Alexandria - Luxor & Wadi Half - Khartoum

[uktosa]

Hi all

We're in trouble thanks to the protests and elections...We've now got very very little time to get down to a) Aswan for the ferry (3rd time lucky) and b) Nairobi!!!

Can anyone tell me the quickest way from Alexandria to Aswan? I was going to go down the Nile, missing out Cairo, to Beni Suef and downwards but I've been suggested that the Red Sea route is faster, longer, but has better roads etc. Can anyone advise?

Secondly, any ideas on the best, and by this I unfortunately mean fastest, route from Wadi Halfa to Khartoum? I've heard that south to Dongola is now paved, then across east to Marawi and Atbara and down to Khartoum is also paved.

Many thanks

[misterpaul]

I think the quickest way from Wadi Halfa to Khartoum would avoid Atbara and go something like Wadi Halfa - Dongola - Marawi - Korti - Omdurman - Khartoum. It's also paved and might save a day or 2 over going via Atbara.

[jamieT]

Hi,

I cannot say for sure, as I've not done the Nile route all the way, but almost certainly the red sea route is faster.

While the Asyut desert road is now quite good dual carriageway, I think it will get messy after that. Anything along the nile involves a lot of traffic, towns donkeys etc.

From Alex to Cairo to Hurghada could be done in a day if you're lucky, then Hurghada to Aswan via Luxor.

Coming into Cairo from Alex you'd take the new elevated road towards Maadi and Moneib bridge, continue on the ring road anti clockwise to the new Ain Sukhna toll road, hit the sea 100 km later and turn South. Dual carriageway all the way from Alex to Hurghada.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[Squire]

Fully agree with JT, but would also strongly recommend to keep driving South while reaching Hurgada to Marsa Alam, and then take the road West to Edfu and down to Aswan. I drove it a couple of weeks ago, very good road, few cars/trucks only. Careful of course in curves as rocks/sand usually falls on the road from overloaded trucks, it could potentially become problem, otherwise most of the ride is a straight line. There's a lot less traffic between Marsa Alam and Edfu than between Al Qusair and Luxor. In addition the road to Edfu brings you closer to your destination, half way between Luxor and Aswan, thus limiting exposure to checkpoints, road jams, microbuses, tractors and whatever else can be found. Safer, truly. Ride well, enjoy! /C

[uktosa]

Seriously useful comments, thanks guys. Its a shame not to be driving down the Nile, but we'll see it at Aswan and on the Ferry I guess (im sure we'll get more than our fill on the ferry in fact!) I'll put a post up on how it all goes. Salaams.

[jamieT]

I have to say, I've a feeling that I'm not pronouncing your username quite right.

Let us know if you need anything on the way through Cairo.

Good luck.

[uktosa]

Yeh, I get that a lot... I'm just such an innocent soul I didn't realise. honest guv.