Hello! It's Megumi (@meg_intheworld).
As someone who has explored more than 40 countries and lived as a digital nomad for nearly a decade, I thought I had a good understanding of how to navigate different cultures.
I was wrong. My recent trip to Egypt became a profound awakening.
My pre-trip research typically covers only the essentials: visa requirements, currency, SIM card, booking a hotel for the first few nights, and transport from the airport to the hotel. That’s it. I used to create very detailed travel itineraries for a week or two, but since I became a nomad, I simplified it. Just fly there and see the country, and then make a rough plan for a month when I get there. This approach has served me well because I can experience the place authentically, from my own perspective, rather than doing extensive research, adopting someone’s perspective, and following a “must-do list” which doesn’t excite me anyway.
So, I booked my flight to Egypt 5 days before and flew there with the basic research.
Unexpected Gender Awakening
A New Reality
For most of my life and travels, I rarely think about my gender.
Of course, I’m aware that I am a female. I know what to do and not to do to avoid any troubles as a female traveler – wearing appropriate clothing and avoiding walking alone at night in unfamiliar places.
As a Japanese woman, I have experienced gender gap issues and social expectations in both work and daily life. However, I could comfortably be myself without constantly thinking of my gender whether I was in Japan, the U.S., or most of the countries I’ve visited.
Egypt was different.
From the moment I arrived at the Cairo airport, I had to face the fact that I AM A FEMALE SOLO TRAVELER. I wasn’t just a tourist.
Transportation Struggles
From the moment I landed in Cairo, my gender became an immediate obstacle. Three Uber drivers canceled with blunt statements: “I’m sorry you are a woman” and “Cancel it. I don’t drive for a woman.” I wasn’t prepared for this because what I’d read about bad experiences at the airport was all about tourists being ripped off.
Standing there with my luggage under the dark sky, stunned by such direct discrimination, I felt I was done with this. I surrendered to the airport limousine service, paying triple the normal fare.
The next day brought similar challenges. Some Uber drivers rejected me, so I decided to try something I’d never done even in Bangkok or anywhere in the world —a motorbike Uber.
Predictably, the first driver refused me because of my gender. My reaction was like, “Sure, makes sense. I guess it’s more inappropriate riding a motorbike with someone of the opposite gender, even if it’s their job.” Then, another driver who looked like a 19-year-old and just got his first motorbike accepted my request. He didn’t speak English and seemed new to Uber, but at least he didn’t refuse me, so I hopped on his motorbike.
Honestly, it was a bit scary because he drove quite fast on the highway, but I made it to the Grand Egyptian Museum. This became one of my most memorable Uber experiences for sure. —it represented my first Uber in Egypt, my first motorbike Uber adventure, and my gratitude for the driver.
Later, I was fortunate to find another motorbike driver to go back to the hotel. Throughout the ride back with this driver, who spoke English and had friendly uncle vibes, I noticed the stares from local young men as they spotted an Asian woman on a motorbike. In that moment, I understood how animals in a zoo must feel—constantly observed, constantly foreign.
Sexually Harassed By A Tour Guide
On the third day, I visited Giza Pyramids. The hotel manager arranged a tour guide and a horse carriage for me, explaining, “Giza Pyramids are huge, it’s not walkable. Cars are not allowed inside the area, so you need to take a horse or a camel anyway. It’s better to have a guide in advance to protect you from others. The guide will be your guard.”
The hotel staff were all friendly and kind, so I trusted his recommendation and booked a 2-hour tour.
Then what happened? I was sexually harassed by the very guide who was supposed to protect me.
From the beginning, his behavior was inappropriate. “Today, you make me happy, ok?” he said. Initially, I thought he simply didn’t speak English well, but I was wrong. Throughout our tour, he asked uncomfortable sexual questions and talked about his personal life in explicit detail.
For the first 30 minutes, I remained patient, holding back my anger. Who wants to get upset at a historical site, in front of the Pyramids, on a beautiful morning?
However, when he said “You are beautiful. Why don’t you get married? You can be my third wife. I’m strong at night, I can satisfy you”, I knew I needed to speak up.
“No, I’m not interested.” I said firmly. “Could you stop talking about sexual topics, PLEASE? I’m here to enjoy the Pyramids, not for sexual conversation. I don’t want to hear any of this.”
“Ok, sorry,” he said and explained very basic information about pyramids for a minute which I already knew, then he became quiet.
When we reached a photo spot, he commanded “Get off. Give me your phone” and he took some pictures of me. Then he insisted I ride a camel even though I had already told him I wasn’t interested in riding a camel.
I just wanted to finish “the tour” or whatever I was doing, so I rode a camel. The camel guy was also a scammer and asked me to pay 200 EGP for a 2-minute ride and two pictures. (FYI: The government set a fixed price of 500 EGP for 1 hour for foreign tourists.) Before I paid the camel guy, my “tour guide” said “Pay me, not him!” Those two teamed up to scam me, but I wasn’t that stupid.
After the not-fun camel ride, the guide started talking about sexual topics, how he’s popular with foreign female tourists. I had to remind him again to stop.
I found myself thinking, “Why do I have to protect myself from a guide I hired? As the hotel manager said guides are supposed to protect tourists from aggressive men.”
At the end of “the tour”, the guide asked me for a tip. “Do you think you deserve to receive it?” I asked. He fell silent, biting his nails like a 5-year-old boy and looked away. So, I got off the carriage, thanked the horse, and left. (I wish I could tip only the horse!)
