Traveling mindfully can make our travel experiences more meaningful and long-lasting.
Wadi El Rayan, in Fayoum
When we travel, we clearly see the interconnectedness of our actions with the environment and with other people, this is especially noticeable as we sail along the Nile. Biodiversity and healthy ecosystems give us air, water and food we need, and sustainable practices in travel and tourism can influence this.
As an environmentally and socially responsible person, how can you help to make your visit to Egypt more positive?
Despite its many benefits in improving understanding between cultures, travel can have negative impacts. However, your choices can lessen impact and actually benefit the Egyptian environments you will experience on tour with us.
Real Egypt is a socially responsible tour operator committed to sustainable and regenerative tourism which benefits local environments and communities.
Technical and practical innovations – including use of solar power, providing refillable water bottles and water stations, use of glassware instead of plastic, and other environment conscious choices – make our Dahabiya Nile Sailing dahabiyas more sustainable.
During any of our Real Egypt tours, we preference local food providers to encourage food sustainability, and we contribute to improvements in local communities through employing and visiting local people. We also encourage moderate size group tours to reduce carbon emissions.
How can you help us be more sustainable?
Your positive choices can start even before you arrive in Egypt, when booking your flight.
Choose the most sustainable forms of transport
For international flights preference an airline committed to more sustainable practices including fuel and resource efficiency.
Low cost flights can mean lower impact. Low cost carriers prioritize fuel efficiency and fly point-to-point, contributing to a reduced environmental impact when compared to connecting flights operating on the same route.
Offset your emissions. By participating in voluntary offsetting you can contribute to various environmental projects to compensate for your travel emissions. Many airlines now offer you the choice to contribute to voluntary offsetting. Real Egypt is considering also offering guests the choice of a small voluntary offsetting payment, which would be used to benefit sustainability in local communities.
For some travel within Egypt we suggest more sustainable transport between cities, such as trains and buses. These are included in our Itineraries and you can discuss choices with our Travel Advisors.
Within our tours we include various types of sustainable transport, from our dahabiya sailing boats providing your home away from home and transport along the Nile, to the use of felucca (smaller sail boats), donkeys, camels, horse drawn carriages, or bicycles where these are available. We aim to ensure the care and health of the animals that provide transport, as animal welfare is naturally an important aspect of our ethical practices.
Preference eco hotels and locally owned hotels
Our guests are offered choices of accommodation in each location. This ranges from the familiar four and five star international hotel chains, to boutique local hotels and eco hotels that have individual charms and all the comforts you need. Real Egypt believes in the power of authentic experiences and many of our guests tell us that choosing local accommodation really enhanced their tour experience.
While some of our itineraries have accommodation already chosen (because we keep in mind the logistics of taking you between sites and activities), you can discuss options with our Travel Advisors.
The larger, international hotel chains and all-inclusive resorts take profits out of Egypt, they do not benefit local people, communities or the environment in the ways that locally run accommodation can. We understand you may still prefer to choose the big brand name and chain hotels, but please consider the local options we suggest as they can offer you a unique taste of Egypt.
Pack light
Fuel consumption is influenced by the weight of the aircraft, which includes the baggage carried on board. Reduced baggage weight leads to lower fuel consumption, promoting fuel efficiency during flights.
Reduce plastic waste in flight and at your destination
Pack environment friendly alternatives, for example a reusable water bottle and reusable bags that you might use at home. On Dahabiya Nile Sailing tours we give our guests reusable water bottles and bags, the bottles can be refilled on the dahabiya and this substantially reduces plastic waste.
Avoiding single-use items during flights can also reduce waste. On many flights you can bring meals and snacks packed in your own reusable containers, instead of using the disposable food packaging provided by most airlines.
Leave no trace of your visit
Avoid littering. The climate impacts of waste are well documented. We are working to decrease the use of non-recyclables in our tours. While you are exploring in some locations you will see recycling bins, as commitment to recycling waste is continuing to improve in Egypt.
Respect local habitats
The Protected Areas of Egypt contain some of the most precious natural and cultural heritage of the world. Protected Areas are of great importance for the future of the country due to their strong economic potential, in particular when related to sustainable development principles. Our tours include some of these areas which give you an opportunity to experience the terrain, animals and plants of these varied land and marine environments.
When visiting natural protectorates or areas, stay on designated walking paths and hiking trails to protect local biodiversity. Plants growing in these areas play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem.
When visiting the Red Sea do not stand on, walk on, or touch coral; these take years to grow and are essential to the life of the magnificent reefs and the fish, dolphins, turtles, dugong and other animals that live here. Avoid kicking up sand in the water as this also impacts on the animals living here. Do not touch fish or other marine animals, even if they approach you. Some can be curious about what you are doing in their territory and close encounters with dolphin, turtles, dugong and fish are not unusual, but the rule of the sea is always “look and enjoy, but don’t touch”.
Choose a sunscreen which does not damage the environment.
For camping, hiking, kayaking, swimming, sandboarding, diving, snorkeling or other activities, the areas chosen by Real Egypt and Dahabiya Nile Sailing respect habitats while providing income to local communities.
We aim to ensure these unique environments will thrive into the future to provide you with amazing places to visit, provide the local people with continuing healthy communities and income, and protect the animals that many of our guests enjoy the excitement of seeing during our tours.
Respect wildlife
In the wild, whether on the Nile or in the desert, oasis and Red Sea protectorates, please do not feed animals. Wild animals – from birds to fish to desert foxes – have specialized diets and giving them food we eat can lead to malnourishment if they do not get the nutrients they need to survive.
When hiking or camping, store your food and trash safely to avoid unintentionally feeding wildlife.
Conserve water
Guests can make big differences by conserving water while traveling. It is essential to stay hydrated during your tour and if you are not accustomed to a hot climate you will probably drink more water than you would at home, but you can still be mindful of water use in other ways.
Use water sparingly, avoid letting the tap run unnecessarily, use half-flush on toilets when possible. Some hotels give the option of not replacing all towels daily, choose this to reduce water consumed in washing.
Enjoy with us the abundant and diverse natural beauty Egypt offers and help contribute to its flourishing by making some conscious choices when you travel here, to ensure others can enjoy this beauty in future.
