By:
Sharon Bentley
2016-06-23 22:00:00
Re-capture the by-gone era of the Nile.
Royalty, British Aristocrats and Celebrities alike, cruised the Nile by Dahabiya during the British Colonisation of Egypt, which lasted from 1882 until 1952. These beautifully crafted, sailing boats represented the ultimate in luxury.
Recently Dahabiya’s have seen a revival for discerning travellers looking to explore the mystery of the Nile and recapture the bygone era of romance, elegance and intimate service.
There are several different styles of Dahabiya, offering a complete contrast to the larger cruise ships – the Dahabiya’s of today are still as beautifully crafted and now offer the modern day comforts of fully air-conditioned, en-suite cabins and some truly, gastronomic experiences. As a typical Dahabiya has between only 8 and 12 cabins (many also offer suites) you are guaranteed a more personal experience with your Egyptologist guide, your fellow passengers and your crew.
These sailing boats are popular amongst discerning travellers who would like to experience Egypt at a more leisurely pace – those who wish to drink in the landscapes and explore the monuments and villages on the riverbanks.
3, 4 and 7 night durations are available with classic itineraries, between Luxor and Aswan. We also specialise in private charters offering tailor-made itineraries.
In short, you will have an inspirational journey on a sailboat fit for a king!
Need some travel inspiration or looking for some handy travel tips? Our blog provides excellent insight into our travel destinations - from tour updates to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our travel blog.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-06-10
Sesriem Namibia, sits at the threshold of one of Africa's most surreal landscapes, where a natural canyon carved by an ancient river leads you straight into the world's oldest desert. This article is worth reading because it tells you exactly what to expect when you roll through the Sesriem gate on a small-group safari, climb into a 4x4 shuttle bound for the dunes of Sossusvlei, and shuffle across Deadvlei's blinding white clay pan in the early morning heat. No glossy brochure language, just what it actually felt like.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-06-09
Morocco isn't just a destination to observe; it is a country that demands to be actively experienced. Discover the best places to visit in Morocco in our honest travel guide. From scrambling through Ait Benhaddou and trekking through Todra Gorge to camping among the Erg Chebbi dunes, find out what makes this Encounters Travel journey truly extraordinary.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-06-05
We booked a Uganda safari holiday, half hoping it would be good. What we did not expect was to stand in a rainforest in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, barely three metres from a mountain gorilla, completely speechless. This post is about that moment, and everything that led to it, from tracking chimps in Budongo Forest to watching the Nile thunder through Murchison Falls. If you have been wondering whether gorilla trekking in Uganda is worth the journey, the permits, and the mud on your boots, read on. We are going to be honest with you, the way a friend would be, not the way a brochure would.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-06-04
Lebanon is one of those destinations that quietly rewrites everything a traveller thinks they know about the Middle East. This Lebanon travel guide is not a list of monuments. It is the story of how a single trip wove together Phoenician harbours, Roman ruins, cedar-scented mountain air, and a table that never seemed to empty, from creamy goat cheese fresh out of a Bcharre factory to wood-fired SAJ flatbread at dawn and bold reds poured straight from a Bekaa Valley winery. If you have been searching for a travel guide to Lebanon that treats food as seriously as archaeology, read on.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-06-03
Finding the best time to visit Cape Town depends on what you want from the trip, and for us, the answer was September, without a shadow of a doubt. We weren't just visiting Cape Town for the city itself. We were using it as the launchpad for a 20-day overland journey north through the Cederberg, across the wildflower-dusted plains of Namaqualand, and deep into Namibia and Botswana. Choosing the right month mattered enormously, not only for Cape Town's weather, but for everything that followed.