Egypt is one of Africa’s major tourist destinations, with the main drawcards being the Red Sea, Egyptology and the Nile. The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings need no introduction in the world of antiquity, the sun-soaked beaches of the Red Sea with their scuba diving are a massive attraction to those from colder climes, and a cruise on the Nile floods back memories of Cleopatra. Aside from these famous attractions, this desert country houses ancient ruins and mystical Oases, and in Cairo, ancient cultures remain, blending with the very modern. Egypt offers so much more than its world-famous pyramids. Visitors can enjoy desert trekking, scuba diving, golfing, fishing, bird watching or floating along the Red Sea.
Resting on the east bank of the infamous Nile River in southern Egypt, the city of Luxor is renowned for its many well-preserved monuments, so much so that it has been described as the world’s greatest open-air museum. Luxor is often divided into three different areas; the city of Luxor on the east side of the Nile, the town of Karnak further north and Thebes on the west side of the Nile, across from Luxor. Visitors can look forward to a variety of accommodation and an abundance of exciting activities – Luxor knows how to accommodate tourists as it has been doing since ancient times. Don’t miss the Karnak and Luxor Temples, as well as the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.
Situated north of Aswan, on the eastern bank of the Nile River in Egypt, the ancient city of Kom Ombo is famous for its unusual riverside double-temple honouring Horus the Elder (Haroeris) and Sobek (the crocodile god), and its attached crocodile museum. The building is especially distinctive in its dual, mirror image structures and even features a double altar. At the crocodile museum, visitors can see crocodile mummies and other artefacts which give insight into the sacred place the animals had in ancient times. The town is also notable for being home to an original community of peasant farmers as well as a large population of Nubian people and is surrounded by beautiful sugar-cane fields. Kom Ombo makes for a fantastic day trip from both Luxor and Aswan and is a popular stop on river cruises.
Aswan ligt aan de oostelijke oever van de Nijl in het zuiden van Egypte en is een droge, moderne en populaire stad met een ontspannen sfeer. De stad herbergt een aantal belangrijke archeologische vindplaatsen en vormt ook een uitstekende uitvalsbasis voor het verkennen van de vele attracties van wereldklasse in de omgeving. Bezoekers kunnen genieten van het prachtige uitzicht door middel van langzame wandelingen langs de brede corniche, of tijdens het dineren op verse zeevruchten in een van de charmante drijvende restaurants van de stad. 's Avonds treden dansers, muzikanten en folklore-groepen op in het Cultureel Centrum en bieden onvergetelijk entertainment. Hoogtepunten van de stad zijn onder meer een grote, levendige markt en het Nubisch Museum, dat enkele van de belangrijkste historische artefacten van Zuid-Egypte laat zien.
Resting on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan, the historic town of Edfu is the location of the famous Temple of Horus. Considered the best-reserved temple in Egypt and dating back to the Ptolemaic times (237 - 57 BC), the temple has played a dramatic role in today’s understanding of ancient Egypt, including our knowledge of its religion, lifestyle, and language. The temple is decorated with intricate and varied scenes depicting marriages, deities, and the birth of its namesake god, and exhibits a combination of both Egyptian and Greek architectural elements. Other highlights include the ruins of one of seven small provincial step pyramids, and two temples considered second only in importance to the Temple of Dendera. Modern Edfu is a bustling hub producing renowned pottery.
Resting on the western bank of the Nile, just south of Luxor, the market town of Esna boasts a scenic riverfront, a collection of ancient structures and a vibrant weekly market. It once served as an important stop along the camel-caravan trade route between Egypt and Sudan during the 18th Pharaonic Dynasty and today it is a popular stop for cruises. This hidden gem of a city features a tranquil atmosphere which is livened up by Esna’s tourist-oriented market on Saturdays, where visitors can purchase fabric and have one-of-a-kind clothes made. Visitors can also explore the old streets and temples, stroll along the scenic banks of the Nile and admire the ancient architecture of Esna’s old houses, featuring fine brickwork and elaborate mashrabiyya (wooden lattice screens). The undeniable highlight is the Temple of Khnum, also known as the Temple of Esna featuring grand pillars and well-preserved carvings from as late as the 3rd century AD. Don’t miss the opportunity to view the Fatimid-era Emari minaret, one of the oldest in Egypt.
