Welcome to Khartoum, the capital city of the Sudan, the largest African country.
Our cosmopolitan city's range if historic attractions, museums, free annual
events, and tourist services is unrivalled by any other Sudanese city.
This visitor map was designed to help you get around the nation's capital with
ease, and to acquaint you with many outstanding sites the city has to offer.
Major attractions, transportation system around the city and main roads across
the city are noted in the map.
We wish you a pleasant stay in the nation's capital, and hope that you will visit
again in the future.
Location
Khartoum town lies along the left bank of the Blue Nile, and forms a huge triangle.
Its vertex at the confluence of then two Niles, the White Nile on its west side
and the Blue Nile on its east and the base bordering Gezira State some 30 K.
southward. It is situated on latitude 15 36 N, and longitude 31 32 E, and it
is 1352 ft. above sea level. Its population has grown to over 5 million people.
Khartoum, together with the two cities, Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri),
these cities jointly called the tri-capital, constitute the National Capital
of the republic of Sudan.
Climate of Khartoum
The climate is mainly tropical. During summer (March - June), the temperature
is quite high, with an average temperature of 38 C, with May as being the hottest
month of the year. Autumn starts from mid-July and ends on September, with a
total rainfall of 167 mm; it is characterized by abundance of sandstorms. Winter
starts on October and lasts up to March, it is endowed with a beautiful to moderate,
dry and healthy weather, the average temperature in Winter is 24 C, the ideal
time for foreigners to visit Khartoum and enjoy its tourism activities.
Places to visit in Khartoum
The Mogran
Khartoum Mogran, (confluence of the two Niles) is an outstanding natural attraction
to its lovers from all over the globe. The area is famed for migratory birds,
frolic flowers and various restaurants as well as a family park.
Museums
Khartoum is home to several museums, including the Sudan National Museum, The
National Museum for Ethnography, Natural History Museum, and the Khalifah House
Museum, plus others. They are the must places to visit, as they serve as one
stop venues for finding out about the people, culture and history of the largest
county in Africa.
The Mahdi's Tomb
It is located at Omdurman and encompasses and encompasses an important part of
the country's heritage during the Mahdist Era.
Omdurman market
This ancient Souq exhibits all types of handicrafts, artifacts, souvenirs and
various items of Sudanese folk memorabilia. The market is usually open from 8:00
a.m. and closes at sunset.
Sheikh Hamad-el-Niles Tomb
On the western side of Omdurman on Fridays, many dervishes congregate dancing
their famous and well-known rites and songs. The practice exemplifies tradition
of Sufi in the Sudan.
Boatyard
It lies just off shore of the Abu Raouf quarter of Omdurman, on the western side
of the Nile, where we can see the manufacturing of traditional boats, the way
it have been done for centuries.
However, the above are not the only to be seen. Khartoum is rich with other attractions
that are really breath taking. Among them we may include: - Nuba wrestling, the
Camel Market, Abd-el-Qayum Gate, the Nile's Islands, the WWII cemeteries, the
church of St. Matthew, king Farouqe's mosque, Sayyid Ali's mosque, the Republican
Palace, the Botanical Gardens, west Omdurman's desert and Jebel Awlia, etc.
Hotels
Hotels are found mainly in Khartoum, and are found in all categories. They are
well equipped to extend their services from 5 stars grade and down to 2 stars.
The majority of these hotels are located in Khartoum. There are plenty of available
rooms at all classes throughout the year.
Water
Although the water in hotels and camps in Khartoum is generally suitable for
drinking, we advise our visitors to drink mineral water as a precaution for their
health - mineral water is now found almost every where a visitor goes to.
Food
Most types of meals and internationally known dishes are available in Khartoum.
All sorts of fresh meats (chicken, beef, lamb and fish) are slaughtered or caught
daily. Fresh vegetables (picked daily) are plentiful. Fruit is from local sources.
There are a variety of canned and packaged goods. Hotels and restaurants serve
mostly standard fare of both the Sudanese and international types.
Clothes
Light cotton clothing is advisable for Khartoum during the summer days. During
the winter days, a pullover is usually sufficient as additional wear. During
winter evenings and early mornings, heavier clothing may be necessary. Generally
speaking, a layered style wardrobe works best.
Getting there
A foreigner intending to visit KRT could obtain an entry visa from the Sudanese
diplomatic missions abroad, or he could get one at KRT International Airport
with a prior arrangement with the Ministry of Foreign Relations, if there is
no mission in his/her country.
