North Africa

Hi there,

I’m reaching out about my summer trip plans (from 07/18 to 08/02). I’ve already bought my flight tickets to Cairo. Here’s my planned itinerary: Cairo – 2 nights White Desert – 2 nights Hurghada – 2 nights Luxor – 2 nights Aswan – 1 night Marsa Alam – 4 nights Cairo – 1 night -> So, I was planning to rent a car after the desert to go to Hurghada, then Luxor, then Marsa Alam (but the drive from Marsa Alam back to Cairo seems really long, so I was thinking of skipping it and going from Luxor back to Hurghada instead). Could you help me make sense of this, please?

Thanks so much!

Hi there,

We’re traveling as a family to Tunisia for the first time from 07/24/26 to 08/07/26.

My kids are 16 and 13, and I’d love to show them the south of Tunisia by 4x4 (if possible) over two or three days. They’ve been dreaming of seeing the desert! The hotel I booked offers excursions, but I’ve read online that prices are high at hotels and it’s better to go through locals. There are four of us, and our budget is already stretched with the hotel. Do you know any reliable companies in Hammamet where I could book this mini circuit while keeping costs under control? Thanks in advance for your tips

Hi there, we’re planning a short week in Morocco this coming February with our two kids, aged 8 and 10. We’ll be flying into Agadir and want to drive to Tafraoute with a rental car; we’ll only have 6 full days there (arriving Monday evening and leaving the following Monday afternoon). I’m torn between two loops: Agadir–Tafraoute–Taroudant–Agadir or Agadir–Tafraoute–Tiznit–Agadir (via the Kerdouss Pass).

Either way, I’ve spotted a few places I’d like to see: the Tizourgane kasbah and the Aït Mansour gorges.

Any advice? I’m struggling to figure out if the road between Tiznit and Tafraoute is easy to drive with a rental car in February. Thanks in advance for your tips!

Maïwenn

Hello, we’re a family with two kids aged 3 and 7. We’re heading to Morocco at the end of February for 11 days and would love to take a road trip starting from Marrakech down to the south of the country, exploring the Atlas Mountains, sleeping in the desert, and then making our way to Agadir—all over about 3 days. We’re looking for something authentic and typical. Travel agencies are offering us pre-packaged bus tours at sky-high prices, but that’s not what we’re after at all. Could you help us out? Do you know any local driver-guides who might be interested? Thanks, and best wishes!

Hi there,

I’ve finally decided to make my childhood dream come true—and at the same time, fulfill my two boys’ dreams (ages 9 and 13). Just to give you some context, we’re used to "backpacker" vacations—the little one even crossed Malaysia on my back. But now I’ve got a teenager, so if I pack too much, he complains, and I’m getting older, so I’m more tired 😉.

I’ve put together this itinerary trying not to rush, based on a felucca trip with a small local agency that has a solid reputation.

Day 1: Late arrival in Cairo Day 2: Cairo - Flight to Aswan (11:20 PM)? Day 3: Aswan? Cairo? Day 4: Aswan Day 5: Sail Day 1 Day 6: Sail Day 2 (camel market + Kom Ombo) Day 7: Sail Day 3 (Jabal El Silsila) Day 8: Sail Day 4 Edfu - transfer to Luxor - arriving at 2 PM Day 9: Luxor (Valley of the Kings) Day 10: Luxor (Karnak) Day 11: Luxor / Cairo? Day 12: Cairo: Giza Day 13: Cairo Giza again - Flight home at 11 PM

My main question is about how much time to allocate in Aswan, Luxor, and Cairo to avoid missing out but without feeling rushed. We definitely have: - 3 full days in Cairo - 2.5 days in Luxor - 1 day in Aswan

I can adjust a bit: - By adding 1 day in Aswan or Cairo - By adding a half-day in Cairo or Luxor.

What would you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance!

Catherine, back on VoyageForum—what a joy.

Hi everyone! We’re heading to Egypt for two weeks at the beginning of April. Here’s our current itinerary: |02/04/2026 - Cairo (arriving at 8:00 PM) |03/04/2026 - Cairo| |04/04/2026 - Dahshur / Saqqara / overnight in Giza |05/04/2026 - Giza / Cairo| |06/04/2026 - Cairo - Abu Simbel |07/04/2026 - Abu Simbel to Aswan |08/04/2026 - Aswan |09/04/2026 - Aswan |10/04/2026 - Aswan to Luxor |11/04/2026 - Luxor |12/04/2026 - Luxor |13/04/2026 - Luxor |14/04/2026 - Luxor to Hurghada/Safaga |15/04/2026 - Hurghada / Safaga |16/04/2026 - Red Sea / Cairo| |17/04/2026 - Cairo |18/04/2026 - Cairo (return to Belgium at 10:00 AM)

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary, but mostly I’m wondering if it’s possible—and worth it—to take a one-way flight to Abu Simbel. We’d like to spend a night there to take our time visiting the site early in the morning and catch the sound-and-light show in the evening, then head to Aswan with a private driver or by bus.

