Felucca Nile Cruise in Egypt
“So let me get this right. We are sailing down the crocodile infested River Nile on a tiny sailboat for two days. We have to camp in the sand dunes. And there is NO toilet or washing up facilities on board?”
Okay first impressions weren’t great.
Don’t get me wrong, we love to camp. Plus I love water and have basically grown up on or in it my entire life. So when we had the opportunity to chose between a 5 star cruise boat or a traditional sailing felucca there was no contest. Felucca it was!
Luckily my first impressions proved to be a little off… The Nile is NOT crocodile infested on the section that we were sailing on and we would be sleeping under the stars on the deck of the felucca rather than in the sand dunes.
And we loved every minute of it.
With the wind gently blowing along the River Nile stretching the sail tight and a guide at the helm all we had to do was lie back and relax.
The guides did everything from guiding us, keeping us entertained with stories and songs, to preparing simple meals on board consisting of falafel, pita bread, hummus and fruit for lunch and dinner.
We didn’t have to lift a finger unless it was to turn a page or reach for another bottle of beer. With a book in one hand, a beer in the other and only 6 of us enjoying the relaxed pace it was more luxurious in my mind than any 5 star floating hotel.
The snapping of the rigging lines in the wind and water lapping at the sides were the only sounds as we zigzagged our way upriver. For a whole day we followed a flotilla of other feluccas. Our only stops were when someone wanted to stop for a pit stop in the bushes!
As the sun slowly began to melt into the horizon line we pulled up alongside the rest of our tour group for the evening festivities.
Dosed up on the pungent smell of mosquito repellent and shisha pipes we danced to the beat of the Nubians traditional and not so traditional songs. The roaring bonfire in the sand dunes to kept us toasty warm and threw flickering shadows across the Nile.
Lying back on our felucca gazing up at the twinkling milky way far above us with the occasional shooting star it couldn’t get much better than that.
Category: Adventure Travel, Africa
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi slang for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We love all types of adventures that make us step outside our comfort zone, in comfort, including surfing, skiing, snowboarding, diving and cruising on our bikes. You can find out more 
Such a meditative and and mystical experience, sailing up the Nile, isn’t it… the slight breeze, the smell, the sounds
When did you do it Sophie? It really was a relaxing way to spend 2 days and in the middle of the tour it was nice just to chill out away from all the crowds.
Wonderful little sailing boat. Makes me want to go sailing again.
Where do you go sailing Sam?
This. Sounds. Unreal! What an incredible way to experience the Nile, I especially liked the part about not working hard and only having to reach for another beer. Would love to try this someday.
I hope you guys get to experience it Dayna! Just remember if you ever have the chance to choose then go for the felucca
That looks like a wonderful experience. I took a ferry ride across a lake in Africa once, which was about as close to something like this that I’ve done. It was a big lake, so sleeping was part of the deal.. but there were a few more passengers
Haha what lake was it Laurence? Was it quite a rough ferry as in no facilities? Sounds like an adventure!
Never done this. Still haven’t been to Egypt, but you guys are making me want to visit more and more! What an amazing experience.
Thanks Bobbi! I hope you do get to visit soon as it is an amazing country.
I would choose the traditional boats as well. You still did not say what you did for the toilet though?
Haha all we could do was use the bushes. It was okay for a guy as we could just, well you know, but Adela said it was a lot more annoying!
So glad you enjoyed it! Camping on the river! Amazing!
Thanks Hazel
So happy you had a good time! There is something magical about lazing the days away on a felucca on the most famous river in the world! I would recommend anyone and everyone to try it at least one time!
Thanks Hazel! We would definitely come back and enjoy it all over again. Would be great if we could do a multi-day trip on it
I would so love to do this!
It was amazing Sam. Hope you get a chance
What a fun, relaxing way to sail down the Nile. I would love to do this!
Hope you get the chance too Laurel!
I had the same misgivings about the felucca experience at first… roughing it is not really my thing. BUT, I ended up absolutely loving it. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Sounds like I’m not the only one =)
Glad you chose to do it as well Angie. We were really glad that we did!
Would love to sail down the Nile. Seems to be a very relaxing and fun journey!
It was great having a day to just lie back and chill out on the tour rather than the usual hectic running around visiting all the sites!
This looks like a fantastic time!
It really was Stephanie
What an amazing experience!
Have you done anything similar Laura?
Have never been but now I’m interested. The first photo is stunning.
Hope you get to head over there soon Rob. It is a fantastic place.
It’s basically my dream to do this one day! And cool you enjoyed it so much.
Hope you get to enjoy it as well Cheryl. It was a beautiful setting.
awesome! I dont think I considered a trip to the Nile personally but after looking at your journey it really makes me want to experience something similar,you guys keep having fun
Thanks Joe! The Nile is a fantastic place and so peaceful. Hope you make an adventure there soon!