Introducing Egypt
About Egypt
A complicated but fascinating country with some of the most enduring historical monuments on Earth, Egypt stands as an unforgettable travel destination. It’s had to deal with its fair share of turmoil in recent times, but this North African nation remains proud, welcoming and accessible. And with treasures as timeless as the temples and pyramids of the Nile to shout about, it’s not somewhere that’s going to slip from public consciousness any time soon. A trip here still very much has the potential to thrill.
In many ways, there are two Egypts. The first is the Egypt of Cairo and the Nile, of bustling medieval bazaars, noseless Sphinxes, river cruises and Agatha Christie-era exoticism. The second, and just as integral to many visitors, is the Egypt of the Red Sea, where a spread of large-scale modern resorts caters to sun-seekers and scuba divers. Sharm el Sheikh, with its world-class diving, high-end hotels and desert adventures, is the best known of them.
Most of the country’s ancient treasures were built during the time of the pharaohs. The Pyramids of Giza (the sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World); the lotus-columned temples of Luxor and Karnak; the Valley of the Kings; Aswan and the temples of Abu Simbel: strung along the Nile, these monuments have drawn visitors for centuries. They represent a lasting legacy of one of the most fabled periods of human history.
Of course, the country is best understood not so much for its great monuments or its coral reefs, splendid though they are, but through its people. Bartering for a bargain in Cairo’s ancient Khan al-Khalili bazaar, taking tea and falling into long conversation with a local, or simply stopping awhile in a remote village, silent but for the chatter of hooves on tarmac, will give a glimpse of a country full of character, colour and fortitude.
Language, Culture & History
History of Egypt
Egypt’s history is one of the oldest and most evocative of any country in the world. Who can fail to be captivated by the lives of pharaohs like Tutankhamun who ruled for just ten years but is, arguably, the most famous of all the ancient Egyptian kings? Or Cleopatra, Egypt’s last pharaoh?
Egypt can trace its history back to around 8000 BC when drier conditions forced early civilisations in need of food and water closer to the Nile. However, Pharaonic Egypt began some 5,000 years ago and comprised kings from 30 different dynasties whose phenomenal knowledge of mathematics, biology and astronomy made the country one of the most powerful kingdoms the world. Their legendary wealth enabled them to build monumental structures like the Karnak Temple in Luxor, and the Pyramids of Giza.
Pharaonic rule is divided into kingdoms. The Old Kingdom saw the building of the Gizan pyramids, the Middle Kingdom saw Egypt’s capital at Thebes, present-day Luxor, while the New Kingdom began around 1500 BC and gave us some of the greatest pharaohs in Egypt’s history. Later, Egypt saw the arrival of Alexander the Great, who founded Alexandria, and then the Roman Empire.
The arrival of Napoleon in AD 1798 brought Egypt once more into violent contact with a European power. By 1805, however, the struggle for autonomy had been won, with Muhammad Ali being recognised as the first Sultan of Egypt.
The completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, built in conjunction with France, brought popular discontent, since heavy taxation was required to pay for it, and eventually resulted in more than 70 years of British rule. Demands for the canal’s nationalisation and the country’s independence continued until revolution in 1952.
2011 saw the country again engulfed in widespread protests against the government, which resulted in long-standing President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation, and the eventual return of the military to power. The downing of a Russian passenger jet over the Sinai Peninsula in 2015 – an act of terror claimed by Islamic State militants -severely affected Egypt’s tourism industry. Elections in the same year brought stability to Egyptian politics, but the country has been criticised internationally for its suppression of the media and lax airport security.
Did you know?
- Ancient Egyptians worshipped over 1,400 different gods and
- The young Egyptian citizen, Facebook Jamal Ibrahim, was named after the social media site to honour its role in fermenting the 2011
- The Pyramids of Giza are the oldest of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, and the only one to still
Egypt Culture
Religion in Egypt
About 90% of the population are Muslim, with the majority of the remainder being Christian, including followers of the Coptic Christian faith. There is also a small Jewish population.