I was so disappointed and exhausted. I didn’t know why I was even there anymore and was disappointed in myself for choosing to come to Egypt and the pyramids.
Saved By Camel Men
Standing alone, devastated and looking at the pyramids, I was approached by a camel guide with the familiar pitch: “Hello, are you from Japan? You want to ride a camel? I like Japanese, Japanese are very nice. I can give you special price.”
I looked at him and said, “No, thank you. I just did a horse carriage tour and it was terrible. So, no thanks,” with a forced smile.
“Oh, what happened?” he asked gently. I fell silent because I didn’t know what to say, especially to a man who works in the same industry in the same area. Would he even understand how I feel? Then, suddenly tears came out unconsciously.
The camel man approached me with concern. “What happened? Tell me. Come here and sit down.” He offered me a bottle of water, which I gently declined—I couldn’t trust any men in Giza at that moment.
As I stood there looking at the pyramids through blurred vision, another camel man appeared with tissues. Soon, three more joined, all asking with genuine concern: “What happened? Tell us. Who was the guide? We need to know. Do you have his picture? Which hotel are you staying at?”
Looking back, it was quite an odd situation. An adult female tourist crying, surrounded by five camel men and their camels at one of the world’s most famous landmarks. (What’s wrong with this adult…! lol)
They were kind enough to listen to what happened, expressed anger on my behalf, and even called my hotel to report what happened. I was surprised how quickly they identified my hotel despite my vague description.
Of course, it’s possible that they were nice to me because I could be a potential customer, but they genuinely tried to understand me, respect my feelings, and ultimately made me smile.
One camel man offered me a free camel ride to override the negative experience. Another showed me his family’s photos and videos and shared stories about his life,
Their kindness was a powerful reminder that “There are good people and bad people in any country.”
In that moment of vulnerability, these unexpected allies helped me see the genuine warmth that exists in Egypt.
The Reality for Female Travelers in Egypt
That night, lying alone on my hotel bed, I questioned myself, “Was it my fault?” “Was I just ignorant?” Anyone who has experienced sexual harassment or gender discrimination might understand this feeling—victims often tend to blame themselves for what happened.
I had planned to stay in Egypt for a month, but by the third day, I already felt emotionally drained.
Who could I even talk to about this? Sharing with my friends felt too heavy, telling my family would only make them worry. I felt I had to deal with it alone because this is part of the solo female trip experience, after all.
Fortunately, I had my Instagram community—friends and long-time followers. Posting on Instagram Stories allowed me to ask their opinions without addressing anyone directly.
The next morning, I received incredibly warm and supportive comments from friends living all around the world. Picturing each of their faces made me feel less alone. Their kindness meant so much to me. Thank you friends♡
Later in my trip, I met other female travelers who shared their own stories of harassment in Egypt.
After returning home, I did some research and found the following data:
- 13 teenage boys arrested on suspicion of harassing two female foreign tourists at the Giza pyramids. (BBC, 2022)
- 62% of Egyptian women experienced sexual harassment in public spaces within the past year, and 35% of foreign women reported harassment during their stay in Egypt (Arab Barometer Wave V, 2018-2019)
- United Nations study, 99.3% of Egyptian women report having been sexually harassed. For foreign women, 98% report experiencing sexual harassment while in Egypt, with 52.3% facing it on a daily basis.（United Nations Woman, 2013）
My unpreparedness wasn’t about lacking travel skills—I knew how to dress modestly and respect local customs. Rather, I was unprepared for a society where my gender would so profoundly influence how I was perceived and treated.
Traveling Solo as a Female is a Privilege
I feel like I was naive that I didn’t realize until now, but traveling solo as a female is a privilege in some countries. I definitely felt that when I visited India and Sri Lanka in 2018.
Female solo travelers I’ve met are mostly from Europe, America, Australia, China or Japan.
In Egypt, it is not common for women to travel alone, and going out without a male escort or with other women is often not considered appropriate. As a result, foreign women traveling solo may be perceived as unusual or even inappropriate.
The freedom to travel solo that I had taken for granted was suddenly revealed as a privilege not universally available or accepted.
Lesson Learned: Consider Group Travel
After my negative experience in Giza, I adjusted my approach. I joined group tours in Luxor and from Aswan to Abu Simbel and shared transportation with another female solo traveler in Siwa.
If any of my female friends ask for advice about traveling solo to Egypt, I would recommend going with your partner, friends or family if possible or joining local tours to avoid harassment and other difficulties.
Embracing the Full Experience
I want to be clear: my intention isn’t to criticize Egyptian culture or traditions. As a traveler, I always seek to understand and respect local norms. This is simply my honest story of what I experienced as a female traveler.
Despite the unpleasant experiences, Egypt has become one of my favorite countries. Its incredible history, breathtaking landscapes, and most importantly, its kind-hearted people made a lasting impression on me. Egyptian women, in particular, greeted me with lovely smiles and sweet gestures.
For the first time in my decade as a nomad, I had to navigate a society as a woman first, and a traveler second. This new experience opened my eyes to different realities.
Every journey teaches us something new, but Egypt taught me something profound about myself. It challenged me to think about gender, privilege, and cultural differences in ways I hadn’t experienced before.
I’m deeply grateful for this journey through Egypt, with all its ups and downs. And yes, I look forward to visiting Egypt again! 🙂
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