EGYPT

February 2013

With the situation in and Syria, access into
Egypt is only by ferry from , Turkey or overland via Libya or Israel.

Egyptian pound exchange rates

Price of fuel
'90' octane about 1.3 LE (actually very low grade fuel, avoid it)
92 octane 1.75 LE
Diesel ('Solar') 1.1 LE

Costs
Inexpensive, until you have to face vehicle immigration fees

Useful languages
Arabic, English

Visas
Get at entry point unless you're taking a fortnight's holiday at resorts like Sharm El Sheikh.

Border formalities
With a vehicle border formalities are among the most protracted in Africa, if not the world; it can take many hours and following the revolution it seems the entrenched scammery has been re-established in places. Buy insurance and 'rent' number plates at the border - sounds simple but it won't be quick. See this Libya-Egypt crossing from February 2013. A carnet is still essential.

Ferry service from Mersin or now Iskenderum, in Turkey - long HUBB discussion
See also this blog; the ordeal of ferrying from Port Said to Turkey during Ramadan 2012. The ferry seems to cost around three times more Port Said then coming south. Arriving or leaving you need add a few hundred dollars in Egyptian immigration fees.
... Prices from Egypt
... Motorcycle $200
... Car $500
... Each passenger $300

And see this October 2012 account or another transit this time from Port Said to iskenderum, closer to the Syrian border.

Egypt from Sudan
A 2012 account of Sudan to Aswan via Lake Nasser barge. And another detailed 2012 account coming north.
There has been talk of an overland border opening here, but seeing as it will still require a 10-km crossing of Lake Nasser from Abu Simbel to Qustul, they will find a way of hugely complicating it. More here.

Overland via Israel
Recent terrorist attacks in the Sinai may have closed access to Israel near Gaza but it's reported that on the Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba) the Egyptian border at Taba (near Eilat; Ir and Aqaba; Jd) has opened again. If not there is always the option of the ferry from Nuweiba to Aqaba and from there into israel for a ship from Haifa to southern Europe.

Desert pistes
The monumental aggrivation of getting into the country as well as Egypt's spectacular ancient monuments overshadow the desert and the Egyptian Sahara ('Western Desert') is not as easily explored as the other Saharan countries, especially with the restrictions following kidnappings in recent years.

Look at the Michelin map and you'll find the country almost bare of desert tracks - for a hardcore Saharan this used to be part of the appeal. The rock art of Jebel Uweinat and Gilf Kebir plateau and the Great Sand Sea with its Silica Glass Field all add up to a fascinating tour of this rarely explored corner of the Sahara. Sahara Overland II gives a good overview and see the S-Files for other trip reports.

Fuel and water reserves must be massive and various permits are required to get off the tarmac. These can take months to acquire and must be done via an accredited travel agent.Then you must hire and provision for a useless soldier at $100 per day

So, the best way to see this area is with locally-hired vehicles and drivers. It works out around at least £120/day + flight. There are 3 or 4 agencies that specialise in the Gilf.