Egypt

The Interesting and Amazing Facts about Egypt– Egypt as a Destination

Egypt is one of the African – Arab countries. According to travel reservations data for both 2022 and 2023, Egypt is the 9th of the world’s 17 popular tourist destinations. In this article, you will get a full understanding of Egypt. You will know about the history, location, currency used, official languages, neighboring countries, tourism attractions, and activities in different national parks. Egyptian beaches, the people of Egypt, weather and climate, the best time to visit Egypt, travel tips, and Egyptian diplomatic missions (Embassies and Consulates). Flight information is also talked about. All this is aimed at you making an informed decision before embarking on a safari to Egypt. Besides its strategic location, Egypt is famous for having good cultural and historical attractions. Her role played in civilization is an additional feature of the Giza pyramids as well as the splendid atmosphere surrounding the great River Nile.

Explore The Pharaohs with Love Uganda Safaris.

Brief History and Location

Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of Africa covering an area of 1,002,000 square kilometers. Egypt also extends into the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Sinai Peninsula in western Asia commonly known as the Middle East. The coordinates of Egypt are 26.7°N 30.75°E.

The history of Egypt is divided into two phases that is; the ancient Egypt and the modern Egypt.

The ancient Egypt

According to the history of ancient Egypt, it is believed that by 5,000 BC, Egyptians had started farming, weaving linen and pottery. This was followed by the use of Bronze and the invention of writing which happened about 32,000 BC. The country was divided into Northern Egypt and Southern Egypt before their unification by the Menes which made Memphis the capital. During this Period Egyptians were organized and the country was divided into 42 areas called nomes. This entire period was referred to as the Old Kingdom and saw its end in 2181 BC. It was during this period that the famous Egyptian pyramids were built.

As time went by Egypt faced quite a number of crises especially outside powers and the period of civil disorder (the First intermediate period). This period lasted up to about 2055 BC when Mentuhotep II succeeded in reuniting Egypt and he founded the Middle Kingdom. This period came with advancements in Egyptian literature and art. It also comprised successful military campaigns as well as the construction of more pyramids.

This was later followed by other events and periods such as the control of Nubia and the Invasion of Syria and Palestine. The development was characterized by the rise and downfall of kingdoms.

The modern Egypt

According to the history of the modern Egypt, the Roman Empire was split into the Eastern and the Western parts. Egypt remained part of the Eastern part (Byzantine Empire), however, it was conquered by the Arabs in the 7^th century. The Arabs invaded Egypt in 639 and by 642 all of Egypt was in their hands. It became part of an Islamic Empire and was ruled by Baghdad.

However, in 868 an administrator called Ahmed Ibn Tulun declared Egypt independent but independence did not last long. His son and successor were assassinated and rule from Baghdad was re-imposed. From this period Egypt went through a number of leaderships ranging from that of the Ottoman Turks to that of France under the leadership of Napoleon who wanted to front his anti-Britain interests much as his interests were shuttered by the British navy on what was known as the Battle of the Pyramids. This was followed by other events such as the Suez Canal crisis and the wars between German and British troops over Egypt. Then the battle between Israel and Egypt where Egypt was defeated.

The Nasser era

Later on in 1948the then Pharaoh of Egypt – Farouk was blamed for the disaster and in 1952 a group of army officers called the Free Officers staged a coup and forced Farouk to abdicate. Their leader, General Naguib became the leader of Egypt but in 1954 he was replaced by Gamal Abdel Nasser. In 1956 Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. Nasser introduced a socialist regime and moved Egypt closer to the Soviet Union. Under him, education and health care improved but it was a repressive regime and the economy stagnated. Egypt was defeated by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 and Nasser died in 1970.

He was replaced by Anwar Sadat who reversed the discredited socialist policies and encouraged foreign investment. As a result, the Egyptian economy boomed (although Egypt fought another unsuccessful war with Israel in 1973). In 1978 Sadat made peace with Israel by the Camp David Agreement. However, he was assassinated by extremists in 1981 and was replaced by Hosni Mubarak.

