Aswan to Wadi Halfa Latest

[aimlessinafrica]

A group (3 x Landcruisers + 3 x bikes) of us recently had to organise a barge from Aswan to Wadi Halfa. Due to the Eid holidays most of us waited ~ 2 weeks to get our vehicles/bikes on the barge. During this time we were promised a number of different loading days and departure days. Below is a summary. You can see the full details on our blog: aimlessinafrica.blogspot.com

In general we found Aswan port to be the most corrupt customs post of our journey (15 months, ~ 65,000 km & 34 countries)
The Nile Valley Navigation Company is the most incompetent, disorganised, dishonest and unethical organisation we have ever been involved with.
Mr Salah (01283160926) appears to now only handle the passenger ferry. He will refer you to Mr Rashaad for the vehicle barge. Mr Salah will only issue a passenger ticket when your vehicle is on the barge. This is easily done on the day of departure.
We only managed to get Mr Rashaad (01090772410) to answer his phone once (from Cairo to confirm a vehicle booking). Hence, it is a problem to contact him and make arrangements. In addition, his English is basic (but better than my non-existent Arabic!), so it is difficult to have a complex conversation.
The easy way would seem to be to contact Mr Mahmoud Idris (01006845201). He speaks good English and can make contact and organise for you to see Mr Rashaad. Getting to see the right person and confirming a booking and schedule are the biggest uncertainties.
To obtain a ticket for the barge requires the approval of the “blind shouting man”. We could not work out is position/role, but you need him to approve your vehicle ticket.

You do not need a fixer. The procedure is very straight forward (the blog “gapyear4x4” gives clear directions on all the steps, directions to offices etc):
• Court Clearance to confirm no traffic violations,
• return the number plates, vehicle registration card/licence and pink copy of the vehicle ticket to the police
• go to the port and clear customs
• Drive down the road a bit and get the carnet stamped.
• Proceed to a holding area
• Load the vehicle

The fixer Kamal (01005322669) who assisted us is a buffoon. He facilitates/perpetuates the corrupt system of bribes with the Customs people.
The fixer Mohamed Abouda (01225111968) seems to be a very nasty piece of work. He tried threats, standover tactics, intimidation etc to try and extract funds from Brian & Anna. He lied to the bikers, Rob & Rick.

The main problems seem to be:
• getting in touch with the right person to get barge space for a vehicle transfer
• sorting out the schedule and accurate times/dates for the vehicle barge
• The systemic customs corruption and the lies told by the Nile Valley Navigation Company staff regarding vehicle transfer.
A strong warning must be given about the Nile Valley Navigation Company people. Whilst you must deal with them, you cannot believe them. So, whilst they may give assurances, times, dates etc this should all be taken with a huge degree of skepticism. Sad, but true.