Travel to Sudan — everything you need to know
When to go to Sudan?
- November – February — Cool season (pre-conflict) : Before the conflict, the only truly practical period: temperatures between 18–32°C, dry, ideal for archaeological sites. Nights in the Nubian desert were cold and starlit.
- March – October — Extreme heat / rain (south) : Temperatures exceeding 40–47°C in Khartoum. Rainy season from July to September in the Sahel. Difficult conditions even in peacetime.
Weather in Sudan
Check the weather city by city, starting with Khartoum.
- Khartoum: daytime highs from 31 to 42 °C depending on the season, 10 mm of rain per month on average.
- Kassala: daytime highs from 34 to 42 °C depending on the season, 20 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Sudan?
Sudan was home to one of the most extraordinary archaeological destinations in the world: the Nubian pyramids of Meroë (more numerous than in Egypt), the temples of Jebel Barkal and a millennia-old Nubian culture. Since April 2023, the country has been plunged into a devastating civil war that makes travel impossible and constitutes one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
Pyramids of Meroë
The pyramids of Meroë are Sudan's archaeological jewel: over 200 slender Nubian pyramids, more numerous than in Egypt, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Capitals of the Kingdom of Kush and Meroë for over a thousand years, they bear witness to an exceptionally rich African civilisation. Before the war, Meroë welcomed thousands of visitors a year who came to admire these pink sandstone sentinels in the Nubian desert.
Highlights : Northern necropolis of Meroë — the main cluster of pyramids, Temple of Apedemak at Naqa — the Nubian lion temple, Royal Baths of Meroë — the ancient city's thermal baths, Khartoum National Museum — Nubian collections (pre-conflict).
Jebel Barkal & Kerma
Jebel Barkal is a sacred mountain of the ancient Egyptians and Nubians, dominated by a 100-metre cliff over the Nile, housing UNESCO-listed temples and royal pyramids. Kerma, further north, is the site of the oldest known city in sub-Saharan Africa, with artefacts dating back to 2500 BC. Before the war, these sites were the essential stops on a uniquely Nubian tour.
Highlights : Temple of Amun at Jebel Barkal — sanctuary carved into the rock, Pyramids of Nuri — royal Nubian tombs, Kerma — the oldest city in sub-Saharan Africa, Western Deffufa of Kerma — mudbrick monument.
Port Sudan & the Red Sea
Port Sudan gave access to some of the finest diving in the Red Sea, in still little-explored waters with intact coral reefs, historic wrecks and remarkable marine biodiversity. The Red Sea Hills offer an authentic Nubian atmosphere with nomadic Beja communities. The region is today less affected by the civil war than Khartoum.
Highlights : Sanganeb reefs — marine park with sharks and dolphins, MV Umbria wreck — Mussolini-era ship sunk in 1940, Taka Hills (Kassala) — rock formations and Beja community, Suakin — former Ottoman coral town on the island.
Travel budget for Sudan
Before the war, Sudan was one of the cheapest archaeological destinations in the world. The current situation makes any cost assessment irrelevant: the country is experiencing a major humanitarian and economic catastrophe. The information below is given for historical reference only.
- Backpacker : 35–55 €/j — Pre-conflict figures only. Travel is currently impossible.
- Comfort : 70–120 €/j — Pre-conflict figures only. Travel is currently impossible.
Practical tips for travelling to Sudan
- Flight from Paris : Flights via Cairo (EgyptAir), Istanbul (Turkish) or Dubai (Emirates). Direct flights suspended since the conflict.
- Visa : Visa required — procedures currently suspended for civilian travellers due to the armed conflict.
- Currency : Sudanese pound (SDG). Economy collapsing since 2023. Cash USD transactions have historically been necessary.
- Language : Arabic (official), English in cities and educated circles. Nubian languages in the north.
- Electricity : Type D and Type G (British). 230V. Frequent power cuts even in normal times.
- Health : Malaria present, extreme heat (up to 47°C). Very limited access to healthcare. Disastrous health situation since 2023.
- Safety — CRITICAL WARNING : 🚫 TRAVEL FORMALLY ADVISED AGAINST. Active civil war since April 2023 between the SAF (army) and the RSF (paramilitaries). Khartoum is a combat zone. Millions displaced. Official government travel advisories classify Sudan as an absolute no-go zone. Do not consider any travel.
- Political context : Major humanitarian crisis: over 8 million displaced, famine, destroyed infrastructure. Follow developments on your government's foreign travel advisory website.
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