Social Conventions in Egypt
Islam is part of all aspects of daily life with many social conventions stemming from the teachings of the Koran, the Muslim holy book. Hospitality is a significant element, especially to visitors. Shaking hands is the normal greeting but male visitors should wait for a woman to offer her hand first.
Dress should always be conservative and women should cover upper arms and legs. This is particularly important when visiting religious buildings – when hair should also be covered – and conservative towns. Dress standards tends to be a little more relaxed in modern nightclubs, restaurants, hotels and bars in Cairo, Alexandria and other tourist resorts. Official or social functions and smart restaurants usually require more formal wear. Smoking is widespread.
Photography: Tourists are required to pay a fee if wishing to take photographs inside pyramids, tombs and museums. Ask permission when taking pictures of someone, especially women. Some traditionally-dressed locals demand money when they ‘pose’ outside historic sites, especially temples and pyramids.
Language in Egypt
Arabic is the official language. English and French are widely spoken.
Geography & weather
Weather and climate
Best time to visit
Egypt is a huge country with plenty of variety in its climate; when it’s chilly and wet in Alexandria, it can be ravishingly hot in Aswan.
The best time to visit most sights, including the pyramids and the Valley of the Kings, or diving in the Red Sea, is from February to April and October to November. During these months the heat reminds you that it’s the ‘Land of the Sun’, but not too hot to be enjoyable. At this time, the skies and sea are a perfect blue. The downside is that these are the most popular times of the year for visitors.
In April, the hot, dusty khamsin wind blows from the Sahara, making touring of sights potentially troublesome; during an intense sand storm, vision may be reduced to a few metres. During the hot, dry summers (June-August) there’s always the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion, which might confine visitors indoors during the early afternoon.
Winters (November-February) are usually mild and often overcast, leaving the desert and its ancient monuments looking lacklustre. Rainfall is negligible except on the coast.
Required clothing
Loose, lightweight, modest cottons and linens, with warmer clothes for winter and cooler evenings, are culturally and climatically suitable.
Geography
Traditional home of the roaming Bedouin, most of Egypt’s landmass is comprised of flat, mostly featureless desert, supportive of minimal vegetation.
The Mediterranean Sea forms Egypt’s northern border, bringing cooler weather to the seaboard city of Alexandria and providing a coastal getaway for Cairo’s residents. To the east, lies the mountainous Sinai Peninsula, which borders Israel and the Palestinian Territories; to the south, the deserts of Egypt quietly roll into the deserts of Sudan; to the west, the Great Western Desert forms an almost seamless wilderness through Libya and beyond.
Sinai is divided from the main landmass of Africa by the country’s busy shipping lane, the Suez Canal. For centuries, however, it was the River Nile, plied by felucca (traditional Nile sailing boats), that provided the main conduit for trade along the country’s length. Railways and roads now compete for that distinction, but the Nile remains an important economic and cultural artery.
The Nile perfuses the Delta north of Cairo, supporting 90% of the population in a flood land of cotton and rice-growing crops. The river’s potency has been reduced since the building of the Aswan Dam; on the positive side, the dam has provided the country with a safe and reliable electricity supply – and has had the side effect of keeping the crocodiles out.
Business Opportunities
Doing Business in Egypt
Courtesy and hospitality are important when doing business in Egypt. The host of a business meeting will usually offer tea or a small snack before commencing. It’s polite to refuse the first offer, but once the host insists, the guest should then accept.
Alcohol is legal, but should be avoided until visitors know their Egyptian colleague’s attitude towards drinking, and, if acceptable, should be drunk in moderation. It is not considered seemly for women to over-indulge in alcohol. If invited to a business lunch, expect food to be lavish and plentiful.
