Sudan Country Dossier

"There is no wonder why Sudan is known as the other Egypt. From temples to tombs, from pyramids to the Nile, with the friendliest of people, Sudan is well worth a visit."

Mohammed El Fayed - Middle East Destination Manager

• Factfile
• Preparing to go
• Money
• Cultural & Environmental Guidelines
• Arrival
• On Tour
• General Information

Factfile

Capital: Khartoum
Official Language: Arabic
Religions: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum)
Voltage: 230V 50Hz, European plug with two circular metal pins; South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin

Preparing to go

Visas

Visas are required by all visitors. All nationalities (with the exception of Arab Nationals who can pick their visas up on arrival) must apply for a visa in advance. These tourist visas are usually valid for up to one month and prices vary depending on your nationality. For the latest information on your specific visa requirements you should contact the local Sudanese Embassy or Consulate near your planned date of travel.

Important Note: Please be aware that visas can take time to process so timing your application to fit in with your proposed travel dates is essential, as you will not be able to enter the country without one.

Money

Local Currency

The monetary unit in Sudan is the Sudanese Dinar (SDD).
Notes are printed in denominations of 2,000SDD, 1,000SDD, 500SDD, 100SDD & 50SDD. Coins come in 50SSD, 20SSD, 10SSD & 5SSD.

Approximate exchange rates (as at March 2007) are as follows:

1 Pound Sterling: 388.15SDD
1 US Dollar: 200.55SDD
1 Euro: 265.21SDD

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs

Travellers' cheques are difficult and expensive to change and while the larger banks in Sudan such as the Sudanese-French Bank in Khartoum will cash them they will charge you a fee for doing so, which can be up to US$30 on a US$100. US American Express travellers' cheques are not accepted at all and it is not uncommon to have problems changing cheques that are anything other than Euros or Pounds Sterling. Likewise to the American Express travellers' cheques, due to sanctions credit cards are also not accepted in Sudan. The best and easiest option is to carry cash, which has its own downside for obvious reasons, but is the most trouble free method. Sudan being relatively crime-free means that there isn't too much risk with carrying large sums of cash around with you but we would highly recommend that you divide your money up and hide it safely about your person and belongings just in case any gets misplaced or otherwise. While Euros and Pounds Sterling are accepted, US dollars are the most convenient currency to use in Sudan especially in smaller towns.

Working out your Budget

The Pre-Departure Information contains general information about the things you will need to consider when budgeting for your holiday. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in Sudan.

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees are not included in our trips to Sudan. It is recommended that you allow approximately US$140 for sites listed as part of the itinerary.

Optional Excursions

All of our itineraries include some free time, the amount of which usually depends on the style of tour you are travelling on (Adventurer trips generally have more than Traveller). If you wish to take optional excursions your Tour Leader will be able to advise you of the possibilities in each area.

Meals

You will find the meal plan for your tour clearly indicated in the brochure and on your Trip Dossier. Breakfast is provided each day on most tours, and many tours also include a number of dinners. Lunches are rarely included to give you more freedom. Tea and Coffee is always provided with breakfast. All other drinks (i.e. bottled water, soft drinks) are at your own expense. Sudan being a fairly inexpensive place to visit means that good food and drink can be easily found for a cheap price.

For a guide to the type of food you will find in Sudan see the Local Food & Drink section of this dossier.

Local Transport

4WD Jeeps
We use privately chartered 4WD vehicles on this tour, usually Land Cruisers or Land Rovers. We have a no smoking policy in all our vehicles. This usually proves no hardship as there are plenty of opportunities for breaks. The country is large and many areas are mountainous requiring slower progress. Delays can also occur and we ask for your patience and understanding in these matters.

What to Take

The Pre-Departure Information that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains a comprehensive list of items that you should consider bringing with you. There are certain items of equipment (e.g. sleeping bags, towels) that you will need on some tours and not on others. Check your Trip Dossier for any special requirements.

Clothing

It is advisable to pack as lightly as possible and bring items of clothing to suit the hot weather; cotton based clothing is usually the most appropriate. A light jacket or fleece is also recommended for late nights or early morning starts, especially during the winter months. A sun hat is also an invaluable item to bring as well as some sort of scarf or bandana to protect against the sun and dust.

Sudan's dresscode is a modest one so items of clothing such as shorts or sleeveless tops are considered inappropriate especially in the Muslim parts of Sudan. Although the Sudanese people will not usually address the topic, it is frowned upon and can occasionally be the cause of tension or discomfort.

