EGYPT - desert permits suspended !?
 

I just received the word a few minutes ago that all desert permits in progress for all areas of the country (Sinai, Eastern & Western Deserts) have been suspended by the military, and even issued ones have been revoked. Is anybody in a position to confirm / deny this info, and possibly give any background to it?

Vague Info
 

I heard 2 days ago that some friends heading for the Gilf had been told to shorten their trip. I'll know more when they're back and/or following a motorbike mini rally this Friday.

Keep you informed

Last year I drove through Sinai and Western desert without any permits.....every police checkpoint I got to said as i had not arranged them i had to accept a convoy in tis place. I refused. They let me go! So it was no issue for me.

Er, Dave, with all respect, we're not talking about going on the road here...

Andras,

I hve just mailed my friend in Egypt to see if he can find out any more, but he is in the desert until the 9th, so will leave him a message at his home too.
I wont bother him on sat phone as Im sure he cant find out any more info until he's back in either Cairo or Bahariya, although I will try his brother in law as he has a contact at the army place in Kharga.

Mind you, you know what the Egyptian authorities are like............ something along the lines of the right hand not knowing what the left one is doing!!!!!!

Andy

Hi Andy,

Thanks, if he's in the desert that's a good sign, I was told even ongoing trips must be cut short and return.

Re authorities, my experience is usually the right hand even has no clue about what the right hand is doing, forget about the left ... :biggrin:

No problems
 

Yes,
There is definitely one group on a 14 day Gilf trip as I write.

I'll post details when they are back in Cairo.

Spoke with my friends wife in Egypt last night, they have heard nothing official and he hasnt been 'recalled' from the desert as yet, although hes not in the Gilf at the moment, I believe he's in the Abu Murrak dunes & Um Dabadib area
She said that these rumors often spring up and then die away!

Will keep you posted if any further news
Andy

Loads of chinese whispers filtering out of Egypt, often contradicting and none too reliable, most of which I will not bother to repeat here. However these bits of info appear credible:

- There was a halt in the permits processing last week, and at least one french group who planned to depart to the Gilf were prevented form doing so. However it appears ongoing tours were not stopped after all.

- Several sources confirm that permits are being issued again, but according to some only till the end of March.

- Conflicting info on beyond March 31, some say no permits till October, other sources say there will be, just the process will be changed (translate egyptian speak - it will cost more money).

Will keep posting any credible looking info as they keep coming.

Hi Andras

Yes there was a halt in issuing permits but after a serious of meetings between officials from related departments , it was agreed to continue this season as not to cause loses for tour operators who has bookings ,

What happen in the future? No body knows but it might be the last chance to visit the area this March!

Going more south, there is some good news, Chad president visited Sudan and they agreed to secure the border between the two countries (better than nothing)

It seems im going to have plenty of time fishing on the med next year J

Best regards
Mahmoud Mohareb

Hi all,

Just heard from a good source in Egypt. There is apparently a tussle going on between the army and the tourist police about proceeds from the permits. So far the army has kept most of the money;now the police also want a share. They will come to terms, sooner or later, only that the permits will be even more expensive.

Egypt - permits
 

It seems the storm in the teacup has subsided, I'm getting the word that everybody are getting their permits now for forthcoming spring trips, april included. However it is still rumored that 'the rules will change' for next autumn, so we can prepare ourselves for having to cough out even more 'protection money'...

Have been told the Gilf (south of 25° N) will be closed from the end of April until October since there is stuff planned they don't want reported.

Just back from Uweinat / Gilf, things pretty much as usual except for the weather, a brutal 42C with no wind at Uweinat for a week then 5C morning in the Gilf with howling gale.

No talk of any change of rules from those in the know, another party departing tomorrow on a trip lasting well in to April. It seems it was just Egypt's bureucracy at it's finest...