Your feedback would be super helpful in planning this part of our trip!

Have a great day! 🙂 Luis

I'm planning to go to the Marrakech area in mid-February 2026 and I'd like to spend a few days in the Ouarzazate region, taking the Tizi n'Tichka Pass. I've heard that in winter this road can sometimes be closed due to snow. Is it closed for long periods?

Where can I find information about the road conditions?

I tried downloading the MaRoute app on my smartphone, which was recommended by Dan49ch, but it's no longer available. Has it been replaced by another app?

Thanks and see you soon

Hi, how long does the drive from Cairo to Hurghada take by car? Is the airline company n'essa reliable?

Hi everyone, We’re planning a trip to Morocco in February 2026. We already know the country a bit, including the desert where we were lucky enough to take part in a rally. This time, we’d like to explore the Merzouga dunes as a family. We’ll be renting a car in Marrakech and we’re looking for advice on the best stops to make the most of the drive. We’re still undecided about the return route: should we go back through the Valley of the Roses (and maybe see the gorges if we don’t have time on the way there) or take the Draa Valley for a change? Here’s our rough itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech in the evening – Overnight stay there

Day 2: Drive east – Overnight in Skoura? Boumalne? Further on?

Day 3: Drive with a stop at the Dadès or Todra Gorges – Overnight in Merzouga

Day 4: Desert day – Overnight in Merzouga

Day 5: Return drive (Draa Valley or back through the Valley of the Roses / Route of the 1000 Kasbahs?) – Overnight in Agdz? Ouarzazate?

Day 6: Drive back to Marrakech with a stop at Aït Ben Haddou / Fint Oasis – Overnight in Marrakech

Day 7–8: Marrakech then departure

If any of you have suggestions on timing, the most enjoyable stops, or feedback on these routes, I’d love to hear your tips. Thanks in advance!

hi I’d like to know which airport to land at for Hammamet. Thanks for your help! Best,

Hi there, For a 3-week trip to Morocco, what would be your advice for using your phone locally (to book accommodation, chat with a host on the road, etc.)? Is it better to buy an eSIM before leaving, get a local SIM card once there, or are there other options? Thanks for sharing your good and bad experiences!

Hi everyone, I’m traveling with my teenage daughter at the end of February with plans to do the Marrakech/Merzouga loop by car. We arrive Friday evening (7:45 PM) in Marrakech, and I’d love to head south first thing Saturday morning.

Would you have any ideas for accommodation with breakfast included that could help me avoid the center of Marrakech and let me quickly get back on the road? I checked Booking but didn’t find many options... Do you think it’s better to pick up the car right at the airport in the evening or have it delivered to the hotel the next day? Thanks in advance for your replies! !

With the admission price for the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, is an audio guide included, or can we get one as an extra? (I can’t find the info anywhere.) Thanks

hi fellow travelers, we’d like to go to EGYPT, but independently... is it possible to find spots on a felucca to sail up the Nile once we’re there? Thanks for your tips

Hello everyone, I’m currently planning our next trip to Morocco. We really enjoy visiting one or two collective granaries on each of our trips. We’ve seen some already, like the one in Aït Kine, or the one in Tasguent, and of course those in Amtoudi, as well as the cliffside granary of Ifri. There are still many left to explore. I’d love to hear which ones you’d recommend—preferably ones that aren’t too hard to access. I’m counting on you! Thanks

Hi, I’m planning to visit El Menia, and I’d like some info on the interesting places to see in the area and the activities available. Also, why is it also called El Golea? Thanks

Hi there, in mid-January my wife and I are leaving from Marrakech heading to the Atlas (Essaouira ==> Dades ==> Merzouga ==> Draa Valley) before finally making our way to Taghazout near Agadir for 2 or 3 days.

The route ends up looking like this, except for the end where we head toward the ocean. https://www.les-covoyageurs.com/ressources/images-produits/photo-produit-29-carte.jpg?v=6

I’m hesitating about renting a car, and since I don’t know the road conditions, I’d like to know if a Dacia Sandero is enough for this kind of trip?

Another thing making me hesitate is the possibility of rain and roads being less passable.

I’m reaching out to more experienced travelers who can share their advice, of course.

Thanks in advance

Hi, I'm looking for a laundromat in Casablanca like a *Lavomatic* where I can wash my clothes regularly, since I don’t have a washing machine. I live in the Lyautey Sector and have tried several dry cleaners in the area, but they only wash by the piece, not by the kilo, which would be too expensive for me.

Does anyone know of a dry cleaner that washes by the kilo or a self-service laundromat (ideally in Bourgogne or Gauthier)? I heard there’s one in Maarif, but I couldn’t find the address online.

