C.R

I have been planning to go on a trip with Abercrombie and Kent through Egypt and the Nile for the past two years. Each time I am about to book the trip something goes wrong in Egypt, making it seem too unsafe to vist or atleast unsafe in my mind. Is this true? Is Egypt just a destination that is just too unsafe to visit? Are there any good times to visit Egypt?

LEANNA

I was just in Egypt in April and May and felt and was TOTALLY safe the entire time. If you are w/ a tour they will be accompanied by a guard and/or police escort..but still.....I never felt unsafe! I think Egypt is trying very hard to stay sane and they are succeeding. Go.....do your tour....believe me if its unsafe A&K will tell you....they dont wanna be sued!

Don

We were with Insight in March and at no time did we feel unsafe. If you go with a good company they will take care of you and you never feel in harms way. Was a great trip with so much to see and do. The only small pain was to carry water and watch what you eat and drink. We really enjoyed the Nile Cruise.

Tonna

Things change in the last two days and don't take a chance. You are not safer with a group. Remember what happened a few years ago with a group I think German tourists? Please wait. It is much better to be not with a group anytime you go there anyway. It is an opinion of an Egyptian friend who just arrived on Saturday for a visit. We supposed to go visit him in August but decided to wait. Wait a little longer C.R. You already waited two years. Hope things get better very soon. Good luck

gail

While we felt totally safe in Egypt in April, I am not sure I would feel the same way today. The problem is that since that part of the world has had problems for centuries and most people book a trip many months in advance, trying to guess on the safety climate is very difficult. Between the time we booked and actually went was when the Israel-Palestine situation reheated. We watched Dept of State travel warnings, etc. and were prepared to cancel if necessary. You have to judge your own risk tolerance and realize in recent times, Egypt has been one of the safer Middle East countries. Your chance of being a target is still very small. A neighbor cancelled a trip because she couldn't feel safe - no point making a big trip like this if you can't feel comfortable about it. A long-winded way to say, there is no right answer. But if you wait for things to "calm down" in that part of the world, it could be more centuries. I wish the Middle East peace.

Daina

Egypt has been a LIFELONG dream of mine but I also am grappling with the safety issue... I suppose I understand that *things can happen* no matter where in the world you go, but just the nervousness (I know I would feel) would probably ultimately ruin my holiday. I have been recommended to go on tours but I have also heard the horror stories of tour buses being taken hostage and I suppose I don't want to be on one when it happens....<BR><BR>I can't decide if I should take the "you only live once" attitude and just go for it, or be over cautious and perhaps never get there? I am a seasoned traveller and have backpacked my way all over the place - but still Egypt is one place that I just can't breeze into without a second thought...<BR><BR>Has anyone ever had to cancel their Egyptian vacation for any of the above reasons ?

Prue

Daina, We are due to visit Egypt in September and have no intention of cancelling - unless the Australian government deems it unsafe. We have a few feelings of insecurity sure, but really feel we would be as much at risk in many other places at this time, as we will be there.

Grace

Prue just don't go with any group.

Zoe

So - is it safer to travel on your own or with a tour? And why?<BR><BR>

Leslie

We went with A&amp;K on the Egypt tour in 1999. And we wondered if we were taking a chance after the bus was bombed at Hatshepsut's temple outside of Luxor. Our fears were groundless at that time. Egypt well understands that their economic survival is rooted mainly in American tourists. Every tourist destination had large numbers of very visible tourist and antiquities police which is reassuring. However, we wandered outside the tourist zones and were the only Americans in sight and were never bothered by anyone. Everyone we met was gracious and helpful. I agree with the posting that says A&amp;K wouldn't go there if it wasn't safe. They are first class and you will have a great time. We were so pleased with A&amp;K that we joined the Marco Polo club. And, if it hadn't been for the economic downturn that kept us working hard in April, we would have been on their first Iran tour. I would go back to Egypt in a heartbeat.

