Murray River

I am thinking of a kayaking trip down the Nile from Aswan to the Mediterranean. Can anyone point me in the direction of information and people who could help me to plan?

I paddled 2,200km down the River Murray in Australia last year and now I'm wanting something a little more challenging!

Thanks,
Andrew

Hi - Haven't done it myself and I think most rafting/kayaking offered by companies is carried out on the Nile in Uganda.

However, here is a page of interest - you may be able to find a contact who can give U some info
http://www.angelfire.com/ct2/kevgarwood/tr/ug/nile0.html

Hi Andrew,

I hope you know some very influencial people in high places with who you can pull strings or otherwise you may be very disapointed.

At the present time travel on the Nile is only allowed between Aswan and Luxor plus a little bit further down river to the temples around Abydos. This normally takes place on cruise boats which travel in convoy with armed escort. Felucas, the small sailing boats, also travel this route and for a fee you can have an enjoyable time on them, but, there is sometimes a hassle getting to Luxor from Aswan on then due to the Nile Barrage South of Luxor. The captain of these felucas can also be hassled by police on route for several reasons normally such as "Need mony for fuel as our boat has run out."

The authorities there are very touchy about lone travellers, they like to have everyone organised into official travell groups and convoys. You may be able to get permission to kayak from Aswan to Luxor as long as you pay the appropriate fees to the correct people, but, you have not much hope for continuing further down river.

Rob

Thanks for your comments Rob.

I am still dreaming/thinking of this trip ... haven't yet come closer to making it a reality.

I went to a party in Australia last week with a friend from Cairo, together with his father who used to be a Minister in the Egyptian Government. Hopefully he can pull some strings if need be. I didn't realise there were such restrictions on Nile travel north of the Luxor though - I will need to look into that more.

Are you a recent Nile/Egypt traveller?

Regards,
Andrew

I've travelled there many times the last time being last summer. Some of the restrictions on travel have been lifted, for instance you can now travel over land from Aswan to Abu Simbu (by convoy) instead of having to go by plane. Middle Egypt, from Luxor down river is off limits to tourism. Even people I know who have lived there for many years, but, don't have residence permits find it hard if not impossible to get into that part. It can be done though if you know what you are doing. Terrorism and troubles are cited for the reason, but, it is more to do with paranoia that any foreigner may get into trouble with the subsequent loss to the tourism business and also trying to direct tourists to the main areas which are geared up to tourism.

Your friends father who used to be a minister in the Egyptian government may be able to fix it, but, if so be prepared to pay as that sort of thing doesn't often come cheap.

Rob

Andrew,
I am planning to kayak the Murray River. Came across this on the net about you having done it. Wodering if i could get some reseach info off you.
Regards

Davidson

Davidson,

I'd be glad to share my experiences. Maybe email me directly at andrew@rokstraps.com and let me know what you have in mind.

I have some photos of my trip online here:
http://au.photos.yahoo.com/bc/murraypaddler/lst?.dir=/2001+River+Murray+paddle&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/

Regards,
Andrew