Sudan
Sudan (Arabic: السودان Al-Sudan) is the third largest country in Africa and sixteenth largest in the world, bordering Egypt, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan. Getting a visa for Sudan is an expensive hit-and-miss affair, but if you do manage to get in, and you stick to the safe areas, you will probably have a memorable experience. The Sudanese people are very hospitable, and you can visit some awesome tourist attractions without even seeing another tourist. Understand[edit]Sudan is afflicted by civil wars which have been raging, on and off, for more than 40 years. Nubians, who share much of their history and culture with Egyptians and Arabs, and the largely Christian and Animist Nilotic and Bantu people of the south, who have more in common with the rest of sub-Saharan Africa than with their northern neighbors. After decades of civil war and a transitional period of self-rule, South Sudan became independent on 9 July 2011. Conflicts still linger in the western region of Darfur. From 1989 until his deposition by the military in 2019, Sudan was under the totalitarian rule of Omar Hassan Al-Bashir. Sudan is as geographically diverse as it is culturally; in the north, the Nile cuts through the eastern edge of the Sahara: the Nubian desert, the sites of the ancient kingdoms of Kush and Meroe, and the land of the Seti. Here, agriculture drives the economy. Staple crops include ful (fava beans), dates, tomato, and onion. The East and West are mountainous regions, and much of the rest of the country comprises savannahs typical of much of central sub-Saharan Africa. Regions[edit]Cities[edit]
Other destinations[edit]Get in[edit]
Visa requirements[edit]Visa free[edit]Citizens of Egypt (apart from men aged between 18 and 49 inclusive), Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates may enter Sudan visa-free. Citizens of Yemen may also enter Sudan visa-free, provided that they enter Sudan directly from Yemen. Citizens of Saudi Arabia do not require a visa for business visits. Visa on arrival[edit]Citizens of Kenya and Malaysia may obtain a visa on arrival. Citizens of Turkey may also obtain a visa on arrival, provided that they enter Sudan directly from Turkey. Persons with a Sudanese father can obtain a visa on arrival, regardless of their current nationality. Persons married to a Sudanese national (both male and female) can get a visa on arrival on presentation of a valid marriage certificate. Visa[edit]For everyone else, Sudanese travel visas can be expensive and difficult to acquire. Sudan normalised relations with Israel in 2020, however it may be especially difficult for Israeli passport holders, as well as anyone with an Israeli entry stamp in their passport, to obtain a Sudanese visa. It is advisable to obtain a Sudanese visa in your home country. You will need a letter of invitation from the hotel that you choose (they are used to providing this service, and may add a small charge for it). If you planning to obtain a Sudan visa quickly in Cairo, note that it is likely that the Sudanese embassy in Cairo is closed on Fridays. From Egypt[edit]Cairo is one of the easiest places to get one (usually a couple of hours after application), although for a lot of nationalities it costs USD100 (payment is now possible in Egyptian pounds). You will almost definitely need a letter of invitation/introduction from your embassy, and the time this takes varies from embassy to embassy. (Jan 2019) For most foreign nationalities visa fee in Cairo is now 150USD bit you only need to bring a pen amd your passport. 2 copies of your passport and one of your egyptian visa will safe you some money and trouble. You get the visa form for free at the counter. The whole procedure starts around 10am, but being there from 9am i a good idea. They do all visas in a day, sometimes the process is finished at 1pm, sometimes up to 3 or 4pm.
