Last Updated on March 8, 2024

The desert is by definition one of the harshest envinroments you can find on Earth. Some are insanely hot, other completely frozen, all deserts are places where life is at struggle and danger lurks behind every corner.

Deserts can be deadly for a variety of reasons: extreme weather, dehydration, sunstroke and venomous predators are all threats that you will find in the desert.

On top of that, many desert areas that are more isolated and have less access to law enforcement and other forms of government oversight, which means it is more difficult to enforce laws and maintain order.

In addition, some desert locations have a history of being used as a place for criminal and illegal activities, such as smuggling and human trafficking, due to their remote location and lack of visibility.

Below, a list of the most dangerous deserts on our planet.

What are the deadliest deserts on Earth?
The Most Dangerous Deserts in the Planet

Deadliest Deserts on Earth

1. Sahara Desert – Northern Africa

The Sahara desert is considered the deadliest desert on Earth. A notoriously dangerous place which covers much of northern Africa, the extreme heat and lack of water make it a challenging and dangerous place to travel.

Despite being a harsh desert environment, much of its dangers are linked to human violence rather than the desert itself.

The Sahara crossing for decades has been recognized as one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world. Smugglers and human traffickers ambush, kidnap and murder people who are trying to cross the desert on a regular basis. Robbery and sexual assault are also common.

And because of its unforgiving landscape and climate, even not taking into account human threats, surviving in the Sahara desert is no easy feat.

Satellite view of the Sahara desert

2. Taklamakan Desert – China

Taklamakan is one of the largest deserts in the world, and allegedly one of the most dangerous. It is located in Southwestern Xinjiang in Northwest China, and its name is believed to translate to “Place of No Return” or “somewhere you get in and never get out“.

It is a very large sandy desert with extreme hot weather during the day, and freezing temperatures at night, inhabited by venomous snakes, subject to very strong winds and prone to sand storms, and with very little sparse oases and sources of water.

It is also called the “Sea of Death” or “Place of Ruins“, so its reputation really precedes it.


3. Danakil Desert – Ethiopia

Among the most dangerous places in the world there is also the Danakil Depression, a poisonous desert located in Ethiopia.

Beneath its surface, earth’s rocky rind is splitting, and underground magma chambers feed as many as 12 active volcanoes, capable of generating steaming geysers, bubbling basins and a fiery lake of lava.

Temperatures are as high as 50°C (122°F) on a regular basis. Boiling hot water beneath the surface bubbles up mixing with poisonous chlorine and sulphur gases, making it one of the most inhospitable places on Earth.


4. Dasht-e Lut Desert – Iran

The Lut desert in Iran is the hottest place on Earth, and because of that it is largely uninhabitable, with much of its area completely void of vegetation and water.

Temperatures in the summer can reach unimaginable 60°C (140°F), with the highest recorded over 70°C (158°F).

If that wasn’t bad enough, dangerous scorpions, spiders and snakes lurk in the sand at night, when temperatures are more bearable.

And because there really aren’t any towns or villages in the Lut desert, camping in this dangerous area requires you to bring all the necessary precautions and should not be attempted without an expert guide.

Dasht-E Lut, Iran

5. Antarctica Desert

The largest desert and coldest place on the planet is also a location where resources are extremely scarce and survival challenging. The desert of Antarctica puts you at risk of frostbite, hypothermia, snow blindness, sunburn and dehydration.

Aircraft accidents are very common due to the extreme and unpredictable weather, the most deadly was a commercial airplane crash in 1979 which left over 250 people dead and no survivors.

Because travelling to the Antarctica desert via air is so dangerous, the preferred method of transportation to Antarctica are cruise ships, although shipwrecks have also happened in the past, and the journey to this continent is never easy nor risk-free.

Antarctica Desert

Dangerous Deserts FAQs

What is considered the deadliest desert on Earth?

The Sahara desert, located in northern Africa, is considered the deadliest desert on Earth. With daytime temperatures reaching up to 50°C (122°F) and dropping drastically at night, the harsh climate makes it one of the most challenging and dangerous environments on the planet.

While the climate itself is deadly, much of the Sahara’s dangers are also linked to human violence, such as kidnapping, robbery, and terrorism. The vast and remote terrain provides cover for criminal and extremist groups to operate, making it a high-risk area for travelers. In addition, the lack of resources and infrastructure in the region makes it challenging to survive, especially for those who are unprepared or inexperienced in desert travel.

Which is the most inhospitable desert in the world?

The Danakil Desert is located in Ethiopia and is among the most difficult places to live in the world. Beneath its surface, earth’s rocky rind is splitting, and underground magma chambers feed as many as 12 active volcanoes, capable of generating steaming geysers, bubbling basins and a fiery lake of lava.

Temperatures are as high as 50°C (122°F) on a regular basis, and boiling hot water beneath the surface bubbles up mixing with poisonous chlorine and sulfur gases, making it one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Despite this, areas of the desert have been inhabited by humans and their livestock for centuries.

The Afar people, known for their resilience and toughness, are one of the few groups who have adapted to this extreme environment. They have learned to extract salt from the desert floor, and their caravans of camels are a common sight, transporting the precious mineral to market.

What is the worst desert to travel to?

The largest and coldest desert on the planet, the Antarctica desert is a location where resources are extremely scarce and survival is challenging. Frostbite, hypothermia, snow blindness, sunburn, and dehydration are common risks.

Aircraft accidents are very common due to the extreme and unpredictable weather, with the most deadly being a commercial airplane crash in 1979 which left over 250 people dead and no survivors. Traveling to the Antarctica desert via air is dangerous, and the preferred method of transportation is by cruise ship, though shipwrecks have also happened in the past.

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