Australian people and as such tourists are no longer allowed to climb there. But it’s worth visiting this famous desert attraction just to see its magic from afar, much like sites like Stonehenge.
Uluru is located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and almost 280 miles from the nearest town, Alice Springs. This is one of the best places to experience the authentic Australian outback, as the vast park is home to stunning scenery and outdoor dining. There is also the possibility of staying in luxury accommodation or camping under the stars.
Kata Tjuta is another sacred natural landmark in the region that is essential to visit as part of your itinerary. Sometimes called “the Olgasâ€, Kata Tjuta is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
RELATED: 10 Free Things to Do in Australia
See the Valley of the Moon in Chile’s Atacama Desert
Why go to the moon when you can just go to the Atacama Desert in Chile? Okay, it might not be quite the same, but the Atacama Desert is often considered the driest place in the world and therefore looks like a lunar landscape.
Located west of the Andes, the desert is home to the famous Valley of the Moon, an otherworldly landscape filled with curious rock formations and dunes. There are also salt marshes, hot springs, and other natural wonders to explore in this ethereal place.
Although the Atacama Desert looks like a ghostly lifeless plane, it is home to the Los Flamencos Nature Reserve. Flamingos and other rare birds come here to enjoy the picturesque lagoons.
RELATED: Chile Voted World’s Best Adventure Travel Destination for Third Year in a Row
Discover wildlife in the Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert stretches across Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, and is an extremely popular destination among those who wish to observe Africa’s natural flora and fauna up close. Thanks to the annual precipitation, a large number of animals and plants live in the desert.
When it comes to animal encounters in the desert, you’ll be spoiled for choice, home to a variety of game reserves. There are countless tours and safaris on offer, so visitors have the opportunity to experience the land by horseback riding in the savannah, traveling by 4×4, or walking through the bush with an experienced guide.
The best time to view Kalahari wildlife is May or June, as this period follows the annual rains. The animals return to the region during this time, guided by the presence of the water.
Discover dinosaur fossils in the Gobi Desert
Asia’s largest desert, the Gobi covers northern China and southern Mongolia, although most visitors travel to the latter part. There are several points of interest in the vast desert, including the Flaming Cliffs, a site famous for its dinosaur fossils.
The landscape of the Gobi is vast and varied, with large expanses of sand, gravel, dunes, mountains and even a lush forest. Many people traveling to the Gobi stay in yurts, the traditional huts in which the nomadic Mongolian people have lived for centuries. Camping at these lodges, whether with a local family or on your own, is a remarkable experience that will show you the peace, serenity and simplicity of life in the Mongolian wilderness.
The Gobi Desert offers the opportunity to camp under the stars, ride camels, climb sand dunes and discover fossils that are millions of years old. What more could you ask for?
NEXT: 10 Reasons Mongolia Should Be On Your Next Asian Itinerary
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