It was a very authentic experience, from the space on the boat to the activities around. Abdo is someone who is truly interested in sharing his experience and the best of the region. He also helped us find an excellent option for a Nile cruise on a Dahabiya and made my husband's birthday a truly special evening. Thank you for everything, and I hope that wonderful people like you continue to come to your houseboat.

Stayed in April 2025

Abdo is the best host ever! We had a great experience! Aswan is an amazing city, 1000% we will return. You can write Abdo in advance and ask for boat transfer to Botanical garden, Nubian village. And car transfer to Aswan dam and other places. To plan your comfortable stay. One night in Aswan is not enough, I recommend minimum 2 - 3. Best wishes Abdo! We hope to see you again❤️

Stayed in March 2025

The room was a bit small (especially for tall people) but this was clear from the outset. So nothing to complain about.

Very unique experience, Abdo is amazing and we had the whole boat to ourselves. The view overlooking the Botanical Garden Island and the West Bank is mesmerising. Also, there was no noise from boats (as described in previous reviews).

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing

Privacy, cleanliness, location

Stayed in January 2025

Wash room is manageable since it is a lower deck of a boat. The experience is really ! You won’t get the hotel like comfort but beds are nice and cozy. From the pier to the boat is a 5-7 mins walk in with the village and if you have too many luggage it’s a struggle. While going back host arranged us a ferry to drop us directly to Aswan dock so that we don’t have to struggle with the luggage.

The location of the boat is nice. The view is also nice from the boat. Host is very helpful. He arranged Nubian village tour for us and also felluca ride. The food was really tasty.

Stayed in December 2024

Abdu was an excellent host! He helped us visit all the sites we wanted to see and put us contact with great local operators. The houseboat is great, a nice calming location to enjoy the Nile after a day of exploring Aswan.

Stayed in November 2024

The boat is a really peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Aswan. Abdo is really friendly and helpful in getting anything you need!

Stayed in November 2024

Nothing

Excellent location on the Nile river. A private boat perfect for a family. Had two rooms and two bathrooms on the lower deck. Upper deck had a relaxation area and breakfast. Excellent views.

Stayed in September 2024

Seriously nothing:)

I had a fantastic time staying with abdul! The nile is the heart of aswan, and what could be a better way to experience the nile than staying on a boat that offers the most scenic view??!! I had very good sleep. The room and hot shower were great. i woke every day to the river view, had my morning dip, abdul was so nice to get breakfast sandwiches and make tea for me. He will take me to local families for lunch and sometimes we just order food and eat on his boat. I really enjoyed doing nothing just chilling on the boat:p Abdul is the best host and a really good friend to have fun and great conversation with. He knows everyone on the island. No matter what activities you want to do, he’s able to connect you with the right folks with very very fair price. I look forward to coming back!! Don’t hesitate! Book this place and you’ll have a memorable time❤️

Stayed in October 2024

We had an incredible experience staying here. Abdo, the owner, was unbelievably helpful, organizing everything and connecting us with reliable people. The boat was spacious, comfortable, with great facilities, and its quiet location right on the Nile made for a priceless, peaceful stay.

Stayed in October 2024

Very little not to like! It is a houseboat, which means the rooms are smaller than those in a house or hotel, but they are comfortable and have everything you need. It's also great to hang out in the shade on the upper deck.

Comfortable, quiet location on the Nile, good service. Abdul is very friendly and helpful. The sunset tour is highly recommended, as well as the Aswan Museum on the island, which is an UNESCO archaeological site. Botanical gardens are also lovely and quiet. It's also possible to swim near the boat, which is great!

Stayed in September 2024

Abdulah was an amazing host. He picked us up direct from the pier and drove us to the houseboat. We drank a tea together and he showed us around the island a bit. I had a 4am tour to Abu Simbal the next day and Abdulah helped to organize the pickup for me to make the tour on time. On the second day, Abdulah took us and the other guests on a boat ride to a Nubian Village, to the botanical gardens across from the boat, and to a beautiful viewpoint to watch the sunset. Abdulah was always available for us and whatever we needed. Thanks for everything Abdulah! We had an amazing time!

Stayed in September 2024

The noise loud music coming from some boats in the night and in the mornings.But that is not the respnsibillity of the owner and is the same for most propertis on Elefantine island.

Owner of the property Abdulah was very friendly and helpfull. He helped to explore the city, organised the driver and teke us with his boat to places on right nak of the river.

Stayed in April 2024

It makes all the places I stayed at less good, including some fancy ones

Everything. Front wheel beginning you feel like a guest and he is an incredibly kind host. There 2 rooms on the boat. Staying on the Nile on a quiet island with regular ferry (every 10min from 6am to midnight). Abdul is always around to help you with anything and makes your trip easy: last minute kayak booking, late arrival, early booking, felucca booking, airport pickup with kind driver, regular use of his smaller motorboat, breakfast at the time you choose. He is always on WhatsApp. You get all the convenience you want and more at the most reasonable cost you can imagine. My friend and I travelled the world for work and leisure and this is the first property I take time to review.

