EgyptEgypt Country Bundle: suggestions, stories and tips
Content about Egypt on WorldSupporter
Egypt: Updates & Travel
Egypt: Updates & Travel
Travel in Egypt?
- If you are interested in antiquity and the rise and fall of empires, Egypt is the place to be. Visit the Valley of the Kings, Memphis and the pyramids of Giza. The modern cities of Cairo and Alexandria are also worth visiting, do not forget the beautiful sand dunes of the Sahara. In short, the land of the pharaohs is an extremely suitable destination for the traveler looking for culture and history.
- Take a trip down the Nile and admire its treasures along the banks, such as the pyramids of Giza.
- Relax on the beaches along the Red Sea, avoiding the overly touristy beaches for more tranquility and nicer snorkeling opportunities.
- Visit the Khan-El Khali Bazaar in Cairo.
- Rise early for sunrise on Mount Sinai for stunning views of the desert and the Horus temple.
- Take a camel trek through the desert and experience the beautiful starry sky at night.
- Dahab on the Red Sea. No matter where you come from, the waterfront tents with the trunks, cushions, rugs and bongs are relaxing for everyone. Unfortunately, the coral has broken down over the years and you can't really snorkel there now. However, there are great diving spots there nearby. Also check out other villages, where you can still do some good diving and snorkeling.
- Cairo has a rich history dating back to 973 when it was founded as Al-Qahira. In 1922, it became the capital of Egypt. Tourist attractions include the Amr Mosque, the oldest mosque in Africa (10th century) and the Sultan Hasan Mosque from the 14th century. An absolute highlight is a visit to the pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo.
- Egypt's Red Sea coast runs from Sinai in the north to Sudan in the south; a distance of some 1,250 kilometers. Along the coast are several popular resorts such as Hurghada, Al Gouna and Marsa Alam. The coast near Hurghada is also called the Red Sea Riviera. Thanks to its clear water, pleasant sea water temperature and, above all, beautiful coral reefs and spectacular shipwrecks, the Red Sea is a great place to dive. For both beginners and very experienced divers, there are many beautiful dive spots to be found.
- Near the border of Libya, in the far west of Egypt, lies the oasis of Siwa. Thanks to its 250 springs, Siwa is a green pearl and stands in stark contrast to the large and dangerous sand dunes of the nearby desert. Besides the palms and olive trees, the oasis is known for its many fruit trees and Siwa provides exotic fruits such as dates, figs, limes and pomegranates.
- Wadi el-Hitan, the Valley of the Whale, is 150 km from Cairo. In 1936, extraordinary fossilized remains of whales were found here in the middle of the desert. The fossils were found to be about 40 million years old. Now this place is protected area. However, you can visit it to admire the primordial whales.
- Be prepared that the distances are often long, the temperature in summer can be very hot and the hygiene might be different than you are used to.
Updates Egypt
- More about Egypt, updates and contributions, see the link below.
How does healthcare work in Egypt, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?
How does healthcare work in Egypt, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?
- How does the healthcare system work in Egypt?
- What is the quality of healthcare in Egypt?
- How does the public healthcare system work in Egypt?
- How does the private healthcare system work in Egypt?
- How is the general practitioner arranged in Egypt?
- How is the dentist arranged in Egypt?
- How is pregnancy care arranged in Egypt?
- How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Egypt?
- What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Egypt?
- What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Egypt if you are going to live there for a while?
How does the healthcare system work in Egypt?
What is the quality of healthcare in Egypt?
- The healthcare system in Egypt has made great strides in the last century, but also has (in the public sector) great strides to make.
- Healthcare in Egypt consists of a mixture of public and private providers, but the difference in quality is almost as great as the pyramids themselves.
- The supply and quality of healthcare also differs between the countryside and the big cities. Specialist care can generally be found in the cities.
- There are many pharmacies, of which the larger chains are even available 24/7!
- Call 123 for an ambulance. It may take a while for it to arrive, because traffic in Egypt can be quite chaotic at times. Sometimes it is faster to have your own transport.
How does the public healthcare system work in Egypt?
- A lot of work is being done on a universal healthcare system, but the quality of healthcare is not really something to write home about yet.
- If you are an official resident, you can make use of the public healthcare coverage, which means that healthcare is (largely) free.
- Not only many foreigners, but also many (rich) Egyptians prefer to avoid public healthcare. Problems include: too few medical facilities, varying levels of education of staff, and a lack of English.
How does the private healthcare system work in Egypt?
- Private healthcare is a lot better than public healthcare.
- The staff generally speaks good English.
- You often have to pay cash, so a well-filled wallet (or emergency fund) is not an unnecessary luxury.
- In remote areas there is little to no private healthcare available, medical evacuation can be a dire necessity here!
How is the general practitioner arranged in Egypt?
- There are many different GPs available. You can go to the hospital, or you can visit a private clinic.
- In fact, all doctors are seen as primary doctors and there is no real gatekeeper function for GPs.
How is the dentist arranged in Egypt?
- There is good, private dental care available in Egypt, of course especially in the big cities!
- Many dentists speak good English.
How is pregnancy care arranged in Egypt?
- If you have read the previous articles, you will already feel it coming: even if you are pregnant, it is best to go to the private healthcare system. The public system fails in many areas (and that is not what you want when you are in labor).
- It is best to discuss your options with a doctor or midwife. Many options are available: from pregnancy courses to water births, from doula services to luxury hospitals.
- The best healthcare institutions can be found mainly in Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor. There are also clinics that offer doula services.
- The number of caesarean sections has increased enormously in recent years. It seems that this is either because a higher price can be charged for a caesarean section, or because more and more mothers are requesting it. Make sure you discuss your wishes with your doctor well in advance.