Daina

After to speaking to hubbie - we have decided to go ! His attitude is "when your numbers up, it doesn't matter where you are .... !!" so on those *re-assuring* words we have decided you only live once and, blow it, we are going ....!!<BR><BR> I was speaking with a friend who just came back from Egpyt a couple of months ago and her experience of awe, marvel and fascination far outweighed any threat of she had of her physical safety ! She said that she was harassed by men - (annoying not threatening )her words ! ....<BR><BR>I have been researching Gecko tours (my friend also did this and thoroughly recommended them). I picked up their info from YHA travel so they must be reputable. Has any else had any experience's on Gecko tours ?<BR><BR>Thanks all for your assistance ....<BR>

LEANNA

Hoorah Daina. I really think you will be fine...they really work at keeping you safe. Your pal is right about the men...it does get exhausting...I'm an old pudgy grannie...and I dressed very conservatively and still had problems. Its been a long time since I had to ward off that kind of attention and had forgotten what time it wastes!!! Anyway....Im sure you will be fine. Now get busy and start packin!

Prue

Daina, I am so pleased to see that you have also decided to go ahead with your trip - as I said in my previous post we are certainly going, and only a directive from the Government or some such thing would stop us.<BR>I have been reading anything relating to Egypt on this Board for months now and everyone seems to agree they do their best to keep you safe. So fingers crossed!

Dick

Diana, glad to see you are going. Wish I was also. A year ago to this day we four were in Egypt. Security was everywhere so get used to seeing armed guards. But, except for some pushy venders my wife and two teenage daughters were left alone by the males. We still get a laugh when we retell the story of one carriage driver who in between continuously asking me for a tip (after all his horse was pregnant) could not stop complimenting my wife (not me) on what fine looking daughters we had. Have a great trip.<BR>Dick

Patricia

I was in Egypt with a tour group in November. Never were we in any danger. We felt safe and relaxed at all times. They love the American tourist and are very accommodating. We had an armed guard on our bus the whole time we were in Cairo, and I think it was only for show. We certainly didn't need protecting. For heaven's sake--go!!! The danger is in Israel and that area, not Egypt.

AC

I have an opportunity this November to go to Cairo to work for 2 years. I am a 49 year old caucasian American. What do you think of the security issue for that length of time?<BR><BR>I've been to Mexico and Caracus on short visits. Never really felt safe at either of them. <BR><BR>I see this as a great opportunity but need to feel out the safety issue a bit. Anyone Please respond.

Patricia

If you don't want to be harassed by men on the street, dress appropriately. Leave your shorts at home and don't wear sleeveless tops and dresses--keep your shoulders covered. If they harass you it is because they don't respect you, so they think you're fair game. Vm vendors are another thing altogether--everyone gets harassed by them and they have a sense of humor if you just say "La Shukr(aw)n" (no thank you). We read many places what the dress code is and still we saw people dressed any old way. Little wonder they were harassed. And keep in mind you're going into their tombs and temples and mosques however you are dressed. Be respectful.

wagih

HI every one who want to come to EGYPT it is because i am an EGYPTIAN tour guide so i am not going to give you any information about how it is very save in EGYPT but i want to say just reed again the notes that wrot by the tourist that have been in egypt by themsalves and do not listen to the people whom hard without seeing just trust by the one how have been here in EGYPT the MOST SAVE place on the earth

kw

CR <BR> <BR>We just visited Egypt for 3 weeks in September of 2001. The Egyptians are working very hard to make their country safe. They have "Tourist Police" now at most of the major archeological sites and locals go out of their way to welcome you to their country. It's not a perfect place, but I've not been anywhere in the world yet that is, including the US. In reality, if you really want perfect(!) go to DisneyWorld, where perfection is manufactured everyday...if you want breathtaking Nile sunsets and archeological ruins go to Egypt! It's a fabulous country, full of many wonders. Go, enjoy, learn, and take in the magic. Cheers!

RMAN2

No matter which place in the world you go, there's always the terrosism threat. I plan a journey soon, that will take me to not so considered safe places like Egypt, India and Kenya, and alhtough I know the risks, I think the experience of visiting these countries is worth the challenge. Consider that the proportion of incidents compared to the huge amount of visitors is very small; is the same with airplane crashes. ANY PLACE in the world is dangerous. Who would have thought that Oklahoma was a dangerous place before 1995??? Go on with your trip and good luck!!