The Nile River is a major North-flowing river in North-Eastern Africa that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is the most extensive river in Africa and has historically been considered the longest river in the world, though this has been contested by research suggesting that the Amazon River may be slightly longer. The Nile is one of the smallest rivers (as measured by annual flow).
About 6,650km long, its drainage basin covers 11 countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Republic of the Sudan and Egypt. Specifically the Nile is the primary water source of Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan additionally, it is an important economic river, supporting agriculture and fishing.
The Nile has two major tributaries – the White Nile and the Blue Nile.
- The White Nile is traditionally considered to be the headwaters stream, it is longer and rises in the Great Lakes region (begins at Lake Victoria and flows through Uganda and South Sudan).
- The Blue Nile is the source for most of the water downstream of the Nile, containing 80% of the water and silt (begins at Lake Tana in Ethiopia and flows into Sudan from the South-East).
- The two rivers meet at the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and form the Nile River as we know it.
The Northern section of the river flows almost entirely through the Nubian Desert to Cairo and its large delta, the river flows into the Mediterranean Sea at Alexandria. Egyptian civilization and Sudanese kingdoms have depended on the river and its annual flooding since ancient times. Most of the population and cities of Egypt lie along those parts of the Nile valley North of Aswan Dam. Nearly all the cultural and historical sites of Ancient Egypt developed and are found along the river banks.
The existing Nile has five earlier phases:
- The Upper Miocenian Eonile, of about 6 million years before present.
- The Upper Pliocenian Paleonile, commencing about 3.32 million years BP, and during the Pleistocene.
- Proto-Nile, commencing about 600,000 years BP.
- Pre-Nile, transitioning at about 400,000 years BP.
- Neo-Nile flowing North from the Ethiopian Highlands.
Take a cruise on this ancient waterway and relax, be struck in awe of the breathtaking views which you will come across and explore parts of Ancient Egypt with expert guides able to answer most of your burning questions.
If interested in crusing down the Nile and exploring Ancient Egypt, contact us and we will design an unforgettable trip specifically tailored for your comfort and needs, no hassle, no stress, no regrets!!