Hi all

I have made a couple of notes from the different threads, but would appreciate if the more experience travellers want to share some tips

We are planning ship to Alexandria at the end of April and hopefully get the 4x4 through customs within a week. Then we should have another 10 days to cross Egypt to catch the Aswan ferry. Based on the 10 days to cross Egypt - Which route would you advise, head straight down the Nile, where should we go to experience a bit of the desert? We are currently travelling on our own so don’t want to go too far into the unknown, but also don’t mind to be a bit adventurous . I have read Chris Scott Overlanders handbook, but any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Vleis

Hi Vleis, you have options, but decisions to make as well as nice places to experience in Egypt are quite distant one from the others.

If you wish to see the great sand sea, then head West out of Alexandria and go South to Siwa 300 km off Marsa Matrough on the Mediterranean coast. So after one day traveling to Siwa and one day there, 3 days are gone by the time you hit Cairo heading back North and East towards Alexandria but shunting South-East from Al-Alemein towards Cairo. Drive daylight only, too risky otherwise.

In Cairo, you can go see the Giza pyramids and a few more in Saqqrah and Dashur just South, then head for the Read Sea or visit the Egyptian Museum downtown. 2 more days are gone, total 5.

Following the Red Sea coast South from Ain Sukhna, you'll take 4 hours to reach Hurghada along the coast, and then some more going in-land towards Luxor by the Nile. One more day is gone, and 2 more to visit the Kings'Valley and Karnac temple, total by then: 8

Head South to Aswan, it will take a few hours from Luxor, find the ferry people, enjoy a few Stella (local ) before entering dry (and hot) Sudan.

Other than that: Instead of going to Siwa for example, you could head to the Sinaï entering from the Suez tunnel, meaning instead of leaving Alexandria going West, you would head East, follow as much as possible the Mediterranean coast road all the Port-Saïd stopping on the way to Ras-El-Bahr and Damietta, and from Port-Saïd then South and into the Sinaï if the Japanese built bridge is open, or down to Suez. This will take one day.

Entering Sinaï, either you head South towards Sharm-El-Sheikh and cut East towards Dahab before reaching Sharm (I don't like Sharm), or you head East and cross the Sinaï to Taba and then South to Nuweiba and further South to Dahab. The Southern triangular part of Sinaï is fantastic, just impressively colored and nice. Two nights in Sinaï, I'd recommend in Dahab, would be enough unless you feel like diving and exploring further, e.g. the St-Catherine's Monastery and else.

Coming out of Sinaï, you will have to decide whether you wish to enter turbulent and dodgy Cairo or just head South the Red Sea coast and eventually go in-land towards Aswan. It's all up to you!

Good luck with customs, brace yourself with enthusiasms, think of something nice throughout, and sing songs when you feel like punching one.

Thanks Squire, this is very helpful info, just like so many of your other posts I have read in the last couple of months. Clearly my schedule won’t allow going west towards Siwa and East to Sinai and still making the Valley of the Kings etc. Usual I try avoid travelling at night, if you don’t mind me asking why did you mention not to tackle the road back from Al-Alemein to Cairo at night?



I assume once in the desert you can just camp away from the main road or is campsites a must? The Overlanders handbook also mentioned the route via the Farafra oasis with camping in the desert at night is a good alternative to heading down the Nile. This still gives me the option to catch a section of the Nile route between Asyut and Aswan. Any advice with regards to this route?



Sorry for all the questions, but I am a complete novice at desert travel. I think all of this will be dependent on how quick I can navigate the Alex customs maze. For now I want to work out a couple of options and confirm how suitable wild camping is in Egypt.


Cheers
Vleis

Hi Vleis, indeed I was going to add a reply suggesting the Western Oasis route, quite nice for what I know if it, I must admit not having done the whole loop due to lack of time.

The South part of Sinaï and Siwa are 2 great places to see in Egypt, and driving to and from very easy, paved highway for most of it, although again driving at night is NOT recommended, in fact driving in Egypt during the day is already dreadful, at night it just becomes hairy.

So, heading South to Cairo out of Alexandria -- I'm afraid you won't find much camping opportunity around Cairo, but a vast variety of hotels -- you'll have to hit the road West to Wahat Bahariyya (400 km) and then enter the White Desert and hop from one oasis to another coming back to the Nile thereafter not very far from Luxor. Many Hubbers have done that trip, and a great deal of updated information is available already. That is also very nice, and camping would be easy compared to other route options.

Alternatively, you could go to Siwa and then cross the desert to Bahariyya, a route improving I am told, upon authorization obtained locally, and subject to being accompanied or being part of a convoy. Not a problem as many locals do the trip regularly, and ask for an affordable amount that can be negotiated. Just have an extra spare, the road is infamously known for punctures, again less likely if accompanying locals. I leave others fill-in gaps here.

Looking forward reading more on your preparation and plans!

Hi Vleis,

We spent 7 weeks in Egypt in August/September on our way back to Europe from Namibia.

If I were you I would go from Alex to Cairo, visit the pyramids (I'm sure you would visit Giza anyway but I actually enjoyed Dashur a lot more). You can camp at Salma camp which won't be the best campsite you've visited but is OK. From there take the Western Desert loop out via Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga. You can camp out in the desert easily enough (though tell the checkpoints you're heading for the next oasis town) and it is wonderful. Lots of interesting things to visit in the oases on the way through. The White Desert in particular is an amazing place to camp and there are official camping spots there in great locations.

From Kharga if you are doing OK for time follow the loop up to Assyut then head south down the Nile stopping off to visit Abydos and Dendera (two amazing temples - relatively little visited) on your way to Luxor. If you are tight for time go straight to Luxor. I'd try and budget for 3 days there.

Then down to Aswan and if time allows have an overnight at Abu Simbel and visit the temple early (before 7.30am when the convoy arrives and it is packed).

You will miss the coast but it's easy enough to visit this another time.

I'm attaching a link to our webpage which has some pictures.

http://off2africa.synthasite.com/egypt.php

Whilst you are waiting for your car in Alex you can easily travel to Cairo by train and visit the sights in the city (which is much better done without your vehicle!). You could also hop on a bus to Siwa and back. Though the crossing Siwa/Bahariya requires a permit (and also a guide and a sat phone if you do it in your own vehicle) the road in from Alex is easy tar, no permits required.

You will have a great time.

Thanks guys, I'm also following this thread with interest...

Any other websites or sources of info would be appreciated.... I'd like to avoid the tourist stuff and roam around in the desert areas more, though it sounds like it is all a little 'permit required'?

__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak