Egypt

Considered to be the cradle of civilisation, Ancient Egypt saw some of the earliest developments of writing, agriculture, technology & organised religion. A country rich in cultural heritage, Egypt transports you back in time to a world of pharaohs & fables. From the Sahara Desert to the Red Sea to the Nile River, Egypt is an explorer’s wonderland.

activities & experiences in egypt

The more obvious attractions of a luxury Egypt vacation are just the tip of the pyramid, so to speak. Historically, there is so much to see, with temples, monuments, the sphinx and pyramids, as well as numerous museums housing artefacts several millennia old. While you will find history at every turn, you will also find wonderful hospitality and passionate culture steeped in traditional heritage.

The muezzin’s adhat, or call to prayer, echoes from minarets at dawn, souks laden with produce, spices and fine handicrafts bustle with locals and visitors alike, and the thrum of activity is intoxicating. But with the ever-encroaching desert never far away and the tranquil Red Sea and meandering Nile providing the country’s aquatic lifeblood and transport route, serenity is easily attainable at any time.

destinations in Egypt

The renown of Egypt’s most acclaimed destinations leaves little need for explanation. The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the fascinating city of Cairo speak for themselves, all highly recommended additions to any itinerary, but there are plenty more, less prominent locations throughout the country. It is in these lesser-known regions that you will find fewer crowds, greater intrigue and a more exclusive adventure.

Siwa Oasis

Almost 350 miles (500km) from Cairo, Siwa Oasis is often missed on most conventional tours of Egypt. Set in the country’s northwest, Siwa is a small community with wondrous sights to offer its few visitors. At the heart of the township lies the ancient Shali Gadi. Over 800 years old, it holds cultural and religious significance to the region. The town of Siwa sustains itself by mining the salt from the surrounding landscapes. This has given rise to hundreds of crystal-clear salt pools, the warm azure waters a wonderful place to cool off and relax.

Farafra & White Desert National Park

Farafra is a Bedouin outpost in the Western Desert of Egypt. Its several attractions include an ancient Roman well, hot springs, traditional Bedouin architecture and the bizarre, captivating White Desert National Park. Curved by sand storms, the park is filled with snow-white rock formations, some seemingly defying gravity, rising from the desolate, expansive landscape.

Alexandria

The seafront city of Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great and once home to Cleopatra, its opulent status making it a gravitational attraction for historians. The fabled Lighthouse of Alexandria shone across the waters of the Mediterranean for over a thousand years, but has long since been razed. However, the corniche and Fort Qaitbey that now stands where the lighthouse once was, are wonderful. Venture just outside the city to the underground Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa, almost humorously rediscovered in 1900 after 2,000 years when a local donkey accidentally fell into them.

The Valley of the Whales

Many visitors to Egypt will have heard of the Valley of the Kings, but very few would know or visit the Valley of the Whales, or Wadi al Hitan. This fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site is filled with the fossils of prehistoric whales and their extinct evolutionary forebears. Ancient bones are strewn across the desert floor and visitors can wander amongst these incredible remnants of prehistoric life. The desert is also home to Egyptian wolf, red fox, Egyptian mongoose, African wildcat, and dorcas gazelle, and, at night, fennec foxes.

Abu Simbel

Despite its recognisable facade, Abu Simbel is often omitted from the Egyptian to-do list. Far up the Nile valley, where the river opens into Lake Nasser before trickling onwards to Cairo, rests Abu Simbel, carved into the solid-rock hillside a staggering 3,400 years ago. The tribute to King Ramesses II, his wife Nefertari and their children. The historic significance and awe-inspiring magnitude of Abu Simbel are profound, the seated Pharaoh simply enormous as you gaze from Ramesses’ feet to his crowned head some 65 feet (20 metres) above. Equally fascinating is the temple that lies beyond.

White Desert Sahara luxury Egypt vacation

accommodations in egypt

As one could well imagine from the Land of the Pharaohs, a luxury Egypt vacation offers accommodation of exceptional, almost regal standards. However, what Egypt has in luxury, it lacks in privacy, in the sense that most accommodation is provided by hotels, rather than private residences.

EGYPT ESSENTIALS

BEST TIME: Oct – Apr

CLIMATE: LOW: 49-77ºF (10-25ºC) Dec – Mar / HIGH: 72-95ºF (22-35ºC) Jun – Aug

SEASONS: DRY: Apr – Oct / WET: Nov – Mar

BEST FOR: History & culture seekers, couples, families, & honeymooners

When one takes a luxury Egypt vacation, it isn’t to go on safari, have a beach holiday or hike through national parks, it is, quite simply, to visit Egypt. It is a truly fascinating destination that is unlike anywhere else in the world, but a very specific experience.

Though there is so much to do, it is a destination of expectations: the history, the ancient architecture and an adventure through the Land of the Pharaohs. It may seem obvious advice, but if temples, pyramids and ancient civilisations don’t appeal, you will have limited options for your entertainment.

