Visit the pyramids of Meroë
A UNESCO World Heritage site holding over 200 pyramids built by the ancient Kingdom of Kush, a Nubian civilization that at times ruled Egypt itself.
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East Africa
Things to do in Sudan
More pyramids than Egypt, ancient Nubian kingdoms that rivaled the pharaohs, and a country currently devastated by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises since civil war erupted in April 2023.
Explore Sudan on the map →Budget$
Best forNot applicable under current conditions
CapitalKhartoum
VisaNot currently applicable for tourism: Sudan has been in civil war since April 2023, and virtually all Western governments maintain a Do Not Travel advisory covering the entire country amid what the UN has called one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
CurrencySudanese pound (SDG)
LanguagesArabic and English (both official)
InternetSeverely disrupted nationwide
Typical lodging$15–$35/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/E plug)
Time zoneUTC+2
Emergency numberVaries. Save your hotel or embassy’s number on arrival.
Dialing code+249
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or purified water only. 10% at restaurants; guides and drivers appreciate a daily tip.
Sudan holds more pyramids than Egypt, with over 200 built by the ancient Kingdom of Kush at sites like Meroë, a UNESCO World Heritage site reflecting a Nubian civilization that at times ruled over Egypt itself as its 25th dynasty of pharaohs. Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating civil war between rival military factions that has displaced millions of people and created what the United Nations has repeatedly described as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, and virtually all international tourism has ceased.
When to go
Cool, dry seasonNovember–February
Historically the most comfortable window nationally, before current conditions made general travel inadvisable.
Hot, dry seasonMarch–May
Rising temperatures across the country, historically intense even before the extreme summer heat set in.
Wet seasonJune–October
The rainy season in central and southern Sudan, historically bringing the most significant rainfall of the year.
Peak heatMay–September
Among the hottest inhabited regions on Earth during this stretch, historically limiting daytime travel even in stable periods.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
10Explore the Nubian ruins of Jebel Barkal
A UNESCO World Heritage sacred mountain and temple complex central to ancient Nubian religious and royal identity for over a thousand years.
Visit the ancient city of Old Dongola
A former capital of a medieval Nubian Christian kingdom, holding significant church ruins reflecting Sudan's pre-Islamic religious history.
Explore the Royal City of Meroë's temple complexes
Beyond the famous pyramids, Meroë holds extensive temple ruins reflecting the Kingdom of Kush's sophisticated religious and political institutions.
Visit Khartoum's National Museum
Historically home to Sudan's most significant collection of Nubian and ancient Egyptian-era artifacts, tracing millennia of Nile Valley civilization.
Visit the ancient temples of Naqa
A remote Kushite archaeological site holding remarkably intact temples showing both Egyptian and distinctly Nubian architectural influences.
Explore the pyramids of Nuri
An earlier and less-visited royal Nubian pyramid field predating Meroë, holding the tombs of several ancient Kushite kings and queens.
Explore the Sufi traditions of Omdurman
Historically home to vibrant Sufi religious gatherings, reflecting a genuinely distinct and centuries-old strand of Sudanese Islamic practice.
Visit the Sudan National Museum's relocated temples
Ancient Nubian temples rescued and relocated to Khartoum during the Aswan Dam construction, similar to Egypt's Abu Simbel relocation.
Learn about the ancient Kingdom of Kush's legacy
The Kushite civilization ruled the Nile Valley for centuries and at one point conquered and ruled Egypt itself, a genuinely significant but often overlooked ancient African empire.
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Adventure & outdoors
2Cruise the Nile between Nubian archaeological sites
Sudan's stretch of the Nile historically offered a quieter, far less crowded alternative to Egypt's more famous river cruise route.
Visit the Red Sea coast near Port Sudan
Sudan's Red Sea coastline historically held some of the least-dived, most pristine coral reef systems remaining in the entire Red Sea.
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Food & drink
7Eat Sudanese ful medames
Slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with oil and spices, considered a genuine national breakfast staple shared across the wider Nile Valley region.
Try Sudanese kisra, a fermented sorghum flatbread
A thin, fermented flatbread made from sorghum, a genuine everyday staple reflecting Sudan's traditional Nile Valley agricultural heritage.
Try Sudanese mullah, a stew served with kisra
A rich vegetable and meat stew traditionally eaten with fermented sorghum flatbread, a genuine centerpiece of Sudanese home cooking.
Try Sudanese asida, a millet or sorghum porridge
A thick porridge traditionally served with a savory stew, reflecting Sudan's traditional grain-based culinary heritage.
Try Sudanese shai bi na'na, mint tea
Strong black tea flavored with fresh mint, a genuine daily social ritual and central part of Sudanese hospitality.
Try Sudanese gurasa, a thick flatbread
A thick, chewy flatbread often served alongside stews, a genuine everyday staple across Sudanese households.
Try Sudanese sharmoot, dried spiced meat
Sun-dried, spiced meat historically used to preserve food in Sudan's hot climate, reflecting traditional Nile Valley food preservation methods.
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Nature & scenery
1Explore the confluence of the Blue and White Nile
Khartoum sits at the historic meeting point of the Blue and White Nile rivers, a geographically significant site visible from the city's riverbanks.
Common questions
▾Is it safe to travel to Sudan right now?
No. Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating civil war that has displaced millions of people and created what the United Nations has repeatedly described as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. This page is a factual reference, not current travel guidance.
▾Why does Sudan have more pyramids than Egypt?
The ancient Kingdom of Kush built over 200 pyramids at sites like Meroë, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reflecting a powerful Nubian civilization that at times ruled over Egypt itself as its 25th dynasty of pharaohs.
▾Was Sudan a viable travel destination before the current war?
Yes. Before April 2023, Sudan saw a small but growing niche of travelers specifically drawn to its remarkable, largely unvisited pyramid sites and Nile River heritage, historically offering a far less crowded alternative to Egypt's ancient sites.
▾What other ancient sites does Sudan hold?
Beyond Meroë, Sudan holds significant Nubian archaeological sites including Jebel Barkal and Old Dongola, reflecting millennia of continuous civilization along the Nile predating and rivaling ancient Egypt.
▾Why include Sudan on this site at all right now?
To provide accurate cultural and historical context for people researching or planning ahead, not as a suggestion to travel there under current conditions. Always check official government advisories before making any decisions.
▾Is it safe to visit Sudan right now?
Most governments currently advise against all travel to Sudan given the ongoing conflict. This should be the primary consideration in any planning. Check your government's latest advisory before making arrangements.
