Birdwatching Expedition

Ancient Landscapes and Wetlands of Egypt
10 Days / 9 Nights
Destinations: Cairo – Fayoum Oasis – Wadi El Rayan – Cairo

Program Overview

Egypt, a crossroad on the African-Eurasian migratory bird path, offers a rich variety of habitats — from lush wetlands to vast deserts and ancient farmlands. This journey blends birdwatching with exploration of Egypt’s unique historical and natural heritage, taking you from the timeless treasures of Cairo to the serene beauty of Fayoum and Wadi El Rayan.

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, our representative will assist you with immigration formalities.
Transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation after your journey.
Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Day 2: Ancient Wonders of Cairo

After breakfast, set off to discover the world’s most iconic monuments:

Visit the Pyramids of Giza — Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Explore inside one pyramid and visit the remarkable Solar Boat Museum.
Marvel at the Valley Temple and the enigmatic Great Sphinx.

Lunch at a traditional restaurant near Saqqara.
Continue to Memphis, the first capital of unified Egypt, where the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx stand as silent witnesses to a glorious past.
Explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, the world's first monumental stone building.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Cairo.

Day 3: Museums and Bazaars of Cairo

After breakfast:

Visit the Egyptian Museum, housing an unparalleled collection of ancient artifacts, including the golden treasures of Tutankhamun.
Explore the Citadel of Salah El Din and the impressive Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, offering sweeping views over Cairo.
Wander through the vibrant lanes of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, where spices, crafts, and history blend seamlessly.

Lunch during the tour.
Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Day 4: To Fayoum Oasis – Nature and History

After breakfast, depart for Fayoum Oasis, 90 km southwest of Cairo:

Visit Lake Qarun (ancient Lake Moeris), once part of an extensive irrigation project under the Middle Kingdom Pharaohs and a royal hunting ground.
Birdwatching at Lake Qarun, home to species such as Greater Flamingos, Slender-billed Gulls, Caspian Terns, Grey-headed Gulls, and White Pelicans.
Explore Wadi El Rayan, a stunning area of two interconnected freshwater lakes created in the 1970s.
Observe birdlife including herons, ducks, grebes, and kingfishers.

Lunch en route.
Dinner and overnight at Helnan Auberge Fayoum Hotel.

Day 5: Birdwatching at Wadi El Rayan Lakes

Today, focus on the lush aquatic habitats:

At the upper and lower lakes, spot coots, moorhens, mallards, teals, great crested grebes, and purple gallinules.
Scan reedbeds for clamorous reed warblers, sedge warblers, and lesser whitethroats.
Watch for wading birds such as little stints, common redshanks, and green sandpipers.

Lunch, dinner, and overnight in Fayoum.

Day 6: Desert and Cliff Birding in Wadi El Rayan

Explore the desert wilderness:

Discover gravel plains, sand dunes, and rocky cliffs that host rare raptors.
Target species include the sooty falcon, brown-necked raven, black kite, Pharaoh’s eagle owl, lanner falcon, Barbary falcon, and Montagu’s harrier.
Occasionally sight steppe eagles, tawny eagles, and lesser kestrels during migration seasons.

Lunch, dinner, and overnight in Fayoum.

Day 7: Springs Oasis Exploration

Morning trek to the Springs Oasis, a hidden gem accessible only by foot:

Observe hoopoe larks and great grey shrikes among the desert scrub.
Look for migrating rufous bush robins, red-backed shrikes, and eastern olivaceous warblers.
A unique setting combining desert austerity with unexpected green vitality.

Lunch, dinner, and overnight in Fayoum.

Day 8: Cultivated Lands of Fayoum

Explore agricultural fields around the reclaimed lands of Lower Lake:

Spot cattle egrets, Senegal coucals, spur-winged plovers, white wagtails, crested larks, hoopoes, and black-winged kites.
These lands echo Egypt’s ancient agricultural traditions, dating back to the Middle Kingdom.

Lunch, dinner, and overnight in Fayoum.

Day 9: Return to Cairo

After breakfast, return to Cairo by private vehicle.
Check-in at your hotel for a final evening in the bustling capital.
Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Day 10: Departure from Cairo

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo International Airport for your outbound flight.
End of services.

Package Inclusions

Transportation: Modern 4WD vehicles with A/C, GPS, cool boxes, and satellite phones (max 5 passengers per vehicle).
Accommodation: 4 nights in Cairo (Oasis Hotel **** or similar), 5 nights in Fayoum (Helnan Auberge or similar) – Half Board.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner daily. Lunches included Day 3–9. Mineral water, snacks, and soft drinks with lunch.
Visits and Excursions: All entrance fees and permits. Professional English-speaking guide and expert desert driver.

