Mix-up with driver not at airport upon arrival. It was not summer so my not being able to turn on AC wasn’t a big deal. Host is laid-back so you have to ask for what you want.

Peaceful and laid-back environment where one can chill. After request, excursions were arranged. Highlight was the felucca ride! This is in a non-commercial “Nubian Village.” I enjoyed a fish dinner. Also, sitting on the bank of the Nile is indescribable.

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing!!

Kafanas guest house is a little slice of paradise. From the moment we booked it was a relaxing experience. Kafana picked us up on his boat directly from the cruise ship, this was all a very smooth process. His communication is excellent. The location is so beautiful in a very peaceful spot overlooking the botanical garden. It’s very easy to explore the island on foot from this guest house. The room is very comfortable with breathtaking views, good wifi and a hot shower. The food was delicious! Kafana is a beautiful man ready to share many jokes and ensure you have a great stay. We were sad to leave!

Stayed in March 2025

The location is amazing, right next to the Nile in a particularly beautiful spot for sunsets. It is serene and welcoming. The food is home made and quite good available any time. The rooms were simple and perfect with comfortable beds, lots of outlets, hot water, and very clean. Kafana is charming! He and his staff did everything to make us comfortable and happy, and we sat comfortably on the Nike’s edge for hours. It is excellent value for the money and we stayed longer than planned. He arranged for a driver to Luxor whom we also loved.

Stayed in March 2025

Awesome place, quiet, Kafana is an absolutely incredible host. The nubian food served is delicious and excursions you can ask to organize have good prices and are really great.

Stayed in February 2025

The shower can be a little tricky for folks not used to it. You need to squeegee after you take a shower. Lots of hot water and good water pressure however.

We had the most incredible stay at Kafana Guest House in Aswan! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and genuine hospitality that made us feel like family. The host is truly exceptional—an honest, kind-hearted person who goes above and beyond to ensure his guests have the best possible experience. Unlike many places, there were no hidden fees, no commissions, and no tourist traps—just pure dedication to quality service. What truly sets Kafana apart is the host’s unwavering commitment to his guests. He personally advocated for us at every step, ensuring we got the best experiences at the best prices, whether it was arranging tours, transportation, or local experiences. His only priority was making sure we had an unforgettable time in Aswan. And the food—absolutely phenomenal! Every meal was prepared with care, using fresh, flavorful ingredients that made it some of the best food we had in Egypt. And believe me, I know. I grew up in upper Egypt. If you’re a food lover, Kafana Guest House is a hidden gem you cannot miss. If you’re looking for a place in Aswan that feels like home, with top-notch hospitality, honest recommendations, and amazing food, this is the place to stay. We left with not just wonderful memories but also a deep appreciation for the kindness and integrity of our host. Highly, highly recommend!

Stayed in February 2025

Beautiful view of the nile and sand dunes from the patio, great people who run the place, peaceful and quiet. I hope to be back!

Stayed in January 2025

There’s nothing I did not like about the guest house. However, for people with mobility issue, the stairs may be a problem, and getting in and out of the boat, . The ferry dock is at the east side of the island, the guest house is at the west side, we took the boat from the guest house on arrival and departure day because we have luggages. To get from the ferry to the guest house we had to walk across the island through a real nubian village.

The guest house is at the quieter side of the elephant island facing the botanical garden. Kafa and his staff made us feel at home, they took good care of us. I wish we had more time there to explore the island. Delicious rustic home cooking. We ate both breakfast and dinner there. Literally the best food we had in Egypt. We had the best mango juice and the best tagine there. Kafa communicated with us through WhatsApp a few days prior to our check in day, I cannot eat gluten and my son has nut allergy, he accommodated our dietary restrictions. If going in the winter time, I would recommend bring a hat and a scarf because sitting outside for breakfast and dinner does get chilly. There is a big heater in the room for the chilly nights, very comfortable. unforgettable experience in a real nubian house. We booked the triple room upstairs and one double downstairs, the triple room upstairs is big with million dollar view,much bigger than the downstairs double room.

Stayed in December 2024

Fantastic location, excellent food,home cooked, Wahil and Kafana going all the way to help you.memorable stay

Stayed in January 2025

It's difficult to find fault!

We enjoyed our stay very much and would have gladly stayed longer had a room been available. Do book in advance for more than one day if you want a rest from sightseeing. Please note that this is one of the best located accommodation in my opinion because of its Nile view on the West side of the island. (On the East you get a grand view of the city and it's skyline if that's your preference) of Elephantine Island and had just 3 rooms. This simple, pleasant accommodation has a shady covered seating area where ready meals are served. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the offer to collect us from the station and to bring us free of charge to the accommodation via their own boat. Kafana communicated with us really efficiently while we were in the train approaching Aswan which was impressive and the first time in my long history of travelling that I have received such an attentive service to my needs. I congratulate Kafana and his team on their service. You can contact him via WhatsApp and he replies quickly. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff. We had the chance to learn interesting information from Wael which was interesting and he generally invited us to a local wedding..

