Loading ...Sudan Africa
Sudan is the largest, yet one of the least visited, countries in Africa. Although various ongoing conflicts mean much of this vast nation remains off limits, the northeast is one of the safest places in the world, and the easing of travel restrictions is opening up new swathes of territory to explore in the lovely south, where Africa transitions into the tropics. The pyramids and other ancient sites littering the northern deserts may pale compared to the best Egypt has on offer, but you can usually experience these without another person in sight – and this sense of discovery often repeats itself in the towns, too, since Sudan’s tourist trail is still no more than a trickle. And while the solitude is a top draw, visitors invariably agree that the Sudanese are among the friendliest and most hospitable people on earth, with a natural generosity that belies their poverty, and this alone makes any trip worthwhile. Whether you rush through on a Cairo to Cape Town trip, or spend a slow month soaking up the history and hospitality, visiting Sudan is an eye-opening and rewarding experience.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Borders Egypt and Ethiopia open; crossing to Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Libya and Uganda not recommended; Eritrea closed but likely to reopen; Chad closed
Time GMT/UTC +3
Telephone Country code 249, international access code 00
Money Sudanese dinar; US$1 = SDD200
Visas Best bought in Cairo (Egypt), or with the help of a Khartoum travel agent
Seasons Rainy season in north (July to September), Red Sea coast (October to December) and south (April to November)
Area 2.5 million sq km
Population 41 million
ATMs Only work with local accounts
Capital Khartoum
Budget US$20 to US$30 a day
Languages Arabic, English, over 100 regional languages
