Located in the hot and dry north east corner of Africa and connected to the Arabian Peninsula via Sinai, is the ancient land of Egypt. The capital city of Cairo lies on the banks of the longest river in the world – the River Nile. Here you can visit the famous Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, and take a camel ride through the Sahara Desert. Cairo is home to the National Museum, where you can see the treasures of the pharaohs and Tutankhamen, and other important relics of mankind’s first great civilisation. In Luxor or Aswan, you can board a cruise through the Valley of the Kings to explore the Necropolis, Temple of Horus and other famous monuments.

Egypt is separated from the Arabian Peninsula by the Red Sea, which runs along its east coast. It is a region that is immensely popular with Europeans as a winter beach holiday escape, and Red Sea liveaboards are the best value in the entire world. There are many marine parks in the Red Sea which help protect its superb coral reefs. There are an immense number of shipwrecks, and the region is famed for its endemic fish species and shark encounters. It is these attractions that have made Egypt the most popular international tourist destination in Africa, with visitors reaching 13 million in 2019.

Camel ride at the pyramids

The first case of COVID was identified in Cairo on 14 February – Happy Valentine’s Day! By the end of February, several nearby countries had suspended their flights with Egypt, including Qatar and Kuwait. On 189 March the government suspended all flights, and all mosques and churches were temporarily closed on 21 March. Tourism however, accounts for almost 9% of Egypt’s GDP, but the arrival of COVID in 2020 caused a loss of USD 18 billion in revenues. So Egypt opted to re-open its borders as quickly as possible and did so on 1 July 2020, at the height of the first wave. There were subsequent but smaller waves in January and May 2021. Visitors are currently required to provide a negative COVID PCR test score upon arrival. Further information on entry requirements can be found here: Egypt entry requirements.

Egypt has reported 290,000 cases to date and almost 17,000 deaths, which rank it 36tth in most deaths and very low in deaths per capita. However, these numbers are strongly disputed as a deliberate government cover up. Human rights groups identified outbreaks and significant unreported deaths in overcrowded prisons. The government refused to accept the efficacy of PCR tests and instead used antibody tests which the WHO stated were not effective in identifying cases. Indeed excess death statistics bear this out and indicate that real deaths are closer to 210,000, which is an incredible 12 times or 1,250% more than officially declared. Only 3% of the population have currently been fully vaccinated.

There are 3 different regions for diving in the Red Sea of Egypt and they are very distinct. You can find amazing quality liveaboard cruises currently operating at incredible prices here:

1 North and wrecks region – the Ras Mohammad National Park and numerous excellent wrecks, including the most famous wreck dive in the world – the Thistlegorm. Some trips also include a visit to the Straits of Tiran which is great for schooling fish and some sharks. Underwater dolphin encounters are also common in this area.

2 Then there are the southern marine parks – Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone, Zabargad and Rocky Island – these areas are great for pelagic sharks, manta rays and big fish. Oceanic whitetip and threshers sharks can be seen here, plus schools of hammerhead sharks and occasional whale sharks. An Advanced Open Water license and at least 50 previous dives are recommended to dive here.

3 In the deep south are St John’s and Fury Shoals – the healthiest coral reefs in all Egypt, huge Napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, dugongs, mantas, pelagic fish and a few sharks. Great topographical diversity, including tunnels, caves, walls, gardens. An Open Water license and intermediate diving experience are recommended here.

It’s also possible to base yourself in a hotel and enjoy very affordable day trips from the popular resort areas of Sharm El Sheikh, El Gouna-Hurghada, or Port Ghalib (Marsa Alam).