2026 - Linda and Friends Visit Wadi el-Rayan, Home to Egypt's Only Waterfall

After their  overnight stay in the desert south of Wadi al-Hitan (Valley of the Whales) the group moved on to Egypt's only waterfall at Wadi el-Rayan.

 

Now a popular tourist attraction near the town and oasis of Fayoum, this stunning pair of man-made lakes, joined by a waterfall was created in 1968 - 1973 to provide drainage and solve a flooding issue in the Lake Qarun area.

Linda and I first visited Wadi el-Rayan in 2009.  A friend drove us out to see the waterfall in the midst of a mild sandstorm proving that it can be reached from the oasis in the comparative comfort of a sedan.

  

Today the classic photo of the falls looks like this and is a popular site for photography.

 

But, let's begin back on the route from the overnight campsite.  Approaching the Wadi el-Rayan area from the desert, there is plenty of opportunity for 4x4 drivers to demonstrate their skills among and atop the sand dunes.  For those of us preferring a more sedate tour, the highlight is going to be a stop at the edge of the cliff overlooking the lake.

 

Descending from the overlook, a stop at the water's edge is also rewarding.

 

A small tourist industry has grown up at the parking area near the falls offering snacks, drinks, and of course, souvenirs of various sorts. 

 

For tourists that haven't yet taken their obligatory Egyptian camel ride, a caravan of fresh animals was arriving for their morning's work.

 

Rejoining the road to Fayoum before heading back to Cairo, the commercial areas of this agricultural community could be seen along the road.

  

 

For those willing to spend more time in the area, the nearby pyramids of Maidum and Hawara, small museums and bird-watching tours are available.  Two or three days in Fayoum might be an interesting detour into a separate and more leisurely culture for those with the time and inclination.  (The photos below of the Maidum and Hawara pyramids were taken in 2014 and 2009, respectively

  

 

Links to other posts on this blog:

A visit to the pyramid at Maidum.

A visit to the Hawara pyramid.

A visit to the waterfall in 2009.

More details about the Wadi el-Ryan waterfall from 2014. 

And the link to the Flickr Album with all of these photos and more.