Situated at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile, Sudan is an off-the-beaten-track destination in the heart of East Africa. It is a nation of spectacular, unspoilt natural beauty, friendly people, a rich cultural heritage and numerous ancient archaeological sites. Sudan is home to more pyramids than Egypt- rising up from the Nubian Desert, the ancient city of Meroe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features over 200 pyramids dating back to 300 BC. Visitors can look forward to exploring Port Sudan, the centre of Sudan’s thriving world-class diving scene, and discover the 3500-year-old Western Deffufa Temple, said to be the oldest manmade structure in sub-Saharan Africa. Don’t miss the mesmerising whirling dervishes of the Sufi Qadiriyah order, who gather at the Hamed al-Nil Tomb in Omdurman to dance and pray on a weekly basis.
Set at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile Rivers, Khartoum is Sudan's capital and the largest city. This bustling, glitzy, modern destination enthrals with a captivating blend of old and new, where twenty-first-century glass skyscrapers exist amidst vibrant souks. Explore the local history and culture with a visit to a fascinating museum showcasing Sudan's ancient history, sample local Sudanese cuisine at various local eateries, and visit St. Matthew's Cathedral, a Roman Catholic Christian religious building boasting numerous turrets and spires that resemble a fairy-tale castle. Don't miss the White Nile Bridge that overlooks the meeting point of the world's longest river.
Set amidst the scorching climate of northern Sudan, the riverside village of Karima is set along the magnificent Nile River. Looming over Karima is the Jebel Barkal, a sacred table-topped mountain that rises out of the flat desert landscape and historically served as an essential landmark for caravans making their way along Nubian trade routes. Scattered around its base is a collection of ruined UNESCO-listed temples and tombs dating back thousands of years, among which are the ruins of the Temple of Mut, built by Taharqa, the last Kushite king. At the Jebel Barkal Museum are displays of artefacts and pottery from the Jebel Barkal region discovered during excavations. A little to the west of Jebel Barkal, on the other side of the river from Karima, are the Nuri pyramids, built during the 7th century. The El Kurru royal cemetery is a fifteen-minute drive downstream from Karima.
As a former capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kush on the western bank of the Nile, Meroe was a once-rich metropolis that flourished due to its location on a number of major trade routes. Along a stretch of smouldering Sudanese desert are three groups of over 200 ancient Nubian-style pyramids, erected as royal tombs for kings, queens and wealthy nobles who ruled the Nubian Kingdom of Kush for more than 1000 years during the Meroitic Period until its demise in 350 AD. On foot or camelback, visitors can roam the desert to admire the elaborate paintings and drawings that adorn the interior walls chronicling the highlights of deceased kings' reigns. The area was named a UNESCO World Heritage site.
As previously described
