Sudan
Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt, yet the royal tombs of Meroë, the sacred mountain of Jebel Barkal and the temples of Kush have only ever seen a trickle of visitors. Add desert camps, Nubian villages along the Nile and Red Sea reefs. The war that began in April 2023 changed everything, so check the FCDO advice first.
Overview
Sudan was the heart of the ancient Kingdom of Kush, whose Nubian pharaohs ruled Egypt as its 25th Dynasty, and its archaeology is extraordinary. The classic itinerary looped north from Khartoum: first to the pyramid fields of Meroë and the temples of Naqa and Musawwarat es-Sufra, then across the Bayuda Desert to Karima for Jebel Barkal, the royal tombs of El-Kurru and the pyramids of Nuri. Further north lie Old Dongola, Kerma's mud-brick Deffufa and the Third Cataract. On the Red Sea, the coral-stone ruins of Suakin and the reefs off Port Sudan make a separate trip.
Before the war, travel here meant camping under the stars, long drives on empty roads and having UNESCO-listed sites almost to yourself. Hospitality was famous, and strangers were routinely invited in for tea. Trips were run by a handful of specialist operators, and practicalities were demanding: cash only, permits for travel and photography, intense heat for much of the year and alcohol effectively unavailable. The war that broke out in April 2023 caused enormous destruction in Khartoum and displaced millions of people. Any return to tourism depends on events, so treat this page as background and check the FCDO advice.
Map of Sudan
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Pyramids of Meroë
Around 200 steep-sided pyramids of the Kushite royal cemeteries rise from the dunes at Begrawiya, many with their tops removed by a 19th-century treasure hunter. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it lies a few hours' drive north-east of Khartoum.
- 2Sacred site
Jebel Barkal
A flat-topped sandstone mountain at Karima, held sacred by Egyptians and Kushites as a home of the god Amun. Temples and pyramids cluster at its base, and from the top you can watch sunset over the Nile and desert.
- 3History
Kerma and the Western Deffufa
A towering mud-brick temple at Kerma, capital of one of Africa's earliest kingdoms around 2500–1500 BC. The nearby museum displays black granite statues of Kushite pharaohs unearthed at Dukki Gel.
- 4History
Suakin
An island port of coral-stone houses that was for centuries a key Red Sea trading harbour and pilgrim port for Mecca, now a crumbling ghost town linked to the mainland by a causeway south of Port Sudan.
- 5Nature
Sanganeb Marine National Park
A lone coral atoll off Port Sudan with sheer walls, sharks and a lighthouse, part of a UNESCO site. Nearby Sha'ab Rumi still holds the remains of Jacques Cousteau's Precontinent II undersea station.
Biggest cities
Khartoum
The capital, with Omdurman and Khartoum North, spreads around the meeting of the Blue and White Niles; pre-war highlights included Omdurman's souq and Friday Sufi ceremonies at Hamed al-Nil's tomb.
Nyala
The main city of Darfur, a trading hub in the far west not far from the volcanic Jebel Marra highlands; it has rarely featured on visitor itineraries.
Port Sudan
Sudan's main seaport, which served as the de facto seat of government after war reached Khartoum in 2023; the base for Red Sea liveaboards, Sanganeb reef and the ruins of Suakin.
Populations are pre-war estimates; fighting since 2023 has displaced millions and changed city sizes in ways not yet measured.
When to go to Sudan
Best time: Nov–Feb.
Average climate in Khartoum
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarEid al-Fitr
The festival ending Ramadan brings family visits, new clothes and feasting on sweet biscuits called kahk, with offices closed for several days; it falls in February or March in the late 2020s.
- AugMawlid al-Nabi
The Prophet's birthday is marked with nights of Sufi drumming, chanting and fairground stalls, traditionally centred on Omdurman; the date moves about 11 days earlier each year.
How much does Sudan cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Ful medames
Slow-cooked fava beans mashed with oil, cumin and lime, topped with cheese, egg or falafel and scooped up with bread; Sudan's universal breakfast.
Kisra with mullah
Kisra is a thin, slightly sour sorghum flatbread, eaten with mullah stews such as weika, made with dried okra.
Jebena coffee
Coffee spiced with ginger or cardamom, brewed in a clay jebena pot and served in tiny cups by street-side 'tea ladies'.
Getting around
Before the war, comfortable buses ran on paved highways from Khartoum to Port Sudan, Atbara, Karima and Dongola, while desert sites needed a 4x4 with driver, usually arranged by a tour operator. Domestic airlines linked Khartoum with Port Sudan and Darfur, and visitors also needed travel and photography permits. How much of this works today is unclear, so seek current information from operators and the FCDO.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CD230V — bring a UK-to-C/D adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +249
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not traditionally expected, but tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff are appreciated; round up taxi fares and restaurant bills.
- Etiquette
- Dress conservatively: long trousers for men, loose clothing covering arms and legs for women. Use your right hand, accept offered tea, and avoid eating in public during Ramadan daylight hours.
- Main airports
- Port Sudan New International Airport (PZU), Port Sudan; Khartoum International Airport (KRT), Khartoum
Visas & entry for Sudan
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to enter Sudan.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseasePolioRabiesTuberculosisYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Sudan
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Independence Day |
| Thu 7 Jan 2027 | Coptic Christmas Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 12 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Sun 2 May 2027 | Coptic Easter |
| Sat 15 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Wed 19 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year (date may shift) |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Arabic
| English | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكم | as-sah-LAAM a-LAY-kum |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHOOK-ran |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت | law sa-MAHT |
| How much is this? | ده بكم؟ | da bi-KAM |
Know before you go
- Check the FCDO travel advice before any planning, and confirm your insurer will cover Sudan; most policies exclude places where the FCDO advises against travel.
- International bank cards have long been unusable in Sudan, so bring all the cash you need in clean, recent US dollar or euro notes.
- Never photograph military sites, bridges, government buildings or airports, and ask before photographing people; historically, visitors also needed a photography permit.
Sudan travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Sudan?
The best time to visit Sudan is generally Nov–Feb. Peak months are January, February, November and December. Average highs in Khartoum range from 31°C to 42°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Sudan cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £110 mid-range and £230+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Sudan?
Sudanese pound (SDG).
What plug type does Sudan use?
Type C and D sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Sudan?
Traffic drives on the right in Sudan, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Sudan?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Sudan?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to enter Sudan. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Sudan before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sudan/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Sudan?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Polio sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
