Sudan Sightseeing Places

By | July 5, 2020

Visa requirements

Passport: is generally required for trips to Sudan, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry. If the passport contains visas or other indications of stays in Israel, entry into Sudan will be refused.

Visa: is generally required, for stays of up to one month, Egyptian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement.

A travel permit is required for all regions outside Khartoum and the northern regions. This is exhibited in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (Khartoum, al-Ziber Basha Street). After the application has been submitted, the waiting time is usually one to two days.

Application: In person or by post at the consulate or the consular section of the Sudanese embassy (see Sudan – important addresses).

In Africa it is only possible in Cairo, Egypt to get a Sudanese visa without waiting for a long time, often the application is approved after a day or two.

In the Sudanese embassies in East Africa (Kampala, Uganda, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) you have to be prepared for waiting times of two weeks and more – without guarantee that the visa will be issued!

Documents: Tourist visa: an originally completed visa application form (no copy, no fax) – a passport that is still valid for at least six months – two passport photos (no scans) – flight booking confirmation – hotel booking confirmation or, on a private visit, a written invitation from the Sudanese host

Business visa: In addition, a copy of the invitation from a Sudanese company and a letter from the German company about the purpose and duration of the trip with confirmation of payment.

A stamped and addressed return envelope and proof of payment for the respective visa fees should be attached to the application by post.

Here you can download the visa application form for Sudan.

Visa fees for nationals of Germany, Austria and Switzerland:

Tourist Visa : € 40.00 (maximum stay of one month)
Business Visa : € 45.00 (maximum stay of one month)

Period of validity: Usually three months after the date of issue for stays of up to one month. When issued at the Swiss embassy, ​​only valid for 4 weeks after the issue.

Processing time: about 14 days, but the application for the visa is possible at the earliest 30 days before the planned entry. Express processing costs 45 to 50 € in addition to the visa fees.

Vaccinations: Information on international vaccination certificates required for entry can be found in the section Sudan – Health.

Registration: Three days after arrival in Sudan you have to register in either Khartoum, Wadi Halfa, Port Sudan or Gallabat. In Khartoum, this happens at the Aliens Registration Office (al-Tayyar Murad Street). Hotels often also register guests.

In many cities it is necessary to register with the local police station, the station in Dongola seems to take this particularly seriously.

Photo permit: Tourists require a photo permit, which can be obtained from the Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife (Khartoum, Abu Sinn Street) for a passport photo and a copy of the passport and visa.

Entry with children:

Germany: Children need their own passport to enter Sudan (children’s passport or electronic passport).
Austria: own passport for children.

Switzerland: own passport for children.

The same visa requirements apply to the children as to their parents.

Sudan Sightseeing Places

Money and currencies in Sudan

National currency: The Sudanese dinar (SDD) was the national currency in Sudan until mid-2007. It was confusing for travelers that the dinar never really prevailed among the Sudanese population and that prices were often given in the Sudanese pound (SDP), which was valid until 1991 (1 dinar corresponded to 10 pounds) but was paid in dinar.

With the 2005 peace agreement between the autonomous region of South Sudan and the central government in Khartoum, the reintroduction of the Sudanese pound was decided. The “new” pound to the dinar is in a ratio of 1 to 100. The new currency was gradually introduced on January 10, 2007, and the dinar was considered to be an equal means of payment until July 30, and the Sudanese pound has since been the sole currency (divided into 100 qirsch).

Banknotes are in circulation of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 pounds.

Currency abbreviation: SDG – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG

Currency exchange: There are exchange options in banks and private exchange offices, the exchange rates do not differ significantly, but the exchange offices offer longer opening hours. In Khartoum, cash can be exchanged for euros, US dollars and British pounds without any problems. Outside the capital, it is best to rely on US dollars. Ethiopian Birr and Egyptian Pounds are best exchanged for Sudanese Pounds right on the border.

Exchange rate Sudanese pound:

Currency converter at OANDA

Credit Cards: are practically not used in Sudan.

ATMs: there are, but only for Sudanese credit cards

Traveler’s checks: are almost never accepted in Sudan.

Foreign exchange regulations: unlimited import of foreign exchange is possible, no obligation to declare.

Bank opening times: Sat – Thu 9 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.

Health and illnesses while traveling in Sudan

The health service of the Federal Foreign Office is providing vaccination protection against tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and especially against polio and meningococcal meningitis (at the beginning of 2005 there were outbreaks of polio and meningitis in several regions of Sudan) recommended. For longer stays and exceptional exposure (e.g. stays in rural areas, hunting, jogging) vaccination against rabies should be provided be considered. Before you travel to Sudan, you should have a personal consultation with a tropical doctor or vaccine with tropical and travel medicine experience.

