Egypt

Egypt is synonymous with Pharaohs, the pyramids, temples and antiquities from ancient civilisations. And at the centre of these great civilisations lies the Nile River that has influenced their economics, social life, politics and religion. It is the oldest travel destination on earth: Greek and Roman travellers came in 430 BC to wonder at some of the very sights that make it a modern travel destination today. The magnificence of the painted Valley of the Kings, exquisite temples and the pyramids were all sought-after subjects of admiration, and many were already 2,500 years old!

From desert landscapes and dry, rugged mountains that reach to the sea, dusty cities full of exotic sounds and smells, and green strips of agricultural land snaking along the banks of the Nile, Egypt has something to offer all travellers from all walks of life. Spectacular diving in the Red Sea; unique desert experiences, whether on the back of a camel to Mount Sinai or on a jeep safari to the inner oases; the colour and chaos of Cairo and its markets; and felucca cruises on the Nile River are just some of the exotic attractions awaiting visitors. Egypt promises an unforgettable experience of history and relaxation - a mixture of discovery and pleasure.

Climate

Except for the Mediterranean coast the country experiences a desert climate, which is hot and dry most of the year, especially in the summer months (June to August). Winter is from December to February with average temperatures of 68°F to 79°F (20°C to 26°C).

Language

Arabic is the official language although English and French are widely spoken, especially in the tourist areas.

Time

Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from last Friday in April to last Friday in September).

Money

The unit of currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), which is divided into 100 piastres. Most credit cards are accepted in major hotels and restaurants. Visitors are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds to avoid additional exchange rate charges. Banks are usually closed on Friday and Saturday, but private exchange bureaux, called 'Forex', are open daily and banks in major hotels are open 24 hours. Cairo branches of the Egyptian British Bank and Banque Misr now have ATMs available that accept Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus and are quite common in the main tourist areas.

Activities

Diving
The Egyptian Red Sea offers some of the world's best scuba diving with superb visibility, countless varieties of hard and soft coral, and incredibly diverse underwater topography, with spectacular wall and shipwreck dive destinations. The Red Sea has an abundant and diverse fish life including various types of grouper, stingray, parrotfish, angelfish, butterfly fish and turtles. The comfortable water temperature (64-79°F/18-26°C) means that diving is popular year-round, however visitors should note that outside temperatures can reach 104°F (40°C) in July and August. The Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab are popular bases for divers, situated near the southern tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and offering easy access to some of the best dive locations including Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran. Other resorts popular with divers and snorkellers are Hurghada, El Gouna, Taba Heights and Makadi Bay.

Passport Visa

Passports must be valid for at least two months beyond the period of visit. Visa requirements change at short notice.

Entry Requirements

US citizens must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival. UK citizens must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival. Canadians must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival. Australians must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival. South African nationals require a valid passport, and a visa for travel to Egypt. For travellers just travelling to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival. Irish nationals must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival. New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.

Embassy Consulates

United States Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 797 3300.

British Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 794 0852.

Canadian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 791 8700.

Australian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 575 0444.

South African Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 359 4365.

Irish Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 735 8264.

New Zealand Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 461 9178.

Health

There are a number of health risks associated with travel to Egypt and travellers should check that their inoculations are up-to-date before leaving. Typhoid, Hepatitis A and polio immunisation is recommended. Come prepared to beat the heat with a high factor sunblock, and drink plenty of water to combat dehydration. Drinking water in the main cities and towns is normally chlorinated but it is advisable to only drink bottled water. Traveller's diarrhoea is the most common form of illness for travellers; visitors should only eat thoroughly cooked food and fruits they have peeled themselves. The waters of the Nile are contaminated and should not be consumed or bathed in. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Medical treatment can be expensive and standards vary so insurance is strongly advised, including evacuation. Medical facilities outside of Cairo can be very basic. Cases of bird flu have been reported, and human fatalities have resulted, and although the risk is low for travellers, all close contact with caged, domestic and wild birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked as a precaution.

Safety

There is a significant threat from terrorism in Egypt. Red Sea resorts on the Sinai Peninsula in particular have been targeted, most recently in April 2006, when a series of bomb explosions tore through the popular resort of Dahab. Other resorts and dive centres have suffered similar bomb attacks in the last two years, and over 100 people have been killed and hundreds more seriously injured, many of them foreigners. Security forces persist with their counter-terrorist operations on the Sinai Peninsula, and police continue to provide armed escorts for travellers in certain areas. On 7 April 2005 an explosion in central Cairo caused four deaths and 19 injuries, and on 30 April 2006 an attack on a tourist bus and one near the Egyptian Museum injured seven people; the three incidents specifically targeted tourists and Egyptian authorities believe they are linked to the same perpetrators and warn that further incidents in Cairo are possible. In general, there are increased security measures at all tourist sites, and especially in resort areas on the Sinai Peninsula, but visitors should be alert and are advised to avoid political demonstrations and public gatherings. Developments in the region, including the conflict in Iraq and the tension between Israel and the Palestinians, continue to trigger demonstrations of public anger, and visitors are warned to be especially vigilant in public places; the mood at present is extremely anti-US, anti-Israel and anti-UN. Visitors to the cities and tourist sites will experience a fair amount of hassle and are advised not to carry more money on them than needed at a time. Women should take extra caution when travelling alone as there have been isolated incidents of harassment. The sinking of the passenger ferry travelling across the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia to Egypt on 3 February 2006 has left over 1,000 dead and was one of the worst maritime disasters in recent years. Egypt also has a poor train safety record with several fatal accidents each year.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.

Business

Egyptians are friendly and approachable at work, and personal relationships are very important when conducting business. Business is usually conducted formally in Egypt; however meetings may not take place in private and it is normal for them to be interrupted with other matters. Punctuality is important, though don't be surprised if your contact is late or postpones the meeting. In Cairo the traffic will be blamed by Egyptians but sometimes other commitments simply take priority. Be patient. Dress should be formal and conservative (suits and ties are standard and women, in particular, should dress modestly). Women may encounter some sexism in the business world. Most Egyptians are Muslim and therefore one should be mindful of Islamic customs. English is widely spoken and understood, although attempting to speak some basic Arabic will be appreciated. The normal working week runs from Saturday to Wednesday, but some government offices close on Thursday and Friday, and others on Friday and Saturday. Business hours vary, but are usually 8.30am to 2pm with some businesses also opening from 5pm to 8pm.

Communications

The international access code for Egypt is +20. The outgoing code is 00 followed but the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The city code for Cairo is (0)2. There are high surcharges on international calls from hotels; it is cheaper to phone long-distance from the 24-hour Post, Telephone and Telegraph (PTT) offices that are available in the major cities. For international directory phone enquiries dial 120. The local mobile phone operators use GSM 900 networks and have roaming agreements with all major operators. Internet cafes are available in the main tourist areas.

Duty Free

Travellers arriving in Egypt do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g tobacco; alcoholic beverages up to 1 litre; perfume for personal use and 1 litre of eau de cologne; and goods for consumption to the value of LE 100. Prohibited items include narcotics and drugs.