Throughout the Arab world, it is considered bad manners either to display anger or to openly criticize another person in public. Tact and diplomacy are always required. In social life, punctuality is almost laughable. For business, visitors should be on time but expect locals to be often late, and do not take offence. Men should not offer to shake a woman’s hand, and vice versa, unless clearly invited to do so. Men and women should dress smartly for business meetings – suits and tie for men; suit for women or smart trousers/skirt/jacket – and always dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should never be shown.
Office Hours
Government offices are open 0900-1600 (some until 1700) except Fridays and sometimes Saturdays. Muslim businesses may be closed for Friday prayers, Christian businesses on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. All offices keep shorter hours during Ramadan.
Economy
On taking power in 1970, Anwar al-Sadat introduced a policy of infitah (openness) towards investment. Egypt’s economy underwent rapid growth during the 1970s with the swift expansion of the oil industry, tourism and the Suez Canal, and it has continued to expand in subsequent decades.
The tourist sector is expanding rapidly, particularly along the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts, despite sporadic terrorist activities of Islamic fundamentalists. Agriculture, which relies on irrigation from the Nile, employs one-third of the working population. Foreign aid, especially from the USA, is an important source of government funds.
Cairo
GDP
US$336.3 billion (2016).
Main exports
Crude oil, petroleum products, cotton, textiles and metal products.
Main imports
Machinery and equipment, food, chemicals, wood products and fuels.
Main trading partners
USA, Germany, Italy, China and Turkey.
Keeping in Touch in Egypt
Telephone
Public telephones take cards available from pharmacies, tobacconists and newspaper
shops, and are a convenient way to call home. Telephones in hotels can be expensive.
Mobile Phone
Roaming exists with many international mobile phone companies, although coverage is limited to Cairo, Alexandria and major towns along the north coastline of the Red Sea and the Nile. If you’re in Egypt for some time, it is much cheaper to buy a local SIM card, either Vodafone or MobiNil, if your mobile phone is unblocked.
Internet
There are internet cafés in the main cities, including Cairo, Alexandria, Dahab and Luxor. Even small, more remote towns including Siwa will have at least one venue, usually in the market area. Connection is usually reliable. Tourists can also access the Internet in hotels, with in-room Wi-Fi available, though often at a hefty price.
Media
The Egyptian press is one of the most influential and widely read in the region, while Egyptian TV and the film industry supplies much of the Arab-speaking world with shows from its Media Production City.
AI-Ahram Weekly (http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/) is the oldest newspaper in the Arab world and is published in English. State-run Egypt Radio Television Union (ERTU) operates domestic networks; it also operates satellite networks such as Nile TV International, which broadcasts some programmes in English and Hebrew. Egypt was the first Arab nation to have its own satellite TV station, Nilesat 101. The country’s first private TV stations came on air in 2001, broadcasting via satellite.
Post
The postal system is efficient for international mail. Airmail takes about five days to Western Europe, and eight to 10 days to the USA.
Post Office hours
Daily 0900-1400 (some until 1500) except Friday; the central post office in Cairo is open 24 hours.
Plan your trip
Egypt’s Journey
Flying to Egypt
Egypt is well served by international airlines that fly direct from around the world, including multiple routes operated by its national carrier, Egypt Air (www.egyptair.com). British Airways (www.ba.com) offers direct flights from the UK. The main international airports are in Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm el Sheikh, Luxor, Marsa Alam and Aswan. Charter flights depart mainly from Europe and the Middle East into the Red Sea coast airports.
The most expensive time to fly is spring and autumn, with the cheapest time of year being during the months of July and August.
Major airports are: Cairo International Airport, Sharm EI-Sheik International Airport, Hurghada International Airport.
Notes
From 22 October 2019, UK airlines can resume flights to Sharm el-Sheikh after lifting the travel ban, which was imposed in four years earlier following security concerns.
Airport Guides
Cairo International Airport
Code CAI
Location
Cairo International Airport is located 22km (13.5 miles) northeast of Cairo in Heliopolis.