The southern regions of Sudan are classified as yellow fever. A valid yellow fever vaccination is often required when crossing the border, even when entering from areas that are not affected by yellow fever.

HIV / AIDS is a major problem in Sudan. Possible sources of infection with considerable life-threatening risks include: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas, and blood transfusions.

Precautionary measures during the trip: The risk of dangerous diarrhea (salmonella, amoeba, lamblia) and other tropical diseases (malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever) can be drastically reduced by a few simple measures (mosquito repellent, only well-boiled or peeled food). Due to the risk of schistosomiasis, one should not bathe in fresh water. Other tropical and infectious diseases are rare in Sudan.

Various prescription medications (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, Lariam) can be obtained for malaria prophylaxis. The selection and personal adjustment as well as side effects or intolerance to other medications should be discussed with a tropical or travel doctor before taking chemoprophylaxis.

The medical care in Sudan can not be compared with conditions in Europe and is often technically, in terms of apparatus or hygienic problem. For this reason, adequate global health insurance coverage and reliable travel return insurance are strongly recommended. An individual, well-equipped first aid kit should be taken on the trip and protected from the high temperatures on the way. Get advice from a tropical doctor or travel doctor about the equipment of the first aid kit.

In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:

A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.

Travel options in Sudan

Airplane: There are several airlines in Sudan, including national Sudan Airways and Air West.

Ship: Theoretically, if the water level is sufficient, passenger ships travel between the larger cities on the northern Nile – but the trips have been very irregular for some time.

Rail: Only the route between Wadi Halfa and Khartoum is suitable for a train journey. There are 3 classes, in the first class also sleeping cars, departure is in Khartoum on Monday morning, the journey takes 1.5 to 2 days.

There are currently a large number of asphalt sections in Sudan (largely paid for by China). The main traffic connections are the routes between Khartoum and Port Sudan, Atbara, Gedaref and Dongola. Slopes are often in poor condition, in the south routes are difficult or not accessible during the rainy season. Night driving should be avoided due to the condition of the slopes and the driving style of local road users. Air-conditioned buses run between Khartoum and El-Obeid, Atbara and Port Sudan. Toyota Pick-ups (bokasi) reach more remote destinations. The ticket tests for bokasi are cheaper, but trips with them are also less convenient. Rental cars are available in big cities and hotels at high prices. Documents: Carnet de Passage is required, an international driver’s license is recommended.

City traffic: buses go in Khartoum, tickets are cheap. Minibuses can be found in all major cities in the country. Taxis usually drive without a meter, the fare should be agreed in advance.

Sudan Landmarks

Highlights in Sudan

The Sudanese capital Khartoum is located right at the confluence of the White and Blue Nile. The best point to see the different colors of the two rivers is on the White Nile Bridge. But be careful when taking pictures, in the past it has happened that photographers have been arrested on the bridge!

Khartoum forms a unit with Omdurman and Northern Khartoum. The National Museum with pharaonic and Christian exhibits and the Ethnographical Museum are worth seeing. In Omdurman you will find the fascinating souq (market) – it is the largest in Sudan.

Halgt Zikr takes place every Friday at the Hamed el-Nil mosque in Omdurman, with dervishes dancing in trance in worship of Allah.

For many visitors, the pyramid field at Begrawiya, often called Meroe, is the highlight of a trip to Sudan. Between 592 BC AD and 350 AD the meroic pharaohs ruled here. The pyramids are not as high as in Egypt, but you are usually the only visitor and the atmosphere between the sand dunes is unique.

The original Wadi Halfa in the far north of Sudan was flooded by the Nasser Reservoir, the current Wadi Halfa was rebuilt by some Nubian families above the flood line and is currently the border crossing to Egypt (can only be reached by ferry across Lake Nasser).

The ruins of the Temple of Kawa are located 4 km from Dongola, but the remains are not very spectacular.

Kassala is known for the granite mountains in the area, trekking and hiking is possible but not recommended due to the unexplained mine situation.

The Red Sea with clear water and species-rich coral reefs with sharks and manta rays is one of the main attractions of Sudan. The diving grounds are at least as spectacular as in Egypt but without the large number of tourists. Suakin was the only port in Sudan before Port Sudan was founded. The harbor was abandoned in the 1930s and today the town has the atmosphere of a ghost town. Many houses are made of coral and a tour is worthwhile.

It is not yet possible to travel completely safely and freely in southern Sudan, but this region is gradually opening up.

El-Obeid (half of the world’s gum arabic production is loaded here) is a good entry point for the Nuba Mountains. The various peoples of Nuba live here, made famous by photographs by Leni Riefenstahl. Most of the festivals take place during the autumn harvest. This region is not a tourist area, roads should not be left due to the danger of mines, a local guide is essential. The transport between the individual villages is limited to Bokasi (Toyota pick-ups).