Today, Egypt is one of the most developed countries in Africa and the world at large.

Egypt bordering countries

Egypt is bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, the Red Sea to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north

Which Currency is used in Egypt?

The official currency in Egypt is Egyptian Pound (EGP)

As of 18^th November 2022, 1 USD = 24.5278 EGP

Note: It is important to remember to convert your money to Egyptian Pound prior to your travel or entry However, if you forget to exchange, you can do so with the help of Love Uganda safari guides who can take you to the bank or local Forex Bureaus within the cities and towns. Inform us beforehand so that we add that to the travel plan while scheduling setoff and arrival times to different destinations.

Egypt’s country code: +20

Official language: Arabic

Egypt’s capital city: Cairo

Requirements to enter Egypt and Visa Acquisition

Like many other countries in Africa, Egypt is open to all travelers as long as they present relevant travel documents such as an Identity card and passport. You may also be required to present a stamped visa depending on which country you come from. All these documents are required whether you are entering either by land, air, or even water.

Entry requirements for Egypt are the same for all travelers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

There are no transiting requirements for travel through Egypt. You should check the expiry date of your visa or entry stamp and make sure you do not overstay your time in Egypt.

It is important to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months and has some blank pages before you travel to Egypt. You are advised to check your visa before you travel and get help from your agent.

For more information about travel requirements and Visa acquisition in Egypt, Click here.

Embassies and Consulates

It is always important to get information about the country you want to visit before setting off. Love Uganda Safaris advises all travelers to get relevant information from Egyptian Diplomatic missions (embassies and Consulates) in their respective countries. This helps you know better and mentally prepare for your trip. It also acts as a safety and security measure in case anything goes wrong during your safari.

Flight information

Get acquainted with up-to-date Egyptian flight information before setting off for your safari. This helps you plan accordingly and makes your trip a cost-effective one. Whether you are from Africa, Asia, America, or Europe, you can know the arrival and departure times for all Egyptian flights.

For more information about Egypt’s flight information, Click here.

Egyptair

Egyptair is the national flag carrier of Egypt. Based in Cairo International Airport in Johannesburg, Egyptian Airways was established on May 7, 1932. It is a proud member of Star Alliance. The airline flies to different destinations across the world all year round.

Safety and Security in Egypt

Your safety while in Egypt is our top priority.

Egypt is one of the countries in Africa and the world that are safe for travelers. This is reflected in the discipline of her armed forces especially the tourism police as well as the public in general. However, like any other country in the world, cases like theft, pickpocketing, robbery, car break-ins, and something of that sort have been reported in Egypt. You ought to be careful with your bags, rooms, lodges, cars, etc. such cases are common in highly populated areas such as urban centers and cities. If you want to do some activity on your own, inform the guide before you leave, ask for your contact number, and ask if it is safe to do this activity on your own, mainly because of the Muslim religion.

For more information about safety and security in Egypt, Click here.

What are the behaviors of Egyptians?

Egypt is generally a Muslim community comprising a few other religions. There are blacks and whites in different parts of the country, however, the non-blacks majority are Arabs. To understand them, one must first look at these populations individually. It should be noted that some take offense at referring to people by their race or ethnicity (particularly the term ‘black’). And prefer to label everyone as simply ‘Egyptian’ or by their tribal affiliation.

The etiquette in Egypt is something worth every visitor’s attention because messing around may make your experience a bad one. It ranges from the way Egyptians welcome visitors to the way they eat, pray, give gifts, dress styles, and consider gender differences. For instance; it is considered impolite to point the toe, heel, or any part of the foot toward another person. Showing the sole of one’s shoe is also impolite. Additionally, greetings often occur before any form of social interaction. For example, a person joining a group is expected to greet all those present.

