Riverboats at anchor in Aswan, Egypt.
The Nubian Village in Aswan, Egypt, is famous for its bright houses and kind people. However, many travelers visit for a more thrilling reason: the chance to hold a live baby crocodile.
Crocodiles hold a sacred place in Nubian culture. Here is what you need to know about this unique, hands-on (we hope!) experience.
A Living Ancient Tradition
Nubian people have a deep connection to the Nile River. In ancient Egypt, the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was worshiped as Sobek, the god of fertility and pharaonic power.
Today, Nubian families continue this old tradition by keeping crocodiles in their homes as symbols of protection and good fortune.
Of course, they only keep immature ones. A mature male Nile crocodiles can measure 11 to 16 feet in length and can weigh up to 1,600 pounds. Specimens are released into the river above the high dam long before they reach this size.
Crocodiles in a tiled pit inside the courtyard of a Nubian home. These fellows measure 3 to 4 feet in length. As a rough estimate, young crocodiles grow about one foot per year of life.
The Experience: Holding a Baby Crocodile
When you walk into a traditional mud-brick Nubian home, you will often find a secure, tiled pit in the courtyard. Inside are crocodiles of various sizes.
The handlers will safely bring out a baby crocodile for you to hold.
The Feel: Their skin is surprisingly cold, dry, and heavily textured with hard scales.
The Weight: Even a small crocodile feels dense and muscular in your hands.
The Safety: Handlers may hold the snout closed with their fingers (!) or clamp the maw with a rubber band. We opted for “the rubber band method” in case I want to play the violin someday.
The “crocodile whisperer” at work.
How to Visit
The best way to experience this is by taking a scenic motorboat or felucca ride from Aswan across the Nile to Gharb Soheil, the most famous Nubian Village. Local families open their homes to travelers, often offering hibiscus tea, answering questions about local life, and offer crocodile viewing/handling.
We plan to be back in Egypt four times in 2027. Group excursions are planned for Jan 1-9, Jan 22-Feb 3, Mar 30-Apr 8, and Oct 19-28. Seats are available. To learn more about these or other trips with Bible Land Explorer, follow the link here. Discover the place where faith begins!