Volunteering in Cairo
Make a difference to the communities of Cairo, Egypt
Why Volunteer in Cairo, Egypt
Cairo; Egypt’s majestic capital, is located on the banks of the Nile River and home to a world of history. Experience the bustling city life, while exploring the local culture and all the ancient artefacts Cairo has to offer.
Come bask in the splendour of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Sphinx, the oldest monumental structure in Egypt. Not to mention the Egyptian Museum, one of the world’s greatest museums, with a staggering collection of antiquities, located near Tahrir Square, where the famous Egyptian Revolution transpired in 2011.
Stroll the busy streets of Cairo and explore the rich cultural tapestry, historical monuments and sample delicious traditional local cuisine, while enjoying the warm inviting humour of its inhabitants.
Revel in the prolific spiritual and religious background of this cultural gem with thousands upon thousands of years of history, while admiring the stunning Islamic architecture that continues to attract visitors to this day.
Cairo Volunteer Projects
Due to COVID, our community projects are currently unavailable
Interesting Facts About Cairo
- The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only remaining survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- The Nile River is the longest river in the world and the primary water source for Egypt and Sudan.
- Cairo is the largest city in the Arab World. More than a quarter of all Egyptians live in Cairo.
- Cairo had been a hub for many civilizations including Pharaohs, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Babylonians.
- Cairo has long been a centre of the region’s political and cultural life and is titled “the city of a thousand minarets” for its predominance of Islamic architecture.
- The Arabic name for Cairo is al-Qahirah, which means “the conqueror,” “the vanquisher” or “the victorious.”
Volunteer in Cairo
Explore one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East, discover a volunteer experience unlike any other, and join our rewarding projects in Cairo directly working with communities in need.
With a population of over 20 million and a total of over 280 slums in Cairo alone, the capital of Egypt has the highest poverty rate. Of Greater Cairo’s female residents, 20.5 per cent are illiterate, versus 11.3 per cent of its male inhabitants.
Our community projects tackle Cairo’s notable poverty and illiteracy issues head-on through different forms of development with a focus on teaching, to enrich the learning experience of underprivileged children, and vocational training, to teach disadvantaged members of the community crafts in order to make a good living.
You will be at the forefront of our significant efforts to uplift the city’s impoverished communities through reinforcing the various methods of sustainable development ingrained in our programs. Be instrumental in bringing about a better tomorrow for this great city.
Cairo Highlights & Trips
Get the opportunity to explore everything from the banks of the Nile River and the sands of the Sahara Desert to the beaches of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Egypt provides world-class activities and opportunities. You can discover some of the world’s most exquisite landmarks, captivating culture and mesmerising views on offer.
2022 Pricing
| Number of Pax | Price/person (US Dollar) |
| 1 | 2,375 |
| 2 | 2,125 |
| 3 | 2,000 |
| 4 | 1,625 |
| 10 | 1,313 |
Day 1
Cairo
Arrival to Cairo (anytime)
Meet & Assist at Cairo airport
Madina Hostel Check in
Departure to Egyptian Museum & Visit
Departure to Giza Pyramids
Departure for a walk in old Cairo & Khan El Khalili the famous bazaar and souq
Overnight in hotel
Day 2
Cairo – Alexandria – Cairo
Breakfast at Hotel.
Alexandria is the mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, famous for its delicious seafood and rich culture, our first stop is the Great Library of Alexandria, this library holds the riches of ancient history within its concrete walls from the massive selection of books to the museums and monuments within it, it’s truly a magnificent experience.
Afterwards we’ll go to The Citadel which is situated on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharos Island at the mouth of the Eastern harbour. This fort was established in 1477 AD and it has withstood a lot through the years. It represents one of Alexandria’s hotspots.
At the end of the day we’ll head back to Cairo.
Day 3
Cairo – Ras Sudr – Sarabeet El Khadem
After breakfast we will check out and start our trip to the beautiful Sinai peninsula, after we arrive in Abo Zinema city we will hike to the Sarabet Al Khadem Pharaonic Temple, this temple holds statues, inscriptions, and monuments that go back to the 4th, 11th, 12th and 18th pharaonic families. We will then set our camp in the mountains.
Accommodation: Camping
Day 4
Sarbeet El Khadeem – Saint Catherine
After enjoying a delicious breakfast we’ll pack up our camp and hike back to our bus to move to our next destination “Saint Catherine”. As soon as we arrive, we will go to the first site of the day: The Monastery of Saint Catherine, this ancient building has been standing since the 4th century.
