Thanks, flybranchen:).

Cheers, mpkz:). Yes, quite a interesting place to spend a while. Make sure you come in winter though, as it apparently gets quite hot (40+C) in summer!

Many thanks, agp423, hopefully some more interesting trips to come in 2015:).

Thank you, halfcape:).

Cheers, gaobest:), Yes, was great to head back to Africa again after my Somalia trip.

Yes, they were really great to handle all the paperwork (entry permit/visa, travel & photo permit and arrival registration). They have some interesting stories on their wikipedia page too:): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acropole_Hotel

Thanks, FatnLoud, yes, was great having the pyramids to myself:). The people I met were very friendly and welcoming too.
Depends on how controversial your TR is:D.

ANOTHER (!!) exotic trip report. Amazing.

Thank you for this rare treat once again.

Great TR!
 

Hello, DanielW, great TR and great photos. I peeped your EXIF, I hope that's not a problem. I have your same camera and those same lenses. You are really quite talented, especially in the 16mm-35 mm range.

But what's it like to take the 70-200/2.8 into a country where you need a photography permit? There's no hiding that big white beast. Did anyone want to see your permit, other than the time outside the "egg" hotel? Did anyone in any official capacity care? Were the cops interested?

I've traveled extensively in China, and that's certainly a country where the officials still want to control the message fairly tightly. The trick there is to look like a tourist, not a journo or a dissident. But then again, more and more Chinese people are carrying FF gear with L glass these days, so I guess it's not that rare. (The motto to live by -- or the motto to not get your gear confiscated by -- is "never take a picture of a protest in Tian'anmen Square." But I digress.)

Anyway, very nice pics. The food looks tasty and the people look fantastic. Thanks for posting.

Cheers, bowdenj:).
Thank you, SAtraveller:).
Many thanks, prolixindec:). Yes, the 16-35mm is my 'go to' lens for travel. Bought it just over a year ago and has already been to 29 countries:).

I brought the 70-200mm along for the wrestling. Had no problems with it there and the police weren't worried about me taking lots of photo's. They wanted to look at it when it went through the airport x-ray when I arrived, but I think they just thought it was something more sinister though (drugs or bomb etc.).

No one actually asked for my permit, apart from at the checkpoints as a matter of formality for the trip up north to see the Pyramids etc. I did avoid taking photo's of sensitive things in Khartoum, i.e. govt ministries, the presidiential palace etc. so as no to get in trouble though. It definitely wasn't 'North Korea' level paranoia anyway.

oh gosh, so depressing.

Fantastic pics as usual. Thank you for sharing.

Still alot of conflict in Sudan (out west in Darfur and down south) so understandable I guess.

Many thanks, bodory :).

Great report and fabulous photography as always.

Stay safe...

DanielW you manage to surprise me every time with reports from countries of the world I'd think twice before visiting.
I wonder when will see a trip to the islamic state. :)

Another spectacular report on an exotic location DanielW, bravo.

My only question is where to next?

Many thanks, worldtraveller73:).

Thank you, themapelligroup:). As much as I am fascinated/shocked/disgusted by ISIS, that would be one trip I will leave to more inquisitive souls:).

Thanks, snabbu, all going to plan the next trip should be back to Africa, hopefully to Rwanda & DR Congo.

Quite a journey. Beautiful photographs.

Thanks for sharing.

Many thanks, NYBanker:).

photography permit
 

Hi Daniel,

lovely photos, as always - how easy was it to get a photography permit, and where did you get it from?

Thanks