From a religious point of view, it is forbidden to walk in front of someone who is praying or to talk to someone who is currently in prayer. When offered a compliment, you are expected to return gratitude as a sign of appreciation. When visiting a mosque or someone’s home, one is required to remove their shoes before entering. Egyptians tend to prepare elaborate and lavish meals when they have guests.

Dinner parties

If the reason for being invited to an Egyptian’s home is for a dinner party, wait for the host or hostess to indicate the seat they have reserved for you. While eating, you are expected to leave a small amount of food on your plate once you have finished eating. This symbolizes abundance and serves as a compliment to the host for providing so well. Complimenting food should be done in a statement rather than a question. For example, questioning the method of cooking (e.g. ‘how was this made?’) means that one is skeptical of the food. Eating with your left hand is also forbidden in Egypt. It is considered offensive to offer pork or alcohol to Muslims as pigs and products relating to pigs (such as pork and pig leather) are prohibited in the Islamic religion.

When giving or receiving a gift, do it with both hands or only with the right hand. Additionally, avoid giving flowers as a gift. Flowers tend to be reserved for weddings, for the ill, or for periods of mourning.

From our previous experience, Egyptians are generally warm, patient, tolerant, creative, charismatic hospitable, friendly, social, and lovely. Once you master their ways of life, you can easily blend with them.

What is the main race in Egypt?

Egypt’s population has a direct connotation to her history, in other words, the invasion of one group after the other gave rise to a number of ethnic groups in Egypt. However, the majority of these races are Egyptians who make up 91% of the total population. The other races include; the Turks, Greeks, Abazas, and Bedouin Arab tribes in the Sinai Peninsula and the deserts to the east, as well as the Siwis in the Siwa Oasis and the Nubian people along the Nile.

Egypt’s provinces

For effective administration, Egypt is divided into the following provinces known as Governorates.

Alexandria Governorate

Aswan Governorate
Asyut Governorate
Beheira Governorate
Beni Suef Governorate
Cairo Governorate
Dakahlia Governorate
Damietta Governorate

What is the weather and climate like in Egypt?

Being part of the Sahara Desert, Egypt has a generally dry climate characterized by low rainfall and high sunshine throughout the year. Only on the northern coast, overlooking the Mediterranean, there is a certain amount of rain in winter. Temperatures are somehow cool in the northern parts of the country but they get hotter the further you go towards the southern parts. On the Mediterranean Coast, there’s a very mild, spring-like winter with highs of around 18/20 °C and lows around 10 °C (50 °F), though this is the only period of the year when weak or moderate rains occur. Summer is long, muggy and sunny, with highs around 30 °C, but tempered by sea breezes. The humidity is high especially in the delta of the Nile River.

National parks in Egypt

Egypt has about 30 national parks, each of which has a unique experience that it offers to tourists. Below are some of Egyptian national parks.

El Omayed Reserve
Elba protected Area
Salouga and Ghazal national park
Catherine’s national park
Lake Qarun Protected Area
Siwa Oasis
Wadi El Rayan
Wadi El Alaqi
Wadi El Assiuti
Sannur Valley
Nabq Protected Area
El Hassan Dome
The Petrified Forest
Abu Gallum
Lake Burullus
Black Desert
Ras Muhammad
Zaranik Protected Area
Al-Ahrash Reserve

Egyptian Beaches

Other than her pyramids, Egypt has got one of the best and popular beaches in the world. These attract thousands of travelers from all corners of the world. Below are some of the majestic Egyptian beaches;

Fjord Bay, Taba beach
Ras Abu Galoum, Dahab beach
Nuweiba beach
Ras Um Sid, Sharm El Sheikh beach
El Gouna beach
Sahl Hasheesh Beach, Hurghada
Sharm El Luli, Marsa Alam beach
Agiba Beach, Mersa Matruh
Soma Bay
Mahmya Island

Transport and Accommodation

The way you travel and stay in Egypt entirely depends on the affordability and choice of the travelers.

