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).

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.

Passport Visa

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Egypt, if arriving within 6 days after leaving or transiting through infected areas, including the following: (in Africa), Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan (south of 15 degrees north), Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia; (in America), Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. NOTE: Persons without a valid yellow fever certificate, if one is required, will be subject to quarantine. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• US citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.
• British citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.
• Canadian citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.
• Australian citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.
• South African citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum of 15 days, provided that visitors arrive at Sharm El Sheik, Saint Catherine or Taba airports, and remain in the South Sinai resort areas and do not travel to any other part of Egypt. These visas are free of charge.
• Irish citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.
• New Zealand citizens must have a passport valid for two months beyond the period of intended stay in Egypt. A visa is required, except for wives of Egyptian nationals (holding proof thereof). Visas can be obtained on arrival, for a maximum stay of 30 days, and for a fee of USD 15.

Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Travellers to Egypt should 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. Visitors should only eat thoroughly cooked food and fruits they have peeled themselves to prevent travellers diarrhoea. The waters of the Nile are contaminated and should not be consumed or bathed in. Medical treatment can be expensive and standards vary so insurance is strongly advised, including evacuation. Medical facilities outside of Cairo can be very basic.

Embassy Consulates

• Egyptian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 895 5400.
• Egyptian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 9777.
• Egyptian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 234 4931.
• Egyptian Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 4437.
• Egyptian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 343 1590.
• Egyptian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 6718.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2797 3300.
• British Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2791 6000.
• Canadian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2791 8700.
• Australian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2770 6600.
• South African Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2321 3218.
• Irish Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2735 8264.
• New Zealand Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2461 6000.