Saray El Nil Dahabiya

Saray El Nil is a rare 1882 heritage dahabiya (restored 2019) offering an elegant, intimate Nile sail with luxury cabins and a panoramic glass dining lounge on the sun deck.

Saray El Nil is an original and rare dahabiya built in 1882 and restored in 2019. She is thirty-three metres from stem to stern and six metres across the beam. She is five metres from the keel to the sun deck. As with all traditional dahabiyas, Saray el Nil is a two-master with a small stern sail. She has an original iron hull built in Scotland in 1882 and a hardwood sun deck, quarter deck and stern. Saray el Nil is towed by her tugboat, Saieed, when the wind is low, but otherwise, she sails upstream with the northerly winds. Below the spacious wooden sun deck are three double cabins 3 twin cabins with en-suites, and a large en-suite grand cabin with a private stern balcony. Beyond the Cabin entrance the captain’s quarters, and a modern fitted stainless steel kitchen. All guest cabins are fully furnished with luxury linens and covers. En-suite bathrooms have traditional showers and baths, mirrors and bespoke soaps, shampoos, towels etc. The construction of the interior is in keeping with the original heritage of the boat dating back to the late nineteenth century, and furnishings, artwork, and decorations (including restored hand-painted panelled rooms) wood and brass fittings have been restored to respect the heritage of the boat. Cabin windows are also original with glass, fly screens and louvred shutters. The sun deck is about twenty metres in length and six metres wide and has a variety of furnished areas including hand-made rattan tables and lounge chairs in the style of the 1920s. There is a bar area where guests can find fridges with cold soft drinks. The new addition to the sundeck is a glass room with air conditioning and heating for comfort for entertainment or dining. This enchanting room with 360-degree views of the Nile has a large dining table and seating for fourteen guests for fine dining, your chef to prepare brekeakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners as requested by guests.