Welcome to our desert Lake

It’s hard to comprehend how big Lake Nasser really is; for example, the flying distance between London Heathrow airport and Cairo airport is 3,524 km – the shoreline of Lake Nasser is 7,844 km twice that distance! This huge shoreline is due to the multitude of valleys flooded by the lake which are called khor or wadi in Arabic.

Lake Nasser is divided into two parts, just over two thirds is in Egypt and one third in Northern Sudan which they call Lake Nubia. The Land of Nubia is the name of the ancestral home of the Nubian people before their farms and villages were flooded by Lake Nasser. The ancient land of Nubia is one of the areas earliest civilizations, with a history which can be traced back to around 2000 B.C. Nubia was also known as ancient the Kingdom of Kush.

The emphasis of a small boat cruise is to give you a close up experience of the panorama, nature and nomadic people of this amazing desert lake. Also, its archaeological sites which were dismantled block by block and moved to higher ground when the lake inundated the Nile Valley. The lakes temples represent the land of Nubia during the Pharaonic period.

‘’Pictures speak a thousand words’’ peruse our Slide Show for an insight into this unique desert Lake.

The West bank of the lake has vast stretches of shallow shore line which attracts wild birds and their predators. In contrast, the East bank is scenically very different, mostly made up of wild and rugged desert landscapes where the Nile has pushed up against a ranges of mountains on its way north into the Mediterranean Sea.

Over 100 resident species of birds have been recorded and the lake is also an important staging point for migrant and over-wintering birds. During the autumn and spring months millions of birds pass over the lake following the Nile River on their annual migrations between Europe, Asia and Africa.

The bird populations have created a food chain with an impressive variety of mammals and reptiles. In many areas, crocodiles and monitor lizards make their home; other types of wildlife include Dorcas gazelle, jackals, desert fox, hyena and various smaller desert mammals are also found.

The residents are desert nomadic camel and sheep herdsmen, who graze their flocks on the shoreline’s sparse vegetation. Transient peasant fishermen fish the lake using old methods, simple wooden rowing boats with gill nets and live in ramshackle temporary camps. There is no modern commercial fishing on Lake Nasser.

Lake Nasser Statistics

Lake Nasser Weather

Located in the largest and driest deserts on our planet the weather is almost always sunny and bright; it hardly ever rains. Egypt could be said to have only two seasons blending into each other, a mild winter from November to May and a sweltering summer from June to October. The only real differences between the seasons are variations in day and night temperatures and changes in prevailing winds also, the very occasional sand storm.

     Kaya, learning to drive a House Boat !

Families from all over the world are guests on our small boat cruise, their children were captivated by this unusual out of doors adventure.

Children have a fertile imagination, with minds like a sponge, when it comes to taking in new and exciting experiences. A small boat cruise on a desert lake gives them the opportunity to learn more about the natural world and have a lot of fun at the same time. The atmosphere on a small boat cruise is completely different to what most children have ever experienced; especially those who are used to life in a big city.

A more worthwhile adventure than a sun, sea & sand holiday in a plush hotel.

Having your own house boat means you can unwind and let your family settle into their own environment.

Our programs have generous discounts for children who are 18 years old or younger.

Each day will offer a different experience as your family explores a desert lake on their way to visit the world famous temples at Abu Simbel.

Your kids learn about the Sahara Desert and what it looks like and are likely to meet a family of nomads tending their herds of camels and sheep along the shore of the lake or friendly fishermen to find out what they have caught.

It is worth while taking a short walk along the shoreline. In some places, water has washed away the top soil, cleaning the sandstone to reveal plant and animal fossils of bygone eras. Also, Stone Age drawings and hieroglyphics, carved by ancient Egyptians during their trading or mineral seeking expeditions.

Our cruise staff and guides are Nubians who have a strong affinity for children and a sense responsibility for supporting family’s which is a focal point of their culture. They do not have the support of social services like us westerners this means they must rely on each other for when help is needed.  

You will all be well looked after, especially the kids, Mum can relax knowing her family is safe and being well taken care of while enjoying amazing new experiences.

     Take off on an amazing holiday adventure

The information we provide below is a guide line, do not hesitate to ask us if you have any questions about the itinerary you are planning please use the Ask a Question drop down box in the left panel.

Flights to Egypt

Flights to Egypt are not expensive; there are some good deals on offer. Prices vary so it’s worth doing some research. The easy way is to Google it - type in - Flights to Egypt from (then the name of the city you will be flying from). Your flight bookings can be processed on the internet where it is easy and reliable to buy electronic flight tickets direct from airlines; your valid flight ticket is sent to your email address.

You have the option of flying into Cairo or Luxor and then connecting to Aswan.

Cairo: There are daily flights into Cairo from most major cities throughout the world and there are frequent daily flights connecting Cairo and Aswan.

Luxor: Luxor has an international airport with charter flights and Egypt Air scheduled flight connections with the UK and from most European countries. Connections between Luxor to Aswan are currently by road transfer or train; we will assist you with these arrangements when you make your booking.

