Sudan

The Republic of Sudan is a state in East Africa. The capital city is Khartoum. It shares its borders with Egypt, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Kenya, Chad, Libya, and the Central African Republic. The northeastern coast is washed by the Red Sea.

On the south of the country, the climate is equatorial monsoon and on the north, it is desert tropical. In summer, the temperature can be as high as +25°C - +30°C and in winter, the temperature is never lower than +15°C. The best time for visiting Sudan is from the end of July to the end of October. Be aware, however, that there are military operations in Darfur.

The majority of the population practice Islam. The official languages are Arabic and English.

The lovers of beach holidays should go to Port Sudan with its white sandy beaches. The areas along the coast of Port Sudan have excellent conditions for diving and rich underwater world of the Red Sea. The beach resort Arous is known for its wonderful landscapes.

Those who prefer city entertainments and shopping should visit Khartoum, the capital city and the largest city in the Republic. The main touristic attractions are the Khartoum Museum of Natural History, the Sudan National Museum, and the Palace of the Republic. The tourists can see the junction of the Blue Nile River and the White Nile River or visit the Al-Morgan Memorial Park which offers an amazing panoramic view over the Nile. If you come to Tumbos, you should definitely visit the Nubian village and see Deffufa, a unique structure in the Namibian architecture.

The Southern National Park and the Boma National Park are must-see places. In the Dinder National Park, the tourists can watch cheetahs, giraffes, lions, and antelopes. In the Zeraf Wildlife Reserve and the Bandingilo National Park, you can see unique natural ecosystems. Meroe is the place with many archaeological monuments.

Get in

By Plane

The fastest and the most comfortable way to get to the Republic of Sudan is a flight. Sudan Airways offers regular flights to Khartoum from London, Paris, Vienna, Frankfurt, and Brussels.

The Russians and CIS citizens can take a transit flight by Turkish airlines with a stop in Europe or Istanbul, by EgyptAir with a stop in Cairo, and by Air Emirates with a stop in Dubai.

By Sea and by Ferry

You will have an unforgettable experience if you travel to Sudan by ferry. There is a ferry route between Wadi Halfa and Aswan.

A ferry crossing also connects Port Sudan and Jeddah.

By Land

Due to the problems with foreign policy, only the border crossings with the Central African Republic and Ethiopia are open.

Visa

The travellers from EU and CIS must obtain a visa to travel to Sudan.

If you have an invitation, a visa is issued within one day.

Commonly, a visa is issued for 2 months, but if needed a visa can be extended at the Immigration Office in Khartoum.

To move freely around the country, you will need a special permit. You will be asked to provide it during your journey.

The citizens who have visited Israel before are not allowed to enter Sudan. If in a passport there is a stamp confirming the rejection of Israel visa, the tourist is automatically rejected to visit Sudan as well.

All the tourists must have an international health insurance. It is recommended to get a vaccination against meningitis, tetanus, typhus, cholera, yellow fever, and malaria.

Customs

In Sudan, there are no official restrictions concerning the import of foreign currency, but the money must be declared. The import and export of the national currency is prohibited.

Platinum and gold jewellery is subject to declaration. The tourists can export silver jewellery provided there are the documents confirming the legality of the purchase. It is not allowed to export jewellery from Sudan with commercial purposes.

It is prohibited to bring in:

• pornographic materials and any literature violating the principles of Sudan.
• alcohol (to the “Muslim regions” of Sudan).

It is not allowed to export without the documents confirming the legality of the purchase:

• skins of wild animals;
• horns of rhinoceros;
• ivory and crocodile leather goods;
• diamonds and gold if they are not indicated in the Customs declaration.

Cuisine

The authentic cuisine of Sudan is a mix of African cooking traditions with Italian, English, and French ways of cooking. In Sudan, you will learn the local tradition of eating. The Sudanese eat food with their hands; they take a small piece of bread or some rice and use it to take sauce, vegetables or meat from one large plate which they share with the others.

The everyday food consists of typically African dishes. Try Foul (beans with meat, root plants, and spices), pilaf from wild rice or sorgo with chicken, and meatballs Kofta.

The major dish in Sudan is Garaasa be Dama (meat stew served in flatbread) and Shia (meat roasted with garlic, turmeric, and cumin). You will like the Sudanese version of Mash (tomatoes stuffed with beef and rice) and a soup Shorpa with mutton, beans, cabbage, and rice. Soups in Sudan are typically served with a hot sauce or a dressing made from peppers, garlic, and lemon juice.

Discover the new taste of dishes with Sudanese okra.

Bread is an essential element of any meal. The Sudanese people make delicate flatbread Gorraasa and local bread Kisra and Khubz.

The foodies can treat themselves to the favourite dessert of the Sudanese people. It is Crem Caramela served with fruits.

In Sudan, it is prohibited to drink alcohol. The tourists will be offered fruit beverages Tabrikhanu and Abre and after meals, the locals traditionally drink tea with spices or strong black coffee.

Money

The official currency in Sudan is the Sudanese pound (SDP).

In Sudan, there are no official restrictions and prohibitions concerning currency exchange. However, banks do not always have a necessary amount of money or there is a lack of blank forms.

The tourists can cash traveller’s checks only at some large banks in Khartoum. The commission for the transaction can be as high as 30%.

Credit cards are accepted only in Khartoum.

Foreign currency is accepted only in Duty-Free Shops in the capital city and at the airport.

Details of interest

Sightseeing in Sudan

• The main touristic attractions in the second largest Muslim city in North Africa are the Khartoum Museum of Natural History and the Sudan National Museum, the Palace of the Republic and the Houses of Parliament. The National Museum contains the artefacts of ancient Nubia. You can also see the exposition of Egyptian sculptures of the Pharaonic period. The garden on the territory of the Museum is known for its two unique temples. In the Library of the Khartoum University, there is a collection of Sudanese and African books. A trip to the Sabalok Gordzh’s canyon will be an unforgettable experience. In the city of Meroe, the tourists will see the ruins of ancient pyramids of 350 B.C. and a magnificent Temple of the Sun.
• On the outskirts of the city of Kerma, there is an archaeological complex Western Deffufa. In the past, this complex was surrounded by a city.
• Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe on the Nile river are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• The mountain district in Dzhebel Mara. In its centre, there is an extinct volcano with hot springs and a lake. This place is known as Dzhebel-Marr’s Eye.
• You should not miss a chance and visit the Boma National Park and the Southern National Park in the Bandingilo National Park and the Zeraf Wildlife Reserve. In the Dinder National Park, the tourists can watch cheetahs, giraffes, lions, and antelopes.
• If you come to the city of Tumbos, you will have a chance to visit the real Nubian village.
• Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Souvenirs in Sudan

• Ivory crafts and funny wooden figurines are sold in Khartoum.
• Look for special safari shoes and pumpkin bottles in Tumbos.
• In Port Sudan, you can buy iguana, crocodile or python leather goods such as shoes, bags or briefcases.