Egypt has topped a count of the African countries with the most international tourists (Image: Getty)
has topped a count of the African countries with the most international tourists, figures show.
The latest available figures show the home of the , the Great Sphinx of Giza and the Karnak Temple saw 14.9 million arrivals in 2023.
This is more than second place (14.5m) and third place (9.4m), according to the number crunchers at data platform, Statista.
Tourism also boosted Egypt’s coffers to the tune of £11.4billion ($14.1bn) in the same year ahead of Morocco, South Africa and Tanzania.
These three destinations netted international tourist receipts of £8.3bn ($10.3bn) £4.6bn ($5.7bn) and £2.7bn ($3.4bn) respectively, Statista’s figures show.
The Pyramids of Giza are the last surviving of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (Image: Getty)
Karnak Temple is one of Egypt’s highlights (Image: Getty)
Saifaddin Galal, Statista’s research expert for North Africa, said Egypt, Morocco and South Africa have led Africa’s tourist arrivals.
He added in a statement: “Regarding the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) in Africa in 2024, which measures factors and policies that make a country eligible for investments in the travel and tourism sector, South Africa, Mauritius, and Egypt held the top spots.”
South Africa received a TTCI score of 3.99 out of seven, while Mauritius and Egypt received 3.98 and 3.96 points respectively, according to the index.
To enter Egypt you need a passport with at least six months left before it expires and a visa. However, if you are staying at resorts in Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you don’t need one. You can get a free entry permission stamp when you arrive.
You can apply for a visa online. The Foreign Office recommends getting an e-visa in advance to help prevent delays, adding that tourist e-visas are valid for up to three months.
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Abu Simbel is a temple built in honour of Rameses II in 1224BC (Image: Getty)
The Valley of the Kings is a magnet for travellers (Image: Getty)
Visas can also be obtained in person or by post. You can apply via the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK.
Approved airports in Egypt have kiosks in their arrival halls before you reach the immigration counters where you can buy a visa for $25 cash. Egyptian officials prefer dollars, but you may be able to pay in British pounds or euros, according to the Foreign Office.
Once you’re there, an world of ancient wonders awaits, including the last surviving of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Pyramids of Giza – built about 4,500 years ago.
Luxor’s Karnak Temple and the are further highlights as well as Abu Simbel, a temple built in honour of Rameses II in 1224BC.
EasyJet, TUI, EgyptAir, British Airways, Wizz Air UK, Air Canada, American Airlines and TAP Air Portugal all fly direct to Egypt from the UK.
January is the cheapest time to fly to Egypt, according to Skyscanner. It estimates that, at the time of writing, the best price for a return flight to Egypt is £61, though this is subject to change and availability.
The weather in January is “pretty mild”, according to TUI, but it is “a good idea” to take a jumper or light jacket for the evenings. The daily maximum temperature is 22C while the mercury can drop as low as 12C in January.