Sometimes your kids just need to jump, swing, and slide.
We were having one of those days about five years ago when a friend suggested we try out Dragon Island in Maadi. Nestled deep within what is now The Field, Dragon Island featured a multi-level ropes course and a variety of inflatable “bouncy houses.” It was win-win. The kids bounced their backsides off and I got to chat with a friend.
Dragon Island disappeared from the area shortly thereafter, probably to make room for what is now a full-service sports complex. We only just recently located the new Dragon Island when visiting the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Old Cairo. Take a stroll in the exceptional gardens behind the NMEC and you’ll spot the two-storey high ropes structure in the distance across Ayn el-Sira Lake.
Access to the lake alone makes a trip to Dragon Island worth the time. The area surrounding the lake has undergone a facelift in the last few years due to a governmental effort to boost tourism. The lake is natural, formed by a spring situated right in the middle of Old Cairo. You can rent a little boat at Dragon Island and take it out on the lake. I dare you to row all the way across to the NMEC…see if you can make it!
As for the high ropes, my kids will tell you that the Dragon Island course can’t compete with Mario High Ropes. I’ve not actually done either, but my friend’s five year-old sailed through the Dragon Island course…so you be the judge. The zipline is thrilling, however, and the climbing wall would be a challenge to a beginner. For those who prefer to keep their feet planted firmly on the ground, there’s a giant trampoline that extends uniquely out into the waters of Lake Ayn el-Sira.
Know before you go:
Parking: 100LE
Hours: Opens at 12pm on weekdays and 10am on the weekends
Activities: Unlimited, partial, and ala carte options available
Chaperone (non-player) fee: 100LE
Food and drink: Outside food and drink not allowed, available for purchase on-site
Time: Budget one hour maximum if only doing one of the activities
