Sehel Island (Famine Stela)
جزيرة سهيل
A granite island in the First Cataract region of the Nile, where more than 200 ancient inscriptions are carved into the rocks, the most famous being the Famine Stele.
Sehel Island lies in the First Cataract region south of Aswan. Ancient officials and caravans traveling south carved numerous inscriptions into its rocks. The Famine Stele dates to the Ptolemaic period and tells the legend of King Djoser, who turned to the god Khnum for help after the Nile failed to flood for seven years. The island also has a Nubian village that can be visited together with Gharb Soheil. Admission is charged in Egyptian pounds and prices are subject to change, so check on site. You must charter a boat to get there, and it sees very few visitors.
Opening hours
About 08:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Nubian Village (Gharb Soheil)
- Nubian Museum
- Sofitel Legend Old Cataract
- Unfinished Obelisk
- Elephantine Island
- Mausoleum of Aga Khan III
- Philae Temple (Temple of Isis)
- Monastery of St. Simeon