Sudan
Republic of the Sudan
Northern Africa · SDN
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Sudan
Sudan is most compelling for travelers who want Nubian archaeology, Nile-desert landscapes, and sites that still feel well outside the usual circuit. It is best treated as a specialized heritage route around Khartoum and the northern archaeological corridor, not a broad exploratory trip while conditions remain unstable.
Popular For
Things To See
- Khartoum
- Meroe
- Gebel Barkal
- Suakin
- Dungonab Bay
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- November through February is the easiest window for archaeological travel before the heat rises.
- Most viable itineraries stay on one Nile corridor.
- Current conditions require extra caution and flexibility, so confirm what is realistically accessible before booking.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Sudan.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Sudan Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Sudan.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Khartoum
- Population
- 51,662,000
- Area
- 1,886,068 km²
- Region
- Northern Africa
Languages
- Arabic
- English
Currency
Sudanese pound (ج.س)
SDG
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
46.5
Price level index (US = 100)
Safety & Peace
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Khartoum (15.60°N, 32.53°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
9/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 0/100
- Lived safety
- 26/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal❌
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.511
Low human development
- 5-year change
- -0.004
- 10-year change
- +0.023
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.813
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.588
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.498
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (3)
- 🌿
Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park
Inscribed 2016
- 🏛️
Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe
Inscribed 2011
- 🏛️
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
Inscribed 2003
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 2.3%
- Forest cover
- 9.6%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 19
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 27
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
26/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
83/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
Do not travelto Sudan due to risk of unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, and health threats. The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum suspended its operations in April 2023 due to the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan. The U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to Americans in Sudan due to the current security situation. Do not travel to Sudan for any reason. To report an emergency regarding an American in Sudan, contact: U.S. Embassy Cairo: +20-2-2797-3300 From the United States and Canada: Dial +1-888-407-4747 for the U.S. Department of State. From elsewhere in the world: Dial +1-202-501-4444 for the U.S. Department of State. Unrest - Armed Conflict Armed conflict continues in Sudan. This includes heavy fighting among the Sudanese Armed Forces, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and various armed militias. The situation is violent, volatile, and extremely unpredictable. This is especially true in the Kordofan and Darfur regions, as well as in the capital region, including Khartoum and Omdurman. Khartoum International Airport is currently only operating for limited commercial traffic. Commercial service to the Port Sudan International Airport has been limited at times due to drone strikes. Electrical and communication disruptions can occur at any time. This includes internet and cell phone service interruptions. Crime Crime, including kidnapping, assault, rape, armed robbery, home invasion, looting, and carjacking, is a common threat throughout the country. Checkpoints can appear at any time. Some may be real security checkpoints, but others may be set up so people can steal from travelers. Some checkpoints may be especially dangerous for certain groups of people. Terrorism Members of known terrorist groups and people sympathetic to these groups can attack with little or no warning. They may target foreign and local government facilities, as well as tourist areas. Landmines Landmines are a threat. Much of Sudan is an active war zone. There are widespread reports of unexploded ordnance and landmines posing a threat in Khartoum and elsewhere in the country, even after fighting has ended in those areas. Health Medical services in Sudan are extremely limited. Adequate medical treatment for routine and emergency procedures is often not available. Even minor health issues could require medical evacuation at the traveler’s expense. Make sure you have medical or travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. Review our information on travel insurance. Check with your doctor about required vaccines and shots for high-risk exposure before you go to Sudan. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest travel health information for Sudan.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data