It is possible to obtain a sponsorship for the visa from the Sudanese Cairo embassy and skip the letter from your own embassy, though this depends on who you are dealing with at the embassy. It is also possible to obtain a visa in Aswan. Be advised that the Consulate has moved in the last year or two and is now located at 24°03'18.5"N , 32°52'59.9"E. As of May 2016, they require a copy of your passport, a copy of your Egyptian visa, 2 photos, and $150. A Photocopy shop may be found nearby to the south east. The process is simple and the people are very helpful and kind. The wait time is up to 5 days. The visa section works Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 8:30-12:30. In most cases they do immediately ask and look for any evidence you have been in Israel, such as land border crossing stamps. However, this check is inconsistent and if you find yourself in Aswan it is certainly worth a try. They do not ask for any kind of letter of recommendation. This information is current as of 01/19. From Ethiopia[edit]Getting a visa from the Sudanese Embassy in Addis Ababa is extremely unpredictable, although it is cheaper (around USD60). Your name is first sent to Khartoum merely for approval. An official has stated, "It could take two weeks, it could take two months." Once your name has been approved, the visa itself only takes a couple of days. Britons and Americans are generally given more of a run around, but no nationality is guaranteed swift receipt of a visa. Expect to wait a minimum of two weeks for approval. If your trip continues from Sudan to Egypt and you already have your Egyptian visa you may be given a two-week transit visa for Sudan in only a day. The cost is USD100 (USD200 for US citizens). It can be extended in Khartoum (at a hefty cost, though). The British Embassy in Addis Ababa charges a steep 740 birr (over GBP25) for their letter of invitation/introduction. Note that if you DO NOT require Egyptian visa to enter Egypt, Egyptian embassy in Addis Ababa WILL NOT issue letter of prove which Sudan embassy insists. The only way is still to apply Egyptian visa before Sudan visa unfortunately. From Kenya[edit]Visa applications are submitted between 10am and 12pm and visa collected next day between 3pm and 3.30pm. Cost is 5000 Kenyan Shillings (US$50). Letter of support for application can be obtained from own embassy (e.g. British Embassy, charges 8200 Kenya Shillings, turnaround time depends on availability of the Consul who needs to sign the letter). Sudanese Embassy is located in Kabarnet Road, off Ngong Road (10minutes walk from Wildebeest Campsite accommodation in Kibera Road, and near Prestige Shopping Plaza). Note that google, visa hq etc. show the old address (Minet ICDC building), which is not correct. Generally the experience at the Nairobi Sudanese Embassy is less confusing than in Egypt (with its jostling queues at three anonymous but different windows) however as at January 2010 the staff member dealing with the public is extremely unprofessional (even suggests putting false information). Possibly out of date information: From Kenya - as in Addis Ababa, the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi sends your name to Khartoum for approval. The time it takes is similarly ambiguous, although the embassy is far more professional and efficiently-run than Addis Ababa's. Visa informational Update 2015/ 2016 Permits and other legal requirements[edit]All foreigners are required to register within three days of arrival, although this may be done for you by immigration staff at land borders, depending on where you enter the country. Be sure to bring at least two passport photos and photocopies of your passport. In theory you need a permit to take photographs and travel to certain areas outside Khartoum, but as of 2020 we were never asked for these.
Note: Ensure your passport recieves a blue sticker before leaving as the police may tell you 'it's done' before it really is.
Note: Photo permits are seemingly not enforced and travel permits do not seem to be needed for travel north of Khartoum; the permit is free though and should be acquired if possible! Do not be tempted to skip registration, as it is very likely to cause problems when you leave the country - you might not be allowed to board your flight! When leaving Khartoum, airport departure tax is now included in the ticket price and does not need to be paid separately. By plane[edit]Khartoum Airport (KRT) is the main gateway into Sudan by air though more recently, some airlines have started flying to Port Sudan Airport. Between 2000-2010, three major airlines decided to stop flying to Sudan: British Airways, Lufthansa and BMI. This means that travellers departing from the UK or Germany are no longer able to take a direct flight. Apart from Turkish Airlines' Istanbul-Khartoum route, there are no direct flights operating from Europe. The Americas, Australia and most of Asia, aside from the Middle East also continue to have no direct service. Khartoum Airport is served exclusively by various Middle Eastern and African airlines. The main cities with direct air links with Khartoum are:
An exhaustive list can be found at the airport's Wikipedia page. The airport is served by dilapidated yellow taxis that will routinely overcharge. Alternatively you can book taxis with a Khartoum taxi company called LimoTrip that use metered taxis and good vehicles at better rates - 00249 183 591 313 or [email protected]. Port Sudan airport handles flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Cairo. These flights usually begin/end at Khartoum. There are also twice-weekly connections from Port Sudan to Dubai operated by flydubai. By train[edit]There are no international trains from neighbouring countries into Sudan. By land[edit]One way to get in from Ethiopia is via the border village of Gallabat. The road crossing from Egypt periodically closes, depending on diplomatic and trading relations between the two countries. Check for information before trying this route. By bus[edit]It's possible to travel from Egypt to Sudan by bus. Buses leave everyday except Friday from near Aswan station. It takes 2 days to get to Khartoum from Aswan. The bus stops overnight in Wadi Halfa. Tickets can be bought from hawkers nears Aswan train station or local hotels. (Many bus lines have their offices near the Cleopatra Hotel). The price depends on your negotiation skills. Anywhere from EGP300-500 seems to be the rate for foreigners. You may be able to get it cheaper by contacting a local Aswan resident through couchsurfing and getting them to purchase the ticket for you. As of February 2023, the bus leaves at 10pm and travels through the night to take a ferry across Lake Nasser at Abu Simbel the next morning. It is also possible to get on the bus to Sudan at Abu Simbel, either by buying a ticket in Aswan, or by negotiating with the bus drivers in Abu Simbel waiting to get on the ferry. As of 01/17, some buses now leave Aswan and travel directly to Khartoum via the newly opened border crossing to the west of lake Nasser (22°00'00.0N , 31°09'14.6"E). These buses take up to 28 hours (depending on border crossing) and thus do not stop in Wadi Halfa. As with the bus above, it leaves between 0430 and 0730 from the Aswan bus station. Tickets may be bought from shops on the southern side of the square in front of Aswan train station for around 500EGP. There is no updated information about public transport between Sudan and newly-independent South Sudan. One travel blogger claims to have travelled from Sudan to South Sudan in 2015. By boat[edit]The most reliable way to enter Sudan from Egypt is via the weekly ferry from Aswan in Egypt to Wadi Halfa. Currently it runs on Mondays to Sudan and back on Wednesdays. Prices recently went up to USD33. The boat is old and crowded with people and goods (the best place to sleep is on deck amongst the cargo) but it takes in some magnificent views (including that of Abu Simbel). Food and drink are available on-board. There are frequent ferries from Saudi Arabia. If traveling from the south, ferry tickets can be purchased at Khartoum's main train terminal in North Khartoum. (Update 2023: The ferry has still not reopened since the 2020 COVID pandemic). Get around[edit]Permits and other legal requirements[edit]
A previous version of this guide stated that independent travellers were required to register with police at each town. As of February 2020 this is no longer the case (although the one-time registration still is). If in doubt ask at a hotel. By plane[edit]Apart from Khartoum, there are small airports in Wadi Halfa, El Debba, Dongola, Port Sudan, El Fasher, Wad Madani, Merowe and El Obeid, all served by Sudan Airways [1]. Most flights operate from Khartoum. Be prepared for changing timetables and cancelled flights. Sudan Airways is notorious for its poor safety record and punctuality. It is advisable to avoid Sudan Airways and consider alternative transport. By train[edit]There used to be trains from Wadi Halfa to Khartoum, but in 2019 there appears to be no train at all from Wadi Haifa. "Some time" can mean anything from a couple of hours to a couple of days but word usually spreads around town before the train leaves. There are a few different options for accommodation, and plenty of simple restaurants. The journey is scheduled for roughly 50 hours, but can vary greatly. To be on the safe side you shouldn't make any other plans for your next 75 hours. You might not be able to find fresh water until you get to Khartoum, so it is advisable to stock up on water supplies before leaving Wadi Halfa. The train makes quite a few stops. Some more planned than others. At the more planned stops you should be able to buy a snack, and if you are lucky take a quick shower in a communal bathroom. There is also a train between