Boat to Sudan – Lake Nasser

18th December 2017

I paid 325ep for the ferry from Aswan to Sudan. I purchased my ticket from the Nile River Transport Corporation located near the tourist police station. The ferry runs on Sundays once a week. It was a 15km cycle from Aswan to the port.

I was at the port for 10am. I paid 50ep to leave Egypt and an extra 50ep to take the bicycle on the boat. We set sail just after 5pm.

There was 90 people on aboard. In the past, the ferry has carried 800 people plus the kitchen sink. There was plenty of room.

Food was basic but included in the price of the ticket. You could buy drinks on board if needed.

As we began to set off, the Muslims on board began to pray. It was quite funny. They began there prayers facing east towards Mecca. But then the boat pulled out of the harbour. Prayers stopped and they all jumped up. It took twenty minutes for them to decide which way was east. Mats where realigned, and prayers commmenced.

I slept on the top deck of the ferry. The sky was fantastic. Shooting stars, amazing. The following morning the ferry passed Abu Simbel and the views were great.

We arrived at the port in Wadi Haifa around noon. All passport formalities were taken care of onboard the ferry.

Through Sudan immigration without any problems. It was a 10 minute cycle from the port to the centre of Wadi Haifa.

The journey took 21 hours. Myself and Edward from Switzerland were the only foreigners on board.

I cycled the 5km into Wadi Haifa and met Edward at the El Harem hotel. We took a room for 150 Sudanese pounds shared between us. The hotel owner exchanged our dollars. 1 US dollar = 25 Sudanese pounds. The hotel has WiFi. Not as fast as it is in Egypt.

Once we had booked into our room. We tried to register at the police station, which is located near the bus station. The sergeant had already finished work. We were told to return in the morning. I’m heading out tomorrow so will register in Dongola, 4 days cycling.

We went out for a feed. 1 omelette, potatoes and bread cost 15 Sudanese pounds. Coffee cost 5 Sudanese pounds. The Sudanese are very friendly and seem genuine. A good start to Sudan.