Stayed in December 2024

Beautiful views from the terrace and calm location, perfect to relax. Wael and the team were great hosts and makes you feel at home.

Stayed in December 2024

Location and the people who work there and own it.

Stayed in December 2024

Really only the shower being close to the toilet. Didn't bother us, but good to keep in mind.

One of these special places where you feel welcome from the first second on. Kafana goes above and beyond making your stay super pleasant. The rooms are spacious and clean. Hot water and good water pressure in the shower. We booked tours and transportation with him and everything was super fair priced, well organized and flexible. Kafana managed everything. Their food is also absolutely 10/10 and eating it with the view you have from there is gonna be a highlight of your Aswan trip

Stayed in December 2024

Perfect guest house in Elephantine Island. Simple, clean, and comfortable rooms with exceptional service. Great breakfast, welcome boat transfer with easy pickup. Wyatt, Kafana, Moustafa, and Hazem take great care and pride in providing a great experience from beginning to end. Highly recommended! Even the custom tours are offered at a good/fair price. Awesome Nile view of the botanic garden.

Stayed in December 2024

Nothing. All good!

Kafana Guesthouse on Elephantine Island was a perfect place to experience the local people and their culture. It is a family fun guest house with only three rooms. They have food you can order for your meals. We had breakfast and dinner and both were delicious. One of the family memebers took us on a local walk around the area. We saw a school house, a man with a loom making pretty scarves either silk, cotton or linen. I bought a pink linen scart for $16. We aslo went to a spice shop where I bought saffron and other spices. It was like having a private guide. Kafana Guest house is lovely. You can sit outside having breakfast looking at the boats on the Nile. We highly recommend staying here. Great value, friendly and hospitable family.

Stayed in December 2024

Shower coud be improved

We spent 3 nights at Kafanas, it was so relaxing and welcoming. Kafana and his crew are fantastic. Shukram and see you soon agayn

Stayed in November 2024

This property was on Elephantine Island, right on the Nile overlooking a serene Mountain View in the distance. It was a guest house with very friendly owners, who made you feel at home. The rooms were clean with views out to the Nile. Guest House only has four rooms so made for a quiet atmosphere. The breakfast was amazing… Homemade by a local Nubian woman. You could walk to the public ferry in about seven minutes and I was helped a couple of times by the local islanders. People were friendly, and I felt very comfortable.

Stayed in November 2024

Could’ve had more pillows

Kafana is a legend

Stayed in November 2024

Although not important for me be aware, as stated in other reviews, bathroom is quite simple.

We had a wonderful time staying at Kefana Guest House. In common with most other travellers we loved the owners warm welcome, its amazing location and stunning views. Particular highlights for us were the tour of Elephantine Island by Wael, the great food and the boat transfers by Mustafa who dropped us off/picked up from the east and west banks and, Kitchener Island.

Stayed in November 2024

Second stay at Kafana. Liked the place very much. It's so peaceful.

Stayed in October 2024

They treat you like family here and make it an unforgettable experience.

Stayed in October 2024

Quiet location with beautiful view, very sweet rooms and a friendly atmosphere, host is very happy to help with tours and advice. Clean and comfortable, with great facilities and food.

Stayed in October 2024

Perfect ! Incredible view on the Nile and on the West Bank. Far from the noise and the lights from Aswan but still reachable in no time, it is the perfect compromise. The rooms are great, the food is delicious and the staff is very nice. Wael is very generous and helped us organize our trip, booked boats and cars to Philæ, Abu Simbel and the West Bank. He accompanied us on our tour of the island and helped us when we needed. He knows the region very well and everybody on the island knows him. Overall, it couldn’t have been better. Staying on elephantine is a must, way better than downtown and the West side is best for the views and tranquility !

Stayed in October 2024

The staff is dedicated to ensuring guests have a good experience, even following up after your stay. Just a heads-up that if you prefer complete privacy or minimal interaction, this level of attentiveness might feel a bit much (especially for people from certain cultures).

Everyone was really nice and very helpful. The rooms were great (and the only nice shower I've had in all of Egypt). Wael picked us up from the train station, arranged everything for us for a good price and made sure that everything went smoothly. The food was also really great. Would highly recommend staying here!

Stayed in October 2024

Only improvement I would recommend would be to back off a little on the offerings and family mentions. For some travellers they may need a place to relax without any pressure, as kind as the offer might be. There's been a few guest houses we stayed at our trip to egypt that also mentioned treating you as family but it can be more pressure, and come off as insincere, rather than just saying that you will treat guests well. We still enjoyed our stay and would recommend the place to people for a great sunset view, the quiet, and abundant hospitality.

Had a great time on elephantine island for a few nights stay. A pickup from the docks was arranged and done by Wael. He gave a small talk about the surrounding area and showed us the Nubian island we were staying at. The rooms had everything you would need and they offered meals for a reasonable price if you wanted. Wael was great in setting up a driver and ferry boat so we could see the Philae temple and unfinished obelisk. It saved us a lot of planning and headache since we've read that arranging a price, especially for the ferry, could be a bit tough.

Stayed in October 2024