So what IS a dahabiya?

and why should this be my choice for travelling along the Nile?

A Dahabiya Nile Sailing cruise is an authentic and romantic way to travel along the river, very much like in the time of the Pharaohs.
This can be a stand alone tour, or part of a more extensive tour of Egypt.

A dahabiya is operated mainly by sail, but the boats travel with a tugboat in case there is no wind, to ensure we are able to reach the destinations in your itinerary on time. Sailing in a dahabiya from Esna, 1 hour drive south of Luxor, to Aswan will enable you to explore many places less visited by tourists, including stops that are not seen on the regular Nile Cruises. In addition to the famous temples and tombs, you will visit villages along the river, meet locals and learn about their ways of living.

view from a cabin

These river-going wooden sailing boats, known as a dahabiya in Arabic, are the most beautiful boats sailing on the Nile.
They were common in Egypt in the days of the monarchy (1920s – 1940s) when aristocrats and sophisticated travelers loved to cruise the Nile in style. They rented the boats for weeks at a time and made their way from temple to temple enjoying the river breeze using only the power of the wind to drift from one place to another.
Dahabiya were popular among those who wished to enjoy Egypt at a leisurely pace, to drink in the landscapes, and visit the monuments and villages on the riverbanks along the Nile Valley.

Our dahabiyas “Safiya” and “Safiya II” were constructed and launched in 2023 – 2024. At full capacity we sail with 20-30 guests, this means you get more individualized attention than on the large Nile cruise boats and you get more time to enjoy each of the places we visit because you are not in a crowd.

welcome aboard

Guest rooms are comfortable and include ensuite bathroom and large windows, so you can watch the Nile in privacy or enjoy time relaxing on deck. The shared deck areas are spacious and offer places where to read and contemplate the Nile views, and areas where guests can gather to talk, play games, and enjoy delicious meals and refreshments prepared by our chef.

relax on deck

A bonus to touring on the dahabiya is that you are not changing hotels daily, not unpacking and repacking each day as you move between the historic sites and Nile village communities. This means more time for activities such as Egyptian cooking lessons, kayaking, a swim in the Nile, or enjoy the jacuzzi. Our boats are your home away from home.

We care about the environment and the people of the places we visit.
Our dahabiyas were designed specifically to be more environment friendly than others travelling the Nile.
We believe our environmental and ethical polices also encourages our guests’ appreciation of the natural heritage and the communities we visit. All guest receive a water bottle that can be refilled from water stations onboard.

Each tour is accompanied by an experienced guide who is devoted to sharing their knowledge of and passion for their country. Service is our highest value.

For today’s travellers who want to experience authentic Egyptian culture, history, relaxation and entertainment as they enjoy exploring the Nile Valley, there is no better way than a Dahabiya Nile Sailing cruise.