Weather & climate

Sudan is extremely hot and dry. The best time to visit is from December to February, especially in January when temperatures ‘cool down’ to around 30C. During these months temperatures can halve at night, making things a lot more bearable. Avoid travelling from May to September, when the temperatures are ferocious, soaring well over 40C even on the coast, and sandstorms common.

Passports & visas

You need a current passport with 6 months validity from the date you return and two blank pages (per country you are visiting), a return air ticket and a tourist visa. Getting a visa can take several months. Visas are not granted automatically. Visitors on a single entry visa need to obtain an exit visa to leave the country. However, this is not always enforced. You can get an exit visa at the airport. You should be ready to show proof of your sponsor and pay the exit visa fee. Visa and other entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. This includes currency, customs and quarantine. Contact an Embassy of Sudan for details.

Health

Consult your GP or a travel doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel.  You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Sudan. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave. 

Getting there

There are two main ways to enter Sudan, by air or by boat from Egypt. There are no direct flights from Australia, the USA or UK, so it’s best to travel via Cairo in Egypt or Instanbul in Turkey.  You arrive into  Khartoum International Airport (KRT). There is a weekly ferry that runs from Aswan to Wadi  Halfa

Getting around

Sudan is certainly not a well-travelled destination and its infrastructure is still in its infancy. Having said that, getting around Sudan is quite easy because the roads are of a decent quality. There are local buses that travel between all major towns so it’s fairly easy and comfortable. We organise private guide and vehicle for your comfort and travel flexibility.

Currency & language

The local currency is the Sudanese Pound (SDG). You can’t convert outside the country and it’s illegal to export it. Sudan operates on a cash only economy. Credit and debit cards are not accepted, even at large hotels. Make sure you have enough cash with you. Take unmarked US dollars dated from 2006. ATMs only accept local bank cards. Western Union only operates in Khartoum. Change money through banks or official exchange bureaus. It’s illegal to exchange currency outside of official banking channels. You could be fined or go to prison.

Arabic and English are the two official languages and there’s over 110 languages indigenous to Sudan.