Sights

In town, me Art Museum, the self-indulgent project of local artist Badr, displays his expressive sculptures and paintings, many of which depict life in Farafra. Mounted local wildlife and an exhibit of Farafran artifacts complete the collection. The museum is near Saad’s Restaurant, about 100m to the northwest behind a school; it’s a mud-brick building with a decorated facade. (Open capriciously.

Con tributions welcome.) Many of Badr’s murals also adorn the outside walls of local houses. In the middle of the village, 800m west of the cafe and the main road, a tepid spring gushes into a pool. Men can refresh themselves here, or wash their laundry surrounded by the stupendously scintillating stars. The hot Well #6 (Bir Sitta), 4km west of the Farafra town, is an idyllic spot to swim and camp. Al-Mufid, a lake 10km from town, is just warm enough for swimming in summer. Hamdy, who operates from Saad’s Restaurant, will organize a variety of excursions by taxi, jeep, or camel. An overnight excursion into the surreal and eerie White Desert goes for LE200 for a group of six or seven, including food.