There is no doubt that upon hearing Egypt many things come to mind. The pyramids, the sphinx, pharaoh, desert temples, the Nile river, Cleopatra, King Tut. The list could go on and on but definitely, all of these and its rich history make Egypt one of the most renowned countries in the world. The nation is particularly known for its ancient history. Although Egypt is full of attractions there are hazards which all visitors should beware of.

Travelling info

All tourists travelling to Egypt must have a valid passport. Certain nationals are eligible to apply for an e-visa whilst others must do so at an Egyptian embassy. (List of countries in sources). Tourists who decide to drive in Egypt must have their domestic permit and an international driving permit. For those staying a period that exceeds 6 months obtaining an Egyptian driving, a permit is mandatory.

Travelling hazards

Road conditions vary across Egypt however highways and major roads connecting cities are well paved and well maintained. Rural roads may be in worse conditions. Road conditions may also change during the winter rain season which may make the road extremely slippery. Although road conditions are generally good, reckless driving accounts for one of the highest road accident rates in the world. Poor driving skills, and ignoring the rules is common. Headlights are commonly not being turned on at night making the driving particularly dangerous. Certain roads in Sinai and Southeastern part of the country are off limits to foreigners.

Environmental hazards

Egypt is home to various species of animals mostly settled in and around the river Nile. Both carnivores and herbivores may pose a deadly threat. The Nile is home to some of the most fierce reptiles on earth. The Nile crocodile is responsible for roughly 300 attacks a year and accounts for most human fatalities out of all the crocodile species. Hippopotamuses inhabit the areas of Nile river and although docile looking these animals are relentless killers. These are known to attack kayaking tourists flipping kayaks and small canoes. There are several species of venomous snakes in Egypt among them several species of vipers. Most clinics and hospital have antivenom available in case of a bite. Although scorpion venom is not potent enough to kill grown adults, the Deathstalker scorpion bite may be capable of killing children or the elderly. The Mediterranean coast of Egypt is safe to swim in however the areas of the Nile delta are inhabited by the Nile crocodiles which often attack humans. The Red Sea coast has several dangerous fish, among these is the stone fish and the lionfish. Both of these marine creatures may kill humans when being touched or stepped on by injecting venom through their spikes. The venom does not kill however a paralysis occurs shortly after the sting and usually results in drowning if not accompanied by anyone ready to help. Sharks are also present in the red sea, although attacks are rare it is advised to avoid swimming after dusk due to increased activity of these creatures.
Egypt is very rarely affected by earthquakes. Last significant earthquake has taken place in 1995. There are no active volcanoes. Major natural disasters that greatly affect Egypt is flooding during the rainy season.

Health hazards

There is no risk of yellow fever in Egypt however all visitors travelling from countries with a risk of yellow fever must present a yellow fever vaccination proof. (list of risk countries in sources). There are other vaccinations that are not required but strongly recommended. These are the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccine. The public healthcare system in Egypt falls far behind the European standard. It is generally underfunded and some facilities may be understaffed, waiting times may be very long. The private healthcare sector, however, runs much more efficiently and provides a much better quality of service. Private clinics will charge high prices for the treatments.
In case of an emergency dial 123.

Crime

Although crime is a major concern in Egypt, violent crime rarely affects tourists. Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, scamming and other forms of theft affect tourist more often. Most visits to Egypt are trouble free however there are several ways to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime. Wearing flashy jewellery and exposing signs of wealth increases the chances of becoming a target. Wearing money belts can help to prevent pickpocketing attempts and to keep money in a discreet place. The darker it gets the more dangerous it is. If deciding to explore Egyptian nightlife it is advised to stick to popular tourist areas. Secluded places are ideal opportunities for a robbery. When travelling at night it is best to use registered taxis for safety. Possession of any kind of narcotics in any amounts may lead to lengthy prison sentences even up to 25 years. During the period of Ramadan female tourists clothes should cover their legs and upper arms whereas male tourists should cover their chests to avoid backlash. Public display of affection is also greatly frowned upon. Although these rules do not always apply to popular tourists zones, outside of them not obeying these customs may be dangerous.

Summary

The country of Egypt certainly has a unique atmosphere which can’t be felt anywhere else. Monuments left over by the ancient Egyptians certainly greatly contribute to this image of the country. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.egyptvisa.com/egypt-tourist-visa
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/egypt
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291