The majority of tourists soak up Aswan's appealing Nubian atmosphere by heading to the Corniche. It is a good place to take in the change in topographical backdrop typical of the south of the country. Seen from Luxor, the Nile opened out onto vast horizons of the fertile valley; in Aswan the desert is more present. It meets the river, leaving little room for vegetation. The First Cataract and its enormous rocks are nearby. Here we are truly in Africa.