Prepare Yourself
Whilst few of our tours can be described as physically demanding you will find all activities more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit and active.

Cultural & Environmental Guidelines

The Environment

Toilets
Wherever you go to the toilet remember to place your toilet paper in the rubbish bin provided – DO NOT flush it down the toilet as this may block the sewerage system. You will almost always find a rubbish bin next to the toilet however you may find it useful to carry a supply of small plastic bags to put your toilet paper in if a rubbish bin is not provided. You may also want to carry your own toilet paper as not all toilets will supply it.

Imaginative Traveller Travel Tip - You may find it useful to take along a supply of antiseptic wet wipes and plastic bags to put your toilet paper in if it cannot be burnt/placed in a bin.

Religion

We encourage travellers to visit mosques and experience religious festivals, such as the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, as a visit to the Middle East during this time will give you a whole different perspective. However we ask that you follow religious rules such as removing your shoes when visiting a mosque. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to advise you of local sensitivities. If you would like to know more about Ramadan or you are travelling at this time please consult our special Ramadan Information Sheet (this can be found on the download pages of our website).

Etiquette & Responsible Tourism

In most cases your Tour Leader will brief you on etiquette accordingly. However, there are a couple of good points which are worth noting:

When entering a shop, a greeting or an effort to make small talk will always go down well. However it is not a good idea to be the first to talk about politics. Subjects such as feminism and atheism should not be broached and criticism of any of the ayatollahs or the prophets of Islam is an offence. Open displays of affection (such as kissing and holding hands) are only acceptable between members of the same sex (but are not signs of homosexuality).

Photography

You should always ask permission before taking anyone's photograph and respect their decision if they say no. It is wise to be careful about photographing women particularly if you are male.

Begging

Begging is common throughout the Middle East. Ultimately donations are a traveller's personal choice, however in line with initiatives and government policy in many of our destinations, our recommendation is NOT to give money, pens, gifts or sweets as this encourages a begging mentality and is largely ineffectual. If you do want to help it is probably better to give to a recognised charity. If you choose not to give simply say no with a smile and keep on walking. If you learn nothing else of the local language, learn to say ‘no thank you’!

Haggling

Haggling is a way of life in the Middle East. In the shops there is no fixed price so the shop keeper will start with a high price which you are then expected to haggle down until you reach a fair price. Haggling should always be relaxed and can be a lot of fun – you will find most shop owners are very friendly and will probably invite you in for a cup of tea to break the ice before the haggling starts!

Arrival

Arrival Transfers

Upon arrival, please look for our representative who will be holding an Imaginative Traveller sign. He should be waiting for you in the area immediately before you reach Customs and Immigration.

Making Your Own Way

The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers.

On Tour

Safety

Sudan is often referred to as being one of the safest countries in Africa. Street crime and theft is minimal while violence is almost unheard of. However, it is always good to take precautions to avoid being victim to what little crime there is in Sudan. Pickpocketing is the most common form of theft and is usually centred in busy areas like bus stations or market places.

Sudan's western provinces are home to some tribes that occasionally practise banditry so a certain level of caution is always recommended.

Tour Leaders & Guides

Your Tour Leader's role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He/she will share their local knowledge, advice on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour – although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right. Tour Leaders are supported by our regionally based office staff and, in most cases, a locally based manager.

Please note that some styles of trip, such as Imaginative Escapes or Imaginative Honeymoons, do not have a Tour Leader. However, there will be representatives on hand who will be able to assist you in arranging any excursions that you wish you take.

Accommodation

Our main criterion for choosing hotels is cleanliness. On Adventurer tours hotels are simple, but comfortable. Bathroom facilities may sometimes be shared and rooms may sometimes be multi share rather than twin. Hotels on Traveller tours almost always have private bathrooms, air conditioning and bar / restaurant facilities. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.

At each hotel your Tour Leader will try to organise the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.

Note: Single supplements are only applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room. Single supplements are also only available on Traveller tours and are not applicable on overnight boats, trains and while camping.

Local Food & Drink

Food
Sudanese food consists of a few staples with spices. Some find the cuisine to be repetitious and occasionally bland but there is a good variety of things to eat on the road. Most of Sudan's staples are vegetarian but it must be noted that some of the dishes are cooked in meat stock to add flavour. Cutlery isn't used so the local ritual is to eat with your right hand using bread as a scoop.

