Sudan: Various travel information
How do you get to Sudan?
Plane
The gateway to Sudan by plane is Khartoum Airport (KRT). The Khartoum Airport is served by numerous European, African and Middle Eastern airlines. Direct flights between Frankfurt/Main and Khartoum are possible with Lufthansa. You can fly cheaper with Egypt Air (via Cairo) or Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul). Other direct flight connections to/from Sudan are: Abu Dhabi (Etihad and Sudan Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Amsterdam (KLM), Amman (Royal Jordanian and Sudan Airways), Bahrain (Gulf Air), Cairo (Sudan Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways), Damascus (Syrian Airlines and Sudan Airways), Doha (Qatar Airways), London (British Airways, British Midlands and Sudan Airways), Dubai (Emirates and Sudan Airways) and Nairobi (Kenya Airways and Sudan Airways).
You can get to Khartoum Airport with the help of yellow taxis, which are routinely overpriced. A better alternative is the LimoTrip taxi company, which uses taximeters and good vehicles. You can reach them at 00249 – 183 – 591 – 313 or info@limotrip.net.
There are also international flight connections to Juba in South Sudan and Port Sudan. While Juba is available for flights to and from Nairobi, Port Sudan Airport ensures flights to Djiddah (Saudi Arabia) and Cairo.
Railways
There are no international rail connections between Sudan and its neighboring countries.
Boat and ferry
The safest way – apart from the plane – to reach Sudan from Egypt is the weekly ferry from Aswan across the Nasser Reservoir to Wadi Halfa in Sudan. The ferry currently runs to Sudan on Mondays and back on Wednesdays. The prices are around 30 euros per person. You shouldn’t expect great luxury because the boat is old and mostly overcrowded. Unexpectedly, the best place to sleep is on deck, in the middle of the cargo that has been brought along. You can buy drinks and food on the ship.
Ferries also run regularly between Sudan and Saudi Arabia. Tickets are available at the main train station in Khartoum.
Bus transport
Even when the border crossing is open, there is currently no local public transport from Egypt to Sudan. Meanwhile, buses from Nairobi (Kenya) run to the southern border of Sudan.
Car traffic
You can arrive by car from Ethiopia, but one should not forget that the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea is currently closed. To cross the border between Sudan and Ethiopia, you have to use the border crossing in Gallabat. Due to the tensions between the two countries and the associated border closings, it is extremely important to find out in advance whether the border is really open. When entering the country, a customs document that is valid for Sudan is required, a so-called Carnet de Passage.
There are currently further road connections to/from abroad between South Sudan and Kenya and Uganda, but also between West Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic. These routes – especially those from Dafur – are dangerous and should be avoided.
Travel in the country
Air connections
Thanks to the airline Sudan Airways, domestic flights are guaranteed (mostly via Khartoum) to the following cities: Khartoum, El Debba, Dongola, El-Obeyid, Wadi Halfa, Wau, Wad Madani, Merowe, Port Sudan, El Fasher, Nyala, Malakal and Juba (Juba). All of these cities – except Khartoum – only have a small airport. You should always be prepared for flight cancellations and delays.
Railway
The railway network in Sudan covers approx. 6,000 km. However, the railroad is rather subordinate as a means for local passenger transport.
There is a weekly train from Wadi Halfa to Khartoum that can be taken after arriving in Sudan by ferry from Egypt. But the train can be a long time coming – up to 2 days. The drive to Khartoum can then take up to 50 hours. Since you will not find fresh or clean water until Khartoum, it is very advisable to get fresh water before leaving Wadi Halfa.
Another train connection is between Khartoum and Port Sudan (via Atbara) and between Nyala and Er-Rahad. Trains to Wadi Halfa and Port Sudan leave from Khartoum. Departure is at the main train station Khartoum North (Bahri).
Ferry connections
Of the approximately 4,100 kilometers of waterways in Sudan, approximately 1,723 can be used all year round. River steamers operate between the cities on the (Blue and White) Nile, but they are less recommended for tourists. Ports of call are in Khartoum, Dongola, Malakal, Nimlule, Karima, Kusti, Wadi Halfa and Juba. In the south of the country, the 320 km long Jonglei Canal is still being built. By far the most important seaport in the country is that of Port Sudan. The oil is exported from the interior of the country through it with the help of a pipeline.
Bus and truck
A national bus network connects the larger cities in the country, while trucks are more likely to be used for passenger transport in rural areas. Both have in common that they are usually overcrowded. The trucks, which get stuck in the sand often enough, only drive when they are full. This can sometimes take half a day. But if you have a lot of money, you can also rent a whole car for yourself.
Taxis and tuk-tuks
In addition to the usual taxis, so-called tuk-tuks also operate in the larger cities of Sudan. These are three-wheel taxis that are half-open.
Hitchhiking
In Sudan you can also hitchhike safely and are often taken by trucks. Often you will be offered a seat between the loading and pay little money. However, you should always negotiate the fare before the journey. In larger cities like Khartoum, Omdurman or Bahri you can also hitchhike – even free of charge. All you have to do is wave your bent arm and your whole hand to one of the many pick-ups.
