Sometimes when it comes to adventures and tours it doesn’t really matter where you have to go provided safety is guaranteed. However, not every adventurous location is worth the risk! Long has been the question whether or not Egypt is a safe place to live or to visit but guess what; this article is aimed at answering this question of the day. Safety in Egypt has been a question regularly asked by tourists because of the political stance and uproars in this region of Africa but this hasn’t stopped many from experiencing first-hand the beauty of the Pyramids of Giza, the ancient River Nile, and many other monumental sights in the country. Would you like to see those Pyramids you’ve been seeing in the TV, would you like to visit Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings? Well, find out about the safety in Egypt as you read on as this article will discuss how to be safe in Egypt.
IS EGYPT REALLY SAFE ?
There is a short answer to this and that is: Yes, Egypt is a safe place to live and to visit.
GENERAL SAFETY IN EGYPT
As at 2011, there was a revolution in Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood rule ensued. This led to a drop in the number of tourists who visited Egypt because it was considered unsafe as at these periods. However, in the years that followed, the safety in Egypt stabilized and 2018 was in fact typified by a rise in the number of visiting tourists. Right now, it is important to wonder whether the safety in Egypt is at a good level. In truth there have been terrorist attacks every year across many countries in the world and Egypt have had a fair share of attacks, which was about four of them in 2018. However, almost all of these attacks haven’t targeted foreigners instead they’ve been aimed at the locals and their beliefs in the forms of Muslims and the minority Christians. So if you are a foreigner visiting, there isn’t any reason why you would be targeted.
According to the travel advice provide by the UK, Sinai Peninsula is among the few places in Egypt tourists are often advised to avoid. So if you are in Egypt to stay or you’ve gone for a vacation, it would be best for you to steer clear of this region. On the bright side, the government has ensured that the safety in Egypt is paramount and they’ve been working this through the military. There is always a military checkpoint all over the country everywhere you go which is mostly every 500 meters.
THINGS AND PLACES TO AVOID IN EGYPT IN ORDER TO STAY SAFE
Like earlier mentioned, the whole of Egypt is a safe place on the average but like every other country of the world, there are some places worthy of special mention because of the safety issues in those regions.
- Be careful traveling in the Sinai Peninsula except Sharm El- Sheikh
- Avoid going too deep into the desert especially when you don’t have an escort
- Women should avoid travelling alone
- Avoid scams while visiting the pyramids or museums. Although these places are guarded, some people still pose as tour guides and ticket checkers.
IS CAIRO SAFE AT NIGHT FOR TOURISTS?
Many people still consider moving around Cairo at night than even walking through the Pyramids during the day. Safety in Cairo! It is pretty much safe to visit Cairo anytime of the day and even at night. In case you are not brace enough to walk out in Cairo, Luxor or even Aswan you can always hire a local guide for a few dollars. This guide would be your shield for safety in Cairo and being a local of the city, he would know exactly what to do in every situation at all time.
IS EGYPT SAFE FOR SOLO WOMEN?
Although there are some standards to keep up with but aside those standards, safety in Egypt is absolutely guaranteed for women whether they are travelling solo or with a companion. Try to avoid any of the following:
- Dress Conservatively so as to avoid harassment and/or embarrassment which may pose a threat to your safety in Egypt
- Avoid flirting at every possible cost
- Always take the official Channels and route and avoid short-cuts because you never know where they lead to
PETTY SCAMS
One of the most common safety issues is actually those presented by shop owners and peddlers who are always desperate and as such are readily eager to swindle or extort you. Is it safe to visit the Pyramids in Egypt? Absolutely! However, it is important that you avoid conversing with those local peddlers. When they approach you, simply reply them with “THANK YOU (LA SHUKRAN) in the most-friendly way. This will save you from being scammed or swindled.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS FOR EGYPT
When it comes to travel safety in Egypt, you should also take common health concerns into consideration. Egypt is a very warm country and not all restaurants stick to common western hygiene standards. Diarrhea is your worst enemy and should not be taken lightly at all – you would not be the first European / American to end your vacation hospitalized (which is why having travel insurance is quite important in Egypt – normally I don’t advertise them!)
Always stick to “peel it, cook it, or leave it“. Don’t drink fresh juices, ice cream or unbottled water. Never use ice cubes (I’m talking to you Americans!), don’t try those salads and buffets are, generally speaking, not the best idea either.
You also should never consider bathing in the river Nile, even if you take a cruise (read about my experience here). Schistosomiasis, also known as Bilharzia, is transmitted by parasites found in the river. Especially in the lower regions of the Nile, there is a lot of garbage floating down to the estuary and the currents can be quite dangerous as well. Please, stick to the pool – it’s a lot safer and cleaner.
Apart from that, Malaria isn’t a problem, but Hepatitis A can be, and you are probably already vaccinated against tetanus, Diptheria, and poliomyelitis, so there are no major precautions you need to take. If you are traveling in rural areas (99% of tourists don’t), you might consider a rabies vaccination, otherwise, Egypt is safe.
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