❌ Package Exclusions

International and domestic flights
Personal expenses (laundry, calls, etc.)
Meals and beverages not mentioned
Alcoholic beverages
Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff

Suggested Hotels and Accommodation (Updated)

location	Key Bird Species
Lake Qarun	Greater Falmingo, Slender-billed Gull, Caspian tern, White Pelican, Grey-headed Gull
Wadi El Rayan Lakes	Coots, Moorhen, Great crested Grebe, Pied Kingfisher, Makkard, Teal, Purple Gallinule, Herons
Deser Cliffs	Sooty Galcon, brown-necked Raven, Black kite, Pharaoh's Eagle Owl, Lanner Falcon, Barbary Falcon
Springs Oasis	Hoopoe Lark, Great Grey Shrike, Rufous Bush Robin, Red-backed Shrike, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
cultivated Farmlands	Cattle Egret, Senegal Coucal, White Wagtail, Spur-winged Plover, Crested Lark, Black-winged Kite

Historical Notes:

Lake Qarun was once central to Egypt’s Middle Kingdom irrigation and hunting activities.
Fayoum Oasis flourished as a breadbasket during the reign of Amenemhat III and the Roman Empire.
Wadi El Rayan now serves as a vital ecological zone, adjacent to Wadi El Hitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for ancient whale fossils.
Ancient Egyptian agriculture, celebrated in Fayoum, remains alive today through the region’s lush fields and traditional irrigation techniques.

Detailed Birdwatching Table for Fayoum (Lake Qarun, Wadi El Rayan, Desert, Oasis, Farmlands)

Bird Species	Description	Habitat (Location)	Best Season
Greater Flamingo	Tall pink wading bird with a distinct curved beak.	Lake Qarun, Wadi El Rayan Upper Lake	October-March
Slender-billed Gull	Graceful gull with a slender black-tipped bill.	Shores of Lake Qarun	October-April
Caspian Tern	Large white seabird with a thick red bill.	Lake Qarun, Wadi El Rayan lakes	October-April
White Pelican	Very large bird with massive yellow-orange bill pouch.	Lake Qarun	October-March
Grey-headed Gull	Medium gull with a pale grey head and bright red bill.	Lake Qarun	October-April
Little Stint	Tiny sandpiper; rapid mover across mudflats.	Lake Qarun mudflats	October-December
Black-tailed Godwit	Large wader with long bill and black-and-white tail.	Lake Qarun shores	October-March
Common Teal	Small dabbling duck with green wing patch.	Wadi El Rayan Lakes	November-March
Mallard	Large common duck; males have green head.	Wadi El Rayan Lower Lake	November-March
Great Crested Grebe	Elegant swimmer with ornate head plumes.	Wadi El Rayan Lakes	October-April
Purple Gallinule (Swamphen)	Striking purple-blue wetland bird with red bill and legs.	Reedbeds in Wadi El Rayan	October-March
Pied Kingfisher	Black-and-white bird that hovers before diving into water.	Lakeshores and fish farms (Wadi El Rayan)	All Year (Peak Oct-Apr)
Squacco Heron	Buff-colored heron; reveals white wings in flight.	Marshes and lake edges	October-April
Grey Heron	Large grey wader with dagger-like bill.	Wetlands around Wadi El Rayan and Qarun	October-March
Cattle Egret	Small white egret; often near livestock.	Cultivated fields (Lower Lake)	All Year
Senegal Coucal	Brown and black cuckoo with red eyes.	Dense shrubs and farmland (Lower Lake)	October-March
Hoopoe	Iconic bird with crown-like crest and black-and-white wings.	Gardens and cultivated fields	All Year
Collared Dove	Pale grey dove with distinct black neck collar.	Villages and farmlands	All Year
Spur-winged Plover	Bold black-and-white plover with sharp wing spurs.	Wetland edges and farmland edges	October-April
Moorhen	Dark bird with red forehead shield; green legs.	Reedbeds and lakeshores	October-April
Black-winged Stilt	Long-legged wader; black wings and white body.	Lake Qarun shallow zones	October-April
Sooty Falcon	Graceful raptor; hunts small birds on migration.	Cliffs of Wadi El Rayan Desert	September-November (Migration)
Pharaoh's Eagle Owl	Large desert owl with striking ear tufts.	Rocky cliffs in Wadi El Rayan Desert	All Year (best Oct-Feb)
Lanner Falcon	Powerful falcon with moustachial stripe.	Cliffs and desert edges	All Year (esp. Fall migration)
Brown-necked Raven	Glossy black raven with brownish nape.	Desert plains and cliffs	All Year
Montagu's Harrier	Elegant raptor with slim body and long wings.	Open desert; migrating across Fayoum	October-November
Steppe Eagle	Massive eagle with broad wings; soars on thermals.	Occasionally in open deserts	October-December (rare)
Desert Wheatear	Small desert songbird; black mask and tail base.	Springs Oasis and desert dunes	October-April
Hoopoe Lark	Buff-colored ground-dweller with long bill.	Sandy and stony deserts Springs Oasis	All Year
Great Grey Shrike	Pale shrike; hunts insects and small vertebrates.	Springs Oasis and desert scrub	October-March
Rufous Bush Robin	Medium-sized brown bird with rufous tail; lively mover.	Oasis and desert fringes	March-May (spring migration)
Red-backed Shrike	Migrant shrike with striking chestnut back.	Springs Oasis and agriculture zones	March-May
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler	Slim warbler; pale greyish-olive upperparts.	Reedbeds and oasis bushes	Spring and Autumn migration
White Wagtail	Small black, grey, and white bird; constantly wagging tail.	Agricultural lands and lakeshores	October-April
Crested Lark	Brown lark with small crest; strong flier and singer.	Fields and desert edges	All Year
Black-shouldered Kite	Small, striking raptor with red eyes and hovering flight.	Open farmland and marshy edges	October-March

Summary for Birdwatching Seasons in Fayoum:

Best Overall Season: October to April
Waterbirds Peak: October to February
Desert Raptors Peak Migration: September–November
Spring Migrants (Warblers and Shrikes): March–May