I just returned from a 17 day trip to Egypt with my 3 sons. I contacted a person named Mohamed Zaki who was recommended on this forum. I also highly recommend him, he took care of everything, all the scheduling, hotels, restaurants, rides to and from the airport etc., etc.. Just give him your dates of travel, and he will recommend various activities and work around your needs. He does what he says he will and you can depend on that. He will do as little or as much as you would like. He is an expert Egyptologist and knows an astounding amount of information and history. He reads the hieroglyphics for you and explains the history and the people in understandable detail. He is very much like a history professor, perhaps he was one or will be one some day. Egypt has over 5000 years of history and this is the man who can explain it all for you. What ever he can not do himself, he will find the right people for you and make sure things happen as planned. He seems to know just about everyone, so you feel like you are getting the best possible experience in the country with him as your guide. He is honest, dependable and trustworthy.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4727 posts
I'd love it if you had time to do a Trip Report. I'd love to go to Egypt, but my wife has no desire. Did you ever feel unsafe? Tips for navigating and staying safe? Logistics to and from airport/hotel?
Posted by
56 posts
Could the original poster be Mohamed himself?
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I posted the report, Mohamed had nothing to do with it.
I never felt unsafe or threatened, the people are mellow and really appreciate the tourist presence. The ancient sites are unbelievable, they take you back in time 5000 years.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
There are plenty of taxis to and from the airport, English is spoken by everyone and you should negotiate the cost of your trip before you get in the taxi, just like anywhere else in the world. I would hire a guide, it's not expensive and they make the trip easy and comfortable.
Posted by
8483 posts
What did he charge per person for the 17 day trip? Did you get a nile cruise? What did you visit?
Gate 1 has great Nile cruises and tours of Cairo for less than $3000.
Posted by
CA
2170 posts
“ the people are mellow and they all speak English “!
That was not my experience! Yes, the people were very nice but most did not speak English. Vendors were often overbearing, and would not leave us alone when we wouldn’t buy something.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
You're probably safer in Egypt than in Mexico.
Posted by
8483 posts
Yes, Egypt is likely safer than parts of Mexico, like the US border area as well as certain areas in the interior.
Mexico City is one of the safest places to go in Mexico.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11520 posts
I simply will not trust or take much heed of anyones advice who says
" they all speak english"
That is simply untrue.. period.
Posted by
8483 posts
Yes and Yes. I have been to 78 foreign countries and there are always people that deal with tourists that speak English. However, countries like Egypt, the vast majority of the people don't speak English. An Egyptian friend once told we that half of his people sleep on a mud floor. Egypt is extremely poor. When I stayed in the Ramasees Hilton years ago, I could look out my hotel window and see the Nile, but in the other direction, away from the river, I could see an area littered with rubble and squatters living there.
More countries in the World now teach English as the preferred foreign language. China does that. The Eastern Block countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc taught Russian, but now they teach English. Still, many third world countries have more illiterate people in their own native language than any. Yes, about 1/6 of the people in India speak English as their native language.
Arabic is not an easy language to learn, but you can find a few words to help you. Shockran is thank you.