Nile Dinner Cruise Cairo: Belly Dancing & Buffet

Three hours on the Nile with live performances and an open buffet

A Nile dinner cruise in Cairo combines three hours of sailing with live belly dancing and Tanoura performances, an open buffet of Egyptian and international dishes, and hotel pickup and drop-off. The boat departs at 6:30 PM and returns around 10 PM, with a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, German or Portuguese. You pick from three vessel classes at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening Nile dinner cruise with entertainment

• Pick up from hotel at 6:30 PM
• Transfer to downtown Cairo by private vehicle
• Enjoy 2-hour Nile dinner cruise
• Watch belly dancing and Tanoura shows
• Dine on open buffet with desserts and fruits
• Transfer back to hotel at 10:00 PM

The experience

The cruise starts with pickup from your hotel at 6:30 PM in a private air-conditioned vehicle. A representative collects you and drives to downtown Cairo, where you board the Nile boat. The vessel operates as a floating restaurant: you move through an open buffet line with Egyptian specialties and international options, then settle at a table for the three-hour sail. The boat stays on the water while you eat, and the performances: belly dancing and Tanoura (a spinning dervish show), run throughout the evening. All taxes, fees and handling charges are built into the price, so there are no surprises at the end.

The boat returns to the dock around 10 PM, and the same vehicle takes you back to your hotel. Meeting points for group pickups are the Ramses Hilton in Cairo or the Emo Tours Egypt Office in Giza. You'll be told which one applies when you book. Traffic can add 30–45 minutes to the journey, though if the group fills up early, the vehicle leaves sooner. A live guide travels with the group and speaks English, Spanish, Italian, German or Portuguese depending on the booking.

Three vessel classes are available at checkout: the 5-star Pharaoh, the 5-star Maxim, and a 4-star option. Each is the same experience (the same route, the same buffet, the same shows), but the boat itself differs. Water and drinks are not included, nor is tipping. Bring cash if you want to add either.

What’s included

• Live belly dancing and Tanoura performances.
• open buffet dinner with Egyptian and international dishes.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.
• live guide in your choice of language.

Options for this experience

3 options

Nile cruise on a 4-star vesselGuide in 5 languages · 18:30Group transfer: 4-star. For group tour bookings, please allow a waiting time of roughly 15 to 30 minutes. Thank you for your patience. Pickup is included.

Deluxe 5-star option (Pharaoh)Guide in 5 languages · 17:00Deluxe 5-star, pickup is included

Luxury 5-star (Maxim)Guide in 5 languages · 19:00Luxury 5-star, includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 3h, runs every day at 17:00, 18:30 and 19:00, from US$ 38 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 17:00, 18:30 and 19:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Italian and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cairo Dinner Cruise

Is this one for you?Choose the 5-star Pharaoh or Maxim if you want a higher-end boat. The 4-star option delivers the same performances and buffet at a lower price. The fixed 6:30 PM departure and three-hour duration fit easily into an evening without cutting into the rest of your Cairo itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German, Italian and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of food is served on the Nile dinner cruise?

The buffet includes Egyptian specialties alongside international dishes, with desserts and fresh fruit. You serve yourself and eat at your table on the boat.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

Pickup from your hotel begins at 6:30 PM, and you return to the hotel around 10 PM after three hours on the water.

Can I choose which boat I sail on?

Yes. At checkout you pick from three classes: the 5-star Pharaoh, the 5-star Maxim, or a 4-star vessel. The itinerary and entertainment are the same on all three.

Is the hotel pickup guaranteed, or are there meeting points?

Hotel pickup is included. If you prefer to meet the group instead, the designated points are the Ramses Hilton in Cairo or the Emo Tours Egypt Office in Giza.

What performances happen during the cruise?

Belly dancing and Tanoura shows run throughout the evening. Tanoura is a traditional spinning dervish performance that is part of Egyptian cultural heritage.