Wadi Halfa ferry and alternative route
 

Hello everyone,

So, here I am in Ethiopia heading north. As fas as I know, the usual route is through Khartum into Wadi Halfa, then jump in the infamous ferry, and enter Egypt through the Nile. I was wondering if there is a reason to choose that route and not going bordering then Red Sea from Port Sudan through what looks like a paved road ( port sudan - Google Maps ) There is no border office there, perhaps? I'm sure that coast has to be stunning.

Also, AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. When should I arrive to Wadi to get the bike sorted and not lose time waiting for the ferry? Day of the week? I heard the ferry leaves on wednesdays, is it so? so, it's OK to get there on tuesday, or should I send the bike first, and I need some days to do so?

Thanks.

Hi,

We got the ferry and barge last week, with some friend with a motobike, and just got to wadi one day before, no problem. Just call Magdi (google it and it will be everywhere) pay him 30 dolares and he will do the rest. We dont like to pay this things, but it s well worth it!

Cheers

Carlos

Not 2 late trip (father and son roud Africa on a Renault 4L)

We are currently in Egypt with our car and intend to travel to Sudan. Mr. Salah informed us by e-mail that the ferry from Aswan to Wadi is out of order. As we heard a lot of confusing stories about the ferry from Aswan to Wadi, we would like to know if anyone has a recent experience with the ferry. We know that there has been an accident with the ferry, but also read that there are still some barges/overlanders that cross the lake.

If there are other travellers who want to go to Sudan and/or have information about other possibilities to get there - another barge or by road - we would appreciate it if you could let us know! We read that the road between Egypt and Sudan would open in May, but we do not have any other information. Our e-mailaddress is jenmlandcruiser2012@gmail.com. Thanks!

Hi,

Did you manage to get a Ferry? We leave for a UK - South Africa trip in 2 weeks and are curious about the ferry from Aswan - Wadi Halfa.
Any info / contacts would be great!!

Thanks,
Bryn and Gemma

Mr Salah
 

You can always email Mr Salah and ask him directly, if you treat him with respect he will bend over backwards to try and help you.

Mr Salah Takourny,
manager of the booking office of the Nile Valley Transport Company.

http://takourny.free-boards.net; - you can find prices on this website in the forum section....

takournyATgmail.com;
0183160926 (mobile).

Don't worry, the ferry is up and running again. It goes once a week. If you travel with motorbikes you can take them on board the passenger ferry as well. Cars have no room there and need to go on a cargo barge. Which makes things for car drivers really complicated.
Border formalities in Egypt are a big mess. So I can only recommend using a fixer to help you. It is a mess of registration documents, insurance documents, ferry tickets - most written in arabic and to be picked up in no descript offices all over town. A fixer who knows where to go makes things not too much more expensive but saves you a day or two.
We were helped by Kamal. He can give you all the info you need. Just PM me if you need his phone number.

Hi Marco,

It is interesting that you say that the ferry is up and running again. I have spoken to both Midhat in Khartum and his brother Mazar in Wadi Halfa who told me that they are still facing problems with regard to the water level of the lake.
I know that people have crossed the lake on the large barge which is extremely expensive but not on the regular barges.

Would be great to hear if anybody had any recent experience.

Greetings
Achim

Thank you for the details! Will definately have a look.

Good point! I only know about the weekly passenger ferry which is up and running again. I have no info about the cargo barges.

The passenger ferry always goes, but the vehicle barge only goes when there is enough vehicles or you can hire the barge privately and it will go when you want ( this is the expensive option)

Motorcycle - have no fear - you can put your motorcycle on the cargo barges which always run too. It will arrive a day after the Passenger ferry (if you load the same day as the passenger ferry - if your good, you could try and load the day before and 'inshalla' it should arrive the same day as the passenger one.

All other vehicles - get in touch with Mr Salah, he will tell you directly if the vehicle barge is running or not or when it is expected to. When you arrive into Aswan, go and visit him in his office and he will tell you to turn up again on Saturday (this is to count how many people are actually wanting to take the vehicle barge on Monday) If there isnt enough or if the barge is broken or whatever you will be asked to come back next Saturday....

You can not plan this part of your trip - you just have to turn up and hope for the best and expect the worst!

If your visa is about to expire, you can extend it in Aswan - with the reason you are waiting for the vehicle barge.

If your carnet is about to expire, go and see the guys at the port and give them some pocket money and they will turn a blind eye... or you can leave your car in the custom compound until the barge leaves.