Telephone
+20 2 2265 5000
Address Heliopolis Airport Road
Cairo
Find out more >
Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport
Code SSH
Location
Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport is located 18km (11 miles) northeast of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Telephone
+20 69 360 1140
AddressRas Nasrani EI-Salam
Sharm el-Sheikh
Find out more >
Hurghada International Airport
Code HRG
Location
Hurghada International Airport is located inland, 6km (4 miles) southwest of Hurghada.
Telephone
+20 65 344 5543
Address
Hurghada
Find out more >
Luxor International Airport
Code LXR
Location
The airport is 5.5km (3.5 miles) from Luxor.
TelephoneAddress
Flight times
To Cairo: from London – 4 hours 40 minutes; New York – 10 hours 30 minutes.
Departure tax
Included in the air fare.
Travelling to Egypt by Rail
There are no international rail links to any of Egypt’s northwestern neighbours. The railheads at Aswan and Wadi Halfa, in Sudan, are connected by a ferry across Lake Nasser.
Driving to Egypt
Egypt, which is bordered by Sudan in the south, Libya to the west, Israel and the Gaza strip to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, is not easily accessed by road and bureaucracy at border points can prevent entry by both car drivers and coaches. The border crossing to Israel at Rafah is closed.
Getting to Egypt by boat
There are currently no ferry routes linking Egypt with mainland Europe. Daily ferries ply the route between Nuweiba and Taba on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Aqaba in Jordan. There is an intermittent ferry service along the Nile between Wadi Halfa in Sudan and Egypt’s High Dam, and a car ferry service from Jeddah to Suez via the Suez canal.
Water note
Ferries arrive and depart from the seafront ferry terminal building in Nuweiba and the Taba Heights marina in Taba for the daily trips to Jordan.
Cruise ships
Many cruise ships stop over in Egypt as part of their African itinerary, usually disembarking at Alexandria or Port Said.
Ferry operators
The ferry service operating between Nuweiba and Taba in South Sinai and Aqaba is run by the AB Maritime. Namma Shipping Lines connect Safaga with Jeddah and with Duba in Saudi Arabia.
River Routes
Ferry times can vary according to the time of year and weather.
Staying there
Hotels
There are private hotels and hotel chains in Libreville and other major cities and towns but, like most of the accommodation in Egypt, they are expensive. Tourist facilities, including tourist camps, are being expanded throughout the country, especially along the coast and in towns close to the national parks.
Camping
Free but limited. Caution should be used as to where camp is made.
Other accommodation
While you’re there
Places to see & do their
Attractions in Egypt
The Bateke Plateau, comprising savannah and forest galleries shaped by tumultuous rivers is a known wildlife hotspot. Creatures include forest elephants, buffalos, river hogs, gorillas, panthers, crocodiles, monkeys and parrots. Alternatively, traverse the enchanting Mayumba, a thin strip of land set between sea and lake, where up to 3,000 humpback whales can be seen between July and September.
Gawp at the Presidential Palace
Egypt’s former president Omar Bongo, ordered the construction of the Palais Presidential on Libreville’s waterfront in the 1970s. Costing an estimated US$800 million, it came close to bankrupting the newly independent nation. Even though visitors are not permitted inside the heavily-guarded palace, you are able to view its spectacular modernist design and take photographs from outside.
Get active on the beach
The best beaches for peace and quiet are the deserted beaches of Pointe Denis and Ekwata in Gabon’s north, and Mayumba and Sette Cama in the south. Both Libreville and Port Gentil have beaches equipped for waterskiing, while Cap Esterias, 35km (22 miles) from Libreville, is a popular water sports centre at weekends. Perroquet and Pointe Denis offer good skin diving.
Go fishing
Popular among European visitors, many of Gabon’s rivers and lakes offer excellent catches, though local fishermen can find the largest variety of fish along the country’s 900km (550 mile) Atlantic coast and in the numerous lagoons located at the mouth of the River Ogooue. Equipment can be hired at Port Gentil.