Khartoum and Port Sudan, via Atbara, and from Nyala to Er-Rahad in the West. From Khartoum, trains to Wadi Halfa and Port Sudan depart from the main terminal in Khartoum North (Bahri). By car[edit]Driving in Sudan is chaotic but not especially dangerous by African standards. Visitors to the area who are inexperienced at international driving are advised to hire a taxi or a driver. In most of the country, a 4WD is essential; Sudan's main highway is sealed for much of the way but most of the roads in the country are dirt or sand tracks. Crossing in to Sudan from Egypt via the ferry from Aswan to Wadi Halfa now has the benefit of the Chinese financed tarmac highway covering the 400km south to Dongola, and then right through to Khartoum, another 500km. This road is quick for overlanders as there are few military roadblocks, and very little other traffic. Hitchhiking is fairly common in Sudan though there are not many private vehicles outside of Khartoum. Hold out your arm and wave your open hand up and down pointing in the rough direction of intended travel to indicate. By bus[edit]There are buses running regularly from Khartoum to the major towns, departing from at least two chaotic depots. The long distance fleet is composed of a very wide range of well worn (but not bad) large vehicles. They are incredibly inexpensive (4Euro for a 200km trip). Buying a ticket guarantees you an assigned seat. Be sure to bring noise cancelling headphones. In remoter areas people tend to use trucks or "boxes" (Toyota Hiluxes) - they're usually just as crowded as the buses but have fewer people sitting on top and get stuck in the sand less often. They tend to go whenever they fill up, which can take half a day or so. If you have money to spare, you can hire a whole one to yourself. By bicycle[edit]It is possible to cycle around Sudan, legally speaking, although it might be advisable to forget to mention your mode of transport when getting your permit to travel. "Cycling" will often consist of pushing the bike through sand or rattling along corrugations but the scenery and the warmth of the Sudanese people may compensate for the physical and bureaucratic hassles. Check carefully the availability of clean, drinkable water. Theft is not a problem; it is generally safe to leave bicycles unattended in villages and towns. Flies, puncture-generous thorn trees and, in the far north, lack of shade, are the only real annoyances. Khartoum and most Sudanese cities are not built with cyclists in mind. Khartoum is already chock-full of rickshaws, motorbikes, minibuses, trucks, cars, amjaads, taxis, and even donkey-carts which all leave no safe space for cyclists. Add to that the pot-holes and bumpiness of certain roads, and cycling on main roads poses a genuine safety risk. If you must cycle, stick to the residential roads. Talk[edit]The official languages in Sudan are Arabic and English, according to the 2005 constitution. English is not widely spoken except by officials, students and hospitality workers. In contrast to many places in the world, it is the older generations that tend to speak the better English. Many locals in and around Khartoum, however, tend to speak some English, even those not directly engaged in the tourist industry. See[edit]
Do[edit]Buy[edit]Money[edit]The currency of Sudan is the Sudanese pound (Arabic: جنية jeneh, SDG - the 'G' actually stands for Guinea) and it is divided into 100 piastres (coins). This is not to be confused with the Sudanese Dinar which was phased out in 2007 - do not accept any cash with "dinar" on it. Cash. Bring recently printed, clean and unmarked currency into Sudan, preferably US Dollars. As of 2022 large USD notes were declined even with just small pen marks. British Pounds and to a lesser extent Euros are also fairly easy to exchange at banks in big cities. Traveller's cheques and non-Sudanese bank cards are not accepted in Sudan, as none of the International credit card companies have any presence there, despite the lifting of the US trading embargo. As of February 2023 the official exchange rate was 588 SDP to 1 USD in banks; black market street moneylenders offer different rates. To find a money changer ask pretty much anyone and, as always, count carefully. Be aware that some hotels only accept USD or Euro, while others will accept SDG, but at an inflated unofficial ‘tourist exchange’ rate. There are many Sudanese banks in Khartoum and throughout Sudan but not all of them have foreign exchange facilities. There are several money changers in Khartoum, especially in Afra Mall. There are also several Western Union agents in Khartoum which will do payouts for money transferred from overseas. Before leaving Sudan, make sure to change any local money you have back into your home currency since the Sudanese Pound is a closed currency. Credit cards[edit]As of 2017, the US trading embargo on Sudan was lifted which technically means that the