Private Touring
to the
Most Intriguing Place
on Earth

Safety.

IS EGYPT SAFE NOW?

Travel always entails some uncertainties, but then, so does life.  I've been asked this question about Egypt since late 2000...and then there was the horror of 9/11, the Iraq War, and more recently the attacks in Sinai.  I invite you to read my very well considered response to this question.

Egypt has been a completely safe destination for tourism for years. Despite the other situations in Iraq, in Israel and in Palestine, tourism in mainland Egypt (the Egypt of the Classical tours) remains unaffected. The Egyptian people, the vast majority who are thoughtful and moderate in their views, like Americans enormously...we're so very similar when it comes to friendliness, warmth and we share the same, sometimes silly, sense of humor.

And, of course, the way the Egypt Magic tours are organized -- private and escorted -- maximizes personal safety. You travel in a private car, with 2 Egyptians: your private Egyptologist guide and your driver. You are as inconspicuous as it's possible for a Westerner to be.  Your guide & driver are both in constant cell contact with our offices throughout Egypt...our staff will know where you are almost every minute of every day.

The United States Department of State has issued no new travel warnings, advisories or alerts for Egypt. The most recent issuance from the State Department concerning Egypt was as part of the general Advisory regarding Avian Flu.  Under the current world conditions the State Department's recommendation, and the recommendation of our Embassy in Cairo is: maintain a discrete profile, avoid large crowds or demonstrations, be alert about your surroundings and generally exercise prudence...and this is excellent advice no matter where or when you travel. 

Air travel continues to be safe, both internationally and within Egypt.  And the security precautions the Egyptian government has had in place to protect tourists since 1997 are impressive. There are metal detectors at the entries to all the sites, and at the hotel entryways plus you might see sniffer dogs and might be prevented from driving directly to the hotel entrance unless your vehicle passes a stringent inspection.  You will see the military presence everywhere and over-the-road travel between certain cities tourists frequent is by army escorted convoy. And, consequently, there have been no problems in mainland Egypt.

Tourism is one of the country's most important sources of hard currency, and besides not wanting any untoward incidents, Egypt is pragmatic and wants in no way to jeopardize a vital economic benefit. And, quite frankly, I would never want to send guests over to my favorite destination in the world if I didn't have an excellent expectation that their time spent would be thoroughly and completely wonderful. Egypt is just too important to me, and too special a place, to sell short.

So, to answer the question...safety in mainland Egypt is excellent.  I usually travel in Egypt alone...and it would be impossible to mistake me for anything other than a "Western woman of a certain age"...and I'm usually off the beaten path of the tourist route...and I have never had even the slightest problem.   If seeing Egypt has always been your dream, this is a good time to turn the dream into reality. 

I had the great good fortune to have met with Dr. Zahi Hawass, the Director General of the Supreme Council of Egyptian Antiquities during my trip in January 2004. I will pass along his comment on Tourism Safety in Egypt which he made in answer to a question about travel safety in his country during a book-signing tour in the United States… “When you get to Heaven, I tell you, you will not be admitted…you will be sent back to Earth again if you haven’t seen Egypt.” Thank you, Dr. Hawass.  I am unable to add even one single word that would make that statement stronger or more true.