- Home births under the supervision of midwives also occur.
- Some good hospitals are the Rofayda Health Park, Queen’s Royal Hospital, El Nada Hospital, Nozha International Hospital and the American Hospital.
How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Egypt?
What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Egypt?
- Egypt is generally quite safe for anyone non Egyptian, if you can handle being noticed and sometimes being stared at or spoken to.
- Beware of petty crime such as pickpocketing and do not walk alone in the streets after dark. Especially not if you are a woman.
- Due to the tensions in the region, there is also a risk of terrorist attacks. The risk is particularly high in North Sinai. Popular tourist spots are also sometimes targeted.
- Demonstrations can get dangerously out of hand.
- Earthquakes and sandstorms can occur.
What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Egypt?
- Some health risks in Egypt are hepatitis C, tuberculosis and rabies.
- Only drink boiled water or bottled water. It may also be wise to avoid swimming in fresh water.
- Dengue also occurs in Egypt.
- Air pollution can be a major problem in Cairo, especially if you already have respiratory problems.
What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Egypt?
- Driving is a challenge and safety is certainly not guaranteed.
- The roads are of varying quality and reckless driving is not uncommon. Driving can therefore be quite chaotic, with a donkey in front of your car one moment and someone driving on the wrong side of the road the next.
- There are also relatively many traffic accidents in Egypt, especially with pedestrians and motorcyclists.
- You should always have a fire extinguisher, warning triangle and first aid kit with you.
- Taxis are not always safe, there have been cases of taxi drivers who have attacked passengers. So make sure you always use a good taxi company.
- You can also use the bus (the cheapest option), train and in Cairo also the metro.
What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Egypt?
Is the trip to Egypt and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.
What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Egypt if you are going to live there for a while?
- You can get reasonable care in Egypt if you go to private clinics, but this costs quite a bit of money. There is also a good chance that you would rather go back home or abroad for medical care. In that case, good, international health insurance is very important.
- Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.
Packing list for Egypt, travel insurance for Egypt, and taking your belongings
Packing list for Egypt, travel insurance for Egypt, and taking your belongings
To pack and bring to Egypt
- What to take with you to Egypt: short
- What should you keep in mind when traveling to Egypt with your belongings?
- Are there mosquitoes in Egypt?
- Are there sandflies in Egypt?
- Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Egypt?
- Can you buy beer or wine in Egypt, or take it to Egypt?
- Can you buy a joint or weed in Egypt, or take it with you to Egypt?
What to take with you to Egypt: short
Featured items:
- Documents: passport valid for at least 6 months upon arrival. An online and/or offline copy of your passport is also always useful.
- Money: It is useful to have Egyptian pounds (EGP) when you want to pay at markets, small shops and street vendors. Also, outside tourist areas, there are not always ATMs available.
- Care: sunscreen with a high factor - because hiding from the sun is going to be difficult in Egypt and buying it there is expensive!
- Outdoor and conveniences: cap or hat and sunglasses.
- Clothing: breathable clothing and layers. It can still be quite cold in the winter months. As a woman, it can be nice to wear covering clothing.
- Shoes: comfortable, airy (walking) shoes and sandals.
- Medicines and travel kit: a small first aid kit with plasters, hand sanitizer, painkillers, anti-diarrhea and ORS. Anti-mosquito repellent for the summer.
- Technology and equipment: world plug with type C & F.
- Women: scarf or light shawl for the sun and for visiting mosques. Tampons if you use them!
What are some other options for packing as well?
- Reusable water bottle with filter (more about drinking bottles).
- Portable fan or fan for cooling.
- Quick-drying travel towel and swimwear for the beach or pool. In terms of swimwear, what people wear varies - from bikini to burkini.
- Diving goggles and snorkel!
- Earplugs for the noisy cities.
- Biodegradable tissues for the toilets. Often there is no toilet paper.
What should you keep in mind when traveling to Egypt with your belongings?
- What time of year you are going.
- The dress code at different locations.
- What you are going to do.
Are there mosquitoes in Egypt?
- Yes, there are! You will mainly find mosquitoes in areas around water.
- Egyptian mosquitoes are most active in the evening and at night.
- You do not need to be afraid of malaria, but other diseases such as dengue and West Nile virus do occur.
Are there sandflies in Egypt?
- Sand flies live in Egypt, but don’t often cause problems for tourist.
- They are usually active during twilight and night.
- There is a risk that they can transmit leishmaniasis.
Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Egypt?
- It is not always easy to find mosquito repellent in Egypt.
- Your best chance is online and at pharmacies and large drugstores.
- It is easiest to bring your own preferred repellent from home.
Can you buy beer or wine in Egypt, or take it to Egypt?
- Because Egypt is a largely Islamic country, it is not necessarily easy or cheap to go wild with a night of drinking. And that despite the fact that they have quite a history with beer and wine production!
- Alcohol consumption is haram, or forbidden, for Muslims according to Islam. Apart from that, it is legal to drink alcohol in Egypt and available in certain hotels, restaurants and bars, especially in tourist areas.
- You must be 21 years old to be able to drink alcohol.
- It is better not to drink alcohol in public, because it's forbidden.
- Alcohol consumption is also totally forbidden during Ramadan and Islamic holy days.
- You’re allowed to bring one liter of alcohol in your luggage.
Can you buy a joint or weed in Egypt, or take it with you to Egypt?
- Totally illegal. Smoking of cannabis does happen in Egypt, but the laws are strictly enforced. Especially for tourists!
- A prison sentence is not uncommon.
- So you are not allowed to take a joint or weed with you either.
Egypt: selection of contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle
Egypt: selection of contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle
Content about Egypt shared by WorldSupporters
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