use of VISA/Mastercard in Sudan is no longer illegal - despite this, VISA and Mastercard are yet to make any entrance into the Sudanese market, as of 2020. This means that there are no opportunities to use any bank cards, other than those that work only in Sudan. Sudan is not a cashless society so transactions must be made in cash which may pose safety issues if large sums of money are carried. Carrying out online transactions while you are in Sudan can cause problems, as some merchants (especially American ones) will pick up your Sudanese IP address and refuse to do business with you. If you attempt to use an American Express card for any online transaction while in Sudan, you are likely to have the card summarily cancelled. Other card issuers may take similar action. Eat[edit]Sudanese cuisine has various influences, but none of them dominates the regional cuisines. Among these, there is the Egyptian cuisine, the Ethiopian and the Turkish one (meatballs, pastries and spices), but there are also numerous dishes that are specific to all Arabian nations. Food[edit]Foul, made from fava beans, is by far the most commonly eaten food in Sudan. Conveniently, it is frequently used a sandwich filling and sold fresh for very affordable prices. Also popular is tamiya, or falafels which always accompanies foul in any sudanese meal. These can be bought fresh on the streets of just about anywhere in Khartoum, Bahri or Omdurman. Do make sure to ask for them fresh to get the best crunchiness! Local Sudanese breads are Kissra, a bread made from durra or corn; Aseeda, a porridge made from wheat, millet or corn; and Gurassa, a thick bread from wheat flour similar to pancake, but thicker. One local Northern Sudanese dish is Gurassa Bil Damaa which is a bread of unleavened wheat similar to pancake but thicker, topped up with meat stew. Some Eastern Sudanese dishes are Mukhbaza which is made of shredded wheat bread mixed with mashed bananas and honey, and Selaat, which is lamb meat cooked over heated stones and Gurar which is a kind of local sausage cooked in a similar way to Selaat. A popular dish from Western Sudan is Agashe, a dish prepared with meat seasoned with ground peanuts and spices (mainly hot chilli), and cooked on a grill or an open flame. Drinks[edit]As a country with Sharia Law, Sudan is almost completely alcohol-free. The occasional sight of locals drunk on illicit palm wine can cause much disturbance, and punishments for Muslims possessing alcohol can include fines and corporal punishment. Sudan has some refreshing drinks such as karkade or hibiscus, which can be served hot or chilled, aradeeb or tamarind, and gongoleiz , made with the baobab fruit. The local energy drink is a carbohydrates laden drink known as Madeeda. There are several types of Madeeda, made with dates or with dukhun (Millet) or other types blended with fresh milk, and usually heavily sweetened with sugar. You might consider asking for less sugar in Madeeda and in Mukhbaza, as it might otherwise be too sweet (say: "Sukkar khafeef" or literally, light sugar) Dessert[edit]Fresh fruit and vegetables are very common with mangos, dates, guavas and oranges being among the most popular. Like in many Arab countries, dates have a special place so make sure to sample some of the local produce. A particularly sweet dessert is basboosa, which is a sweet semolina-based dessert. This is certainly one to try as it has a very pleasant texture and syrupy sweetness. Beware that when comes to food, the Sudanese don't tend to shy away from sugar! Foodie attractions[edit]One of the main food-based attractions is Sug al Naga (The camel market) North of Omdurman, where you can select your meat of choice and then hand it over to one of the ladies to cook it for you in the way which you prefer. Drink[edit]Islam is the official religion of the country and as a result, alcoholic beverages are banned for Muslims regardless of origin. Non-Muslims recently have been allowed to posses, consume, and purchase alcohol. There is no legal purchase age for alcoholic beverages. Sudan's daily drink is tea; usually sweet and black. Hibiscus tea called karkadeh is a delicious alternative. Sudanese coffee is available in most souks and is similar to Turkish style coffee; thick and strong, sometimes flavoured with cardamom or ginger with a powerful kick and is delicious. Not to be taken before bed though if you want an undisturbed night's sleep! The general advice is not to drink tap water. In most rural areas, you will not be able to, as there are no taps. Where there are no bore holes (which often yield water that is fine to drink), water is often taken directly from the Nile. Rely instead on bottled water or a water filter. Locally brewed alcohol is widely available in various forms and at various degrees of potency. A local beer (merissa) brewed from sorghum or millet is cloudy, sour, heavy and likely to be brewed with untreated