After visiting this amazing site, we will continue our journey and hike the brilliant Mount Moses, travelling up a unique trail we’ll camp for the night halfway up the mountain and enjoy some of the best stargazing in the world. In the morning we will continue up to view the magnificent sunrise from the top.
Accommodation: Camping
Day 5
Saint Catharine – Ras Mohamed-Dahab
We are now halfway through our trip, we’ll have our breakfast on the mountain and then we will hike back, descending the mountain to our bus and head to one of the Sinai’s hotspots: Ras Mohamed protectorate, we’ll take you to the beautiful shores with Mangrove trees, where the water is crystal clear, afterwards we’ll go snorkelling in the Ras Mohamed protectorate which is filled with unique fish species and a vibrant coral reef.
At the end of the day, we’ll move to our last destination for the day, the city of Dahab
Check in, Dinner & Overnight in the hotel.
Day 6
Dahab
We’ll have our breakfast and head to the divers’ dream place, The Blue Hole. Whether you prefer to snorkel or if you are a licensed diver, the Blue hole is a once in a lifetime experience. Afterwards, we’ll hike to the stunning Abo Galum protectorate where you’ll get to enjoy another breezy swim in the beautiful Red Sea. At the end of the day we’ll take the speedboat back to the city then back to the hotel for dinner & overnight
Day 7
Dahab
Free day with a variety of optional activities (Intro Dive, Rock Climbing, Desert Safari).
Day 8
Dahab-Nuwbiaa
After breakfast, we will check out & depart on a half day safari in the white canyon exploring the beautiful nature of Sinai. Then we will head to our camp in Nuwbiaa a city by the sea for dinner & overnight.
Day 9
We’ll enjoy a lovely last breakfast in the morning and head back to Cairo
Day 10
Cairo
Breakfast & Checkout
Transfer to the airport
- Cairo
- Alexandria
- Ras Sudr
- Sarabeet El Khadem Temple
- Saint Catherine
- Ras Mohamed Protectorate
- Dahab
- Nuwbiaa
Activities:
- Safari
- Swimming
- Sand-boarding
- Hiking
- Star Gazing
- Diving
Program includes:
- Transportation by Bus for the whole trip
- All internal Transfers
- All Mentioned Tickets
- Half board basis (except for Cairo)
- Accommodation in 3 stars hotel, camp and Nubian houses
- Tour Guides
2022 Pricing
| Number of Pax | Price/person (US Dollar) |
| 1 | 2,500 |
| 2 | 2,250 |
| 3 | 1,875 |
| 4 | 1,688 |
| 10 | 1,375 |
Day 1 :
Cairo
Arrival in Cairo anytime
Meet and assist at Cairo airport
Madina Hostel Check in
Departure to Egyptian Museum
Departure to Giza Pyramids
Departure for a walk in old Cairo & Khan El Khalili the famous bazaar and souq
Overnight in hotel
Day 2 :
Cairo – Alexandria – Cairo
Breakfast at the Hotel
Alexandria is the mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, famous for its delicious seafood and rich culture, our first stop is the Great Library of Alexandria, this library holds the riches of ancient history within its concrete walls from the massive selection of books to the museums and monuments within it, it’s truly a magnificent experience.
Afterwards we’ll go to The Citadel which is situated on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharos Island at the mouth of the Eastern harbour. This fort was established in 1477 AD and it has withstood a lot through the years. It represents one of Alexandria’s hotspots.
At the end of the day we’ll head back to Cairo.
Day 3 :
Cairo – Luxor
After breakfast we’ll head to Luxor which contains one third of the world’s monuments, we’ll head to the Luxor Temple where you’ll get to wander and explore the ancient Egyptian monuments and inscriptions on the walls of the temple as well as the obelisks. Then we’ll head to Karnak which is near the Luxor temple, “It is a city of temples built over 2,000 years and dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.”
Once we have finished all our activities, we’ll return to the Hotel to enjoy a delicious Egyptian dinner and get some rest because tomorrow we g back on the road to a new city.
Hotel: Saint Joseph or Similar
Day 4 :
Luxor – Aswan
After breakfast, we’ll head to the Hatshepsut temple, according to the ministry of tourism and antiques Hatshepsut was the queen who became Pharaoh, built a magnificent temple at Deir al-Bahari, on the west bank of Luxor. It lies directly across the Nile from Karnak.
Later on, we’ll head to the brilliant Nubian Village in Gharb Sohail, where you’ll get to experience the colourful Nubian culture and interact with the Nubians while being surrounded by the mesmerizing Nile.
Then we’ll drive to the hotel in Aswan, enjoy a hearty dinner and get some rest ahead of tomorrow’s adventure.
