Lake Nasser is a large artificial lake in southern Egypt, formed behind the Aswan High Dam on the Nile. It extends more than 500 kilometres into Sudan, and it ranks among the world's largest man-made bodies of water. For a visitor, it is as much a landscape as a destination: wide, quiet stretches of water set against desert and rock.
What to expect
The lake's waters are home to large Nile perch and crocodiles, so it appeals to anyone interested in wildlife and fishing as well as scenery. Its shores also hold ancient monuments that were relocated when the dam was built. The most famous of these is the temple complex of Abu Simbel, which is reached by travellers exploring the lake's surroundings.
Getting out on the water
Luxury cruise ships travel the lake, and this is one of the most comfortable ways to see it. A cruise gives a changing view of the water and the shoreline, and it offers a perspective on the region's Nubian landscape that is hard to get from the road. Visitors who prefer a slower pace can spend time simply watching the water and the light across the lake.
Planning your visit
- Lake Nasser is in Egypt, in the south of the country, and it runs into Sudan.
- Its size means most visitors experience it through a particular stretch, such as a cruise or a visit to a shoreline site.
- Plan around the sites you most want to see, since the lake's monuments and cruise routes are spread across a large area.
Lake Nasser suits travellers who enjoy big landscapes, wildlife and history linked to the Nile. It is a place to slow down, look out over the water and take in an unusual corner of Egypt and Sudan.