water. It will almost certainly lead to the 'Mahdi's revenge' (the Sudanese version of 'Delhi belly'). Aragi is a pure spirit distilled from sorghum or in its purest form, dates. Potent and powerful, it should be treated with respect though it is sometimes contaminated with the likes of methanol or embalming fluid to add flavour and potency. Be aware though that all these brews are potentially hazardous for your health. Sleep[edit]I) Larger Towns and Cities Most larger towns and cities have affordable hotels, although not as cheap as you might imagine. Quality is generally consistent within the price range. Basic hotels provide a bed and a fan with shared bathroom/toilet facilities. There may be more than one bed in the room but you are usually expected to pay for the whole room. The bigger the group of travellers, the more economical these rooms are, as more beds are often put in a room (within reason) to accommodate everybody without the price being changed. Some hotels have cheaper beds outside in the open as in smaller towns and cities. These hotels are not very clean but are cheap and perfectly acceptable for short stays. Lower mid-range hotels - more likely to be found in Khartoum - offer the worst value for money. They may have en suite bathrooms, (mostly evaporative) air conditioning and satellite television, but for what you're paying (two or three times that of basic hotels depending on your bargaining skills) the rooms are extremely tatty and hotel owners will almost always subscribe to the philosophy of: 'Only fix something if the guest complains'. There will sometimes be rooms minus the bathroom/air conditioning/television for prices a little above those in basic hotels. Upper mid-range hotels are the next step up, with spotless rooms of a far higher quality but prices (usually quoted in dollars) closer to what you'd expect in the West. You'll have little to find fault with, though. Top-end hotels are commonly of the Five Star variety, and include the Hilton. The few are found mostly in Khartoum. They are much more expensive than the upper mid-range hotels. II) Outside Larger Towns and Cities Outside larger towns and cities hotels don't normally go above basic. That means bedframes with either simply a string mesh or with thin mattresses; that is not to say they are uncomfortable. They are offered (generally in fours or fives) in rooms where there is often a ceiling fan to keep things cool. The beds are usually cheaper - and more fun to sleep in - out in the courtyard under the stars, although there is obviously less privacy and security. As with the basic hotels in larger towns and cities, it is more often than not impossible to rent one bed in a room as you might in a dormitory. Hotel owners insist that you rent the whole room. Rooms become unavailable quickly at certain times (weekends, for example). Showers may be bucket showers, with water straight out of the Nile if your route follows that river. Sleeping bag liners or sleeping bags are recommended to prevent bedbug bites. Camping in the wild is easy in rural areas outside the south as long as the usual precautions are taken. Learn[edit]Work[edit]Volunteer[edit]
Stay safe[edit]
Khartoum and North Sudan feel much more safe than most African countries and would be considered safe even by Western standards. Walking everywhere you will be greeted with genuine smiles and friendly greetings. Locals really want to help, and in many cases are surprised when offered money for their help. Beggars are rare and not aggressive. Shopkeepers, food sellers and bus ticket vendors routinely refuse to ‘keep the change’ and insist on returning even tiny amounts of money. Taxi drivers may inflate prices somewhat, but not nearly as badly as many countries, and this never occurs with the taxi-booking app Tirhal. Stay away from the Ethiopian, Libyan, South Sudanese, and Eritrean borders due to armed clashes, terrorism, and high levels of violent crime. Do not travel to North, South, and West Darfur, the Abyei region, North and South Kordufan, the Blue and White Nile states, and the Sennar state due to violence, war, instability, and high levels of crime. Always keep up with the media and news in Sudan, as this will be a critical part of your safety. Large scale protests can take place here, which are usually violent and lead to arrests, and deaths. Anti-Western rallies and protests can become violent towards foreigners. Avoid large gatherings, and avoid public spaces during Friday prayer. Roadblocks and checkpoints are common when people are protesting. If you encounter a roadblock, find an alternative route and no matter what do not force your way though them. While the state of emergency has been lifted, authorites may still ban gatherings and close borders at short notice. Terrorism is common in Sudan, and attacks can happen at any time, especially against westerners and western buildings. Be extremely