Nile River

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A Nile river tour is a quintessential Egypt experience and there are plenty of ways to get on the water. Admire Cairo’s illuminated skyline on an evening dinner cruise, marvel at the ancient Egyptian wonders of Luxor’s East Bank and West Bank on a sunset cruise, or set sail aboard a traditional felucca for Elephantine Island or Soheil Island from Aswan.

Multi-day cruises also run up and down the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, affording spectacular views and stopping at sights such as Aswan High Dam and the Philae Temple (Temple of Isis), Kom Ombo Temple, Temple of Horus (at Edfu), Luxor Temple, and Karnak Temple. Travelers can even travel as far south as the Blue Nile and Lake Tana or the White Nile and Lake Victoria, the two river’s two largest tributaries to the south.

Things to know before you go

• Be sure to pack sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and lightweight clothing, as well as modest clothing suitable for visiting temples and mosques.
• Most multi-day cruises include a choice of standard or deluxe cabins, and meals (often a buffet) are served on board.
• Many boat cruises are wheelchair accessible, but it’s best to check in advance.

How to get there

The Nile River flows north right through the heart of Egypt, passing numerous towns and cities along the way. The main ports for multi-day cruises are in Aswan and Luxor, while short sightseeing cruises are a popular choice in Cairo.

When to get there

Cruises run year-round, but the best time for a Nile River cruise is between October and April, when the weather is hot but manageable. Temperatures can reach over 104˚F (40˚C) in the summer months of June to August.

Wildlife of the Nile

The vast riverbanks of the Nile River provide a habitat for a huge variety of wildlife. Most notorious is the Nile crocodile, which can reach lengths of up to 20 feet (6 meters), but more welcome sightings include African tigerfish, Vundu catfish, turtles, and tortoises. In more remote rural areas, hippopotamuses, wildebeests, rhinoceros, and mongoose flock to the Nile to drink, while the Nile Delta in the north is home to a sizable population of water birds, including little gulls and whiskered terns.

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