Destination: Sudan

Before you go

When to go

Because Sudan spans such a large landmass, its climate is quite varied, with the north being fairly dry and arid and the south turning more tropical. The best time of year to go depends on which regions of the country you wish to visit, but in general you will find it easier to move around between November and February. During these months, the weather tends to be pleasantly cool and dry.

The time and duration of the rainy season varies from region to region. From January to March, most of the country is under the influence of the dry north-easterly winds that blow in from the Arabian peninsula. During this time, there is practically no rainfall countrywide except for a small area in north-western Sudan, which occasionally experiences light showers coming in from the Mediterranean

By early April, moist south-westerly winds start sweeping into the country from the Congo River basin, causing heavy rainfall in the South.

By July the moist air has reached Khartoum, and in August it has extended to its northern limits around Abu Hamad.

In September, the dry north-easterly winds begin to strengthen and to push south and by the end of December they cover the entire country.

Visas & permits

Entry visas are required by most nationalities. Tourist visas are usually for one month - work permits will allow you to stay longer. At present, Egyptian nationals are exempt from visa requirements. Evidence of a previous visit to Israel will result in a visa refusal.

You must obtain travel permits for many destinations outside of Khartoum. Most areas where there has been recent fighting will need a permit (such as Darfur, parts of South Sudan and some Eastern areas of the country). Many border regions of the country, such as Kassala in Eastern Sudan, Suakin on the Red Sea coast and the Arous Resort also require permits. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in Khartoum can tell you whether you need a travel permit or not. It can take three or four days to obtain permits – longer if you try to do this during a holiday period – so planning ahead is a good idea.

If you book a trip through an established tour operator, they will usually sort out the necessary permits, though some try to shift responsibility for this on to their customers. It is best to check who has the responsibility for the permits before booking.

Permission is also required if you wish to take photographs anywhere within the country. There is no charge for this: simply fill in a form at the Ministry of Tourism.

What to take

Khartoum has developed a lot over the past five years or so, and this has meant that many items which were previously unavailable in the city are now commonplace - but remember that foreign goods tend to be quite expensive. Outside of Khartoum, items from back home are likely to be harder to come by.

Since Sudan is a very hot country, you should come packed for the heat. Loose comfortable clothes, preferably cotton, are best - though remember that winter nights can get quite chilly. Women should bring modest clothes which don't show too much flesh, if they are going to be in the Islamic regions of the country. Sandals or light shoes are useful for short walks around town, but bring some comfortable shoes if you are going to do more heavy-duty walking.

The Sudanese sun can be pretty fierce, so pack shades and high-factor sun-cream. You might also think about wearing a hat, although this will mark you out as a tourist since few of the locals wear hats.

Due to the frequency of power failures, a flashlight plus batteries can be useful.

Malaria is prevalent throughout Sudan, so, as well as a supply of malaria tablets, consider bringing a good insect repellent (containing at least 50% deet) and a mosquito net.

Health & vaccinations

For up-to-date health and vaccination advice, you are strongly advised to consult your local health clinic for the latest information.

For most areas of the country, you should be ensure your typhoid, tetanus and polio vaccinations are up-to-date. For stays of longer than four months, also consider vaccinations against hepatitis A and meningococcal meningitis. Hepatitis B is present in Sudan, but is usually only contracted through intimate contact with a carrier. A rabies vaccine is recommended for those at high risk of animal bites (such as vets).

The World Health Organisation has recently reported a number of cholera outbreaks near Khartoum, and so it might be be worth considering a vaccination against this.

If you are travelling from a country where yellow fever is prevalent, you will need to have with you a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Malaria is rife throughout the country, so preventative medication should be taken before, during and after your trip. Your local health centre can give you more information on the drugs available.

AIDS is present in Sudan, but is less prevalent than in many other African countries. Figures from the United Nations put the number of those living with AIDS in the country at 350,000, just under 1% of the total population. Nonetheless, if you have any sexual relations whilst in the country, it is always a good idea to use condoms. If you plan to work in Sudan for longer than a month, you will need to have an AIDS test, which must be carried out by a hospital within the country. A health certificate from abroad is not valid.

In April 2006, there was an outbreak of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Khartoum. Although the risk to humans from this disease is believed to be very low, you can take precautions against contracting it by avoiding live animal markets and ensuring that all poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.