Birdwatching

The islands around the 1st cataract are so close to each other, that it is too narrow for a felucca to sail, only very few motorboats get near, ideal is a rowing boat to glide along, watch being watched by many different birds, there is no noise except the wind in the reeds, the Nile stroking the boat, you hear the wings of birds flowing up.

It takes less than one hour to row there - already a nice trip - a good hour to slip between the islands and visit all kinds of birds, and when you think Mustafa will drop the paddles after more than 2 hours rowing, you will find yourself near the westbanks, the current will pick up your boat, and the Nile will dance with you back to Elephantine.

"Prior to the dam's construction, the Nile would rush noisily through the granite boulders that emerged from the riverbed (...). Herodotus reported that an Egyptian offical had told him this this was the sorce of the Nile, which flowed north and south from there." (Lonely Planet: Egypt).
Today this is only a memory and there is nothing I can think about, which is more relaxing than to visit quietly a piece of unique nature.

Have a look at the pictures. They tell more than I can do.

Please pay 80 EGP
each hour
for the boat and to row you
(Trip takes about 3 hours = 240 EGP;
maximum 4 persons in one rowing boat)