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I backpacked in Egypt back in 1998 (as I have in all my other destinations). We’re planning to go again in early 2026. The country has surely changed, and I have a few questions for those who’ve been there recently: - Is it possible to travel completely independently from Cairo to Abu Simbel (Aswan), both legally and safely? - If some stretches are better with guidance or a guide, could you let me know where, please? - In 1998, the only way to get to Abu Simbel from Aswan was by plane. What’s the situation now? - I read a tip about arriving the day before in Abu Simbel, staying overnight to be there at opening time and enjoy the site before the organized tours arrive. Do you have any links for hotels near Abu Simbel, please?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice! 🙂

I’ve read everything and its opposite in travel guides and online. It seems that hotel owners—and the government—require tourists to pay in foreign currency rather than the local one (pounds). This is a huge problem for me since I’ll be in Egypt for 3 months. I can’t exactly walk around with thousands of dollars on me (I’m from Quebec). I could pay with a credit card—easier—but I think there’s an extra fee. Is that really the case? But what do I do if a small-town hotel doesn’t accept credit cards??? I thought about using a WISE debit card, but again, what if the place doesn’t have a payment terminal??? Can I hope that some establishments in less touristy areas might accept payment in pounds? And most importantly: does the same issue apply to paying for entry to archaeological sites??? A big thank you for your insights—I’m totally in the DARK here!!!

Marc Lamarre

Hi there,

We’ll be traveling to Egypt in mid-February and plan to spend a full day on the Giza Plateau: visiting the pyramids site + the new GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum). The question is simple: in what order should we do these two visits? I’m torn: - Pyramids in the morning because it’s less crowded, or in the afternoon for the setting sun? - GEM in the morning since tickets are timed slots, so it’d be easier to stick to the schedule than if we visit the pyramids first (we don’t know exactly how long our visit will take and when we’ll be able to get to the GEM), or in the afternoon? Anyway, I’m looking forward to your suggestions for planning this day!

On another note, the day before, we’ll arrive at our hotel on the Giza Plateau around 2:30 PM. How could we spend the rest of the afternoon (keeping in mind we don’t want to overdo it since we’ll have just flown in from France and had a very short night before!)?

Thanks in advance!

Hi! I’m planning a 15-day trip to Algeria and have a few questions. First, about the visa—none of the consulates near me are answering the phone... So, for hotel reservations, is booking just the first night enough? Can one person handle the paperwork for both of us as a couple?

Next, we’re hoping to do a road trip using public transport—any realistic itinerary ideas for two weeks?

And finally, how did you handle money? I’ve heard you have to declare cash on arrival—how did you manage the exchange? Thanks in advance for your tips, because so far it’s been tough getting answers, and I don’t want to struggle!

Hi everyone, I’ve given my 18-year-old daughter a week in Morocco in February. I’d like to mix a bit of Marrakech (or elsewhere) with a hotel and pool, plus a trip into the desert with some beautiful dunes. How can I structure this without making the journeys too long? Is it possible to do Marrakech to the south in 2 days, stopping at lovely spots along the way? Just to clarify, I’d prefer not to rent a car, and my daughter isn’t very "adventurous." Thanks in advance for your replies and tips!

Hi, I’d love to get your thoughts on a one-way transfer from Cairo to Hurghada on January 2nd. I’m traveling with my parents and I’m torn between a private car transfer or flying with Air Cairo (a bit worried about last-minute cancellations or delays). We’d leave around 10 AM. Is the road dangerous by car? If flying, is Air Cairo a reliable airline? Thanks!

Lilia

Hi everyone, We’re a group of 6 and we’ll be staying near the pyramids in Giza in February. I’m looking for a driver who could pick us up at our hotel to head into downtown Cairo so we can visit different places all day and then bring us back to our hotel. I haven’t found any recent guide names or contacts—thanks for your help!

Hi everyone, Last-minute trip to Marrakech for a week—what unusual discoveries can you recommend in the city? Thanks for your quick tips!

Hi there,

We’re leaving at the end of December (30th) until the beginning of January (6th) with my partner. I’ll be 6 months pregnant. We’d like to rent a car as soon as we arrive in Marrakesh but don’t want to stay there for New Year’s. We prefer the quiet of nature and remote villages. We’re planning to spend 2 days in Marrakesh before our return flight on the 6th.

What itinerary would you recommend to get off the beaten path, avoid overly touristy areas, and discover the palm groves, desert, and this region of Morocco—without overdoing it, given the advanced pregnancy? Thanks so much,

hi, My wife and I want to take our first trip to Marrakech around 12/27 for 7 nights. If you can help us find somewhere to stay that includes breakfast at a minimum. From what I understand, the most authentic option might be a RIAD. Our plan is to explore Marrakech. Thanks for your help

Hi, I’d like to know if Uber works for a trip between Marsa Alam and Hurghada Airport? Thanks

Hi there, We’re planning a one-week trip to Morocco at the beginning of November and would like to book a quad bike or buggy excursion for three days in the desert with a local agency. Could you tell us which is the best desert to explore and recommend a reliable agency? Thanks.