VISA ON ARRIVAL

A visa is required to enter Egypt. British, American, Canadian and Commonwealth passport holders can obtain their visa on arrival in Egypt. Our representative who meets you at the airport will help you get this visa. The cost is approximately GB£12. Alternatively, you can get a visa before you leave from your closest Egyptian Embassy

VACCINATIONS FOR EGYPT

There are no mandatory vaccinations for visitors arriving from the UK, USA or Europe. Some health authorities advise travelers to have a vaccination against Hepatitis A, Polio, Typhoid and Tetanus. Malaria is not endemic in Egypt it is therefore not necessary to take a malaria prophylactic. If in doubt, consult your doctor or a vaccination center.

HOTELS

The standard of hotels we use are all first class.
On arrival at your Cairo, Luxor or Aswan hotel you will be asked to hand in your passport, this formality is required by the hotel for registration with the authorities. On checking out please settle all your personal accounts with the reception desk at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. Remember to collect your passport.

Hotels will accept credit cards (Visa, Access, American Express) for payment of personal accounts.

Telephone
The hotels we use have international dialing facilities from your room. The price of a 3-minute call to Europe, at the time of writing is approximately GB£6.50. You can also send faxes. Fill in the form provided in your room, take the fax to reception and they will transmit it for you.

Electricity
The current in Egypt is 220v. Sockets are the European 2 pin type so a standard continental adapter is necessary.

SPENDING MONEY

Bring your money in cash or traveler's cheques. Credit cards can be used at the Hotels and in the larger shops. Some banks will advance cash on credit cards. Bring more money than you think you will need - if you don't spend it you can always take it home!

Changing Money
You will find exchange banks open at both Cairo and Luxor airports no matter what time you arrive.

Useful Tip:   Bring some cash in bank notes. When you are in a hurry on arrival cash can be exchanged much more quickly because you do not have to show your passport, which is required when changing traveler's cheques.

Approximate Exchange Rates (February 2006)

AUS$ E£ 4.35
GB£ E£ 10.30
Euro€ E£ 7.00
US$ E₤ 5.80

Egyptian Currency
The Egyptian Pound is divided into 100 Piastres. You will find the following notes in use. Coins are rare and are of such little value that they are hardly worth bothering with.
E£100, E£50, E£20, E£10, E£5, E£0.50, E£0.25
Useful Tip:   Bring some small change in notes.

Beer and Soft Drinks on Safari
The supply boat captain or a member of the shore staff will ask you to sign a 'drinks chit' for each order you make. These chits will then be added up at the end of the safari to give you your total drinks account.

Following are the costs of drinks in Egyptian pounds and the approximate equivalent in currencies.

Can of beer 500ml Wine, red, white, rose Cans Cola, Sprite etc. 1.5 Liter Spring water

£ 1.45 £ 8.20 £ 0.70 £ 0.50

AU$ 3.45 AU$19.50 AU$ 1.60 AU$ 1.15

€ 2.10 €12.00 € 1.00 € 0.70

US$ 2.60 US$14.70 US$ 1.20 US$ 0.85

You can pay for drinks account in GB£ Euro € or US$. It can be in either cash or travelers cheques. We can only take sterling coins; not US or Euro coins because we do not have the facility to change them.
Useful Tip:  Bring a soft drink powder to improve the taste of bottled water.

TACKLE HIRE