Follow Joanna Lumley down the Nile with Imaginative Traveller

Tonight in the UK, Joanna Lumley starts her ambitious journey down the length of the Nile, from mouth to source, travelling through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda. 

Having started out in Egypt, Imaginative Traveller offer a fair few trips down the Nile, by private cruise boat or the traditional felucca sailing vessel.  Russell Morling from our Marketing Department had this to say about his Nile experience:

"I really had no preconceived ideas about what I was going to experience – would it be a dirty, smelly, cramped cruise on a noisy, crowded River Nile. Or would it be the serene, relaxing experience that I’d read about in books and seen on TV?

As I’m not a ‘5-star’ sort of person, I was hoping the MS Melodie wasn’t going to be too upmarket, but would be comfortable and fun! On embarkation I was shown to my cabin – which was clean and airy, with more than enough room to make myself comfortable. I immediately felt amazingly relaxed aboard what would be my home for the next few days.

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and did everything they could to make me feel at home. The dining arrangements were explained and our itinerary was outlined, but other than that, there was no regimented ‘procedure’ to follow, which made for an extremely relaxed atmosphere.

I’d been wondering what the food would be like but when we went for lunch in the spacious dining room, I was amazed at the great selection of food available – loads of fresh bread, fruit, pasta and rice dishes and a selection of two or three hot dishes – there was plenty to suit all tastes.

At the end of the cruise a galabia party was held to celebrate our last night on board. It was a magical experience seeing everyone dressed in traditional Egyptian attire and is another moment that will live with me for the rest of my life.

Saying goodbye to the Melodie the next morning was quite a sad experience, as it had been my home from home and I had become extremely attached to the staff and the whole environment – it was quite simply fantastic!!!

My overlying memory was just standing on the sundeck, watching the world go by.  It was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life and something I’ll definitely repeat when I get the chance.If you’ve any doubts about a Nile cruise with Imaginative Traveller, please take it from me that there’s nothing to be concerned about. The Melodie is by no means a 5-star Nile cruiser, but the staff are amazing, the food is plentiful and the atmosphere aboard is second-to-none."

Russell followed our River and Reef tour

Read more about our Nile cruises by viewing all our trips to Egypt here.