Sudan

Sudan holds one of the world's densest clusters of ancient pyramids, at Meroe, standing alone in the desert without the crowds that surround Egypt's monuments further north. The Nile splits into its Blue and White branches at Khartoum, framing a landscape of sand, date palms and mudbrick villages that has changed little in generations. Ongoing conflict has closed off most conventional travel, but the archaeological and riverine heritage remains among the least-visited on earth.

Why go thereAncient ruins Deserts Diving & snorkelling Nature & landscapes Culture & heritage Markets & bazaars Indigenous cultures Beaches Rural traditions

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Ful medames

Fava beans mashed with oil, cheese and salad, eaten from a shared bowl at breakfast.

Kisra

Paper-thin fermented sorghum bread spread on a hot plate and peeled off.

Asida

Sorghum dough shaped into a mound and eaten with okra or meat stew.

Food & drink to try

Ful medames

Fava beans mashed with oil, cheese and salad, eaten from a shared bowl at breakfast.

Kisra

Paper-thin fermented sorghum bread spread on a hot plate and peeled off.

Asida

Sorghum dough shaped into a mound and eaten with okra or meat stew.

Mullah

Stews of okra, dried meat or peanut poured over kisra or asida.

Shaiyah

Lamb fried in its own fat with onion and spice, served in a metal dish.

Gurasa

Thick wheat pancakes cooked on a griddle and eaten with meat sauce.

Tamia

Chickpea fritters fried dark and stuffed into bread with salad and tahini.

Salata aswad

Fried aubergine mashed with peanut butter, lemon and yoghurt.

Zalabia

Fried dough balls dusted with sugar, sold from oil drums in the street.

Karkade

Hibiscus grown in Kordofan and steeped into a deep red drink.

Jebena

Coffee roasted, pounded and brewed with ginger in a clay pot at the roadside.

Aradeb

Tamarind pressed into cakes and dissolved in water as a sour cold drink.

Entry & health

Set your passport

en.wikipedia.org callmama.com worldstandards.eu

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping (baksheesh) is commonplace and customary in Sudan, though it is always optional and travelers should not feel pressured to tip any particular service or amount . In restaurants a small rounded-up amount is appreciated, and drivers/guides likewise welcome modest tips for good service.

Dress modestly — wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees to respect local modesty, and women especially are expected to be modest in behaviour and dress when in public .
Sudan applies Islamic (Sharia) law, so alcohol is illegal and not available in most public settings.
Eat with your right hand from the same dish as other guests, and pass and offer all food with your right hand .
It is rude to reach for food over another person's hand, and it's considered rude to ask in advance for a particular dish to be passed to you .
Men and women generally eat at separate tables at social occasions — follow your host's lead on seating and customs.
During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours out of respect for those fasting.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Sudan — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA