Sudan

The Land of Pyramids
and Nubian Heritage

Flag of Sudan

Sudan, located in Northeast Africa, is renowned for its ancient pyramids in Meroe, the Nile River, and the Red Sea coast. Home to iconic sites like Khartoum, the Bayuda Desert, and the Dinder National Park, Sudan offers a rich mix of cultural heritage and natural beauty.

The country’s geography ranges from desert sands to savannas and river valleys. Sudanese culture blends Arab, Nubian, and African influences, evident in its music, dance, and cuisine like ful medames (fava beans) and kisra bread. Known for its historical significance and warm hospitality, Sudan is a fascinating destination for history lovers and nature explorers.

Travel Documents

Documents

Toll

Driving

Currency

Laws

Legal

Safety

Flights

Travel Documents

Travel Documents: What You Need to Know

Passport Requirements

  • Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: A valid passport is generally required for entry into Sudan.
  • Passport validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from Sudan.

Visa Requirements

  • Visa-exempt countries: Citizens of Egypt, Syria, Yemen, and Qatar can enter Sudan with a valid passport and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa (subject to bilateral agreements).
  • Visa-required countries: Travelers from all other nations must possess a valid passport and obtain a visa prior to entering Sudan, either through an embassy, high commission, or upon arrival (subject to pre-approval due to security concerns).

Special Entry Provisions

  • No specific provisions exist for holders of Schengen, US, or UK visas or residence permits to enter Sudan without a visa; a Sudan-specific visa is required except for the visa-exempt countries listed.
  • Travelers must have confirmed onward or return tickets, proof of sufficient funds for their stay, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and often a letter of invitation or security clearance due to ongoing instability. Passports with Israeli stamps or visas may result in denied entry.

ID Card Entry

  • No countries are permitted to enter Sudan using only a national ID card. A passport is mandatory for all travelers.

Visa Types

  • Type "C" Visa: Allows entry and stay for 90 days within 180 days. Can be single or multiple entry, with validity up to 1 year (subject to security approval).
  • Type "D" Visa: For stays longer than 90 days. Valid for one year with a 90-day stay period, allowing application for a residence permit (rarely issued due to instability).

Important Links

Additional Considerations

  • Length of stay: Visa-free stays for exempt countries are typically limited to 90 days within a 180-day period; other stays require visas capped at 90 days unless extended with approval.
  • Purpose of visit: Different rules apply for work, study, or long-term stays; contact the nearest Sudanese embassy or consulate, though services may be limited due to conflict.
  • COVID-19 measures: Always check for current health-related entry requirements (e.g., vaccination certificates or testing) via the Ministry of Health, though information may be inconsistent due to instability.
Toll

Driving in Sudan

Current Toll Roads

  • As of 2025, Sudan has no official toll roads. Major routes like the Khartoum-Port Sudan road are publicly managed where control exists, but tolls are not in place due to lack of infrastructure and ongoing conflict.

Toll Rates and Payment

  • Toll rates: Not applicable yet; monitor updates from the Sudan Ministry of Transport (if functional).
  • Payment Methods:
    • Cash: Sudanese Pound (SDG) would be accepted if tolls are introduced.
    • Credit/Debit Cards: Unlikely to be accepted; cash is king.
    • Electronic Toll Collection: No system exists due to limited infrastructure.

Driving in Sudan

  • Drive on the right side of the road.
  • Seat belts are mandatory for all vehicle occupants in theory, though enforcement is virtually nonexistent due to instability.
  • Speed limits:
    • Urban areas: 40 km/h
    • Rural roads: 80 km/h
    • Highways: 110 km/h (though highways are rare and poorly defined).
  • Road conditions: Extremely poor outside controlled urban areas like Khartoum; unpaved, sandy, and unlit roads predominate, with risks from conflict, banditry, and poor maintenance. Exercise extreme caution everywhere.
  • International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended alongside your national driver’s license for stays up to 3 months; longer stays require a Sudanese driver’s license, though obtaining one is impractical due to lack of functional administration in many areas.

Important Considerations

  • Vignette System: Sudan has no vignette system; informal checkpoints by militias or local authorities may demand payments—check locally with security escorts.
  • Road Safety: Driving is highly dangerous due to poor road conditions, aggressive drivers, armed groups, and frequent conflict-related hazards (e.g., landmines or ambushes). Avoid all travel outside secure zones without armed escorts; night driving is strongly discouraged everywhere.
  • GPS and Maps: GPS is unreliable due to lack of infrastructure and conflict zones; keep an updated physical map and a satellite phone as a backup, as roads may be controlled by hostile factions.
  • Emergency Number: Dial 112 for emergencies (service is unreliable and often unavailable outside Khartoum).

Useful Links

Sudan Currency

The official currency of Sudan is the Sudanese Pound (SDG).
(Note: U.S. Dollars (USD) are widely accepted, especially in urban areas and for larger transactions.)

Key Information

  • Banknotes: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 SDG
  • Coins: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 piastres
  • Symbol: SDG

Currency Exchange

  • Exchange services available at banks, Khartoum International Airport, and informal money changers in Khartoum and Port Sudan.
  • ATMs are virtually nonexistent; cash (SDG or USD) is essential, and major UK, US, and Euro cards are rarely accepted due to sanctions and infrastructure constraints.

