A private felucca dinner in Dokki

About this experience

Cafelluca runs modernised feluccas from a dock in Dokki, on the west bank of the Nile across from central Cairo. These aren't the bare wooden boats of the budget private sail. The listing describes safety gear (life jackets and a first-aid kit), a TV and karaoke on board, and a personal waiter. You get the boat to yourselves for two hours, a three-course dinner, and hot and cold soft drinks for as long as you're aboard.

It costs about the same as the shared buffet boats, and for couples it's the better evening. There's no band and no tanoura. The entertainment is the river itself, with the bridges and hotel lights going by, plus karaoke if your group is that way inclined. Guests report the food is the surprise. The drinks are non-alcoholic.

One snag: getting there. The inclusions mention "drop off and pickup from different locations", yet the same listing says there's no transport to and from your hotel. Plan your own taxi or ride-hail to the dock and back and you won't be caught out. If you'd rather be collected from the lobby, the dinner cruise with hotel pickup has the transfer in the price.

• The whole boat to yourselves for 2 hours
• A personal waiter and a 3-course dinner
• Unlimited hot and cold soft drinks
• The skyline, hotels and bridges from the water
• TV and karaoke on board
• Wheelchair accessible, according to the listing

How the day runs

1. 15 min beforeFind the Seekh Mashwy sign

   Search Google Maps for "Cafelluca Dokki" or "Seekh Mashwy". Look for the Seekh Mashwy sign and take the steps down to water level.

2. At the dockCheck in at the host desk

   The Cafelluca host desk sits by the water. Staff walk you to your boat. If you drove, valet parking is included.

3. First hourCast off and eat

   The boat moves off and your waiter starts on the three courses. Soft drinks keep coming, hot or cold.

4. Second hourLights, music, karaoke

   Sit back for the city lights, put your own music on, or try the karaoke. Nobody else is on board to mind.

5. 2 hoursBack at the dock

   Return to the Dokki dock, then your own taxi home.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Give your driver "Seekh Mashwy, Dokki". It's the landmark the listing uses to find the host desk.
• Arrive 15 minutes early, as the listing asks. The boat is yours, but the slot isn't.
• Book the return ride before you dock, or ask the host desk to call one. Don't count on the listing's pickup line.
• Leave the sparklers at the hotel. Fireworks aren't allowed on board.
• Pick a slot that starts before sunset to see the river in daylight and lit up.

Read next:

• Felucca or dinner cruise
• Nile cruise costs

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

Private Felucca Sail on the NileThe cheapest private boat in Cairo: hotel pickup by car, then 1 hour on a felucca with your own group and crew.★ 4.4 · 2 hoursOpal Nile Dinner Cruise with Live ShowOur pick for a Cairo dinner boat: 2 hours, open buffet, live music, tanoura and belly dance, and an open-air deck.★ 4.7 · 2 hoursNile Dinner Cruise with Hotel PickupThe easy option: hotel pickup in the price, a 2-hour buffet cruise, live music, tanoura and belly dance.★ 4.2 · 2 hours