Stayed in February 2024

The stay at Abdu’s houseboat was nothing but mind blowing. I stayed in the houseboat for 5 days with my mother. Abdu did not help us arrange everything in terms of tours (to Filae, Abu Simbel, a Nubian village, the botanical garden and more) and activities (Falluca sailing, Zaraha sand meditation, bird watching trip, exploring the Souk, swimming in the Nile, transfer to Luxor via Edfu and Kom Ombo and more), he also helped us with his second smaller boat to get everywhere, assimilate to the local culture by clothing and customs, cooked for us (he also made sure all food was well washed), helped us donate goods and clothes to the local school, and assisted us in getting tickets for the night train from Luxor to Caïro and simcards). His houseboat has everything you need for an authentic stay. Our cabin was spacious enough for the two of us and had an amazing view over the Elephantine Island. The terraces was facing the beautiful botanical garden on Kitchener Island. Due to the placement of the boat you have some shade in the morning and you can enjoy the sunset in the evening. If you look for a real experience and want to dive in the culture and day to day livestyle on the Nile, the boat is definitely something for you. We are truly great full for our experience and can definitely recommend a stay on this lovely houseboat!

Stayed in December 2023

The boat is amazing and Abdel is the nicest host! He took us birdwatching in the morning and explained everything to us. You can also do cruises with him and go to Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna. His small boat will bring you to all the nice places in Aswan. Really recommend and a authentic experience. Go for a walk with him on Elephantine Island to see more of the daily live in Aswan. Don’t hesitate and just book, you won’t regret it!

Stayed in January 2024

The boat is clean and cosy , perfect if you are looking for a quieter experience away from the noise . Abd is very welcoming and helpful and he also makes a great breakfast . We stayed at 8 other locations during our stay in Egypt and the stay on the boat is by far our favourite.

Stayed in December 2023

While initially searching for a Nile cruise, I was hesitant about the big cruise boats due to numerous reviews pointing out issues with hygiene and the overall experience. This led me to explore other options, where I discovered Houseboat Hotel and Nile Cruises Zainoba. Immediately after booking, I received a message from Abdul. He asked me to contact him on WhatsApp, where we discussed various cruise options. Originally, we planned a three-day journey from Aswan to Luxor, but given the time constraints, it wasn't feasible. Abdul skillfully proposed an alternative plan to disembark at Edfu, arranging a car to Luxor from there. Upon check-out at our Aswan hotel, Abdul and his crew were ready at the docks. Their friendliness was outstanding, assisting us with our luggage and providing a detailed tour of the boat along with our travel itinerary. To our delight, they even arranged wine for each dinner on board! The cruise itself was relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable. The crew frequently engaged with us, sharing laughs and conversations, enhancing the experience. We were treated to three delicious local meals daily, and they always ensured we had everything we needed. The rooms were surprisingly spacious and comfortable. Each night, the boat would anchor at small islands along the Nile, resuming its journey post-breakfast. I am extremely pleased that we chose Abdul's boat over the larger commercial cruise ships. It was an unforgettable experience that I highly recommend to anyone seeking a unique and personal Nile cruise!

Stayed in November 2023

Abdul was a great host, super friendly and accommodating to whatever we needed for our trip, from the moment of pickup at the marina on his boat to the moment of drop off as we departed, we felt we were in good hands. We had a great time hanging out with him on the boat after our tours with such great views of the Nile River. We really enjoyed taking a boat cruise with him through Aswan.

Stayed in June 2023

Nothing to complain about, it was all perfect

amazing place if you are looking for an intimate time right on the nile river. The host is amazing the room is ver confortable and very clean, on the river side of Elephantine island.

Stayed in April 2023

we loved being on a boat. we found the room spacious, clean and charming and the boat beautiful. Our host Abdelshakour was always available, sociable, funny, kind and accommodating. We got to meet his family and felt welcomed on the island. it is an atypical stay and we loved that.

Stayed in April 2023

The owner is very friendly and helpful. We've had the best time staying with him and really enjoyed the iftar dinner he cooked for us. It felt like being around a friend's place 🙏 it's a great location. Would always recommend!!

Stayed in April 2023

Owner is great, with really passion for dealing with customer.

Stayed in March 2023

Our stay in Aswan was quite nice. The boat was docked at a tranquil port on an island, which, though compact, had all the necessary amenities. The cruise along the river was truly impressive, Our host proved to be reliable and helpful, willing to arrange anything requested.

Stayed in March 2023