Nile dahabiyaSailing dahabiyaLuxor → Aswan

African Queen

Ten cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan

African Queen is a Nile dahabiya (a traditional wind-powered sailing boat). It has 10 cabins and 2 suites.

Good to know

Ten cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan. A 45-metre sailing dahabiya of ten cabins including two verandah suites, running the seven-day Luxor-Aswan route, for travellers wanting an unhurried Nile.

Best for couples · unhurried travellersCabins 10Board full boardRoute Luxor → Aswan

Fleet: Independent
Accommodation: 10 cabins · 2 suites
Dimensions: 45 m
Route: Luxor - El Kab - Edfu - Gebel el-Silsila - Kom Ombo - Aswan
Season: Year-round with two rate seasons, May-September and October-April; holiday surcharges apply 20 Dec - 7 Jan and 30 Mar - 20 Apr.

About African Queen

African Queen is a forty-five-metre traditional sailing dahabiya with ten cabins over two decks: eight standard rooms and two suites set at the rear, each with a private verandah laid with traditional floor cushions. Cabins have double windows with shutters and mosquito screens, ample cupboards and large bathrooms with power showers.

The seven-day sailing runs from Luxor to Aswan, calling at El Kab, Edfu's Temple of Horus, the quarries of Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo before Aswan and Philae, with shorter four-to-six-day variants of the same route. It sails year-round.

Deck seating sits under a canvas canopy with an open sun area forward, and the evening meal is generally served on deck, where the sky away from city lights fills with stars. A salon running the full width of the boat serves as the cool-weather alternative.

Highlights

45-metre dahabiya, ten cabins
Two rear suites with private verandahs
Seven-day Luxor to Aswan route
Moors at El Kab and Gebel el-Silsila
Canvas-canopied deck, dinner under the stars

At sail

Day by day

African Queen sails one published programme. Its own route: Luxor - El Kab - Edfu - Gebel el-Silsila - Kom Ombo - Aswan The order of the temples is fixed by the river, so what changes between programmes is the direction and how much is fitted into each day.

Day 1
Transfer to Esna and embark
Most boats collect guests in Luxor and drive the 50 km to Esna, since the lock is the practical starting point. Sail out and moor at an island.
Visits Esna lock
Day 2
El Kab and Edfu
The painted rock tombs at El Kab in the morning, a site no cruise ship stops at, then the Temple of Horus before dusk.
Visits El Kab · Edfu
Day 3
Gebel el-Silsila
The sandstone quarries and rock-cut chapels, then a long afternoon under sail. Moor at a sandbank.
Visits Gebel el-Silsila
Day 4
Kom Ombo
The double temple at first light, before the cruise ships arrive, and often the camel market at Daraw.
Visits Kom Ombo · Daraw
Day 5
Sail to Aswan
A slow final day on the water, mooring near Aswan.
Day 6
Disembark at Aswan
Disembark at Aswan after breakfast. The Aswan sites are not part of the river itinerary on an operator-sold sailing: Philae, the High Dam and Abu Simbel are added on either side, which is the main difference between this and an agency package.
Optional Philae · High Dam · Abu Simbel

Day structure aggregated from the published itineraries for this class of boat and direction. Operators shift a call by half a day and the Esna lock queue moves everything; confirm the running order for your departure.

Take the whole boat

10 cabins · whole boat from about US$4,967 a night

About US$4,967 a night for the whole boat, or roughly US$29,802 for a six-night sailing.

At this size two or three families travel together without anyone being split between boats, and the crew cooks for your party alone. Tell us your dates, and how many adults and children, and we will price the whole of African Queen.

That is the arithmetic of African Queen's own published cabin fares, not a quoted charter rate. Operators price exclusive use separately, and usually below the sum of the cabins, so tell us your dates and we will come back with the real figure.

Price the whole boat

What African Queen costs in 2026/2027

The published rate is US$1,490 per person, 6-night , checked on 2026-09-05.

We are not publishing a trip total for African Queen, for the reasons below. Ask us and we will quote the sailing you want.

What this figure is, and is not

The published figure is quoted per person, 6-night, which does not multiply into a trip total.
Rates move with season, cabin and departure. We quote every sailing live, and there is no booking fee to ask.

Source: the operator's published rates

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Standard cabin, 8 units, double bed or two twin beds, occupancy 2; double windows with shutters and mosquito screens, ample cupboard space, large bathroom with power shower, Egyptian cotton towels
Suite cabin, 2 units, at the rear of the boat, each with a private verandah laid with traditional floor cushions
Dining: Full board
Evening meal generally served on deck, with the salon as the cool-weather alternative
Facilities: Deck seating under a canvas canopy plus open sun area
Front sun deck with rattan and deck chairs
Salon running the full width of the boat, used for lounging and for dining in cooler weather
African-themed decor
Itineraries: 7 days Luxor to Aswan: Luxor (Karnak and Luxor Temple) - El Kab - Edfu (Temple of Horus) - Gebel el-Silsila quarries - Kom Ombo - Aswan (Philae Temple, High Dam)
Shorter 4 to 6 day variants of the same Luxor-Aswan route are also sold, with the 7-day the most popular

Keep planning

Plan your Nile cruise

Dahabiya Nile cruises explained How much a dahabiya cruise costs Best small-boat Nile cruises Nile River Cruise: the complete guide Nile cruise vs land tour

Good to know

African Queen questions, answered

How much does African Queen cost?

Advertised rates start from US$1,490 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does African Queen have?

10 cabins and 2 suites.

What route does African Queen sail?

Luxor - El Kab - Edfu - Gebel el-Silsila - Kom Ombo - Aswan.

What's included on African Queen?

Airport transfers with meet and greet, full-board accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees, professional Egyptologist guide, bottled water, taxes and service charges. Excludes domestic flights, gratuities and alcoholic drinks. Holiday surcharges 20 Dec - 7 Jan and 30 Mar - 20 Apr.