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25 Jul 2015
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I am just planning my trip to Egypt where I will ship my car back to Europe.
So fixer is not obligatory to get in to Egypt from Sudan?
Greetings from Nairobi, waiting passport to arrive with Ethiopian visa 
/jasmin
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27 Jul 2015
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No, a fixer is not obligatory ... he might be helpful if something's wrong with your paperwork but if your paperwork is in order, you really don't need a fixer (on neither side).
When our friends arrived at the border with their car a few weeks back, Mazar was nowhere to be found (for whatever reason) and they managed just fine without being even bothered (after the officials had established that Mazar was MIA ;-)).
All the best with your Ethiopian visa - we were in the same situation a few months back and all went well. Enjoy Ethiopia - we really loved it (divine coffee and food!) but had way too little time to really explore it! If you can - take your time!
How do you plan on shipping your car from Egypt to Europe?
All the best, safe and fun travels! Enjoy!
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2 Sep 2015
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Recent report from Steffen W
In Aswan I have to track down ‘Kamal’. Kamal also has contact with Mazar on the Sudanese side [contact details in this thread somewhere].
There are two convoys a day to Abu Simbel: one at 4am near the Nubian Museum (for tourist day trips and to catch the first ferry), the second I think at 11am in front of the obelisk. My pre-dawn convoy was formed by many tourists minibuses doing Abu Simbel, with some police cars front and back. Only foreigners need to do the convoy; on the road I saw local cars unescorted.
The speed is high so it takes about three hours to Abu Simbel - average speed about 110-120km/h. Not ideal in the dark on an Egyptian road through the desert on a back-heavy 1200GS with the headlight beam illuminating the stars.
The new road is in a very good condition by Egyptian standards, but give it a few years. When the sun rises about 5:30 you see the fantastic desert landscape light up but you have to ride on.
At Abu Simbel you go straight to the harbour. On the other side you have to drive about 60km to Wadi Halfa, but at the beginning of Abu Simbel there is a fuel-station on the left. We reach Abu Simbel at about 7. Kamal waits there and you need to hurry as the ferry should leave at 7 too.
It takes about one hour to cross the lake to Quastal which is just a ramp in the dust. After that, there's a new road for nearly 30km to the border. To leave Egypt it takes more time then entering, I don't know why. Kamal does it all and I just wait with all the others. It takes more than six hours to enter Sudan but that was not normal, they had a network problem that day. There was no bike-check, nothing. After the border (forget the name, in the middle of nowhere) you ride 30km on a new road to Wadi Halfa.
Mazar is a really nice guy: friendly, fair (from what I could see), you can make jokes with him. He gave me some interesting tips about must-sees and an invitation to his brother’s house in Khartoum. He did the ‘Long Way Down’ crew and owns a BMW found in the desert back in the 90’s near a dead German traveller.
Kamal is just a fixer. A little bit grumpy but does his job. You don't really know exactly what you’re paying for and why in three currencies: this in Euro, that in Dollar, this in EGP. I’m sure I’m paying too, much like all others, but what can you do if you can’t read the documents? With anyone else it would be the same. From Wadi Halfa to Khartoum all sealed, easy riding, if you don't mind 40°C).
Recent report from Steffen W
Last edited by Chris Scott; 5 Oct 2015 at 13:22.
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28 Sep 2015
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Thx Chris - great description.
I heard a dirty rumour over the weekend that the road was now closed as per a few days ago!!! argh!
I find it hard to believe, but goepolitics are strange these days, so wondering if anyone has any current information. My quick google didn't come up with anything, but perhaps I'm missing something?
Please let me know.
Thanks
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28 Sep 2015
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Not heard anything but I'm sure we will soon if its happened.
(fyi report by Steffan W, not me)
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7 Oct 2015
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I don't have any personal experience right now since we just made it to Europe. Via sinai and israel. But my friends in egypt told sinai is now closed from 4x4 bit driving else where is ok.
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9 Oct 2015
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Hello!
