EGYPT

EGYPT
A Journey through Time

A visit to Egypt is, for most people, a fulfillment of a deep and

mysterious longing. It’s a country which thrills and delights in so many
different ways. There’s all that fascinating ancient history to discover
in and around Cairo, the dazzling display of underwater creatures in
the Red Sea, the open spaces of desert sprinkled with verdant oases
and the enticing beach resorts offering decadent relaxation in the sun.
And, of course, there’s also the sheer excitement of cruising the
beautiful Nile, the highly cherished lifeline of ancient and modern
Egyptian civilization.
EGYPT Fast Facts
Official name Arab Republic of Egypt Egypt gave birth to the first written words of civilization and the first
Languages Arabic (official), English and
architects, mathematicians, scientists and doctors. Besides the intrigue
French
Population 78,887,007 of the pyramids, tombs and temples, its history traces the rise of the
Capital city Cairo Greeks and Romans and the establishment of the Jewish, Christian
Country size 1,002,00 square kilometres
and Islamic religions. It’s one of those must-see-in-a-lifetime
Coasts Mediterranean and Red Sea
People Egyptian, Bedouin Arab, Nubian destinations and many travellers are lured back time and time again.
Currency Egyptian pound (EGP)
Religion Sunni Muslim (mostly),
Coptic Christian
Whatever your reason for visiting, Egypt promises to enchant,
Climate Desert: hot, dry summers with surprise, fascinate, mystify and most of all capture your imagination.
moderate winters
‘Nowhere are there so many marvellous things, nor in the world
Average
Temperature 25ºC (77ºF) beside are to be seen so many things of unspeakable greatness’ are
Electronic
current voltage 220 V
the words the celebrated historian Herodotus used to describe Egypt
Time zone GMT +2 in winter, in the 5th Century BC. Isn’t it amazing that the same could still be said
GMT +3 in summer
today!
Rest days Fridays and Saturdays
NILE
The Longest River in the World

Ah, the fabled Nile! Here’s your chance to take a leisurely cruise down this
magnificent waterway from Aswan to Luxor. On this unforgettable journey you’ll
pass ancient temples, tombs and villages, feluccas (Egyptian sailboats), date palms
and fields of cotton - scenery almost unchanged since early times. Along the way,
you’ll disembark to see popular sights such as the High Dam at Aswan, Unfinished
Obelisk, Kom Ombo Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of Kings and Edfu with its
intricately detailed Temple of Horus.

The Greek historian, Herodotus, wrote that ‘Egypt was the gift of the Nile.’ Indeed
this mighty river was all important to the ancient Egyptians. The Nile represented
life itself. It shaped their culture, religion and politics and the river’s cycles formed
the basis of their calendar. It provided a reliable source of sustenance in a desert
region for agriculture, people and livestock and a means of transportation for trade
and exploration. Before the construction of Aswan dam in 1971, the Nile
overflowed its banks every year, depositing rich silt. This made the valley the most
fertile region in the world. Hence today, the highest percentage of the Egyptian
population still lives near its banks and the majority of cultural and historical sites
can be found here.

CAIRO
City of Pyramids and a Thousand Minarets

The sheer intensity of Cairo is, at first, an assault on your senses. Egypt’s modern
capital city is chaotic, noisy, polluted and everywhere you go is teeming with
people, especially street hagglers. However, getting through the frenzy is worth it
for the unexpected treasures you’ll encounter. Imagine seeing the Pyramids lit up
by the full moon at night from the back of a horse, drifting down the Nile on a
traditional lateen-sail felucca, dining in a floating restaurant, sitting atop a camel,
haggling for gems in the souks (markets), watching exotic belly dancers, listening
to an Arabic music concert underneath the stars or rubbing shoulders with local
Cairenes as you drink Turkish coffee and smoke apple sheeshas (water pipes) in
the many ahwas (coffee houses).

It’s easy to get swept up in Cairo’s charms even before you set out on daily
sightseeing trips to explore its rich and fascinating history. Ancient temples, tombs,
churches, mosques, museums and monuments abound so it’s best to plan your time
carefully. Must-sees are the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the Egyptian
Museum featuring over 120 000 ancient artefacts including the mummy and
golden relics of Tut Ankh Amun, Old Cairo and the Citadel, once the residence of
Mamluk Sultans and Turkish governors. There’s also Khan El Khalili, a famous
Cairo souk dating back to the 14th century where, with careful bargaining, you
can pick up spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, brass and copper wear,
leatherwork and ceramics. You can also take trips out from Cairo to Abu Sir,
Memphis (the old capital of Egypt), Saqqara and Dahshur.
RED SEA
Corridor of Underwater Marvels

As the ultimate paradise of scuba divers, snorkellers and sunseekers, the Red Sea never fails to delight, gratify
and amaze. Mountainous, pastel-hued desert opens out to reveal dazzling white, sandy beaches and a balmy,
sapphire-blue ocean. Underneath the translucent waters lies an underwater realm so astonishing in its rich and
multi-coloured diversity that divers, photographers and marine scientists are lured from all over the world to
marvel at its beauty. Each dive is a magical ballet featuring the likes of Napoleon wrasse, bright-orange coral
groupers, majestic moray eels, silver fusiliers, decorative lionfish and austere hammerhead sharks seen against
a backdrop of delicate pink, red and purple corals.

