Cataracts of the Nile

The Cataracts of the Nile are six rapid sections along the river between Khartoum in Sudan and Aswan in Egypt, where the water rushes over granite boulders and between rocky islands. Each cataract displays a different arrangement of stones and currents, with some featuring wide sections scattered with blocks while others form narrow channels.

Egyptian pharaohs used the first cataract near Aswan as the southern frontier of their kingdom and built fortresses there to control trade. Later, Nubian kingdoms established their own settlements south of the second cataract and controlled trade routes between central Africa and the Mediterranean.

Local communities along the Sudanese cataracts still fish these turbulent waters using traditional basket traps and nets adapted to the strong currents. Nubian villages line the shores, their flat-roofed mud-brick homes blending into the rocky terrain.

Access to most cataracts is through unpaved riverside paths or by boat, with the first one near Aswan being the easiest to reach. The strong currents and uneven terrain require sturdy footwear and care when walking along the rocks.

The fourth cataract contains more than four hundred small islands that become visible during low water and create a maze of channels. Fishermen know special routes between these islands, passed down through generations.

Part of: Nile

GPS coordinates: 24.07800,32.87800

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:04