Optional: Hot Air Balloon ride
Luxor is brilliant on the ground but it’s stunning from above and that’s why after visiting the temple you’ll have a chance to hop on a magical air balloon that would give you a view of Luxor and its temples from above, it’s truly a sight to behold.
Hotel: Ekadoli Nubian Guest House or Similar
Day 5
Aswan
In the morning we’ll head to the monumental Philae temple located on Philae Island in the middle of the mighty Nile River, we’ll visit this temple twice, once in the daylight to experience its phenomenal monuments and after visiting the temple in the daylight, we’ll visit the Berber sand dunes area where you’ll get to sandboard on the dunes and have some fun.
Optional: Then at night we’ll go back to the Philae temple to view the renowned “Al sawotwaAl Dao” the sound and light show where Mahmoud Yassin (one of Egypt’s most talented and known actors) narrates the history of Ancient Egypt.
Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel to enjoy a delicious dinner and get some rest.
Day 6
Aswan – Abu Simbel – Aswan
In the morning, after having breakfast, we’ll head to the Abu Simbel Temple, this temple is famous for having four massive, seated Ramses’. The second carved out of a sandstone cliff with two statues on either side of the entrance, this temple represents an architectural enigma as it was built in a certain way that two times per year the sun shines through the entire temple from the statues of Ramses II at the entrance all the way to the end of the temple and one of those days is the birth date of Ramses. Even after the temple was moved to be salvaged from the newly completed lake Nasser in the 1960s, the sun still shines in the temple in those same dates the (February 22 and October 22).
After visiting this stunning temple we’ll head back to the hotel for our last dinner in Aswan.
Day 7
Aswan – Marsa Allam
In the morning, we’ll head to Marsa Alam. When we arrive, we’ll set our camp and have a nice cozy dinner around a bonfire.
Day 8
Marsa Allam
We’ll start the day with a hearty breakfast and then head out to take an incredible swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Nayzak’s naturally enclosed beach. Afterward, we’ll head on a safari to Qulaan where you’ll experience the vibrant mangrove trees and take a second swim. By the end of the day, we’ll set our camp and have a delicious dinner.
Day 9
Marsa Allam – Hurghada
In the morning, have a delicious breakfast and head to beautiful Hurghada. Once we arrive, you’ll have free time to explore the beaches.
(Optional) Boat Trip to Giftoun Island, where you’ll get to snorkel and discover the colourful reef, enjoy a delicious lunch on the boat and return to the hotel before dinner time.
Hotel: Sea View or Similar
Day 10
Hurghada
Free day at the beach.
Day 11
Hurghada – Cairo
We’ll enjoy a lovely last breakfast in the morning and head back to Cairo
Places to be visited:
- Cairo
- Alexandria
- Marsa Allam
- Aswan
- Hurghada
- Luxor
Activities:
- Safari
- Swimming
- sandboarding
- Hiking
- Star Gazing
- Diving
Program includes:
- Transportation by Bus for the whole trip
- All internal Transfers
- All Mentioned Tickets
- Half board basis (except for Cairo)
- Accommodation in 3 stars hotel, camp and Nubian houses
- Tour Guides
2022 Pricing
| Number of Pax | Price/person (US Dollar) |
| 1 | 2,750 |
| 2 | 2,500 |
| 3 | 2,250 |
| 4 | 2,063 |
| 10 | 1,875 |
Day 1 :
Cairo
Arrival in Cairo anytime
Meet and assist at Cairo airport
Madina Hostel Check in
Departure to Egyptian Museum
Departure to Giza Pyramids
Departure for a walk in old Cairo & Khan El Khalili the famous bazaar and souq
Overnight in hotel
Day 2:
Cairo – Luxor
After breakfast we’ll head to Luxor which contains one third of the world’s monuments, we’ll head to the Luxor Temple where you’ll get to wander and explore the ancient Egyptian monuments and inscriptions on the walls of the temple as well as the obelisks. Then we’ll head to Karnak which is near the Luxor temple, “It is a city of temples built over 2,000 years and dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.”
Once we have finished all our activities, we’ll return to the Hotel to enjoy a delicious Egyptian dinner and get some rest because tomorrow we go back on the road to a new city.
Hotel: Saint Joseph or Similar
Day 3:
Luxor – Aswan
After breakfast, we’ll head to the Hatshepsut temple, according to the ministry of tourism and antiques Hatshepsut was the queen who became Pharaoh, built a magnificent temple at Deir al-Bahari, on the west bank of Luxor. It lies directly across the Nile from Karnak.
Later on, we’ll head to the brilliant Nubian Village in Gharb Sohail, where you’ll get to experience the colourful Nubian culture and interact with the Nubians while being surrounded by the mesmerizing Nile.
