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Turkey to Egypt- July 2013 Turkey to Egypt- July 2013
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 4 Jul 2013
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Turkey to Egypt- July 2013
Hi Guys,

With the developments of the last 2 days in egypt its seems to have changed the situation for travelling...

I am on my way, looking to take the sisa ferry in a weeks time.

Anybody heading that way? Or anybody that can give me clear advise on "the arrival and procedure proses" in port said?

If anybody heading down and want to hook up let me know...

Cheers
Riaan
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  #2  
Old 5 Jul 2013
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Hello Riaan,

The most important thing you need is time . The port said ferry seems to wait for a full cargo load before departing. We used the services of the fixer Eslam in port said (full review in ferry thread). Other overlanders we met also dealt with hin for the same price. They arrived 23rd june.Like us it took them 2days to clear.

We're down south so cant comment on further north but there are protests here which the locals will steer you away from.

We're now on our second week of trying to get out and into Sudan . 5 cars of Europeans.

Safe travels

Tadhg
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  #3  
Old 5 Jul 2013
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Cool thanks... I think it will be ok!

I should catch you guys fairly soon!

See ya later!
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  #4  
Old 6 Jul 2013
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Just got a message from Northbound overlanders in Hurgada that there are people on their 10th day of waiting in Port Said for the Iskunderun ferry.

Hope you get lucky!
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  #5  
Old 8 Jul 2013
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Thanks for the update it seems like my luck is starting to run out. Please forward any info you receive any.

I am starting to contemplate a flight to khartoum or home... The second option will destroy my dream but thats life...

Cheers
Riaan
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  #6  
Old 8 Jul 2013
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Keep us posted. I am due to take ferry in about 6 weeks time on my way home to Cape Town.
see
[url=http://www.cape2cape4kids.co.za]cape2cape4kids
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  #7  
Old 8 Jul 2013
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alternate Route
Hi

we are currently in Greece (Delphi) and in Turkey in about 2 weeks and want to avoid Egypt and the ferry to Port Said ...

Right now, we are trying this option ...

1. get Visa for Iran after Ramadan
2. travel Iran
3. take the ferry from Bandar Abbas to Sharjah (UAE)
4. travel UAE and Oman
5. ship the Minibus from Salalah to Port Sudan in a 20'container (no RoRo)
6. take a flight from Muscat to Karthoum, bus to Port Sudan

already asked a freight forwarder, but no answer or rate for the shipping yet

any ???????

Thanks TuA

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  #8  
Old 8 Jul 2013
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Sounds fantastic. I am looking to get home fairly quickly though. But its an option.

Spoke to Ferry guys this afternoon, they say Egypt ok,ferry left port said today, return on wednesday.

Fco travel advise:
Q: Would you go to Egypt right now?
A: No, but only because of the excessive heat. Were I to go, I would be more worried about road safety than the danger of being caught up in the conflict.

I am waiting for reply from Egyptian reporter on twitter as to wheter it is only in cairo and if outskirts ok? Western desert road perhaps?

I think Egypt will be ok, but hard to know. There arent any news of violence outside of Alex and Cairo.

Your thought?
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  #9  
Old 9 Jul 2013
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update...

Egypt embassy in SA: We're safe for travel | News | Africa | Mail & Guardian

Got a reply from Egypt embassy in Pretoria. They recon its safe to go...
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  #10  
Old 9 Jul 2013
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alternate Route
Hi

My thoughts ...

I think it's getting worse in Egypt for several reasons ...

travelling will be very difficult and I don't like the egyptian habbit of ripping travel off :-(

fuel is and food could be an issue in the future

Egypt is bankrupt and relys on foreign money

the political situation is getting worse

the desert route south is probably the safest route

tourists (RedSea, Nilcruises and Luxor area) are decreasing, so the financial situation for the locals will get even more worse

Well, if you want to travel Egypt be prepared for problems whatsoever

Good Luck and safe journey
TuA


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  #11  
Old 9 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VanGS View Post
update...

Egypt embassy in SA: We're safe for travel | News | Africa | Mail & Guardian

Got a reply from Egypt embassy in Pretoria. They recon its safe to go...

The german foreign service tells a warning ....

