Umoja Journey January 2024 - "Adventure with Purpose" - Led by David Marshall

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.

Currency:  
Local currency: Egyptian Pound  
Symbol: LE or E€ 
ISO code: EGP 
Central bank: Central Bank of Egypt  
Subunit: Paistres 
Banknotes: LE 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1; P50, P25 
Coins: P25, P20, P10, P5 

Banking: 
Card Transactions: Yes  
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Ye 
Diner’s club: Yes 
 
Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: Mondays - Thursdays 08h30 - 14h00 
Weekends: Sundays 08h30 - 14h00 
Public Holidays: No 
Foreign exchange services: Yes, during the day and in the evenings 18h00 - 21h00 
 

Air:  
Main airlines: EgyptAir 
International Airports: Cairo International Airport, Luxor International Airport, Aswan International Airport, Hurghada International Airport, Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, Marsa Alam International Airport 

Road: 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
Uber available: Yes 
 
Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 
 
Rail: 
Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: No 
 
Water: 
Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety:  
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: No 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: No 

Local cuisine: Blending African, Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean influences, Egyptian food is fragrant and usually quite healthy, featuring lots of vegetables and spices. Specialties include dolmades, Molokhiya, Ful Medales, bush okra stew, and many more. 

Drinks: 

Zibib - made with aniseed 

Aswanli – a dark beer made in the town of the same name  

Karkaday – red drink made with hibiscus flowers 

Tipping: 10 - 12% tip is added to the bill, however it is customary to add another 5% on top of that. 

Annual rainfall: 20 mm - 200 mm  
Average temperature: Coastal regions: 14°C - 30°C; Inland / desert: 7°C at night to 43°C during the day   
 
Summer:  
Average in highs: 32°C 
Average in lows: 23 °C 

Winter: 
Average in highs: 17°C 
Average in lows: 9.5°C 
 
Best time to visit: Between February and April, or October to November, the weather is mild to warm, with stunning blue skies. Winds sweeping sand across the area can be unpleasant in summer, and in winter, rain and fog may reduce your visibility of the sights.  

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 
 
Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 
 

Internet cafes: Yes 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: No 
Libraries: In cities  

One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', boasts 11 official languages, and its inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches of Cape Town. Enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township, browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, or sample some of the world's finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, its untamed wilderness is astonishing: wildlife roams freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park.

Currency 
Local currency: South African Rand 
Symbol: R 
ISO code: ZAR 
Subunit: Cent (1/100 of a Rand) 
Banknotes: R10, R20, R50, R100, R200 
Coins: 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5 

Banking 
Card Transactions: Widely accepted 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 
 
Banking Hours: Weekdays: 09:00 – 15:30 
Weekend: Saturdays: 08:30 – 11:00 
Public Holidays: Closed 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: South African Airways 
International Airports: O.R. Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town International, King Shaka (Durban) 
Domestic Airports: Numerous across the country 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes, well-maintained in most areas 
Gravel roads: Yes, especially in rural areas 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes, including Uber and Bolt 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Yes, including luxury options like the Blue Train 
Subway System: Gautrain in Gauteng 

Water: 
Ferries: Limited, mainly in coastal cities 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: Yes, especially from Cape Town and Durban 

Food and water safety:
Can you drink the tap water: Yes, in most urban areas
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes
Ice: Yes
Meat: Yes
Street food: Yes, widely popular and generally safe

Local cuisine:
South African cuisine is diverse and flavourful, featuring dishes like biltong (dried, seasoned meat), bobotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping), and boerewors (farmers' sausage). The culinary scene includes a strong tradition of barbecuing, known locally as "braai."

Drinks:
Notable local drinks include Rooibos tea, craft beers, and South African wines.

Tipping: Customarily 10-15% in restaurants and for services.

Annual rainfall: Varies widely, Cape Town (winter rainfall, 515 mm), Johannesburg (summer rainfall, 713 mm) 
Average temperature: Varies, Cape Town 17°C, Johannesburg 15.5°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 28°C (Cape Town), 26°C (Johannesburg) 
Average lows: 16°C (Cape Town), 15°C (Johannesburg) 

Winter: 
Average highs: 18°C (Cape Town), 17°C (Johannesburg) 
Average lows: 8°C (Cape Town), 4°C (Johannesburg) 

Best time to visit: 
The best time to visit South Africa is from May to September for wildlife viewing, as animals are more concentrated around water sources. For beach holidays, mid-December to March is ideal, especially in Cape Town. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots:  Yes 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes, during the rainy seasons 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: In winter, particularly in high-altitude areas 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Essential 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Yes, mainly in urban areas 
Accommodation options: Yes, with good connectivity 
Restaurants: Yes, in major cities 
Cafes: Yes, with Wi-Fi available 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: Yes, in major cities 
Libraries: Yes