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Practical information Sudan

Sudan
Sudan

Our expert Sudan

Neil Kreeger Section editor

only a third of the story is completed, watch this space!

map of Sudan

map of Sudan

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Weather

Sudan : Travel Information before you go!

superficie

Area

967496  sq.mi
vol

Flights

decallage horaire

Jet Lag

population

Population

40,000,000 inhabitants
aeroports proche

Airports

The airport is located 2.5 miles south-east of Khartoum. There are many taxis to take you to the city centre. It should cost around 10,000 Sudanese pounds (about £5). Don't forget to negotiate the price before getting in!
There is a 20 USD (approx. £13) airport tax to be paid when leaving Sudan.
securite

Security

Trips to several regions in this country (South Darfur and the Eritrean border) and especially to Port Sudan, are strongly discouraged unless absolutely necessary for professional reasons.
Before leaving the UK, get exact information on the political situation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sudanese Embassy in the United Kingdom, and then the Ministry of Environment and Tourism once you get to Khartum. Sudan is a Muslim country so women should avoid wearing 'provocative' clothing.
To be able to take photographs, you will have to obtain permission from the Khartum Tourism
Office, where you will also receive a list of items that you are not allowed to photograph.
You will also need a pass, and a rather pricey one at that, to visit the archaeological and/or historic sites, which can be obtained by the Department of Antiquities in Khartoum.

langue

Languages

The official and most widely spoken language is Arabic. English is spoken in academic and business circles. Sudan has about 100 local languages in use.
formalites

Required travel documents for

To enter Sudan, you need a visa and a passport which is valid for six months after your return date. Careful! Entry into Sudan and passing through the country are both prohibited for Israeli citizens and for anyone who holds an Israeli visa, whether it is valid or expired!
religion

Religion

Islam is the state religion. 85 % of Sudanese are Sunni Muslims, 5 % are Christians and 10 % are animists.
monnaie

Currency

The currency is the Sudanese pound (SDG).
10 Sudanese pounds = 100 piastres.
£1 = approximately 3.413 SDG
Foreign currencies can be exchanged without any problems in official foreign exchange offices and banks. American Express cards are widely accepted but the use of MasterCard and Visa cards is more restricted. Visa cards are accepted in some shops and in certain banks but only over the counter (not at cash machines). Travellers cheques are not recommended. Banks are open from 8:30am to 12:00pm, Saturday to Thursday.
transports

Local transportation

There are airlines which fly within the country (find out more information from Soudan Airways). The trip which is most often taken is that between Port Sudan and Khartum, but there is also a twice weekly flight between Khartum and Nyala. Waterway transport on the Nile is not specifically for tourism (rather for adventurers!). Sudan's railway network is vast, but service is very slow and uncomfortable. Trains have three classes (including one luxury class) and sleeper-cars for long journeys. In Sudan, few roads are tarred on the outskirts of the country and driving is on the right. Buses (which are parked in market squares) serve the major cities, but urban buses are currently unreliable and irregular. Private minibuses are also irregular and have no official stations; they attempt to replace taxis.It is possible, however, to rent a car on the spot although they are expensive: you need to be at least 21 years of age and hold an international driving license. There are also lots of taxis in the cities: prices are not standard, bargain before boarding!
sante

Health

For travellers arriving from Europe, no particular vaccine is required to enter into Sudan anymore, however, some vaccines are still strongly recommended. Rabies is endemic in Sudan and vaccination against yellow fever, for example, seems necessary as soon as you leave the cities. Be careful of bites and scratches from animals which usually transmit the disease, especially wild dogs and cats.
The risk of malaria varies according to the season and the region. If you wish to take something to protect against malaria, opt for mefloquine because mosquitoes in this region tend to be resistant to chloroquine.
Do not drink water that is not sterilised, nor milk that has not been boiled. Eat only meat and fish which has been well cooked, peel fruit and preferably eat cooked vegetables. Do not swim in stagnant water and beware of swimming pools that are not well-maintained: there are real risks of contracting bilharzia (a resulting infection caused by a parasite of the genus Schistosoma).
electricite

Electricity

240 V. An adapter is necessary.
frequentation

Tourist numbers

taxe

Taxes and tips

telephone

Telephone

To call Sudan from the UK, dial 00 + 249 + the number you are trying to reach.

From Sudan to the UK, dial 00 44 + the number you are trying to reach, without the initial 0.