That said, even those you are less intrigued do find Egypt absolutely fascinating and a very pleasant surprise.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW LONG SHOULD I SPEND IN EGYPT?

There is so much to see in Egypt that it is worth taking your time. Without an adequate time frame, you will likely be absolutely exhausted or somewhat disappointed. Enjoying a Nile cruise, an afternoon wandering the souks of Cairo, a relaxation day and so on should all be factored in to make the most of your Egypt adventure. For this reason, at least 10-14 days is recommended to make the very most of this unique and captivating country.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT EGYPT?

With so much desert, it comes as little surprise to discover that Egypt doesn’t really have a wet season, with an annual rainfall of just 2.2 inches (55mm). However, midsummer can become stiflingly hot to the point that excursions can become unpleasantly uncomfortable. Summer runs from May to September, with the peak hot months being June to August. November, and February to April are the premium months, December and January having what little rainfall occurs (only a day or two per month) and colder temperatures, especially overnight.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM ACCOMMODATION IN EGYPT?

Impeccable luxury, but almost always of a shared, hotel style. Service is exceptional, as are facilities and standards. Whether in the heart of Cairo or drifting down the Nile, luxury is easily achievable almost to the point of being unavoidable. There are less exclusive options, but for the most part Egyptian accommodation is fit for a Pharaoh!

OTHER DETAILS:

Visas are required to visit Egypt, but can be obtained at Egyptian international airports. We recommend that you contact your travel designer or a travel medicine specialist for vaccination advice.

Arriving internationally into Egypt is easy and convenient, but internal travel is limited. Some private charters are available, but for the most part, private vehicles will transport you by road. This makes the notion of a Nile cruise particularly appealing and beneficial.

Egypt has a proud and pervasive Arabic culture. Though all signs, menus and so on are written in Arabic, the country also caters well to its English-speaking visitors, and the many things are written in both languages. The hospitality industry has a strong emphasis on English-speaking staff, in hotels, attractions and major transport, so you will rarely run into communication issues.

Egyptian culinary offerings range from world-class, through conveniently Western to exotically adventurous! Food bursts with flavour and spice, and ingredients can be wonderfully delicious, highly creative and occasionally just a little disturbing. However, for the greater part, Egyptian cuisine shares similarities with Greek, Turkish and Arabic dishes, and is both fantastically flavoursome and accessible for all. Hotels frequently offer a high standard of modern fusion cuisine, and every dietary need is adequately catered to.

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EGYPT SAMPLE ITINERARIES

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Wow, wow, wow!! We are back in LA now, recovering from jet lag and still in shock and awe regarding our experience. From the moment we landed in South Africa to the moment we touched down in LA, our experience was seamless and amazing.

- Amy Lundberg

We were thrilled with the trip. It was as good as or better than described at every turn. The prep, attention to detail, willingness to make changes and ensure we were ready and prepared was outstanding. Our Travel Designer was awesome!

- Betsy Robertson

Choosing a safari expert is never easy given the choice and lists upon lists of "top suppliers"....but we made the BEST choice for us....why....because above all, Rothschild listened ....really listened to what we wanted to experience.

- Dawn Jacobs

It was a well organized trip. It was easy to get around since we were guided through all of our itinerary. Everyone was pleasant and very helpful. This is an excellent way to travel. Rothschild Safari did very well and brought a fantastic African experience to us.

- George Kowalski

My trip was beyond AMAZING! I truly enjoyed every moment. The itinerary allowed me to experience a variety of different activities all of which I enjoyed! When I originally thought of going to Africa I was just thinking of safaris. This trip opened my eyes (and my family/friend's) to so much more Africa has to offer.

- Jackie Smith

Trip was PERFECT!! Every single detail was planned out and the accommodations and people were wonderful. This trip exceeded all of our wildest expectations. Every place we stayed was just lovely and each each camp had a different vibe, which was really neat. Everyone we worked with was outstanding.

- Jamie Scarlett

On behalf of the Moravecs and the Stones… thank you for arranging a trip of a lifetime. Every detail was accounted for and all the recommendations were perfect. It honestly could not have gone any better.

- Joe Moravec

Our Rothschild Safaris Travel Designers were extraordinary at crafting THE PERFECT safari for our family of eight. They listened (actually 'read' my email) to EXACTLY what we wanted, within the budget that we needed, and miraculously pulled off miracles in obtaining the properties that we wanted!

- Kim Mather

Every aspect of my trip went according to plan and the plan Rothschild Safaris helped me to orchestrate was magnificent! I loved every lodge that I was blessed to be in! They were all very different yet all high end and very accommodating.

- Lisa Anderson

It was the most exciting, scenic, inspiring trip we've ever taken. To say it was a trip of a lifetime doesn't begin to capture our experience. The Rothschild team did an outstanding job of helping us plan this trip.

- Mary & Rob Johannigman (& family)