Haggle at Mount Bouet Market
Don’t miss the hustle and bustle of Mount Bouet Market Libreville’s largest market. The hundreds of stalls selling food, textiles, household goods and traditional medicines funnel visitors into narrow maze-like alleys. On the market’s outskirts is a more relaxed shopping district, predominantly selling printed clothes.
Study local customs at the National Museum
The National Museum of Art and Traditions in Libreville, a short stroll from the Presidential Palace, contains some of the most beautiful wood carvings in Africa, especially the indigenous Fang style of carving, which influenced Picasso’s figures and busts. The photographs of Gabon in bygone days, and the musical instruments are also worth some time.
Take a forest safari in Lope National Park
Easily accessible in the centre of the country, Lope National Park is Gabon’s largest. Its landscape, containing a mixture of savannah and dense forest, provide habitats for lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants, as well as a variety of other primates, large mammals and around 350 species of bird which can all be tracked on foot or by car.
Tour Lambarene’s famed hospital
Spanning the Ogooue River, Lambarene was brought to the world’s attention by the lifelong dedication of Albert Schweitzer, a German-French doctor and world-class musician awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. Still functioning, the Schweitzer Hospital includes a small museum dedicated to the doctor created from his basic living accommodation.
Visit the craftsmen of M’Bigou
The villages of M’Bigou and Eteke in Gabon’s south are famed for the quality of the normally light grey soapstone extracted from the surrounding hills, and the carvings produced by the craftsmen there that result. The nearby gold mines are also well worth a visit.
Walk the Atlantic coast
The winding route leading from Libreville to the beach of Cap Esterias 35km (22 miles) north offers a chance to explore Gabon’s natural beauty, such as the forest of giant trees you will pass through. Rocks abound with sea urchins, oysters and lobsters. Cap Esterias itself is a safe place to swim in the ocean.
Wonder at the carved church of St Michael
The wooden church of St Michael of Nkembo in Libreville is supported by 31 tall and heavily-carved wooden columns, each depicting a scene from Christian and African legend, that were created by a blind Gabonese craftsman. A hall-like structure in comparison to Libreville’s other European-style churches, the rich exterior painting depicts St George killing the dragon.
Tourist offices
Centre Gabonais de Promotion Touristique (GABONTOUR)
Address: 622 Avenue du Colonel Parant, Centre Ville, Libreville, Telephone: (241) 728 504.
Nightlife & shopping
Shopping in Egypt
In Libreville, there are two bustling markets at Akebe-Plaine, Nkembo and Mon-Bouet. Stone carvings can be bought on the outskirts of both, fashioned by a group of carvers who have adapted traditional skills for the tourist market. Crafts from local villages can also be bought from stalls in the streets or from the villagers themselves. African (Fang) mask carvings, figurines, clay pots and traditional musical instruments can also be bought.
Shopping hours
Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1900. Some shops close Monday.
Nightlife in Egypt
There are nightclubs in Libreville with music and bars. Food is often served, although this can be expensive. The African quarter of Libreville is full of fairly cheap places to eat and drink. There are also casinos at several hotels.
Meals & Beverages
Gabonese food is a distinctive and delicious blend of traditional African ingredients and French flavours, though it jostles for space on local menus with Senegalese, Cameroonian and Congolese dishes, which are commonly served here.
Meals typically consist of meat or fish served with stewed vegetables and a sauce, generally sporting very hot chilli flavours. Having maintained strong links with France since independence, French staples such as croissants and baguettes can be found in the cities.
In more rural areas of the country, dishes tend to be simpler, relying on cassava, rice or yams. Bush meat such as monkey and antelope has been a traditional part of the Gabonese diet.
Specialties
Braised fish: Bass or red fish braised with chilli flavours and served with rice or French fries.
Brochette: Meat skewered and slow-roasted over an open fire.
Nyembwe: Chicken in a sauce made from the pulp of palm nuts.
Manioc leaves: Served wilted in place of spinach, the leaves are a common addition to sauces and stews.
Atanga: Also called ‘bush butter’, the hard atanga fruit is boiled and the flesh spread on baguettes.
