Things To Do In Aswan
Fun Activities In Aswan
There are so many things to do in Aswan. The Nubians are the inhabitants of the city, and they allow it to be a wonderful, relaxing experience.
Below are some of the best things you can do in Aswan.
1) Sail on a Felucca
The best way to travel on the Nile River is by sailing on a felucca, which is a classic wooden sailboat of Egypt. For hundreds of years, Egyptians have sailed on this wooden sailboat to get across the Nile River and travel to various points from it. Since there is no engine on the boat, the winds and current are what drive the boat to its destination. When you are on the felucca and sailing the Nile, you will feel like an ancient Egyptian.
Reserve your private sunset Felucca tour here
You will feel relaxed as you sail the Nile River. The only sounds you will hear come from the sails themselves. Meanwhile, you’ll get a beautiful view of the Nile riverbanks as you sail on the water. It is truly a memorable experience that you need to see to appreciate. There are several felucca tours available which last anywhere between 1 hour to 12 hours, depending on how much you want to see the countryside. If you’re feeling very adventurous, then you can travel to Luxor on a 3-day journey.
2) Talk to the Locals
The Nubians inhabit a region of Aswan. Some of them still have villages along the Nile riverbanks. In fact, the crew members that take you out on the felucca are Nubians. Therefore, don’t be surprised if they take you to some of their villages as you travel the Nile. You’ll see the villages spread out everywhere on the banks.
Think about going to a Nubian house for a visit. Many Nubian families are willing to become hosts for tourists in order to make extra money. It is a great way to learn about their culture and experience how they live. Some of the families also sell traditional homemade accessories and prepare traditional food for tourists as well.
3) The Botanical Garden
The Nile River has two huge islands. One of them is the Botanical Garden, and the other is Elephantine Island. The latter island is the larger of the two. The local Aswan people refer to the Botanical Garden as “Geziret El Nabatat,” which is only 75 meters in length. However, you’ll find the most gorgeous plant life and trees that you’ve ever seen on the island.
The British Lord Kitchener received the island as a gift when he was the Egyptian Consul General from 1911 to 1914. The Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation assisted Kitchener in transforming the island into the gorgeous Botanical Gardens that it is today. The transformation project involved the importation of many exotic plants and trees, including Sabal Palm trees and Royal Palm trees.
Tourists and local citizens love to visit the Botanical Gardens. It gives them a chance to get away from the noisy city and enjoy a relaxing environment with quietness and greenery. Most of the tour packages in Egypt include a trip to the Botanical Gardens. But if you want to go to the island via a felucca or motorboat, you can do that as well. Just go to the East Bank of Aswan to find these options available.
Birdwatching
Bird watchers love to visit Aswan because of all the different species of birds to witness there, especially during the winter season. But no matter what time of year it is, you can take a boat ride on the Nile River in the morning and see plenty of birds on the coasts of the various islands that you pass by. You don’t need to be a bird watcher to appreciate the sight of these birds.
Join our best birdwatching tours in Aswan
The local Nubian tour guides will explain the significance of the birds in relation to Ancient Egyptian and Nubian history. These guides are often nicknamed the “Birdmen of Aswan” because they are knowledgeable about all the birds and can spot them easily. A lot of documentary filmmakers and amateur photographers love to take little speedboats out between the islands and witness the sunbirds, vegetation, night herons, Squacco, cattle egrets, pied kingfishers, and redshanks, amongst other birds.
Updated On May 05, 2020
