Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change* Egypt increased antiquity entrance fees and tourist levies by approximately 50% as of mid 2023
Tour price (Per person): USD11,400 * GBP9,069 * EUR10,926 * AUD18,228
Can be linked with: Jordan - Petra Extension 2026
Egypt has been the world’s most desirable tourist destination since the innovation of tourism several thousand years ago. Marvelling at Egypt’s antiquities will form a major aspect of our tour and we will visit all the important sites, from riding camels around the Sphinx and Great Pyramids of Giza, to being dazzled by the nocturnal Sound-and-Light show at the giant Abu Simbel statues of Ramses II. The birding and natural history aspect of Egypt will, of course not, be ignored, as our tour is timed to coincide with the peak of the impressive bird migration between Africa and Eurasia. Millions of storks, raptors, waders and passerines passing through and resting in any areas of greenery make birding here easy and enjoyable. The pleasant and undemanding birding, combined with breath-taking antiquities, are further augmented by top-class hotels, great food, a cruise on the Nile, incredible snorkelling in the Red Sea and exciting shopping opportunities, all of which make this a thoroughly enjoyable tour for both birders and non-birders alike!
*The 2024 tour was cancelled due to the security situation in the greater Middle East area. Bookings for the 2025 tour will be taken provisionally and will only be accepted if the wider conflagration has been contained to such an extent that the tour can proceed safely.*
**Egypt increased antiquity entrance fees and tourist levies by approximately 50% as of mid 2023**
Greater Painted-snipe; Streaked Scrub Warbler; Nile Valley Sunbird; Sinai Rosefinch; Trumpeter Finch; Crowned Sandgrouse; White-eyed Gull; migrating raptors
Red Fox, various bats
desert, wadis (dry riverbeds), arid scrubby plains, Nile River and associated wetlands, shoreline and off-shore islands, mountains
warm and dry conditions with cooler evenings
1 - 10 with 1 Rockjumper leader
UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Moderate to undemanding. Suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels.
Comfortable to very comfortable.
Mostly easy. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions, some may be distant.
180
key Egyptian antiquities, Nile River cruise, coral reef snorkelling, shopping
Reasonable to good. Lighting can be very bright. Many good to excellent antiquity photographic options. Flash may not be used at antiquity sites.
Our tour with David Hoddinott was educational and awe inspiring. David helped the tour to run smoothly and with his tremendous knowledge of the birds he helped us maximize our sightings of the native and migratory species. In addition, the local guides assisted our understanding of the antiquities we were viewing and made the customs of the countries (both Egypt and Jordan) interesting and manageable. David was enthusiastic, dynamic and engaging and an all round competent and enjoyable leader. We would highly recommend this tour with David.
Overall, this was a terrific trip - lots of variety in what we did and the experiences we had, fabulous antiquities, a superb cultural guide, personable and very knowledgeable bird guides and a really great group of participants. I would wholeheartedly recommend this trip to others, especially to people like myself who are not that interested anymore in a trip that offers nothing but birding. That's simply too narrow for me these days.