Jebel Uweinat, Mountain range at Egypt-Libya-Sudan border intersection
Jebel Uweinat is a granite mountain formation at the borders of Egypt, Libya, and Sudan, rising to 1,934 meters in elevation. The mountain range stretches roughly 38 kilometers from east to west and about 23 kilometers from north to south.
Egyptian explorer Ahmed Pasha Hassanein first documented the mountain's rock art collections during his 1923 expedition to the region. His discoveries revealed the historical importance of this remote location as evidence of early human settlement in the Sahara.
The rock walls display prehistoric engravings of lions, giraffes, and gazelles made by early pastoral peoples living in the Sahara. These carvings show a time when the region supported far more wildlife and a different climate.
Visiting requires special permits and sturdy vehicles capable of crossing remote desert terrain with challenging sand conditions. This is an extremely isolated location that should only be visited with experienced guides and adequate water and supplies.
The western slope holds an oasis at its base with natural springs, including Ain Dua, which provides vital water sources in this desert landscape. This water allowed early peoples to settle and survive in one of the harshest parts of the Sahara.
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