1963 – The Story of an Authentic Egyptian Sandal

Long before Voile Sur le Nil was born, there was Amelia.

Built in 1963, Amelia is an authentic Egyptian Sandal, a traditional Nile sailing vessel originally used to transport materials and goods along the river.

For nearly forty years, stones, straw, sugar cane and other goods travelled aboard Amelia from one bank of the Nile to another.

As road transportation developed, these traditional vessels gradually lost their commercial role, and Amelia remained inactive for several years.

2009 – A New Life for Amelia

In 2009, we discovered Amelia and decided to give her a second life.

Our idea was not simply to restore an old boat. We wanted to preserve the soul of an authentic Egyptian Sandal while transforming her into an intimate, comfortable and unique way to experience the Nile.

For nearly eight months, Amelia was carefully redesigned and converted to welcome travellers.

Her hull, sails and traditional character were preserved, while comfortable cabins, private bathrooms, a lounge, a kitchen and welcoming living spaces were created on board.

2010 – The Birth of Voile Sur le Nil

In 2010, Amelia welcomed her first guests.

This was the beginning of Voile Sur le Nil.

From the very beginning, our idea was simple: to offer a different way of discovering Egypt and the Nile Valley.

No large cruise ships. No crowded groups. No impersonal travel experience.

With only four cabins and a maximum of eight guests, Amelia allowed us to focus on what would become the identity of Voile Sur le Nil: peaceful sailing, attentive service, a close relationship with the crew and a more intimate discovery of Egypt.

4 cabins • 8 guests • 2 sails • A different way to experience the Nile

A Different Way to Discover the Nile

From our very first cruises, we chose a different path.

To sail slowly, following the rhythm of the wind and the river.

To stop in places inaccessible to large cruise ships.

To discover villages, farmland, palm groves and the everyday Egypt that often remains unseen on conventional itineraries.

Wake up with the sunrise, enjoy breakfast on the Nile, visit ancient sites before the arrival of large groups, have lunch beneath the sails, watch fishermen and farmers along the riverbanks, and end the day with the sunset.

This way of travelling, already at the heart of the Amelia experience, became the philosophy of Voile Sur le Nil.

 Life Aboard Amelia

Amelia was small, but she had a soul.

Life on board unfolded without hurry: breakfast at sunrise, visits to archaeological sites, sailing with the wind, lunch on deck, an afternoon rest in the shade, Egyptian tea and long moments simply watching the banks of the Nile drift by.

In the evening, the deck became the heart of the boat: dinner, conversations, Egyptian music and sometimes simply the silence of the river.

From those first years, we understood that a memorable Nile cruise was not only about the boat or its comfort. It was above all about the moments shared and experienced on board.

Above All, a Human Adventure

From the beginning, Voile Sur le Nil has been, above all, a human adventure.

Guides, captains, chefs, sailors and stewards brought the Amelia experience to life.

A close relationship with our guests, the warmth of our crew and the feeling of being welcomed as a guest rather than simply treated as a customer have always been part of our identity.

Many travellers who stepped aboard Amelia during those early years returned home with much more than memories of a Nile cruise. They discovered another relationship with Egypt and with the people who bring the Nile to life.

The Amelia team during the early years of the Voile Sur le Nil adventure.

The Trust of Our Guests

Year after year, our guests placed their trust in us.

Some returned to Egypt to travel with us again. Others recommended the experience to their families, friends and travel agencies.

Their recommendations, testimonials and loyalty allowed our project to grow naturally over the years.

But growth never meant abandoning the spirit of our beginnings.

On the contrary, every new step was taken with the desire to preserve what had made Amelia so special: a limited number of guests, a close relationship with the crew, attentive service and a journey that gives travellers the time to truly experience the Nile.

From Amelia to a Fleet of Dahabiyas

What began in 2010 with a single Sandal gradually grew into a fleet of Dahabiyas sailing the Nile.

The boats became larger, comfort evolved and new experiences were created, but our founding idea remained unchanged.

Today, Voile Sur le Nil offers several Dahabiyas, each with its own character, style and atmosphere, yet all sharing the same philosophy:

Slow sailing, a limited number of guests, personalised service and a more authentic way to discover Egypt.

Amelia → Isadora  → Hypathia →  King Arthur → Taousert Taousert  El Amira → Taousert

Today – The Same Passion, a New Generation of Dahabiyas

More than fifteen years after Amelia's first cruises, our fleet has evolved.

Today's Dahabiyas offer more space, greater comfort and enhanced services while remaining faithful to the spirit that has guided us since our very first journey.

We still believe that travelling on the Nile should give you time.

Time to observe.

Time to meet.

Time to understand.

And above all, time to feel Egypt.

Amelia, Where It All Began

Amelia holds a very special place in our story.

She was not simply our first boat. She was where our way of travelling, welcoming guests and sharing the Nile was born.

It was aboard Amelia that the values that continue to guide every Voile Sur le Nil journey first took shape.

Amelia will always remain the first chapter of our story.

Your Turn to Become Part of the Story

Since 2010, travellers from around the world have shared with us a different way of experiencing the Nile.

Discover our Dahabiyas today and choose the one that will become part of your own journey through Egypt.