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🇸🇩Things to Do in Sudan
From the ancient pyramids of Meroe to the Nubian Desert - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them, when conditions allow.
Travel guide - last updated September 2026
Sudan holds more pyramids than Egypt, built by the ancient Kingdom of Kush at Meroe, historically visited by only a small fraction of the travelers who see Egypt's more famous monuments. Ongoing conflict since 2023 has made most of the country inaccessible and unsafe for travel, so checking your government's official travel advisory is essential before considering any visit.
Top attractions
The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.
Pyramids of Meroe
A UNESCO World Heritage site with nearly 200 pyramids built by the ancient Kingdom of Kush, steeper and smaller than Egypt's but historically visited by only a fraction of the tourists.
📍 Meroe, Northern Sudan
🚉 Check current travel advice first, as the civil war means most governments advise against all travel. Meroe is 200km north-east of Khartoum on the Atbara road, about three hours by 4x4 - there is no scheduled transport to the site.
Nubian Desert
A vast desert region along the Nile in northern Sudan, holding numerous archaeological sites from the Kingdom of Kush, a civilization that once rivaled and even ruled over ancient Egypt.
📍 Northern Sudan
🚉 The desert between the Nile and the Red Sea is crossed on the Khartoum-Port Sudan road and by 4x4 tracks to the Nubian sites - all of it requires permits and, in normal times, a licensed guide.
Khartoum
Sudan's capital, at the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile, historically home to the National Museum's collection of Nubian and Kushite artifacts.
📍 Khartoum
🚉 The capital sits at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles; buses and shared minibuses cover it, though services and safety have been severely disrupted by the conflict since 2023.
Mark Sudan, get the stamp
In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.
Open MyPassportStoryPlanning questions
How many days do you need in Sudan?
Not a straightforward answer under current conditions - check your government's official travel advisory before planning any specific itinerary.
What's the best time to visit Sudan?
Current safety and access conditions should be your primary consideration, not seasonal weather.
Is Sudan good for a first-time visit?
Not currently recommended for most travelers given the ongoing conflict - check your government's official travel advisory carefully before considering any visit.
Do I need a visa to visit Sudan?
Visa requirements vary by nationality, but this is secondary to the current travel advisory situation. Check the official information for your nationality: mfa.gov.sd.
What are some things to do in Sudan on a tight budget?
Not applicable under current conditions - this section will be updated once travel to Sudan is broadly considered safe and accessible again.
Can I rent a car in Sudan, and what licence do I need?
Most governments advise against all travel to Sudan because of the armed conflict that began in 2023, and consular assistance is largely unavailable - that answers the practical question. In normal times, travel permits were required for movement outside Khartoum and photography permits for the sites, and visitors used 4x4s with local drivers arranged through licensed operators. Anyone considering travel should consult their own foreign ministry directly, and should not expect standard travel insurance to apply.