Wind Sand & Stars has been operating in the South Sinai region for over 25 years. Safety is our top priority and we would not consider travelling without having confidence in the security and wellbeing of everyone in our care. We carefully assess the security situation before and during each trip that we run, maintaining a professional, cautious and conservative approach.

All Wind Sand & Stars groups travel with our experienced ground handlers, with whom we have been working since the company began. They are well known and respected throughout South Sinai. They employ experienced and trusted local drivers, using licensed tourist vehicles. We have built up extensive local knowledge over many years, based on a strong relationship with the Bedouin communities of South Sinai in whose land we travel. We have been working with the same families throughout our operating history.

We are proud of our impeccable safety record. Most importantly, on their return clients tell us they felt relaxed and fully able to  enjoy themselves in the very capable hands of our ground handlers.

We continue to monitor events closely and always strive to secure objective and accurate information. Should any local situation become a concern, Wind Sand & Stars would react as necessary to ensure the safety of any group, working in collaboration with our ground handlers and the appropriate authorities, keeping all parties informed.

FCO Travel Advice

As an experienced operator, Wind Sand & Stars is well placed to make an informed judgement on journeys through the South Sinai desert, including the World Heritage Site of St Catherine’s Monastery. As well as keeping abreast of local and international news reports, we receive regular updates from our network of reliable contacts on the ground. We have an open dialogue with the British Embassy staff in Cairo and take note of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice. We recognise that the FCO Travel Advice is there to guide all tourists who may not have the benefit of prior experience or local knowledge. There are occasions that our local assessments of threats to travel within some specific areas of South Sinai differ to that of the FCO and we would not necessarily cancel a journey based solely on the FCO advice against non-essential travel to that particular area.

There is a heightened risk of terrorism globally and this includes Egypt, where the FCO considers that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks.

Please be aware of the key points below in the FCO Travel Advice for Egypt. We strongly recommend that you consult their advice in full: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

• The FCO currently advise against all but essential travel to the Governorate of South Sinai apart from Sharm el Sheikh.
• On 18th April 2017 a police officer was killed at a security checkpoint near Saint Catherine’s Monastery.
• Most terrorist attacks in Egypt target the government, security forces and minority groups including Coptic Christians, but foreigners have also been targeted. Most attacks are in northern Sinai, but other areas including South Sinai and Cairo have also been affected.
• The Egyptian authorities maintain a significant security presence across the country, including armed security officers stationed at important sites, critical infrastructure, and road checkpoints. Extra measures are in place at tourist sites.

Please do not hesitate to contact us prior to booking if you would like to further discuss any aspect of safety.