The Foreign Office advises that it’s safe to visit sites along the Nile and tourists are slowly returning but the lower numbers, along with a depressed Egyptian pound (and presumably depressed owners of Egyptian pounds), mean it is a good time to visit, and hotels that might be out of reach are now extremely affordable …
Was it easy and safe to sail down the Nile river in ancient Egypt?
Large wooden ships were equipped with square sails and oars. Their planks, held together with rope, expanded in the water, making the vessel watertight. … Ships could travel with ease up and down the Nile from the delta region to the First Cataract at Aswan.
Is the river Nile safe?
It’s with Nour El Nil and their one of their FAQ is “is it safe to swim in the Nile?” Their answer is “Yes, of course! Every week our guests swim in the Nile without any problems or cause for concern. The currents ensure that you are swimming in clean, non-stagnant water.
Why was traveling the Nile river difficult?
The Nile River has a marshy delta. As a result, Egyptians could not build a port at the mouth of the Nile. This made it difficult for invaders to reach Egyptian settlements along the river. In addition, the rough waters, or cataracts, in the southern part of the river made travel and invasion difficult.
How long would it take to sail down the Nile?
They can be as long as 14 days or as short as 4, but the average boat trip lasts 5 days and begins in Aswan (for a trip north), that is, downriver to Luxor, or vice versa. Passengers can request either direction when they book.
Can you cruise the whole Nile?
One Nile Cruiser, the M/S Sudan, offers a special heritage cruise stay and the unique chance of cruising onboard one of the original Nile tourist steamships, now refitted for modern comforts but still brimming with 19th-century character. In general, Nile cruisers carry between around 50 and 100 passengers.
Can you travel the entire Nile river?
For many travellers, the only way to travel on the Nile is slowly, on board a traditional felucca (Egyptian sailing boat). Except for swimming, this is as close as you can get to the river.
Why can’t you swim in the Nile river?
The Nile River is the life blood of Egypt. It is the longest river in the world, flowing over 6,600 kilometres throughout Africa. … We loved travelling along the Nile but would not recommend swimming in it (like we did) or you may get infected with a parasite called schistosomiasis.
Which is the deadliest river in the world?
The Zambezi is considered by many to be the world’s most dangerous river, which is partly what drew me. It’s almost 3,000km long, peppered with unexploded mines, killer rapids and deadly animals. Before the expedition, I joined a wildlife survey that counted 188,000 crocodiles and 90,000 hippos along its length.
Are there piranhas in the Nile river?
Known as the “piranha of Africa,” the giant tigerfish is one of several fish species that makes its home in the Nile.
How far can you sail up the Nile?
As a tourist, you can sail the Nile up or down between Luxor and Aswan the whole year around, and in certain time of the year, from February to October you can sail up or down between Cairo and Aswan. You can sail the lake Nasser behind the dam in Aswan up to Abu Simbel.
Was the Nile river used for defense?
The river and deserts provided natural defenses for the Egyptians. … The deserts that surrounded the Nile River Valley were hot, dry, and sandy. They made invasion over land nearly impossible. With these natural defenses, the ancient Egyptians did not have to build fortifications for their settlements.
Did Top Gear really find the source of the Nile?
So, no, they didn’t, unless you want to use some very non-standard geographical definitions. (By the way, most people agree Lake Victoria isn’t the source since it has many feeders; the question is which of those starts furthest from the Nile’s mouth.)
How safe is a Nile cruise?
You’ll see high levels of security everywhere along the Nile but this is reassuring rather than intrusive. Airport-style metal detector gates are positioned at the entrance to every attraction, hotel and cruise ship. Prepare for bag searches, too; it’s best to travel light on day trips.
Do ships go down the Nile?
At some point most travelers to Egypt will take in some sort of boat trip down the Nile River. By far the most atmospheric is the felucca, a traditional sailing boat. … This experience will probably be most akin to that of the ancient Egyptians.
Is a Nile River cruise worth it?
A Nile river cruise has to be neither touristy or expensive. Even for budget travelers who prefer a DIY trip, a Nile River cruise is almost always going to be the best option when you consider all of the costs that are incorporated in your trip to Egypt.