FLIGHTS, TRAVEL AND MOVEMENT IN SUDAN
Flying to your destination
Sudan has two international airports, one in the capital Khartoum and the other in Port Sudan. There are no direct flights to Finland from Sudan, but you have to change planes once or twice. The most typical exchanges are in Istanbul, Turkey, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Round-trip flights to Sudan cost around 650 to 1,100 euros. Travel time accumulates at least ten hours at the shortest.
A wide range of accommodation
Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has a good selection of accommodation. Hotels can be found from more modest to five-star hotels. The price level is quite high, the rooms are in European prices.
Price and quality do not always meet. Especially in cheaper places, it is a good idea to visit the room before paying for it. At the same time, you should ensure the cleanliness of the linen and the condition of the bathroom. It is a good idea to test the functionality of the faucets, as a clean bathroom on the outside does not guarantee that the faucets will actually become water, let alone warm water.
When moving to smaller cities and rural areas, the level of accommodation will clearly decline. There are no running water in many places and there are shortcomings in cleanliness. You should ask your locals about accommodation options and be prepared to sleep even in rudimentary conditions.
Getting around Sudan
In Sudan, a road network has been built and repaired in recent years. The country’s highways are in good condition but unlit. You can rent a car in Khartoum, but you should check its condition and paperwork carefully before setting off. Fuel is very cheap in Sudan.
You can take a bus on the main roads and between the bigger cities. When choosing a bus, you should be careful and pay a little more to get a newer and safer ride. Some of the buses are very old and unreliable. They are also packed to the brim.
You can also fly inside Sudan. Sudan Airways is the most reliable of the companies, but in addition, there are a few other companies operating between the cities.
Sudan’s railways have no passenger traffic at all, only rail freight.
SUDAN DESTINATIONS
Khartoum International
The capital of Sudan, Khartoum, is the most developed place in the country. With a population of around five million, the city has the best accommodation and restaurant facilities in the country, which is of an international standard. Khartoum is a blend of traditional Sudanese culture with Western influences.
Khartoum has the National Museum of Sudan, which provides an overview of Sudan’s history from different eras. There are also two temples in the museum area that have been rescued from the flooding of Lake Nasser and rebuilt in the museum area. The Ethnographic Museum, on the other hand, tells the story of the lives of Sudanese tribes. The collections include musical instruments and hunting equipment.
A place worth visiting is also the bridge at which the White and Blue Nile meet. The mixing of the waters of the two Niles into one of the longest rivers in the world can be clearly seen from the bridge. It should be noted, however, that no photographs may be taken on the bridge. Several tourists have been arrested while taking a picture.
There is also a famous marketplace on the west side of the city where camels are sold. At its best, the market is on Saturdays. The most convenient way to get to the camel market is by taxi.
Diver in Port Sudan
The port city of Port Sudan is located on the shores of the Red Sea. The coastal town itself is sleepy and there is not much to see there. However, the international airport and port make it a major city.
From Port Sudan you can go on a diving trip to the Red Sea. There are places both on the Sudanese coast and near the Eritrean border. The waters are home to numerous colorful fish species, hammers and turtles.
Ancient pyramids and temples of a history lover
The historic city of Cream is now very sparsely populated. Despite its modesty, it is a historically important destination, as well as one of the longest populated places in Africa. Cream is the oldest brick temple on the African continent.
There is not much to see in the Nubian town of Karima itself, but it is close to the Gebel Barkal Temple District. The temples resembling the pyramids of Egypt and their surroundings are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For locals, the largest pyramids are still sacred places.
The Pyramids of Begrawiya near Khartoum are the most famous pyramids in Sudan which is short for SD by abbreviationfinder. This ancient cemetery is one of the most impressive sights in Sudan. There are about a hundred pyramids or pyramid remnants in the area. Some have been damaged over millennia, some in the 19th century when an Italian “archaeologist” searched for their treasure. Locals go on weekends riding camels around the pyramids, but otherwise the sights can be explored in complete peace and without the crowds.
THE BEST OF SUDAN
Experience these in Sudan
- Camel market in Khartoum
- Begrawiyan pyramids
- Dining in a traditional street stall
- Diving in Port Sudan
Disadvantages of Sudan
- Poor value for money in hotels
- No direct flights
- Unstable political situation
- Traveling alone is not recommended for women
- International credit cards are not accepted in this country
- Summer can be suffocatingly hot