Aktuelle Hinweise / Teilreisewarnung

Von Reisen nach Ägypten, insbesondere in das Nildelta, auf den Sinai sowie in das ägyptisch-libysche Grenzgebiet, wird in der aktuellen Lage vor dem Hintergrund der sehr unbeständigen Sicherheitslage dringend abgeraten. Dies gilt auch für die Touristenzentren in Oberägypten (Luxor, Assuan, Nilkreuzfahrten). Es gilt nicht für Reisen in die Touristengebiete am Roten Meer auf der Festlandseite Ägyptens und auf dem Sinai im Küstenstreifen zwischen Sharm-El-Sheikh und Nuweiba. Der Transit über den Internationalen Flughafen Kairo ist möglich; der Flughafen funktioniert normal und ist gut gesichert.
Vor Reisen in den Nord-Sinai und das ägyptisch-israelische Grenzgebiet wird aktuell gewarnt.
Überlandfahrten zwischen den oben genannten Städten bzw. Landesteilen sind zu vermeiden – es sollte ausschließlich auf Flugverbindungen zurückgegriffen werden. Von nächtlichen Überlandfahrten wird generell dringend abgeraten.
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  #12  
Old 9 Jul 2013
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Don't know what my plans are yet...

Athens to Haifa- 650 euro... Drive to Sharm-ferry to Hurgada 40 euro
Iskenderun to Port Said- 331 euro

Just some info...

One more question: Can I obtain Ethopian visa in Khartoum?
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  #13  
Old 9 Jul 2013
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Hi VanGS,

It will certainly not be the easiest of travels these days. I would probably avoid the Nile road until Luxor, either going down the Red Sea or via the oasis route.

One important information: The ferry from Sharm el Sheikh to Hurghada has not been running now for several years!!

There is no other way than going all the way through the Suez Canal tunnel. Make sure to get security updates before transiting Suez!

In addition, make sure you do have a second passport in order to avoid problems on entering Sudan if you really want to come through Israel.

Vehicles do get a customs number plate in Egypt. This does indicate the border crossing. It might not be the best idea at this time to drive around Egypt with a Taba plate! Even if it is more expensive you should seriously consider to cross from Israel into Jordan and then continue with the Aqaba - Nuweiba ferry. With a Nuweiba customs plate there should be no problem.

Have a safe trip and good luck!
Achim
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  #14  
Old 9 Jul 2013
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Difficult Questions
Hello All,

It's very difficult to respond at the moment, my gut says all will be OK but I'm wary as it's very tricky to predict what will happen in the coming weeks.

Achim, with all respect, I would suggest that anyone looking closely enough to recognise a Taba plate over a Nuweiba plate would probably also note that these are tourists/overlanders and not representative of the country they've entered from. Of course I could be wrong and you must decide for yourselves.

We drove from Cairo to Aswan last Sunday 7th, along the desert road east of the Nile (until Luxor where we crossed to the desert road W of the Nile). Absolutely no dramas, got deisel in Luxor and one police check questioned us leaving Luxor. Quite possibly we were just lucky, but I don't think so.

Transiting Cairo is a different matter and I'd say you have to pay attention to what's going on there. It's undoubtedly complex and unpredictable, but I would say that Egypt for overlanders is not necessarily a lost cause at the moment.

Although I must admit, I will be quite happy when we are finally out of the country.
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  #15  
Old 10 Jul 2013
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Hello Jamie,

I agree in principle and I always enjoy your postings - in reality it could well be as you say. In general, Egyptians are an extremely friendly people. I have only encountered nice people during my weeks crossing Egypt last autumn.

But to give one example: The situation on the Sinai is extremely volatile. For the time being, most of the danger is limited to the North of the peninsula. Nevertheless, Islamists are roaming the area, and their tendency to suspect conspiracies of the Israeli enemy is enormous. In the past, Israeli tourists used to travel as far as Sharm el Sheikh. There are certainly next to none left at the moment - but would Salafis really care to enquire?

It is always a matter of personal decision which risk to take. I would accept those I have to and would avoid those I can. And this is why the discussion of different arguments and perspectives is so useful on the HUBB.

Greetings,
Achim
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