Cairo.

“Cairo is in a state of becoming… We just don't know what it's becoming yet.”

DANIEL JOSEPH MONTI

Learn.

We arranged our transit so we had a full day in Cairo in order to see the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Museum. I’m glad that we arrived early because the day became hotter and hotter with the boys really struggling around lunchtime.

We booked a private day tour with Planet Tours. Jasmine, our Egyptologist, was fabulous and very knowledgeable; tilting her information towards the kids when asked. At the pyramids, you’ll be offered to pay extra to go inside the largest of the pyramids - it is incredibly hot and stuffy and not recommended for asthmatics. You can also buy a camel ride for about $20 each. Be aware that the cameleers might try to get you to give them euros or usd… don’t fall for this scam. We were lucky that our guide negotiated and paid for all of that kind of thing and we then paid her for everything at the end.

These days, it seems, people aren’t allowed close to the Sphinx so your guide will stop for a photo opportunity and then you’ll be on your way.

Learn #2.

We finished our day in Cairo with a visit to the over-100-years-old Egyptian Museum. If you can, I recommend that you go to the new museum (GEM) even though it’s not fully stocked yet. The old one is hot, crowded and stuffy - the kids found it difficult to concentrate in there and we needed to have multiple breaks before asking to leave (not to mention that they’d not had much sleep at all).

  • Australians require a visa of which you can get the link from at https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/egypt. The flight times to/from Addis with Egypt Air are horrendous (5am - requiring us to be at the airport at 2.30am) but it’s definitely worth it if you’re happy with flight delays. If not, you may want to travel with Ethiopian Air or Turkish Air.

  • If you book a tour company to collect you from the airport, a representative will meet you BEFORE passport control.

    Everyone will need to go through multiple security checkpoints and, at Cairo airport, males and females will be separated so plan ahead to ensure that each party has their passports, etc.

  • The food in Egypt is typical of Middle Eastern food with the addition of the Egyptian delicacy of pigeon. I’ve not yet deigned to try it - maybe next time.

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