Mustard chicken: Cooked with onion, garlic and lemon juice.
Bouillon de poisson: Fish stew.
Beignet: Deep-fried doughnut, the best are liberally covered in sugar.
Regab: Recognised throughout the country as the best local lager.
Plantain fritters: Deep-fried slices of plantain, as tasty as they sound.
Tipping
10 to 15% unless service is included in the bill.
Drinking age
18.
Getting Around
Air
Airlines operating domestic flights within Gabon include Nationale Regionale Transport and Allegiance Airways. Note that both airlines are banned from flying within the EU for safety reasons.
Road
There is no road connection between the second-largest city of Port Gentil or any other part of the country. Check points are common in Gabon and drivers are asked to show passports, driving license or vehicle registration documents.
Side of the road
Right
Road Quality
Most of the country consists of impenetrable rainforest and the roads are generally of a poor standard. Road travel in the rainy season (October to mid-December and mid-February to May) is inadvisable.
Car Hire
Cars may be hired from main hotels and airports, although they tend to be expensive.
Documentation
And International Driving Permit and international insurance are required.
Urban travel
There are extensive share-taxis. There are bus services in Port Gentil and Masuku (Franceville), and share-taxis in other centres. Taxi rates vary.
Rail
The Trans-Gabon Railway is the only railway line in Gabon; it is 410km (254 miles) long and connects Libreville (Owendo station, 10km (6 miles) from the city centre) with Franceville. Stops along the way include Ndjole and Moanda. Plans proposing an extension of the railway to Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo regularly surface.
Water
Ferries run regularly along the coast from Libreville to Port Gentil (journey time – 4 hours).
Riverboats ply the Ogoue River between Port Gentil and Lambarene (journey time -10 to 24 hours). Some boats continue on to Ndjole.
Before you go
Visa & Passport
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
| Other EU | Yes | No | Yes 1/2 |
| Australian | Yes | No | Yes 1/2 |
| British | Yes | No | Yes 1/2 |
| Canadian | Yes | No | Yes 1/2 |
| USA | Yes | No | Yes 1/2 |
Passports
To enter Egypt, a passport valid for at least six months from the date of issue of the visa is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Visitors from all countries, except nationals of the EU and the USA, must register with the police within one week of arrival in Egypt, although this service is normally undertaken by hotels. When you check in at your hotel the receptionist will ask to see your passport, and will record its details for the police.
Visas
Nationals from all the countries in the chart above have the option of obtaining tourist visas upon arrival in Egypt. They are usually valid for three months.
- Visas are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. These nationals may obtain a visa on arrival valid for 30 days. The visa on arrival can be obtained at Egyptian airports only. A visa prior to travel is needed when arriving at border crossings on land or by sea.
- South Sinai Red Sea resorts permission stamp on arrival: EU, Australian, Canadian and US nationals travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba resorts for up to a maximum of 15 days, who do not need a visa and will receive a free entry permission stamp on arrival, when arriving at Sharm el-Sheikh, Saint Catherine or Taba airports.
You can obtain visas from Egyptian consulates in your country of residence or on arrival at airports in Egypt. A multiple-visit visa is necessary if your trip includes travel in and out of Egypt.
Business visa applications must be submitted with a letter from the company stating reasons for the visit.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the consulate/embassy to check visa requirements for Egypt.
Types and Cost
Visa on arrival: US$25.
Consulate visa cost varies according to nationality. UK and Australian nationals: tourist: £20 (single-entry); £32 (multiple-entry); business: £65 (single-entry); £105 (multiple-entry).
Canadian nationals: tourist: £20 (single-entry); £32 (multiple-entry); business: £50 (single-entry); £75 (multiple-entry).
USA nationals: tourist: US$15 (single- or multiple-entry); business: US$40 (single-entry); US$55 (multiple-entry).
Visa fees for other EU nationals visiting Egypt vary according to country, but most follow the same fees that apply to UK and Australian nationals.
