Sudan is one of the largest countries in Africa however a vast portion of it is covered by a hostile Saharan climate which leaves little space for life to exist. In addition, Sudan is currently in a state of conflict with insurgency taking place in the south of the country.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Sudan are required to have a valid passport. Entry requirements vary depending on visitors nationality. Certain countries of the Arab world such as Egypt and Syria enjoy the luxury of visa-free movement. Citizens of all other countries are required to obtain a visa either in advance or on arrival however this also varies depending on nationality. Visitors who wish to drive in Sudan may do so using their national driving permit. Despite that, an IDP is strongly recommended as it will aid drivers in dealing with the local police or when renting a vehicle. IDP holders must beware that an IDP cannot be used alone and must always be complemented by the original driving permit. Driving permits issued in the UK can be exchanged for Sudanese driving permits however such process may be lengthy and expensive.

Traveling hazards

Road conditions throughout Sudan are hazardous. Only major highways and some streets in the cities are paved, many roads are narrow, rutted, and poorly maintained. While there are functioning traffic signals on major streets in Khartoum, there are virtually none in other parts of the country. Local drivers often do not observe conventions for the right of way, stop on the road without warning, and frequently exceed safe speeds for road, traffic, and weather conditions. Driving at night is dangerous and should be avoided if possible; many vehicles operate without lights. Roads in southern Sudan are often impassable during the rainy season which usually lasts from March to October. Spare tires, parts, and fuel should be taken when traveling in remote areas, as service stations are separated by long distances. Public transportation exists in cities and between major urban areas. Passenger facilities are basic and crowded, especially during rush hours and periods of seasonal travel. Schedules are unpublished and subject to change without notice. There is routine passenger train service on the route from Khartoum to Wadi Halfa on the border with Egypt and to Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Bus service between major cities is regular and inexpensive. Intra City bus service in the major urban areas is by small and large buses, and vans. Many drivers of these vehicles have little training and are reckless, and the vehicles are often poorly maintained. Most buses and bus stops are privately operated and unmarked. Taxis are available in the major cities at hotels, tourist sites, and government offices. Motorized rickshaws, in common use in Khartoum, are unsafe. Travelers are encouraged to hire cars and drivers from reputable sources with qualified drivers and safe vehicles. While there is some public transit to rural communities by irregularly scheduled minibusses, many areas lack any public transportation.

Environmental hazards

Sudan is one of the largest countries on the African continent. A vast part of the country, however, is covered in inhospitable desert of Sahara. Most people in Sudan live along the Nile or in the very south of the country. This also applies to the fauna of Sudan. Hippopotamuses inhabit freshwaters of Sudan, especially the Nile river. These animals are second in size only to elephants and are fiercely territorial. They will attack even crocodiles which approach them. Nile crocodiles are some of the most dangerous animals on earth. These crocodiles are very aggressive and will attack if an opportunity arises. Lions can be found in the south of Sudan however they are few in numbers in the area making them a rare sight. Despite that, these animals are still dangerous and are not afraid to attack people on sight. There are numerous snakes which are lethally venomous. The puff adder can be found throughout Sudan and alone is responsible for over 30 thousand deaths across Africa making it one of the most lethal snakes. Despite the fact that antivenom exists, survival often depends on the proximity of hospitals or the response of the emergency services. Areas which lack healthcare facilities, snakebite is like a death sentence. Shark attacks have occurred in the past however such incidents are quite rare in the Red Sea.
Most frequently occurring natural hazards are floods, wildfires, droughts, storms, and earthquakes. Floods, however, are responsible for most damage caused to infrastructure and urban areas as well as economic damage and in addition, floods carry the biggest death toll.

Health hazards

The government of Sudan requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever. There are other vaccines which are recommended. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, meningitis and rabies vaccines. Malaria and Zika are both risks in Sudan. Both of these diseases are carried by mosquitoes and there are no approved vaccines against either. Since both are transmitted through mosquito bites, visitors should use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets. Wearing long-sleeved clothes in areas infested by mosquitoes is also advised. There is medicine on prescription against malaria which should be available to anyone who consults their local general practitioner. Sudanese healthcare is roughly standard to the sub-Saharan region which makes it quite poor by western standards. Despite the decentralization of the healthcare system, the country experiences a shortage of trained staff, modern equipment, and supplies. Rural areas receive only basic medical services or none at all. All private clinics are almost exclusive to Khartoum and Port Sudan.
In case of an emergency dial 333.

Crime

Crime rates remain relatively low in north and central Sudan, including Khartoum state. Criminal activity is generally non-violent and non-confrontational. Homelessness and begging have increased, of which the latter can be quite aggressive. Most crimes reported are property crimes motor vehicle theft, burglary, larceny-theft, arson. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, smash and grabs, and car break-ins have also been reported. Double-edged knives and machetes continue to be the weapons of choice in violent assaults. Carjackings by gangs and militia groups continue to be a common occurrence throughout the Darfur region. The threat of other violent crimes such as home invasions, armed robberies, and kidnappings is particularly high in Darfur, as the government has limited capacity and resources to combat crime there. In addition, government-supported militias and other heavily armed Darfuri rebel groups are known to have carried out criminal attacks against internally displaced persons, vulnerable migrants, and other foreigners. In the eastern region, organized crime networks are engaged in smuggling and trafficking activities through the porous borders with Eritrea and Ethiopia. The government is attempting to address this problem with an intensive focus on anti-trafficking efforts, declarations of states of emergency, and occasional border closures, however, authorities often do not have the resources to confront these groups. Sudan is a high-risk location for terrorist activity. This particularly applies to the south of the country where insurgents are in control of certain areas. Furthermore, the likes of Boko Haram, isis or al Qaeda have been known to recruit in Sudan.

Summary

Although Sudan offers incredible attractions and is littered with pyramids, the country is dangerous and rather unpopular with tourists. Unlike its northern neighbor, Sudan is much poorer which creates a much more hazardous environment, particularly for tourists. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/sudan/passport-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/sudan