Sudan is African third largest country and sixteenth largest in the world.
It shares borders with Egypt, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan.
Traveling to Sudan has its challenges and isn’t entirely safe, and apart from all this – it isn’t easy to get in, but if you do manage to, and you don’t go to the dangerous areas of the country, there are chances you will actually have a great time.
It may come as a surprise that the Sudanese people are very warm and friendly and if you’re one of those travelers that don’t like feeling too touristy, you will be happy as you can visit some awesome tourist attractions without even seeing another tourist.
Sudan is as a geographically diverse country: if you go to its northern parts, you can see a splendid view of the Nile cutting through the eastern edge of the Sahara: the Nubian Desert, the remains of the ancient kingdoms of Kush and Meroe, and the land of the Seti.
You can also see magnificent plantations and crops of fava beans, dates, tomatoes, and onions.
If you go to East and West, expect mountains, while the rest of the country is covered in savannahs.
Warnings & Dangers in Sudan
OVERALL RISK: HIGH
Sudan, overall, isn't a safe destination. It is considered to be very risky and many governments advise their citizens not to travel there. If you are already there, plan on returning as soon as the opportunity presents itself. It's a country of great conflicts and dangerous political turmoil.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Transport in Sudan is troubling, to say the least, starting with air traffic. With the lack of planes, you can count on delays and cancellations and, in general, tourists are advised to stay away from Sudan Airways. Entering Sudan altogether is a problem, since crossing its highly militarized borders comes with a lot of problems. Sudan's southern border with South Sudan is extremely dangerous. Going by bus is unreliable and Sudanese buses are sometimes kept in very poor conditions.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Pickpockets do exist and their activity has been on the rise during the past couple of years. Thefts of phones, bags, and pickpocketing are all common in Sudan. Watch your things or leave them in your accommodation. Never let your guard down, especially not in public places, like street cafes, where pickpockets work in pairs: one distracts you while the other one steals.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
As for natural disasters, droughts, desertification, and floods are known for hitting Sudan commonly, of course, apart from the war-inflicted troubles that keep troubling this country, like food insecurities, conflicts and displacement.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
Muggings and kidnappings do happen, so be extremely careful and avoid suspicious areas. Do not accept drinks from strangers and bear in mind that risks increase after dark.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
Terrorists are likely to try and carry out attacks in Sudan. Terrorist attacks, as well as kidnappings, are extremely likely in the Darfur region. Do not venture to this region and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
There is a great risk of being scammed in Sudan. Be wary of people posing as police/army to get bribes from foreigners. If you are pulled over, be courteous - do not make a scene, pay what is asked and then report it at the next police station.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Sudan is relatively safe for a solo woman, as long as you dress and act appropriately for an Islamic country and you respect their laws and religion. Definitely avoid entering public transport alone or finding yourself in crowded areas. Many western women have had problems with being harassed and even sexually assaulted.
So... How Safe Is Sudan Really?
If you’re planning on going to Sudan, you should know that tourists are strongly discouraged from traveling to the Darfur region.
It is dangerous here and the conflict in the Darfur region that is publically well-covered is still taking place.
Apart from this, when South Sudan was still part of Suda, Sudan ended a 40-year civil war between the central government based in Khartoum and non-Muslim separatist groups from the South, and the relationship between the two countries after the independence of South Sudan is strained and tense.
As for crime, muggings and theft are common here but foreigners are generally protected by the locals who will do their best to make you feel safe in their country.
Violent crime does occur, as does petty crime against foreigners, and it has been on the rise during the last couple of years, in the form of purse snatching, pickpocketing, and theft of phones and other devices.
Be on the lookout, as thieves tend to work in an organization and operate in pairs – one distracts you while the other one steals your stuff.
Members of the LGBTQ community should rethink visiting Sudan.
This is a country where LGBT members are discriminated against, arrested, refused service and attacked, and can even be executed by the government.
Vigilantes have attacked them before, while the police stay silent to these crimes and simply turn a blind eye.
How Does Sudan Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Sudan | 55 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Portugal | 57 |
| Japan | 83 |
| Ghana | 73 |
| Australia | 86 |
| Slovakia | 80 |
| Greece | 73 |
| Norway | 85 |
Useful Information
Visas
All countries, except Egypt, need a visa in order to enter Sudan and they are impossible to acquire at the airport upon entering Sudan. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Sudan. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
Sudanese pound is the official currency in Sudan. ATMs do not exist in Sudan and credit cards are not accepted in Sudan because of the US sanctions. Travelers are advised to bring US dollars or euro in cash.
Weather
Although Sudan is located within the tropics, the climate varies from arid in the north to tropical in the far southwest. There isn't much variation when it comes to temperatures in Sudan: what may vary is the amount of precipitation and the length of the dry season.
Airports
Khartoum International Airport is the main airport in Sudan. It is located in Khartoum but the facility that currently serves as the airport will be replaced with a new airport 40 km south of the center of Khartoum.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Sudan, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Sudan Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 31 | 33 | 37 | 40 | 42 | 42 | 39 | 37 | 39 | 39 | 36 | 32 |
| Low °C | 17 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 18 |
| High °F | 88 | 91 | 99 | 104 | 108 | 108 | 102 | 99 | 102 | 102 | 97 | 90 |
| Low °F | 63 | 64 | 70 | 77 | 82 | 84 | 81 | 79 | 81 | 81 | 72 | 64 |
As the corrupt government has been terminated, most of the dangerous things you have mentioned would be from the past .
My advice if you would like to travel to Sudan, you should know a Sudanese citizen there to guide you. As you mentioned Sudanese people are extremely friendly and this the thing you should not miss when you go there
Sudan Is Not Safe
If You’re Going To Sudan Be Safe
I think this is outdated information because sudan is far different after the the great sudanese revolution.
hey! are you from sudan
It’s not safe
A hidden gem
Definitely worth visiting , great country great people but, you do need to take precautions , the east coast , river nile, khartoum, The pyramids and nobian mountains are among the best attractions specially the capital and portsudan , Life there is cheap and fun , 5 dollars a day can do wonders, people in Sudan are generally very kind , outgoing and humourous, seriously the like to laugh like I’ve never seen before and they give foreigners a lot of attention as well so , get ready for some invites for anything from drinks , dinners, football games ,wild hunting, parties, to even room accommodations so ya, I had a plast over there and if you ever go I hope you do too
Most hospitable people in Africa!
Who on earth wrote this rubbish article. I have been to Sudan many times, including the outlying regional areas (Kassalla, South Kordofan etc) and not even ONCE did I feel it was unsafe. The Sudanese are the most hospitable people i have EVER met and I have travelled all over the world, including many countries in Africa. Walking around Khartoum the only ‘mugging’ you will experience is people inviting you into their homes for tea or cold drink. And al of this was true even BEFORE the revolution.
yeah
the electricity there is very cheap so I might be exploiting that for profit
I have spent over 5 months in Khartoum and think it is a very welcoming country. Very poor but kind people.
Nice people.
Very friendly people. I have been here for more than 5 months (2021-22) and have had no issues. People are poor but friendly with foreigners.
Sudan have the most kindest and friendly people I’ve seen I stayed there 3 years and I really liked the ppl but their new government isn’t good at all the last government was good but idk why Sudanese ppl didn’t like them but I guess for a reason overall ppl there r so friendly and nice 😊
Terrible place; very hostile environment
war
There is an active large-scale war happening in the country. The capital has been a battlefield for more than 100 days now and there are deadly skirmishes happening in many other parts of the nation.
As of summer 2023, I do not recommend anybody to visit Sudan.