Getting to Aswan

From Cairo:      There are frequent daily flights between Cairo and Aswan. If you are flying into Aswan on the morning your safari starts, book an early flight with an arrival time of no later than 8.30 or 9.30am to avoid missing valuable time on the lake. On arrival in Aswan our tour coordinator will meet you and transfer you directly to the safari start point; a 15min drive from the airport.

From Luxor:     The most convenient way to reach Aswan is to arrange a mini bus transfer by road; an interesting three hour drive following the Nile up the Nile Valley through rural Egypt to Aswan. If required we can help with these arrangements.

On the day your safari starts we will meet you at the airport, your hotel or from a Nile cruise ship and then transfer you to and from the safari start point on the lake.

Hotels in Aswan

Aswan has a range of hotels from good quality traditional to international 5 star standards. An easy way to get a review of Aswan hotels is to follow this link Trip Advisor - Aswan’s Hotels

For a completely different experience we recommend you consider one of the traditional hotels to get away from the stereotype modern hotels. If you have any concerns about your booking then please do not hesitate to contact us for help.
 

Visa on Arrival
A visa is required for Egypt. Nationals of the following countries have the option to obtain a tourist visa on arrival: UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Croatia, EU, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Macedonia, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Serbia, Ukraine UK and USA. Or, you can get a visa from your closest Egyptian Embassy.
Getting a visa on arrival is easy. When you arrive at Cairo or Luxor airport you will find currency exchange booths where you buy a visa stamp, before you join the queue to clear immigration, the cost of a stamp is currently US$20

Vaccinations for Egypt
There are no mandatory vaccinations for visitors unless you are coming from an area infected with Yellow Fever. Some health authorities advise travellers to have a vaccination against Hepatitis A and Typhoid. 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 centre.

Explore the lake in a House Boat or Safari Boat then for overnight stop overs meet up with a well-appointed mother ship for meals and drinks in comfortable social surroundings.

Our concept of having an independent Mother Ship unit taking care of catering and recreation is unique on Lake Nasser. Cruise ships are too cumbersome to get close to wild life and manoeuvre in shallower water where all the action is. Exploring the lake a House Boat or Safari Boat is the perfect way to get a close-up experience of this amazing desert lake.

We cater for the individual not mass tourism, there are seldom more than ten guests on a small boat cruise.

SMALL BOAT SAFARI CREW

An essential requirement for a successful cruise is the crew, we take this seriously devoting a lot of effort into selecting and training our team.

An English speaking Nubian guide is the skipper of your house boat. Most of our guides have been with us for sixteen years or longer and know the lake intimately, its wild life, people, and the most interesting places to visit. Your guide will take you to see what you are most interested in. You can visit any of the temples on the lake’s shoreline but, our guides are not qualified Egyptologists.

Our guides and support crew are Nubians who inhabited the Nile Valley before it was flooded by Lake Nasser. The Nubian people have a proud and rich heritage which dates to long before the Pharaohs were in control of ancient Egypt. To this day they maintain their own distinct traditions, architecture, and language. There is an excellent esprit de corps amongst our Nubian staff, they are proud of the work they do, and you can’t beat them for their spontaneous and genuine friendship.

The Nubians have a special reputation amongst outsiders; their characteristics are generally considered to be honesty, trustworthiness and good heartedness. But this reputation covers not only the people but also their country, which was called Balad El-Aman, a land of safety and security. I am telling you all this because the whole crew and the staff of African Angler are Nubians, and without exaggerating, I have barely ever met better, politer, more helpful and grateful people in my whole life! These guys are very proud of their culture and their values and until today represent them to the fullest!  Moritz Witter

MOTHER SHIPS

Mother Ships carry the equipment, provisions, fuel and catering staff; leaving the House Boats and Safari Boats free for your own personal use.

Mother Ships are fitted with a built-in kitchen, dining area, toilet, and shower; there is plenty of space on the upper deck to relax and watch the world go by. Cold beer and soft drinks are always in plentiful supply; less expensive than in hotels.

You will be well looked after; our Nubian safari staff will surprise you with their ability to conjure up amazing food in the middle of nowhere. The style of cooking is a blend of western taste merged with Nubian cuisine; superb.

HOUSE BOATS

House Boats have two spacious cabins which sleep up to four. They are fitted with a toilet & shower and a small galley. The electricity supply is from 240-volt generator capable of recharging your appliances. When the generator is not running there is a 12-volt battery powered night light circuit.

The sun deck is a comfortable shaded area which is ideal for relaxing and taking in the scenery.

House Boats are perfect for exploring the Lake, big enough to be comfortable but also small enough to reach shallow areas, where you are more likely to see wild life and get close enough for memorable photographs.

SAFARI BOATS

Safari Boats are smaller than the house boats. Originally designed for fishing they are ideal for those who would like to try their luck to catch and release a Nile perch or Tiger fish.

Safari boats have a cabin with two large single bunks. At night the cabin can be enclosed by canvas providing a cosy sheltered sleeping area or you can sleep on the top deck under the desert stars; a unique and peaceful experience, it never rains in the desert.

Unlike the House Boats, Safari Boats do not have an on-board toilet and shower, these facilities are provided for on the mother ship. If you are an out of doors enthusiast, you will not find it a problem to locate a convenient bush, if caught short while sightseeing on the lake!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO OUR DESERT LAKE