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Discovering the sources of the Nile
Discovering the sources of the Nile
For thousands of years, the Nile has fascinated civilizations. The cradle of ancient Egypt, this mythical river is as intriguing for its historical importance as for the mystery surrounding its origins. Let's meet its sources and discover how to experience the Nile today.
The history of the Nile
The Nile, a river some 6,700 km long, is the result of a merger between the White Nile, which rises in Lake Victoria on the border between Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, and the Blue Nile, which rises in the waters of Lake Tana in Ethiopia.
It flows and irrigates its shores until it empties into the Mediterranean Sea, at whose mouth it forms an immense delta in northern Egypt. In ancient times, it proved indispensable to the Egyptians, who used it as a means of transport. An abundant and generous river, it irrigates and fertilizes the regions that border it, thanks to its annual floods, which enable the cultivation of wheat and barley, among other crops. The ancients built their most beautiful cities along its banks.
Even today, its waters bring prosperity and agricultural abundance, and are redistributed via the Aswan High Dam, which forms Lake Nasser's water reserve. Construction of the dam in the 1970s necessitated the relocation of several temples, including those at Abu Simbel, which would otherwise have been swallowed up.
Discovering the source of the Nile
The mystery of the Nile's source has captivated explorers and geographers for centuries. In ancient times, the Egyptians and Greeks knew that the Nile came from the south, but were unaware of its precise origin. It was in the 19th century that the great expeditions took place.
In 1858, British explorer John Hanning Speke identified Lake Victoria as one of the main sources of the White Nile, in the heart of East Africa. He named the lake after Queen Victoria. However, this discovery was controversial at the time, particularly with his expedition companion Richard Francis Burton.
The Nile actually has two main sources:
- The White Nile, which originates in the Great Lakes region of Africa, mainly at Lake Victoria in Uganda.
- The Blue Nile, whose source is Lake Tana in Ethiopia.
These two major branches join at Khartoum, Sudan, to form the Nile we know in Egypt. The Blue Nile, though shorter, provides most of the water and rich silt during floods.
Discover the Nile from Luxor to Aswan with CroisiEurope
An exciting program awaits you, including a meeting with the villagers to discover their way of life in Aswan and Luxor. As an option, you can also attend a fabulous sound and light show at Karnak.
Discover the hidden treasures of Cairo, the Egyptian capital. From the Citadel to the Grand Bazaar, visit the first wonders of the world, must-sees in the intellectual and cultural capital of the Arab world. Then discover ancient Egypt, the mother of civilizations, which has fascinated the whole world since time immemorial.
Don't miss a cruise to the heart of the most beautiful sites in Upper Egypt, where the activities of an Egyptologist lecturer and a CroisiEurope guide on board will make your trip an exciting one.
Aboard a top-of-the-range, intimate boat, your Nile cruise will take you as close as possible to the cities and monuments. Book your cruise to the land of the Pharaohs now.
Our Nile cruises
Cairo & cruise on the Nile: The Land of the Pharaohs (port-to-port)
Cairo - LUXOR - EDFOU - KOM OMBO - ASWAN - ESNA - LUXOR
Discover the hidden treasures of the Egyptian capital. From the Cairo Citadel to the bazaar district, learn all about the intellectual and cultural capital of the Arab world and its must-see Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then, discover ancient Egypt, the cradle of all civilizations, which has fascinated humankind forever. Since the dawn of time, explorers, diplomats, writers, and painters have used the fertile banks of the Nile as inspiration for their work. Even today, we still seek the answers to the mysteries found within the pharaohs' tombs. Over two thousand years of history are waiting for you on a cruise that promises exciting, spectacular, and unforgettable discoveries. Majestic temples, tombs, pyramids, and lively villages dot the Nile Valley landscapes from Luxor to Aswan. Wind down from your everyday grind and step way back in time on a cruise through Upper Egypt.
Cruise on the Nile: The Land of the Pharaohs (port-to-port cruise)
LUXOR - EDFOU - KOM OMBO - ASWAN - ESNA - LUXOR
The cradle of all civilizations'ancient Egypt'has fascinated humankind forever. Since the dawn of time, explorers, diplomats, writers, and painters have used the fertile banks of the Nile as inspiration for their work. Even today, we still seek the answers to the mysteries found within the pharaohs' tombs. Over two thousand years of history are waiting for you on a cruise that promises exciting, spectacular, and unforgettable discoveries. Majestic temples, tombs, pyramids, and lively villages dot the Nile Valley landscapes from Luxor to Aswan. Wind down from your everyday grind and step way back in time on a cruise through Upper Egypt.
Odyssey on the Nile: Follow the Wind and Visit Legendary Sites on an Immersive Cruise (port-to-port cruise)
LUXOR - EL HEGZ - ELKAB - FAWAZA - BASSAW - GEBEL SILSILEH - BESHIR - KOM OMBO - HERDIAB - ASWAN
Discover Egypt in a different manner on an exclusive journey combining luxury and history. You'll begin your adventure at the sumptuous Winter Palace Luxor—made famous by Agatha Christie and Howard Carter—a veritable castle tucked in between Egyptian treasures. Then follow the winds on an unforgettable cruise to discover the Nile on board an elegant dahabeah—a 19th-century sailboat where each element of decor has been chosen with care from around the world. Our attentive crew will welcome you before you settle into your tastefully outfitted, but practical, cabin. Admire the scenery as you relax under the unfurled sails topside. The cradle of all civilizations—ancient Egypt—has fascinated humankind forever. From the beginning of time, adventurers, diplomats, writers, and painters have all drawn inspiration from the fertile banks of the Nile. From Luxor to Aswan, the Nile snakes its way through valleys lined with majestic temples, necropolises, pyramids, and lively villages. Your vacation will wrap in style at the luxurious Old Cataract Aswan, where colonial elegance rubs shoulders with the magic of the Nile. An unforgettable experience is on the horizon!