Wedged between Africa and Asia in the Middle East, the Red Sea forms a narrow corridor of gloriously
sheltered water, more than 2000 kilometres long. It’s closed in the north by the Sinai Peninsula and exposed to
the ocean at the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb. The Red Sea not only offers one of the most spectacular coastal and
marine environments in the world, but the crystal-clear visibility, warm temperatures (averaging 22 ºC) and
relative calmness of its waters, makes diving here all the more appealing.

For non-divers, the Red Sea offers a relaxed seaside holiday with the added bonus of varied watersports, horse
and camel riding, desert safaris, golf courses, vibrant nightlife and exciting Bedouin bazaars. Bird watchers are
also drawn to the Red Sea, especially to Lake Bardawil in northern Sinai.

Seaside towns on the Red Sea, once sleepy fishing villages, now bustle with international resorts and
entertainment centres offering travellers everything you could wish for. We highly recommend visiting one or
more of these destinations: On the eastern shores of Egypt there’s Hurghada (dotted with small islands and
chains of coral reefs), Marsa Alam (a tropical paradise of palm trees and mangroves) and El Gouna (dubbed
the Venice of the Red Sea). On the Sinai Peninsula you’ll find Sharm El Sheikh (with access to some of the most
famous dive sites) on its southern tip and Dahab (a previous hippie hideout) on its eastern shores. There’s also
Ain Soukhna (close enough to Cairo for a day trip) on the western bank of the Gulf of Suez.
ABOUT

Our aim at African Encounters is to make sure you

have the best holiday imaginable from start to finish.
We travel to and research our destinations thoroughly
so we can answer all questions and guide you in
choosing the right holiday for your personal
requirements. Not only do we go the extra 100 miles
to offer you superb personalised service, but we also
provide the best value and quality for your hard
earned money. Whether you’re on a very tight budget
or after a lavishly decadent holiday, we can meet your
Mediterranean Sea
needs.
Rosetta
At African Encounters we interact with each other more El Mansura
like a family than a business. Everyone is made to feel Alexandria
at home and we all share in each other’s good fortunes. Ismailia
We believe this positive working environment rubs off Cairo
Giza Suez
on how our travel consultants interact with clients.
Sakkarah
They’re professional whilst also being friendly, helpful,
El Faiyum Ain Soukhna
honest and reliable. We’ve built up a solid reputation
Sinai
over the years and are the leading supplier to some of
Sue
zC
the largest travel agencies in South Africa. We’re also
ana

fully ASATA and IATA accredited so you can rest

l

Beni Hasan
assured that you’re in good hands. Sharm El Sheikh
Hurghada
We’ll do everything we can to make sure you enjoy
your visit to Egypt and return to share your treasured
EGYPT Nile River Red Sea

memories and plan your next exciting trip. Who

Abydos Dendera
knows? You might be inspired to return to Egypt or
Deir El-Bahari Karnak
try out another exciting destination. Zanzibar, Gurnah Luxor
Mombasa, Victoria Falls, Kilimanjaro or a game Medinet Habu Esna
safari in Tanzania and Kenya? Talk to your travel Edfu
agent to find out what great deals we have in store Kom Ombo
for you. Let’s fill your photo albums with fun times to
Aswan
remember and enjoy. Kalabsh
Philae

Abu Simbel
 E G Y P T P a c k a g e s

TUT ANK AMON 4
AND 5
CORAL PACKAGE 4
AND 5

7 NIGHTS 10 NIGHTS

Return flights ex JNB Return flights ex JNB

2 Nights Cairo
Overnight Train Cairo – Aswan
3 Nights Nile Cruise
Overnight Train Luxor – Cairo
Pyramids and Sphinx Tour
Sightseeing on cruise as per Itinerary
All Transfers throughout the package
English speaking guide on Tours
3 Nights Cairo
Overnight Train Cairo – Aswan
3 Nights Nile Cruise
3 Nights Hurghada on the Red Sea
Pyramids and Sphinx Tour
Sightseeing on cruise as per Itinerary
All Transfers throughout the package
English speaking guide on Tours

NEFERTITI PACKAGE 4
AND 5
RED SEA PACKAGE 4
AND 5

7 NIGHTS 7 NIGHTS

Return flights ex JNB Return flights ex JNB

1 Night Cairo
Overnight Train Cairo – Aswan
4 Nights Nile Cruise
Overnight Train Luxor – Cairo
Pyramids and Sphinx Tour
Full Day Alexandria Tour
Sightseeing on cruise as per Itinerary
All Transfers throughout the package
English speaking guide on Tours
2 Nights Cairo
5 Nights Red Sea Resort (Sharm el Shiekh/
Hurghada/Ain Soukhna)
Pyramids and Sphinx Tour
All Transfers throughout the package
English speaking guide on Tours

MANY MORE PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE.

PLEASE ASK YOUR TRAVEL AGENT FOR MORE DETAILS

40 Chester Road, Parkwood, 2193

YOUR ASATA AGENT:
Postnet Suite 45, Private Bag x12,
Roosevelt Park, 2129, South Africa
Tel +27 (0) 11-880-3079
Fax +27 (0) 86-611-9589
72 New Bond Street, London W1S 1RR, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0) 207-514-5836
Fax +44 (0) 207-514-5811
E-mail info@africanencounters.com
Website www.africanencounters.com