Car traffic and rental cars
Sudan has around 4,300 km of paved roads. The back roads, often little more than dust or sand paths, are in poor condition and in the north often impassable during the rainy season. Driving is chaotic but not dangerous. Nevertheless, inexperienced self-drivers should rather use a taxi or a car with a driver. A Carnet de Passage, proof of funds and a certificate from the Sudanese embassy that the vehicle is roadworthy are required for rental cars. An international driver’s license is recommended.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the Sudan’s international license plate is:
| SUD |
Sudan: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
To enter Sudan, tourists need a valid passport, a visa, a return or onward travel ticket and sufficient funds for their stay.
Visa department of the Embassy of Sudan s
Kurfürstendamm 151
10709 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 890 69 80
Email: post@sudan-embassy.de
Local currency, foreign exchange regulations
Local currency The national currency of South Sudan is the (New) South Sudanese Pound (SDG).
1 (new) Sudanese pound = 100 piasters
- Import and export of the national currencyThe import and export of the national currency is permitted without restriction.
- Import and export of foreign currenciesThe import and export of foreign currencies is permitted without restriction.
Goods, customs regulations
Inexpensive goods, souvenirs
Popular souvenirs are basketry, ebony carvings, gold and silversmiths and various other handicrafts. Cheetah skins should not be bought as cheetahs are critically endangered and are covered by the World Wildlife Fund’s conservation agreement.
Customs regulations
Items for personal use can be imported duty-free. Live animals can be imported without problems, plants only with a special permit. There are no known restrictions on the export of goods.
Sudan: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
In Sudan, the following infectious diseases are to be expected in Germany and Central and Northern Europe:
- Malaria: With the exception of the northern third of the country and the capital Khartoum, there is a high risk of infection all year round. About 80% to 90% of the infections occur with the very dangerous malaria tropica, the rest with malaria tertiana.
- AIDS, HIV
- Amoebic dysentery
- Bacterial agitation
- Schistosomiasis
- Cholera – but there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
- dengue fever
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Ebola, outbreaks of this extremely dangerous viral infectious disease occur again and again in the south of the country, but mostly locally
- Filariasis
- Typhus
- Yellow fever – Occurrence approximately in the parts of the country south of the northern 12th parallel
- Guinea worm infection
- Hepatitis A and B
- Japan encephalitis
- Kala-Azar
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Polio, polio
- Sleeping sickness
- rabies
- Typhoid – however, there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Tick bite fever
Vaccination recommendations
- Cholera – but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Yellow fever – highly recommended
- Hepatitis A and B
- Japan encephalitis
- Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- Rabies – but only for high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
- Typhoid – but only for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Compulsory vaccination
For all persons older than one year and arriving from a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO, vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory. Sudan south of the north 12th parallel is a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO.
Yellow fever vaccination of children
In most of the countries where a yellow fever vaccination is required, this also applies to children over one year of age, and in some countries even from six months. It should be noted that vaccination against yellow fever had a number of side effects, such as encephalitis. Around two-thirds of those affected were children under six months. Therefore, under no circumstances should children under this age be vaccinated. But children under one year of age should also not be vaccinated if possible. If in doubt, yellow fever infection areas must then be avoided. Any vaccination against yellow fever may only be carried out in specially authorized yellow fever vaccination centers!
Malaria prophylaxis
When traveling to the country it is strongly advised to avoid malariato undergo prophylaxis. However, if the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by preparation” with you.
Sudan: Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Sudan embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Sudan in Germany
Embassy in Berlin
Kurfürstendamm 151
10709 Berlin
Tel.: 0049 – (0) 30 – 88711160
www.sudanembassy.de/
German representations in Sudan
Embassy in Khartoum
53 Baladia Street, Block No. 8 D, plot No. 2
PO Box 970
Khartoum, Sudan
Tel: 00249 – (0) 183 – 74 50 55
00249 – (0) 183 – 77 79 90
Email: info@khartum.diplo.de
Web: http: //www.khartum.diplo. de
Visa section
Tel: 00249 – (0) 183 – 77 79 79
Austrian representations in Sudan
Embassy
The Federal Republic of Austria has no representation in Sudan. Responsible is:
Embassy in Cairo
El Nile Street/Corner 5, Wissa Wassef Street,
5th Floor, Riyadth-Tower, Giza
11111 Cairo
Tel: 0020 – (0) 2 – 570 2975
Email: kairo-ob@bmaa.gv.at www.austriaegypt
. org
The Austrian embassy in Egypt is still responsible for Eritrea and Sudan.
Representations of Sudan in Austria
Embassy in Vienna
Reisnerstrasse 29/5
1030 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 710 23 43/-45
Email: sudanivienna@prioritytelecom.biz
members.chello.at/botschaft.d.rep.sudan
Swiss representations in Sudan
Embassy at Khartoum
Street 15, House No. 7
Amarat
Khartoum, Sudan
Tel: 00249 – (0) 183 – 471 010/115
Email: kha.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
www.eda.admin.ch/khartoum
The Swiss embassy in Sudan is still responsible for Eritrea
Representations of Sudan in Switzerland
Embassy in Geneva
Avenue Blanc 51-53, 3rd floor
1202 Geneva
Tel: 0041 – (0) 22 – 731 26 63/2666
Email: sudanconsulate@bluewin.ch
www.sudanembassy-mission.ch