Then we’ll drive to the hotel in Aswan, enjoy a hearty dinner and get some rest ahead of tomorrow’s adventure.
Optional: Hot Air Balloon ride
Luxor is brilliant on the ground but it’s stunning from above and that’s why after visiting the temple you’ll have a chance to hop on a magical air balloon that would give you a view of Luxor and its temples from above, it’s truly a sight to behold.
Hotel: Ekadoli Nubian Guest House or Similar
Day 4
Aswan
In the morning we’ll head to the monumental Philae temple located on Philae Island in the middle of the mighty Nile river, we’ll visit this temple twice, once in the daylight to experience its phenomenal monuments and after visiting the temple in the daylight, we’ll visit the Berber sand dunes area where you’ll get to sandboard on the dunes and have some fun.
Optional: Then at night we’ll go back to the Philae temple to view the renowned “Al sawotwaAl Dao” the sound and light show where Mahmoud Yassin (one of Egypt’s most talented and known actors) narrates the history of Ancient Egypt.
Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel to enjoy a delicious dinner and get some rest.
Day 5
Aswan –Marsa Allam
In the morning, we’ll head to Marsa Alam. When we arrive, we’ll check into our camp and have a nice cozy dinner around a bonfire.
Accommodation: Marsa Shagra village
Day 6
Marsa Allam
We’ll start the day with a hearty breakfast and then head out to take an incredible swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Nayzak’s naturally enclosed beach. Afterward, we’ll head on a safari to Qulaan where you’ll experience the vibrant mangrove trees and take a second swim. By the end of the day, we’ll set our camp and have a delicious dinner.
Day 7
Marsa Allam – Hurghada
In the morning, have a delicious breakfast and head to beautiful Hurghada. Once we arrive, you’ll have free time to explore the beaches.
(Optional) Boat Trip to Giftoun Island, where you’ll get to snorkel and discover the colourful reef, enjoy a delicious lunch on the boat and return to the hotel before dinner time.
Hotel: Sea View or Similar
Day 8
Hurghada – Ras Sudr
Just a stopover to break the journey between Hurghada and Saint Catherine, we’ll spend the night in a hotel in Ras Sudr city and continue our journey in the morning to Saint Catherine.
Hotel: Green Sudr Hotel or Similar
Day 9
Ras Sudr – Saint Catherine
Once we finish breakfast and check out, we will head out to Saint Catherine protectorate which holds the highest peak in Egypt. Once we arrive at Mount Moses, we’ll hike halfway up the mountain, through this hike we are taking you through a unique trail and we’ll camp for the night halfway up the mountain and enjoy some of the best stargazing in the world. In the morning we will continue up to view the magnificent sunrise from the top.
Accommodation: Camping on the mountain
Day 10
Saint Catherine – Dahab
Once we finish our breakfast on the mountain, we will continue descending the mountain to get back to the bus and move to our next destination “Dahab”. Once we arrive to the city & check into the hotel, we’ll head out to do some rock climbing in Wadi Qnai (This is optional). Afterwards we’ll venture on to the breath-taking 3 pools area in Dahab where you’ll get to enjoy a lovely swim and snorkel, (Diving is optional), then we’ll head to our second swimming location; Lagoona beach. At the end of the day, we’ll return to enjoy a delicious dinner in the hotel.
Hotel: Dyarna Hotel or Similar
Day 11
Dahab
We’ll have our breakfast and head to the divers’ dream place, The Blue Hole. Whether you prefer to snorkel or if you are a licensed diver, the Blue hole is a once in a lifetime experience. Afterwards, we’ll head to have a second swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Blue lagoon surrounded by the mountains. Later on we’ll hike to the stunning Abu Galum protectorate where you’ll get to enjoy yet another breezy swim in the beautiful Red Sea. By the end of the day we’ll go back to the hotel to enjoy our dinner.
Day 12
Dahab
Free day and optional tours are available to choose from.
Day 13
Dahab -Cairo
We have reached the final day of our adventure, after having breakfast we’ll head back to Cairo.
Day 14
Breakfast & Check out.
Transfer to the airport.
Places to be visited:
- Cairo
- Luxor
- Marsa Allam
- Aswan
- Hurghada
- Luxor
- Ras Sudr
- Saint Catherine
- Dahab
Activities:
- Safari
- Swimming
- Sandboarding
- Hiking
- Star Gazing
- Diving
Program includes:
- Transportation by Bus for the whole trip
- All internal Transfers
- All Mentioned Tickets
- Half board basis (except for Cairo)
- Accommodation in 3 stars hotel, camp and Nubian houses
- Tour Guides
Volunteer Accommodation
You will be staying in a 3-star hotel, located in Zamalek, a district in the middle of the Nile river possessing some of the most beautiful views in Cairo. As host to the majority of the city’s embassies, the area is very safe, with plenty of security on the street, providing you with reassurance to go out and explore, in a safe environment.