In terms of transport, Egypt has got air, water, railway and road transport means. High class travelers who do not like driving along the roads usually opt for domestic chartered planes. Those that cannot afford private safari vehicles usually opt for public means. The experience varies from one means to the other but those who drive the tarmac or murram roads. Being a desert, prepare to have much need for drinking water during your travel especially when using road transport means. Love Uganda Safaris can tailor-make your Safari to suit your budget and choices. Let us know of what your best means of transport is, we’ll get you covered in the shortest time possible.

Accommodation in Egypt is in numerous categories depending on what you like and afford. Whether you need a budget, midrange, or luxurious stay, we’ve got you covered. Egypt has good tourist resorts and safari lodges that meet both local and international standards. There are also hotels and lodges in urban centers that are designed in ways that meet all the needs of travelers. The general sanitation is always good and foods served are usually African but on order, western or Asian foods can also be prepared.

Do I need travel insurance while coming to Egypt?

When you start any journey, you have a 50% chance of getting an accident, why then not insure? This is of course not to scare you but to remind you that having travel insurance is an added security measure for every traveler. Unless otherwise stated, Love Uganda Safaris does not cater to clients’ travel insurance.

Is Egypt rich or poor?

In spite of what Egypt has gone through in the past, she is ranked among the middle-income category in the world. Egypt is actually one of the richest countries in Africa with an estimated GDPA of 340.00 USD Billion by the end of 2022. Additionally, Egypt has minerals such as gold, copper, silver, zinc, platinum, and a number of other precious and base metals.

Is Egypt a good country to live in?

Egypt is generally a good country to live in whether for a long or short period of time. She has a sizable expat community, well-developed infrastructure, good health facilities, and generally a low cost of living.

What is Egypt best known for?

Egypt is a land of myths and legends, ancient civilizations, and the Pyramids of Giza.
Egypt is home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Egypt is the home to Mount Sinai which is paramount to both Christian and Islamic religions.
95% of Egyptians live along the River Nile
Egypt Borders two Seas that is the Mediterranean sea and the Red seas
Alexandria city was named after Alexander the Great
Egypt has one of the world’s largest dams
The 12 month calendar was invented in Egypt

Best time to visit Egypt

Egypt is an open destination and welcomes travelers all year round. However, depending on which destination and the activity you want to do, some love warm seasons while other love cooler seasons. Love Uganda safaris advises travelers depending on the activities they like doing. The best time to visit is winter from October to April – when temperatures are lower.

Travel tips – What to consider before traveling to Egypt

Love Uganda Safaris cares about your safety while you travel to Egypt and other parts of the continent. Below are some of the tips that you should keep at the back of your mind in order to have the best experience in Egypt;

Learn some common Egyptian slang words to learn before your trip
Ensure to check your luggage before leaving one lodge or hotel to another
Bring along a reusable water bottle and fill it up throughout the day
Never photograph devices, military, and police buildings.
Rely only on professional tour operators and do not leave the recommended tourist itineraries.
Do not tempt thieves by leaving your bags open, speaking on phone in crowded places
Carry some changed money, you may need to tip a driver or guide during your safari
Carry copies of your travel documents and identification documents including your passport.
Follow the park rules and regulations strictly if you are to visit the national parks since you may be penalized or threaten animal attack in case you violate them.
Be vigilant during periods of religious holidays such as Ramadan or Easter.
Do not remove corals from the Red Sea and avoid any contact with them, even small trauma can damage them.
Use clothing that is never provocative, and covers up as much as possible (both men and women)
Some items like drinks, sunglasses, etc. can be bought in local markets, you may not need to come with them.

Conclusion

Love Uganda Safaris believes that with such a detailed insight on Egypt, travelers are ready to make informed decisions on which activities they wish to be part of and in which destination. Our pride is in having travelers who are more informed about the mysteries of Africa’s top destinations as they Dream, Explore and Discover