Ferry Aswan/Wadi Halfa damaged and out of order?
 

Hi,

We just met two travellers who took the Wadi Halfa / Aswan ferry and got stuck with their ferry somewhere close to Aswan (the ferry crashed into a rock, we were told). All the passengers had to be rescued in 12 hours.

Does anyone has accurate information about this incident and does anyone know if this ferry is just being repaired and used again?

We intend to take the ferry from Aswan to Wadi Halfa in 2 weeks, but don't know if this would be possible now. We cannot reach Mr Salah on his mobile (maybe we have a wrong number?).

p.s. we also heard that people did use the road from Egypt to Sudan, although they had to pay USD 1000. Does anyone has more information about this alternative (just in case the ferries stopped their services now).

There's more than one boat working the route so even if it takes time to repair the damaged one you'll probably still be able to take a ferry.

See the story here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...n-way-58457-14

The road border is apparently due to open by May - "soon!". The road is apparently all finished, the immigration/customs buildings exist, but it is has not been opened yet.... It will apparently be a big ceremony when it does.

+Nobody has been able to provide any information as to the situation with foreigners crossing the road border, will we be allowed, how much?!?+

I'm guessing that the immigration/customs staff aren't permanently in place yet, hence those who apparently crossed had to pay.

There is only one passenger boat operating the route. Due to it's repair and investigation into the incident the service was cancelled a few weeks back. But everyone expected it to start again from 26th March. If it really happened - I don't know.

We are in Khartoum and spoke to mazar yesterday, the ferry will only be operational on the 18th for bigger vehicles with the barge. However he told me there is still a ferry every Wednesday and we can take the bikes on that ferry with us.

Hi, you mean to say that the next time a 4x4 can be taken on the ferry/cargo barge to Aswan is April 18th?

yip, that is how we understand it. a Dutch husband and wife is today going around Khartoum arranging for a Saudi visa so that they can ship to Saudi and drive up to Jordan instead of sitting here till the 18th.

Mazar said our two bikes can go on the ferry next Wednesday. But the barge is not going. Also the river is too low for it to off load or load cars and trucks.

He also said due to Syria there's less travellers going North to South and the barge might even travel less due to that.

Mmmm.... or the road across the border is going to open as reported elsewhere :-)

Did he mention anything about that?

Oh no.

I'm in Ethiopia at the moment but hope to be in Sudan in less than a week.

My plan is to apply for a Saudi transit visa to drive to UAE but everyone tells me I probably will be refused. I will still apply though so we'll see.

Michnus...does the Dutch couple you mention know Saudi transit visas for transit to JORDAN (as far as I know) not granted because of the security situation at border with Jordan? I'd be very interested whether they receive the visa and what there experience is at the Saudi Embassy. Do they have a website or email address?

If I don't receive a Saudi visa it looks like I could be in trouble if I must travel via Egypt as my visa for Sudan is only for 2 weeks...if there's no barge for my car what am I going to do? Can a 2 week Sudan transit visa be extended? Any idea when the next barge will go and if it's likely to be fully booked?

If there is no barge I'm sure your visa can be extended in Wadi Halfa but it would be better to give it a try in Khartoum. I guess it can be pretty boring to wait for a few weeks in Wadi Halfa :(

You might also find that two weeks might be a bit short to get the Saudi and UAE visa.
Basically it's people on motorbikes and unmarried couples that have problems getting the Saudi visa. You are alone in a car so it should be possible.

Last week there was back log of vehicles waiting at WH according to these guys ( KIWIS IN AFRICA | London to Cape Town 2012 ), and I know that at least one of these landies is still there now, with the owners in Aswan waiting for over a week... ;-(

Spanish friends last month had to wait 12 days.

It is hit and miss with extensions, a lot depends on your passport, Arabic, dress sense and who you see from what I can gather. Politely, and repeatedly, explain about the ferries and that you have a vehicle (repeat that often also) else they will assume you as a rich tourist can just take a flight out etc.

http://kiwisinafrica.files.wordpress...325-201919.jpg

m2m I am not sure how you manage to get a 2 week visa, they normally issue it for two months. That said the Sudanese are not evil people and Iam 99% they will extend it for you in Khartoum without any hassle if you explain to them the issue with the barge.
We were 5 days late with registering in Sudan after we entered which we had to do in 3 days. They had no issue with it.

You will first have to apply and get a Jordan visa in Khartoum, it will take around two days. Then apply for the Saudi visa in Khartoum and obtain a travel permit to Port Sudan. That one is for free and take a few hours.

roamingyak.org, we will speak to mazar tomorrow again, I will get more info then for us.

The reason why my visa for Sudan is only 2 weeks not more is that I made the mistake of applying in Addis Ababa not in Nairobi or elsewhere. The Sudan Embassy in Addis Ababa will issue only transit visas for 2 weeks not tourist visas unless you have booked with a travel agency and have the papers to prove it.

Yes, I will have to visit the UAE embassy in Khartoum first (I'm heading to UAE then Iran, which I received a visa for in Nairobi) before going to the Saudi Embassy.

"roamingyak.org, we will speak to mazar tomorrow again, I will get more info then for us."

OK, but it seems he will lose a lot of money if and when the road opens for us, so it might be in his best interest to 'fudge' things a little.... ;-)