vigilant and avoid public spaces. Targets include places of worship, airports, tourist sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping centers, and markets. To stay safe, vary patterns of movement, avoid traveling at night, avoid crowded areas, monitor the media and news, and take official warnings seriously. If there is an attack leave as soon as it is safe and follow local authorities. Kidnapping is very common in the capital, Khartoum, and kidnappers often target foreigners. Travel here with caution and professional security. Armed conflict[edit]Sudan ended a 40-year civil war between the Khartoum based central government and non-Muslim separatist groups from the South, at the time when South Sudan was still part of Sudan. Relations between the two countries after the independence of South Sudan remain fluid and somewhat tense. There are still armed clashed between the two along the border. The well-publicized conflict in Darfur is still taking place and has caused thousands of deaths. Transportation[edit]The official state airline, Sudan Airways, usually consists of less than 10 planes, almost all of which are leased from other airlines. The airline is notorious for its very poor safety record, even being banned from flying within EU airspace. Given the lack of planes, it is almost a given to encounter issues in delays, cancellations and the like. Travellers are advised to steer well clear of Sudan Airways and consider alternative transport. As of the lifting of the US trading embargo, the airline is working towards bringing itself back to being a normally functioning airline. Khartoum International Airport is open, but may reduce hours or close at short notice. Entering Sudan by car is also challenging. Sudan has a highly militarized border with its neighbor Egypt and Westerners are questioned before entry. Sudan's southern border with South Sudan is extremely dangerous. It is absolutely prohibited to drive across the border though the greater risk is with one's own life. Bus travel is also not without its issues. Some buses are better than others, with icy-cold AC and complementary drinks, others may be less salubrious - sitting in a hot bus with no AC. For long distance travel, coaches are currently the best option. Personal safety[edit]In the last few years, petty crime against foreigners has increased (thefts of phones, bags and muggings for cash). Keep an eye on your things (keep smartphones etc hidden) in public places, e.g. street cafes. However, personal experience indicates that this is one of the safest African countries to visit. Women travelers[edit]Travel for a solo woman is generally safe. If you dress and act appropriately for an Islamic country, you will be fine. However, avoid taking public transport alone and be careful in crowded souk areas and bus stations. Many western women have reported being harassed, including some that have been sexually assaulted. Police and army[edit]There will be no problem with police unless you have broken the law. A few scammers pose as Sudanese police/army to get bribes. If you are pulled over,be courteous. Pay and report it at the next police station! Taking pictures[edit]Photographing or filming military personnel or installations is not advisable, but otherwise photography will be tolerated, although the Sudanese are not enthusiastic picture-takers like some other nationalities.
Stay healthy[edit]Sudan is a malarial region, so be especially cautious during the rainy season. Venomous snakes, spiders and scorpions are common to the southern areas. Be cautious when drinking water. Make sure you choose bottled water, or use purifying tablets. Also, avoid any fruit drinks, as they are obviously made with the local water. And remember, that any ice cubes ( for example, in sodas) are only frozen local water. On long trips (particularly during the hot season) on public transport it is often impossible - or would be expensive - to carry the amount of bottled water you need, and it may be scarce at certain remote stops. Therefore, keep plenty of your chosen means of purification close at hand (not in your luggage strapped to the roof!). Sanitation in some areas is nonexistent, so wash your hands frequently. Food from streetside vendors is generally fine if it is being prepared and served frequently. Empty restaurants and street cafes often indicate that food is standing uncovered and unrefrigerated for hours at a time. Sudanese currency is notoriously dirty, and even the Sudanese handle small bills as little as possible. A hint would be to carry antibacterial wipes or gel in your luggage to treat your hands after handling filthy currency notes or shaking too many unwashed hands. More simply, just do not touch your face until after a hand washing. Sudan has reported Ebola outbreaks in 2004 and it is not advised to take local hospital treatments unless there is a real urgency. If you have malaria-like symptoms, seek medical assistance when possible, medical treatment is also available in many private clinics with high standards and reasonable price here are some of these private clinics: (Doctors clinic, Africa St, Fidail medical center, Hospital road Downtown, Yastabshiron medical center, Riyadh area, Modern medical center, Africa St, International Hospital, Khartoum north-Alazhary St) Polio cases have been reported in these regions: Blue Nile, Gezira, Red Sea, West Darfur, and East Darfur. Schistosomiasis/Bilharzia - Avoid bathing or walking through slow-flowing fresh waterways. If you have been in contact with such water or develop an itchy rash or fevers after your return, seek medical attention. Doctors in the West may only think to test you for malaria - you may need to see a tropical medicine specialist. Respect[edit]In 2020 Sudan passed a law that allowed non-Muslims to drink alchol as long as its not in the presence of muslims. Do not drink in public and do not drink in front of Muslims. It is not illegal to drink in private. Religious sensitivities[edit]Sudan is an Islamic nation, and the government has imposed a form of Sharia law. Alcohol and drugs are forbidden, though many people dip a kind of snuff, and a few make moonshine. Sudanese women tend to wear very conservative clothing and cover their heads, so foreign women would be wise to do the same, even if they observe other tourists who do not respect this custom. Men should wear long trousers, not shorts. If in doubt, play it safe and cover up. The Sudanese do not expect foreigners to adhere to Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, but it would be tactless to eat, drink or smoke in public. (Many people, e.g., diabetics and those traveling more than a certain distance, are exempt from Ramadan, so it is possible to find open restaurants during the day but they are not well advertised.) Be assured that any foreigner will be treated as a local, and dealt with accordingly, in many cases, given a jail sentence of several months and a whipping, the minimum being forty lashes (it may be more, according to the discretion of the judge). Distances between towns or villages being far, and news may travel very slow because of the political unrest, so your government, if it even knows or cares to interfere, may not be willing or able to help you. Do not in any circumstances, show images/statues/figures etc. of the prophet Muhammad. A heated controversy erupted when a British schoolteacher in Sudan allowed one of her students to name a teddy bear "Muhammad", prompting angry protests in Sudan. Although the British school teacher is safe in her home country and no fatalities were reported, other related controversies such as the Pope Benedict XVI and the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad drawings had led to violence. Local customs[edit]To show the bottom of your foot is an insulting gesture, as is the touching of the thumb to the index finger while extending the rest of the fingers (the North American sign for "O-kay"). Although Sudan is a moderate Muslim culture, foreigners are still discouraged from speaking directly to local women unless spoken to, and even then it would be polite to ask permission from the man accompanying her before responding. Try to avoid physical contact with women if possible. This is a list of holidays in Sudan. January 1: Independence Day January 7: Coptic Christmas February 4: Al-Mowlid Al Nabawi (Birth of the Prophet) April 15: Coptic Easter June 30: Revolution Day August 19: Eid-Ul-Fitr (End Of Ramadan) October 26: Eid-Al-Adha (Feast Of Sacrifice) November 15: Islamic New Year December 25: Christmas Day Conversation[edit]During conversation, avoid asking direct questions about people's political opinions unless you know the person quite well and sense that they would be comfortable; repercussions could be serious for them. Tact is a necessity in a country that has suffered the trauma of more than 40 years of civil war and refugees from affected areas are spread around the country, especially Khartoum. Contact[edit]Telephone[edit]Sudan's international direct dialing code is 249. Its international direct dialing access code is 00 although mobile phone users in Sudan will be able to dial overseas numbers by putting "+" in front of the international direct dialing code. Prepaid mobile phone packages are easily available in Sudan. The two main telecommunications companies in Sudan are Zain (Tel: +249-(0)-91-230000) and MTN (Tel: +249-(0)-92-1111111). Zain has a cheaper prepaid package (SDG 10) than MTN (SDG 20). Note that the customer service line for MTN, should you need to call them for any problems, can be difficult to get through, as it only allows one call to the service line from each registered phone number per day. Below is a list of mobile phone networks that operate in Sudan:
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