Sudan is divided into four main geographical regions, roughly corresponding to the cardinal points. The north is desert, a mix of sand and gravel stretching out either side of the Nile that receives little or no rainfall. In the west is the Libyan Desert, part of the Sahara proper. To the east is the Nubian Desert, the most barren land in the country and entirely devoid of oases. South Sudan is made up of a huge clay plain that extends into the centre of the country, with Khartoum at its apex.
There are 19 major ethnic groups in Sudan, divided into 500 subgroups and speaking over a hundred languages. Understanding the many ethnic groups is key to understanding Sudan, and close examination gives the lie to the commonly held image of a country divided into Arab (or Muslim) and Black (non-Muslim) halves in the north and south.
The history of Sudan is dominated by the interplay between these two halves. At different times the North, with its riverine culture along the Nile, has represented the interests of Pharaonic Egypt, the indigenous civilisations of Kush and the Arab culture of Islam. The South, with its African heritage, has stood for the natural wealth of the continent and has provided many of the resources that allowed the North to prosper. For centuries this North-South tension has provided the motor for cultural exchange, trade, exploitation and war – a fact that continues to overshadow the political scene in modern Sudan.
When to go
Sudan is a seasonal destination. The north, and area of most interest for travellers, is hot and dry throughout the year, but between April and October temperatures are ferociously hot, typically reaching over 40 º C. Sandstorms are also common during this time. Khartoum is a little cooler but more humid, receiving rain in July and August. November to March is the best months to travel, although northern winter nights can be cold.
What you will see
Sudan is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa. One of the pleasures of any trip is seeing the many tribes that make up the country, something we have plenty opportunity of doing on our tours. Along the Nile in northern Sudan you can experience the hospitality of the Shaqiyah Arabs and the Nubians, whose land stretches into Egypt. Also along the Nile travellers will see many of Sudan’s ancient sites, the remains of Kush and medieval Nubia. The most popularly visited site is the Royal Cemetery of Meroe, better known as the Pyramids.
Further north are the cluster of sites around Karima and Dongola – notably the temple of Jebel Barkal, the crumbling pyramids of Nuri and El Kurru, known for its delightful tomb wall paintings. The medieval Nubian sites of Old Dongola and Ghazali can be harder to reach, but are featured in most of our tours. Many travellers agree that getting there is half the fun and relish the challenge of ferry hopping as part of their journey.
Practical Information
Visas - < Back to top
At the time of writing of writing a visa is required by most nationals, including British and other European citizens. In the case of British nationals a visa can be obtained through the Sudanese Embassy in London. Prior authorisation will be required from the authorities in Khartoum, which our local representatives will help arrange. The process can take a minimum of one month.
Getting to Sudan - < Back to top
Direct flights operate from London with the British Airways subsidiary, British Mediterranean. Other options include Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Egypt Air via Cairo. Sudan also has excellent connections to the Middle East, with Emirates, Gulf Air and Qatar Airways serving Khartoum, all with connections from European cities.
As we are a small, specialist operator, we are currently unable to secure the best airfares available. Increasingly the airlines are seeking the majority of their bookings, direct through their own websites, or only offer the best deals to a handful of selected, large agencies such as Trailfinders. We can highly recommend Trailfinders, as they are generally very competitive in price and consistently offer the highest levels of choice and expertise. See our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information.
Immunisations - < Back to top
As with travel to most parts of Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your Doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice and the necessary vaccinations. We can recommend the Trailfinders Travel Clinic.
For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis and if travelling from certain other African countries, Yellow Fever. Anti-malaria medication will also be required and the use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended.
Travel Insurance - < Back to top
We have a legal obligation to stress the absolute need to have adequate travel insurance, which should be taken at the time your trip is confirmed. These days there’s a huge range of options available and premiums have never been more competitive. Increasingly annual multi-trip policies offer good value for money, but you should compare the level of cover and the activities included with each policy. Please contact us for further details.
Foreign Office Advice - < Back to top
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At the time of writing (August 2005) the Foreign Office does advise against all but ‘essential’ travel to Sudan. The advice follows the death of the newly elected Vice-President, John Garang, at the end of July.
However, we are in constant contact with our local representatives in the areas covered by our tours, who have advised us that there has been no security situation involving foreign nationals.
Our partner in Sudan is highly experienced and has been working in the country for more than 20 years. Safety of our clients and their staff is key. Although it is essential to be aware of the risks involved in any overseas travel of this nature, it is nonetheless important to consider the vastness of the country and that on-going problems in Sudan are relatively localised to areas that our tours do not pass through.
Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.
Finally, it should be noted that despite a peace agreement being observed by the various groups involved in Sudan’s previous civil war, the current FCO warning might affect your travel insurance and any subsequent claim. It is important that clients check with their insurance company to see if any restrictions are in place. The position can vary from one insurer to the next. However, most companies such as Norwich Union and American Express will continue to provide full cover, with the exception of any claim, resulting from an act of war or terrorism, or any other incident that was given prior warning by the Foreign Office.