Ful is brown beans stewed for several hours in a large metal girda (cauldron) and is one of Sudan's most popular dishes. The ful is served into bowls with a light sprinkling of spice, oil and a round of bread. There is also the option to include salad (salata), cheese (jibneh), a hard-boiled egg (bayda) or falafel (taamiya), which serves as a deliciously fulfilling meal.

Another bean dish, Fasuliya is served in Tomato sauce, often referred to as the Sudanese equivalent of baked beans. If you like lentils try the adis, which are yellow lentils made as a thick broth and usually served in the mornings. There are also a huge range of stewed vegetable dishes from potatoes (batata) and Okra (baamiya) to peppers and aubergine stuffed with rice (maashi).

The most common meat dish served in Sudan is Kebabs, which are usually cooked on skewers. Sheya is a variety of kebab that consists of very fatty meat that is cooked on flat stones, which sit on a bed of charcoal. Shwarma kebabs are made out of lamb or chicken and can often be found in western-sytle fast food joints along with burgers with a fried egg on top. Kibda is fried chopped liver and is a popular breakfast dish. Alternatively, try the agashay, which is flattened, breaded meat that is cooked over coals. The fish (samak) is very popular along the Nile. The fish is usually filleted, fried and finally served with bread and a hot chilli sauce (shotta).

If a snack is what you're looking for try the falafel (taamiya), which can be readily found on the streets of Sudan. You are served a bag of chickpea balls in a bread roll. Small sweet eats are also available in the local sweet bakery, the most popular being baklawa, which is a very sweet confection of pastry, honey and nuts. Zalabia is a deep fried sweet that is perfect as a light morning snack until mid-morning breakfast.

Drinks
Sudan offers a steady amount of tea (shai) and coffee (ghawha) often from teahouses. Alternatively, there are tea stalls commonly found along most of the streets, which always seem to be the more popular choice. The tea choices include black tea (shai saada), which can be drunk at any time of the day (with milk, or shai bi laban is served only early morning and in the evenings). Hot milk (laban) flavoured with a hint of nutmeg is another popular drink along with tea flavoured with a hint of mint (shai bi nana).

Alcohol is illegal in Sudan but this rule is ignored in places that serve araki, which is a lethal spirit made from dates. In western and southern Sudan you can find merissa (beer brewed from sorghum) and a non-alcoholic beer called birrell.

Special Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians
Although meat is often not the main feature of a meal, it can be found in many dishes, even if only as a stock. Therefore, if you are a vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available at meal times. Your Tour Leader will do their best to offer a vegetarian alternative, but your patience and understanding is requested.

Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour Leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met.

Communications

Email
Internet cafes can be found in most major Sudanese towns usually costing between 200-300SD for one hour. It is recommended that you check the facilities within the cafe before proceeding as although some advertise to have an internet connection it is not uncommon to find that they have nothing more than word processing software on the computers. Where a connection is available the cafes occasionally offer phone line services including microphones and headphones allowing you to use voice-over-IP software to call home, which costs on average 100SD per minute.

Phone
Mobile phone networking and coverage is increasing in Sudan but travellers will probably find it easier and more convenient to use fixed lines. It is possible to purchase phone cards at newspaper kiosks or post offices. Alternatively, private phone kiosks are always useful. Local calls are cheap costing only a few dinars, whereas international calls can be much more expensive at up to 600SD per minute.

Photography Permits

All foreign travellers are technically required to obtain a photography permit that sllows them to use their cameras in Sudan. However, this rule appears to be commonly overlooked or forgotton. The permits can be obtained from the Ministry of Tourism in Khartoum for free. It requires a simple form to fill out and a passport sized photograph. You are required to fill out what it is you will be taking pictures of, for example, 'tourist attractions' or 'cultural sites', which will cover most things and keep your options open during varied photograph opportunities. The permit specifies the strict prohibition of cameras around military areas, bridges and power stations.

General Information

Weather

The following chart shows average daytime temperatures (in degrees celsius) in Khartoum:

Sudan Meteorological Authority

Holidays

Sudan Public Holidays

Suggested Reading

Guidebooks

• Sudan, The Bradt Travel Guide - Paul Clammer

Contact Details

Local Office
The Imaginative Traveller
C/o Benu Travel,
5th Floor, 6a Lebanon Street,
Mohandeseen, CAIRO
Tel: +20 2 3344 0000
Fax: +20 2 304 4803

UK Office
The Imaginative Traveller
1 Betts Avenue
Martlesham Heath
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP5 3RH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1473 667337
Fax: +44 (0)1473 614566

24hr Emergency Contact
MOB: +20 1222 11 699