Sudan is unwittingly a dream destination for many, with incredible archaeological sights, stunning desert landscapes, few tourists, and friendly locals. Unfortunately, over recent years, many of the neighboring countries have had or are currently struggling with domestic issues and security, making an overland trip to Sudan difficult. Therefore, we’ve focused this itinerary on a flight in and out of the capital, Khartoum, accessible from major African and Middle Eastern airports.
Arriving at Khartoum International Airport, you’ll already be close to the city’s center (note a new international airport outside of the city is due to open in 2022). On arrival in Khartoum, you’ll immediately be struck by the contrasting architecture between old and new. Sudan’s relatively newfound oil wealth has funded several notable landmark buildings across the city. This has given the city the feel of a cross between an African and Middle Eastern capital.
Geographically, Khartoum is intersected by the Blue and White Nile and is famous for its location where the two rivers meet (the confluence). The rivers divide the city with the center around the confluence of the Nile Rivers, which is where it’s best to base yourself out of this downtown area. There are plenty of hotel options to suit your budget, with an increasing amount of high-end options following the oil and infrastructure boom of recent years.
Situated 3km to the south of Dongola is Kawa, a once prestigious city. The site was deserted in the 4th century AD, and what remains has been excavated in various digs over the last 100 years. These digs revealed many marble ruins, most notably the Temple of Amun. These ruins have been mainly left to the desert once again, making this an archaeological site for only the most ardent archaeologists.
Heading east of Dongola, it’s a 2-hour journey by road to the next notable settlement and destination, the market town of Karima. While the town doesn’t warrant a visit on its own merits, it’s an ideal base for exploring the local sites. Chief among these are the pyramids and tombs of Nuri and the mountain and surrounding archaeological site at Jebel Barkal.
The holy mountain of Jebel Barkal is situated just on the edge of the town of Karima. Believed by the Egyptians and the Kushites alike to be the home of the god Amun, the mountain is home to the Temple of Amun and a cemetery containing several pyramids.
The mountain of Jebel Barkal can be scaled in 30 minutes and rewards those who make the climb with excellent views across Karima, the pyramids, and the Temple of Amun. Dating back over 3000 years, the temple is partially lost to time and partially lost to the desert. The views from the top of Jebel Barkal provide the best insight into the scale and layout of the temple. Closer up, it’s still possible to see frescoes and hieroglyphics. The pyramids remain in better condition and retain almost all their original form.
The archaeological site is one of Sudan’s star attractions, and it is well worth spending the best part of a day here to explore the area along with the pyramids at Nuri.
Nuri is located a couple of kilometers northeast of Karima and is the site of a royal cemetery. Dating back to the 7th century BC, these tombs and associated pyramids are older than those found elsewhere in Sudan. While the pyramids are crumbling and somewhat lost to the desert, there’s still plenty to see, making a visit worthwhile.
A 3-hour drive east of Karima is the junction town of Atbara. To the north lies the road to Wadi Halfa, east the road to Port Sudan, south the road to Khartoum, and west the road to Karima and Dongola. The town is much like any other Sudanese town and is an excellent place to stock up ahead of venturing into the Sudanese desert to see the Pyramids of Meroe.
Located just off of the main Atbara – Khartoum highway and 20 kilometers south of Atbara, the Pyramids of Meroe are perhaps Sudan’s greatest attraction. The site is home to around 100 pyramids across a northern, western, and southern cemetery. The cemeteries date from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. Home to the royals and nobles of the Kushite Empire, the pyramids lay in varying states of repair. Some of this is on account of the age of the pyramids, while an Italian treasure hunter of the 19th century can take the blame for blowing the top off of most of the pyramids. Despite this damage, what is undeniable is the magic of the site. At both sunrise and sunset, the pyramids give off an ethereal glow. The site is also one of the few destinations in the world you can enjoy alone and undisturbed.
Fifty kilometers south of the Pyramids of Meroe are the Temples of Naqa. The principal attractions are the Temple of Amun and the Lion Temple, which are believed to date back to around the 1st Century AD. The Temple of Amun has been partially reconstructed, and for anyone who has visited the Temples of Luxor and Karnak in Egypt, the layout and design will look familiar. The Lion Temple is more classically Kushite and honors the Kushite God of Apedemak. Both temples are in a reasonable state of repair and feature reliefs and engravings. A visit is highly recommended for anyone not yet saturated by archaeological sites.
From Naqa, it’s several hours drive south back to Khartoum to close the loop.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our In and Out of Khartoum trip guide. Why not try some of our other guides for Egypt, Africa, or perhaps other intrepid travel destinations?
You can drive to Morocco from the neighboring countries of Spain and Mauritania, but not Algeria, despite a nearly 2000 km long border between the two countries. Travel between Morocco and any of its neighbors comes with its fair share of challenges. At first glance, you could be mistaken for
If you love solitude, amazing landscapes, and vast open spaces, you’re going to love Western Australia. This amazing land, and the northwest in particular, is often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier’. It’s a land of endless remote possibilities and nowhere showcases this better than the amazing array of national
The Albanian port city of Vlore is one of Albania’s spectacular coastal highlights. Situated at the northern end of the Albanian Riviera and overlooking the beautiful Bay of Vlore, the city is blessed with a wealth of attractions. The home of Albanian independence and the gateway to the Riviera, the
You can drive to remote Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean using the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, also known as the “Mackenzie Highway” or “Tuk Highway.” The road provides access to Tuktoyaktuk from Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. Inuvik is accessible from mainland Canada by using the Dempster Highway, which runs all the
It’s possible to drive to beautiful Gasparilla Island from the nearby Florida mainland using a bridge known as the Boca Grande Causeway. The causeway connects the unincorporated community of Placida on the mainland to the northern tip of Gasparilla Island, allowing vehicles to access the island. There’s a $6 round
You can drive to Guyana but only from one of the three South American countries with a common land border. The border crossing with neighboring Brazil in the southwest of Guyana is currently the only open crossing. However, it is located in a very remote region. There are currently no
