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-   -   Egypt in February (https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/egypt-in-february-422228/)

plr Aug 30th, 2008 12:12 PM

Egypt in February
 
Several odds n' ends questions about being in Egypt for the 2nd two weeks of February:

Are bug repellant and sun screen necessary at this time of year?

How many hours of good touring daylight is there each day?

Will there be mostly short-sleeve or mostly long-sleeve temperatures during the days--or light jacket every day?

I have 2 sizes of 2-prong round plug adapters. Which one?

Is safe bottled water found everywhere? Safe brands?

Does it ever rain in Feb? Umbrella or rain jacket more appropriate?

Casual_Cairo Aug 30th, 2008 12:57 PM

There is a good OFF made here that you can get at any Pharmacy if you do find you need it.
Sun screen is also available, and may be needed depending on how fair and sensitive you are to the sun.

First, Luxor (Upper Egypt in general) will be warmer than Cairo, as will the Siani or Red Sea area.

Check out this website for sunrise/sunset times anywhere/anytime.
http://www.sunrisesunset.com/custom_srss_calendar.asp
You can calculate your "good touring daylight" with that.

Long sleeve in Cairo - it may be in the 60's in Cairo and cold and maybe a bit wet - yes it can rain in February - not for long periods but it is wet and cold when it does.

Short sleeves in the warm areas.

We have adapters for the prongs on your adapters. Or bring them both. We need both as not ALL outlets are skinny or fat. If you have fat and need skinny, there are adapters available easily.

Yes, water is EVERYwhere and it is all fine. Nestle is available and it's a proven good brand. Others are also fine.

I wouldn't bother with an umbrella, but a jacket that is waterproof might be useful if it fits in.

Have fun.

plr Aug 30th, 2008 01:40 PM

Responses don't get any clearer than that!--Thanks Debbie!

sunshine007 Aug 31st, 2008 12:07 PM

We had a very cold winter last year, so I would check out the temps just before you go. Or come back to this board & ask. We had some winds that really affected the already low tempertures and one day I refused to ride in a taxi without a heater to go to Zamalek (next to downtown Cairo (about half an hour away)because I would have frozen the entire way.


plr Aug 31st, 2008 12:41 PM

Wow. Now I love chilly weather, but this is not at all what I expected or hoped to hear! I definitely will tune-in when the time gets closer, but that gives me something to think about, in terms of an alternate packing scheme. Thanks, sunshine007.

dmlove Sep 3rd, 2008 01:04 PM

I just returned from a first visit to Egypt. Just two comments (so far):

1) Bottled water is available absolutely everywhere. We regularly got Dasani (bottled by Coca Cola), Nestle and some other brand of Siwa Oasis water. All were fine. Pay (and negotiate if you have to) 2.5 L.E. per large bottle.

2) I brought lots of Cutter wipes, and never used them. I got one mosquito bite in 8 days (Cairo, Luxor and Aswan) and noone else in my group of six people got even one.


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