Validity
Visa on arrival: 30 days.
Single- and multiple-entry visas are valid for six months from the date of issue for a maximum stay of 60 days and 90 days respectively. Extensions are available from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Egypt.
Transit
Those continuing their journey to a third country within 24 hours and remaining in the airport do not need a visa, providing they hold confirmed onward tickets.
Application to
You can obtain tourist visas from the Egyptian consulate in your country of residence or from the airports in Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, and the port at Alexandria.
Temporary residence
Foreign nationals can apply for residency in Egypt, subject to conditions.
Working days
Applications made in person require two days and postal applications normally take about five days. For certain nationalities, applications can take up to six weeks if they need to be referred to the authorities in Egypt.
Extension of stay
Visas can be extended for up to a year at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Entry with children
Children under 16 travelling without an adult must carry a letter from their parent or legal guardian.
Entry with pets
Pet dogs and cats must be micro chipped and vaccinated for rabies, and you must complete an Egypt Veterinary Certificate. Vaccinations must be administered at least 30 days (but not more than a year) before travel.
Our visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing,
We strongly recommend that you verify critical information unique to your trip with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
British Embassy in Egypt
Telephone: +20 2 2791 6000.
Website: http://www.ukinegypt.fco.gov.uk Address: Garden City, 7 Ahmed Ragheb Street, Cairo, times:
Sun-Wed 0800-1530; Thurs 0800-1400.
Embassy of Egypt in the USA
Telephone: +1 202 895 5400.
Website: http://www.egyptembassy.net
Address: NW, 3521 International Court, Washington, 20008, Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0930-1300.
Egyptian Consulate in the UK
Telephone: +44 20 7235 9777
Website: http://www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk
Address: , 2 Lowndes Street, London, SW1X 9ET,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0930-1230 (lodging applications); 1430-1600 (visa collection).
Healthcare
| Title Diphtheria |
Special precautions Yes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | Yes* |
| Malaria | Yes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over one year of age. Yellow fever risk is particularly high in Ogooue-Ivindo province.
Health Care
Travellers in rural areas should take a first-aid kit with anti-tetanus and anti-venom serums. Medical facilities are limited. Comprehensive medical insurance is essential.
Food and Drink
All water should be regarded as potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Diarrhoea! diseases, including giardiasis, and typhoid fevers are common. Hepatitis E is widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Leishmaniasis and dengue fever can be transmitted by worms and insects. Epidemics of meningococcal disease may occur, particularly in the savannah areas and during the dry season. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays in Egypt
New Year’s Day
01 January 2020
Renovation Day
12 March 2020
Easter Monday
13 April 2020
Women’s Day
17 April 2020
Labour Day
01 May 2020
Martyrs’ Day
06 May 2020
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
24 May 2020
Whit Monday
01 June 2020
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
31 July 2020
Assumption
15 August 2020
Independence Days
16 August 2020 to 17 August 2020
All Saint’s Day
01 November 2020
Christmas Day
25 December 2020
Duty free & currency
Currency and Money
Currency information
CFA Franc (XAF; symbol CFA) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFA10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFA500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.
Only currency issued by the Banque des hats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des hats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.
Note: Libreville is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Credit cards
American Express, MasterCard and Visa are not widely accepted.
Travellers cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0730-1130, 1430-1630.
Currency restrictions
The import of local currency and the import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to CFA200,000.
Currency exchange
Gabon is part of the French Monetary Area.
Egypt duty free
Overview
The following goods may be imported into Gabon without incurring customs duty:
- 400 cigarettes or 125 cigars or 500g of tobacco.
- 3L of wine and 1L of
- 500g of personal jewellery.
Banned Imports
Prohibited imports include counterfeit goods, child pornography, non-prescription drugs, and unlicensed arms and ammunition.
Plants, animals and their products require certification.
Banned Exports
If exporting any goods of cultural significance, you require a certificate from the Ministry of Culture and Communication.