Not only is Zamalek ranked as the safest neighbourhood in Cairo, but the district is also known for being Cairo’s nightlife hub, with plenty of bars, restaurants and cafés.
You will share a twin or triple room with a bathroom, accompanied by fellow volunteers or interns. Private rooms are available upon request and availability, at an extra charge.
Know Before You Go to Cairo
Visa Requirements
Packing List
Code of Conduct
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in the Nile River?
It is not recommended to swim in the Nile or its canals because of the risk of exposure to bacterial and other infections. However, there are areas safe for swimming down south in Aswan.
Are there fish in the Nile River?
Many varieties of fish are found in the Nile system. Notable among those found in the lower Nile system are the Nile perch (a freshwater fish that can grow to be quite large, some weighing as much as 200 kg and measuring 2 meters in length), the bolti (a species of Tilapia), the barbel, several species of catfish, the elephant-snout fish, and the tigerfish, or water leopard.
What is the dress-code like in Cairo?
Cairo is a modern city, however, it is also a conservative, mostly Muslim city and women are expected to dress appropriately. Avoid wearing short shorts, tank tops/sleeveless tops, see-through and tight clothes.
Is it safe to walk around Cairo? How do I get around?
Cairo is a relatively safe city with a low crime rate. You will be staying in the safest neighbourhood in Cairo where you will feel secure walking around, however we ask that you have a fellow volunteer or staff member with you when leaving your volunteer accommodation. Also, be aware of your surroundings when cross the streets in Cairo due to conditions of chaotic traffic.
You will have transport to and from your projects. For recreational purposes, you will find many restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance and if you’re not walking, we recommend you use the Uber application and share your ride and location of destination with your volunteer manager.
Why are weekends different in Egypt?
As Islamic countries are most likely to have their weekends centred around Fridays, which is their holy day, Sunday is the first day of the week in Egypt, with the weekend being Friday and Saturday.
Is tap water safe to drink in Cairo?
It is not safe to drink tap water in Egypt as it’s highly chlorinated. It is advisable to drink bottled water during your entire stay. You can use tap water to brush your teeth etc. with no worries.
Volunteering Safety Tips
Despite media portrayal, Egypt is considered a very safe country in comparison to the rest of the world. According to a recent Gallup poll conducted in 2018, Egypt has been ranked the safest country in Africa and higher than both the UK and US.
Egypt has been ranked 16th out of 135 countries, while the UK was 21st and the US 35th.
You will be staying in one of the safest neighbourhood in Cairo, so you can comfortably explore the streets. However, there are some safety tips you need to follow:
- Volunteers must be accompanied by at least one other volunteer or staff member when leaving the premises and must notify Volunteer Manager prior to departure.
- For your safety, do not use public transport. We recommend you always use Uber when going anywhere that is not walking distance and share your ride on the app with the Volunteer Manager. Please make sure to save the address or location of the accommodation.
- Sign out and in – when leaving accommodation you must sign out and sign back in before curfew. Even though the volunteer manager is not living on-site, there are staff members and security cameras there to keep track of this.
- Do not leave valuables and money unattended. There is a safe located in your room to store your valuables.
- Do not carry excessive amounts of cash on you.
- Listen to your project manager and respect the local rules and customs at all times! Please remember that you will be working outdoors, in an unfamiliar community and environment.
- Do not enter townships unless accompanied by a local staff member.
- To avoid unnecessary attention in the streets please follow the recommended dress code discussed in your induction and found in the Know Before You Go section.
- Be wary of people who seem too friendly too fast – do not give out your personal contact details to anyone under any circumstances.
- Save your project manager’s number on your phone and make sure to provide us with a copy of your emergency contact at home.
- Only drink bottled water. Tap water is not safe to drink in Egypt.
- Do not swim or drink from the Nile River.
- Local vendors can be very persistent especially in popular touristic spots, its best to just dismiss them and keep walking.
Egyptian vaccinations
Please consult with your private physician or doctor in regards to what immunizations or vaccinations are needed.
Our recommendations.
- Tetanus: Recommended
- Typhoid: Recommended
- Hepatitis A: Recommended
- Yellow Fever: Egypt is NOT at risk to yellow fever. You only require a yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from a yellow-fever infected area.