Payment Methods

  • Cash is preferred and often the only option, especially outside Khartoum.
  • Credit/debit cards are not accepted outside a few high-end hotels in Khartoum catering to expatriates or aid workers.

Travel Tips

  • Inform your bank of travel plans, though card use is impractical.
  • Carry sufficient cash in USD for all transactions, as SDG is less stable and harder to exchange outside Sudan due to inflation and sanctions.
  • Check for currency conversion fees with informal changers; official banking is limited and risky.
  • For current exchange rates, visit the Central Bank of Sudan website: https://www.cbos.gov.sd/ (if accessible).
Laws

Legal Essentials for Traveling in Sudan

Understanding local laws and regulations is crucial for a safe and compliant visit. Below are key legal considerations for travellers in Sudan, updated as of 2025.

Local Laws & Restrictions

  • Drugs: Severe penalties for possession, use, or trafficking, including lengthy prison sentences or execution (under Sharia law in some areas). No tolerance for small amounts.
  • Alcohol & Smoking:
    • Alcohol is illegal under Islamic law, enforced strictly; public intoxication can lead to arrest or lashings.
    • Smoking is restricted in public spaces in controlled areas like Khartoum, but enforcement is inconsistent.
  • Cultural Sensitivities: Avoid discussing sensitive political or religious issues, especially related to the Darfur conflict, military rule, or criticism of Islam—such actions can lead to detention or violence.
  • LGBTIQ+ Rights: Same-sex relationships are illegal, with penalties up to life imprisonment or death by stoning under Sharia law in some regions. 2SLGBTQI+ travelers should avoid travel to Sudan due to extreme risks.
  • Photography: Strictly restricted near government buildings, military sites, checkpoints, or conflict zones (e.g., Darfur, Blue Nile). Photographing locals without permission can lead to arrest or violence.

Duty-Free Limits

  • Alcohol: 0L spirits (prohibited) | Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars.
  • Cash: Declare amounts over $10,000 USD (or equivalent); enforcement is inconsistent due to lack of central authority.

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics, alcohol, pornography, pork products, weapons, and non-Islamic religious materials.
  • Counterfeit goods (may face fines or confiscation where authority exists).

Luggage Issues

  • Report lost/damaged luggage within 7 days at the airport via a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), though facilities are rudimentary.

Complaints

  • Submit grievances to the Sudan Tourism Office or local police stations (if safe and accessible, primarily in Khartoum).

Beach Access

  • No specific legal mandate for public beach access applies, as Sudan’s Red Sea coast is limited and often restricted due to security; coastal areas like Port Sudan are generally open where controlled and safe.

Key Resources

Sudan Travel Safety

Libya is not generally safe for travellers due to ongoing conflict, high crime rates, terrorism, and instability. Travellers should remain aware of health precautions, road safety, and emergency protocols. Below is a concise guide to staying safe and healthy in Libya.

Safety Overview

  • Crime: Petty theft (e.g., pickpocketing) and violent crime (e.g., armed robbery, kidnapping) are common, especially in Tripoli, Benghazi, and on public transport. Violent crime against tourists is a serious concern due to ongoing conflict and terrorist activity.
  • Solo/Female Travelers: Highly unsafe; avoid traveling alone due to security risks, gender-based violence, and conflict zones. Local guidance and security escorts are essential.

Road Safety

  • Driving is extremely risky due to poor road conditions, aggressive drivers, wind-blown sand, unexploded ordnance, and frequent military checkpoints.
  • Avoid night driving outside major cities due to unlit roads, bandits, and rebel activity.
  • Seat belts and helmets (for motorbikes) are mandatory, but enforcement is non-existent in many areas.

Health Risks

  • Food/Water Safety:
    • Tap water is unsafe; use bottled or purified water.
    • Eat well-cooked food to avoid diarrhea, cholera, or typhoid.
  • Vaccinations:
    • Required: Yellow fever (for all travelers over 1 year old).
    • Recommended: Hepatitis A, typhoid, polio, hepatitis B, rabies, malaria prophylaxis, and COVID-19.
  • Insect-Borne Diseases: Malaria, dengue, and schistosomiasis are widespread; use repellent and bed nets. Avoid swimming in freshwater.
  • Altitude Sickness: Minimal risk, as no areas exceed 2,286 meters (Bikku Bitti).

Medical Facilities

  • Hospitals: Extremely limited; private clinics in Tripoli offer basic care, but rural areas lack advanced facilities. Medical evacuation to Malta or Europe is often necessary.
  • Pharmacies: Available in cities; stock essential medications, but supplies are unreliable.
  • Insurance: Ensure coverage includes comprehensive medical evacuation, as local facilities are inadequate.

Emergency Contacts

  • General Emergency: 112 (patchy service, especially in rural areas and conflict zones).
  • Police: 193 | Ambulance: 191 | Fire: 198.
  • Tourist Assistance: Contact local authorities or the nearest embassy (e.g., Tunis, Tunisia) if safe (+216 71 108 700), as consular support is severely limited.

Travel Tips

  • Roads: Rent a 4x4 with armed security for rural travel; confirm insurance coverage and avoid public transport.
  • Hiking: Avoid all hiking due to security risks and landmines.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Avoid discussing sensitive political or conflict-related issues.
  • Air Quality: Generally good, but monitor dust levels during dry seasons (November to March).

Key Links

Flying to Sudan

© 2024-2025 Atlas Guide