Health Regulations
Vaccination against smallpox, yellow fever, typhoid and cholera may be compulsory
for foreigners upon entry. Prophylactics against malaria are advised.
Customs
All personal belongings are customs free, with an allowance of 200 r less cigarettes
or ¼ ounce of tobacco. As for electrical or electronic equipment and firearms,
dues are taken for these items while subject to refund if they are re-exported
within 6 months period from the date of their entry.
Currency
The official local unit of a currency is the Sudanese Pounds.
- As for foreign currency, there is no limit to the amount currency that could be admitted in Sudan. Declaring these amounts on the port en entry to the authorities is a must to ensure the right of the visitor to take back any amount of foreign currency not exceeding the declared amount.
- Since the prices of foreign currencies in Sudan are subject to frequent changes, visitors are advised to know these prices before coming to Sudan.
- Credit cards are not acceptable in most places except some of the International Hotels and Airlines.
Time
Greenwich +3 summer timing, Greenwich +2 winter timing.
Electricity
200 Volts (220) 50Hz.
Official and working hours
Government offices are open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Banks are open from 8 a.m.
to noon. Friday is the official weekly holiday.
Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken (in most hotels
and official offices).
Religion
Islam is the official religion of the majority with Christianity having a
special place.
Getting around
There are several means of transport inside Khartoum. The most common transport
is the "hafla" or minibus. Similar to the minibus are flat bed
conversions that resemble minibuses. There are also some new microbuses that
are quite comfortable, as well as taxi, and "rickshaws" services.
Ali Dinar Museum
The museum is situated in El fasher Town in northern Darfur State in the west
of Sudan. It accommodates an impressive collection of archaeological items
that traces the region history since ancient tomes. Special attention is given
to Sultan Ali Dinar"s outlandish belonging and household.
National History Museum
This museum is located on the Gama:A Street, opposite to the main building
of the University of Khartoum. It was established during the second decade
of this century and is relegated to the Faculty of Science. The museum demonstrates
interesting and unique species of animals and birds found in Sudan. A collection
of mummified reptiles; birds and animals are also exhibited.
Sheikan Museum
This museum is located in Elobeid Town in northern Kordofan State. The name
Sheikan is Derived from a site near Elobeid, where the Mahdist forces vanquished
a large British force at a battle in 1880.
The museum was initiated in 1965 and holds a substantial number of historic
and ethnographic elements that reflect the various stages of Kordofan history.
Moreover, the museum exhibits archaeological artifacts from early Stone Age
(Paleolithic) to the Funj Islamic era (1505-1820). The museum also displays
some interesting relics and items from the Sheikan battle.
Sudan's Ethnographic Museum
The museum was established in 1956 and is situated at the junction of Gam"a
Street and ElMek Nimir Street. It enfolds a spectacular collection of material
culture of various Sudanese tribes and peoples. This rich heritage of agricultural
and nomadic appliances, domestic tools, ceremonial paraphernalia and utilities
are artistically exhibited and Knowingly demonstrated.
Sudan's National Museum
This museum can be regarded as Sudan's main custodian of the country's historical
heritage, for is where all of the collected ancient cultural material of Sudan
is documented, kept and displayed for the benefit of all visitors.
Sudan's National Museum was established in 1971 at an attractive site on the
Nile Avenue, overlooking the Blue Nile and not from its confluence with the
White Nile. The museum consists of two main sections: The first is an outdoor
garden of lush greenery, transgressed by a water channel symbolizing the Nile.
Here, the monuments and temples of Napatan and Christian eras were reconstructed
after their rescue from the flood caused by the construction of the Aswan
Dam in the sixties.
The second section is comprised of a two-story building, which accommodates
a huge collection of rare archaeological artifacts. This covers all stages
and epochs of Sudanese civilizations, from the early Paleolithic period through
Napatan, Meroetic, Christian and Islamic areas. Of particular interest to
visitors is the rare collection of artifacts belonging to the Kerma civilization
(2500-1800 BC).
The Khalifa House Museum
This was the residence of the Khalifa Abdullah Ben Mohamed, who succeeded
the Mahdi. The ground floor of the residence was built in 1888 and the upper
floor in 1891. It became a museum in 1928. The structure of the residence
itself is of great historical importance, since it exhibits the style and
architecture prevailing at that period. The vast collection of artifacts displayed
inside the two-story museum covers almost the entire Mahdiya rule, apart from
a collection of personal belongings of the Khalifa, such as utensils, beds,
swords, spears and various other elements of everyday use.