I'm right now in Egypt and plan to go to the Sinai to take the ferry to Israel. We have a Land Rover defender, an obvious 4x4. Is it forbidden to cross into the Sinai from west Suez (Ahmed Hamri tunnel)? Late August it was possible but I am scared something changed...
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10 Oct 2015
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Hi Cwuebben!
We did the Sinai in September, was fine. No problem at all. I have heard now from other travellers that is is closed. They are shipping from Alexandria their car. But I read news that it have been closed since August, and yet we did it. I believe if they have closed it, you would not be able to get too far, police will let tell you go back. The Suez canal was not too expensive, was it less than 1 euro.. If you do not find more info, maybe just try.
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11 Oct 2015
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Thank you jasminannika! I think we will just try it, if it works it works.
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12 Oct 2015
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Sinai open again for 4x4 since yesterday
Hi everyone, I have just had first hand news that the Suez canal tunnel is open again since yesterday. Good news! Travel via the coastal road to Sharm el Sheikh then North to Dahab / Nuweiba / Taba is possible again. Tunnel is 2 EGP (as always), which is 25 euro cents. Travel to st Catherines is possible from the Sharm side. Border crossings at Nuweiba and Taba are possible.
The white desert has also reopened again according to Peter Wirth of the Baharya hot springs hotel, but only for day trips. Contact him for more information. I don't know if it is possible or advisable to travel to the oases further away (Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga).
Bear in mind that police and army are everywhere and are very "jumpy" in Egypt as they have been the target of many attacks (hundreds of them have died), so have your paperwork in order, stay calm and you will be fine.
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17 Oct 2015
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No 4x4 on the Sinai
The Ahmed hamdy tunnel is closed to 4x4. Other cars are allowed. We were at the tunnel 2 days ago and were denied entry. We tried to get a permit from military intelligence in Cairo but were denied. We tried with a towing truck... But were denied today. Right now there is no way to enter the Sinai with a 4x4.
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17 Oct 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AfricaWithAutism
Thx Chris - great description.
I heard a dirty rumour over the weekend that the road was now closed as per a few days ago!!! argh!
I find it hard to believe, but goepolitics are strange these days, so wondering if anyone has any current information. My quick google didn't come up with anything, but perhaps I'm missing something?
Please let me know.
Thanks
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road is open friends just crossed few days ago , so no worries,
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17 Oct 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cwuebben
The Ahmed hamdy tunnel is closed to 4x4. Other cars are allowed. We were at the tunnel 2 days ago and were denied entry. We tried to get a permit from military intelligence in Cairo but were denied. We tried with a towing truck... But were denied today. Right now there is no way to enter the Sinai with a 4x4.
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where are you now ? i will try to help but no promises ,
please email me
omarmansourr@hotmail.com
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19 Oct 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omar mansour
road is open friends just crossed few days ago , so no worries,
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Hi Omar, It isn't really clear if Sinai is open or not. Friends of mine (foreign and Egyptian) get through sometimes and other days not. Looks like the authorities have not really made up their minds yet, or do you have other news? Would like to know as I normally go kitesurfing in Ras Sudr and this is the info that I am getting from the guys at la Hacienda.
Maa Salama
Bas
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22 Oct 2015
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Border Egypt / Sudan (new road) Fixers and Costs
Hi All,
currently, we are in Cairo, but will go down to Sudan soon.
Today, I have contacted a Fixer in Aswan who wants the following sums for his work:
* clearance for the car/road use: 1640 EL (i.e. 193€)
* US$50 for Sudan visa per person (i.e. US$200)
* US$50 per person for his services (i.e. US$200)
...
Does anybody have any experiences?
...
Do we really need a fixer for exiting Egypt and getting the Sudanese visa (we do have an invitation letter from the University of Khartoum)??
...
It would be great to get your suggestions and ideas.
All the best from Cairo,
Juliane, Mischa, Anouk and Sóley
... does anybody have the contact details of a fixer called Mazar?
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