{"id":39964,"date":"2023-03-23T17:33:22","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T15:33:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/?post_type=country&p=39964"},"modified":"2026-07-08T18:49:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T16:49:13","slug":"sudan","status":"publish","type":"country","link":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/sudan\/","title":{"rendered":"Sudan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The different smells and the women\u2019s colorful dresses made me think that I was at the heart of the African continent but the sweets, sand dunes, camels and Arabic language, which is the official language in the country, invited me to believe that, perhaps, I was in the Middle East instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went up to the top of a dune, from where, very thoughtfully, I observed those incredible, off the beaten track pyramid ruins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to Sudan, the land where, finally, the Middle East meets beautiful Africa<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sudan is one of the rawest countries I have ever been to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the most hospitable people on Earth to some of the remotest ruins and pyramids, this north African country is a destination you can\u2019t miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all the practical information, read my travel guide to Sudan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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need to know for traveling in Sudan<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Quick facts<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Capital:<\/strong> Khartoum<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population:<\/strong> 39 million (35th)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Official language:<\/strong> Arabic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Area<\/strong>: 1,886,068km\u00b2 (15th largest country)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Visa<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

A visa on arrival is available if entering via Khartoum International Airport, but it must be arranged in advance via a tour operator or hotel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If entering overland, a visa must be obtained at the nearest embassy, the one in Cairo being the easiest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read this Sudan tourist visa guide<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Access blocked sites<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In Sudan, the internet is censored, plus many websites like PayPal, online banks, etc., won’t work there unless you use a VPN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike what most people think, Sudan is extremely safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GET EXPRESSVPN<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Travel Insurance<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

IATI Insurance<\/a><\/strong> is one of the very few that covers travel in Sudan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GET A QUOTE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Best time to visit<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Sudan is a very seasonal country with utterly hot summers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid traveling to Sudan from May to September. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I visited it in December, the coldest month, but it was over 30\u00baC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Money<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The official currency is Sudanese Pound<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 USD = 590 SDG<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can’t use your debit or credit cards in Sudan. All in cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budget: <\/strong>starting at $30 a day for budget backpackers if you stay in basic accommodation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Registering and permits in Sudan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Sudan<\/picture><\/figure>
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You must register within 3 days of your arrival. This is the location in Khartoum<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For leaving Khartoum, you’ll also need a travel permit, which you can get at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Wildlife<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the visa guide<\/strong><\/a> for more info.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Top experiences in Sudan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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People<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy the Sudanese hospitality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Visit Camel Market<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting a camel market in Omdurman.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Pyramids<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting the most off the beaten track pyramids<\/a><\/strong> ever.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sufi dancing ceremony<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attending a Sufi dancing ceremony, the mystical branch of Islam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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tips for Sudan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The accommodation options are quite limited but you can still find a few hotels. In my travel guide to Sudan<\/a><\/strong>, you can find plenty of recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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find your hotel here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Transportation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

There is a wide network of mini-buses that go practically anywhere in the country. You just need to find the right station in each city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Getting in<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

There are a few ways to get to Sudan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By plane \u2013<\/strong> From Europe, flights tend to connect with Doha, Dubai or Cairo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By land \u2013<\/strong> It\u2019s very common to travel overland from Egypt or Ethiopia. I personally came from Egypt and you can read my report here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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ALL MY ARTICLES ON SUDAN<\/h3>\n\n\n","protected":false},"featured_media":40874,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"}},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39964","country","type-country","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country\/39964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/country"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}