Sudan Travel Information

Khartoum airport is closed for international flights. The Norwegian embassy in Khartoum does not currently have information on how long this situation will continue. We encourage Nordic citizens who want to go home to monitor the situation themselves and possibly contact airlines with whom they have booked tickets. The security situation in Sudan has been labile throughout the country since December 2018. For information on coronavirus, see the section on Health. According to Abbreviationfinder, SD stands for Sudan in geography.

Safety

Extensive demonstrations have taken place since 19 December 2018 throughout Sudan including in the capital Khartoum. Tear gas has been used several times and over a hundred people have been shot and killed.

In light of the recent unrest, the embassy in Khartoum recommends that Norwegian nationals postpone scheduled trips to Sudan. If, despite current travel advice, one should be in the country, one should take necessary security measures and generally avoid crowds and demonstrations and, more specifically, stay away from the Sudanese Defense Headquarters. If you are going to the airport at night (for night flights) you have to bring your ticket ticket to get through the roadblocks. In addition, one should have checked in advance that the passport has more than three months validity and one should have cash (USD), passport copy and credit card ready for fast bringing.

Shooting has usually increased in the evening and night hours as well as in the early morning. It should be noted that bullets fired into the air, coming down and in the worst case, can kill. It is therefore considered safer to stay indoors. The embassy knows that several bystanders have recently been arrested by the security authorities. This also includes foreign nationals.

Norwegian citizens considering traveling to or located in Sudan despite travel advice are encouraged to keep up to date on the security situation in the country by keeping up with news and other sources of information.

The background of the demonstrations is now linked to a lack of political and civil rights as well as a difficult social and economic situation for the majority of the people of Sudan. The last round of protests started on December 19, 2018 as a popular revolt against a tripling of bread prices.

  • Countryaah: Khartoum is the capital of Sudan. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

An extremely squeezed economic situation in Sudan with inflation of around 70 percent (by the end of the year 2018) and a huge price increase, also on basic food items, has led to a dramatic increase in crime in 2018 in the capital Khartoum. To date, there has been little involvement in these incidents, but several robberies and burglaries are reported against the international environment.

Norwegian citizens (including Danish, Finnish and Icelandic *) who are staying in Sudan for a shorter or longer period are strongly encouraged to register their travels on reiseregistrering.no, especially in light of the laborious security situation in Sudan.
* The Norwegian embassy in Khartoum has consular responsibility in crises to also assist Danish, Finnish and Icelandic citizens. Sweden has its own embassy and therefore handles its own citizens.

The situation in Sudan may change rapidly and by a severe escalation of the security situation, the Norwegian embassy in Khartoum will have little or no opportunity to provide consular assistance.

The security situation and the threat level in Sudan have traditionally varied considerably between different areas. In Darfur, Sør-Kordofan and Blånilen, there are ongoing low-intensity conflicts and at times relatively extensive clashes between various rebel groups and government-controlled forces. Crime is often high in these areas and there is a danger of moving around without the necessary security measures. In parts of eastern Sudan, the security situation can also be labile.

The traffic picture in Sudan is characterized by a reckless driving style, getting traffic signs and violating rules. Several of the main roads outside Khartoum have large holes in the tarmac, which can cause serious accidents in the dark. Otherwise, there are many local drivers who do not use light in the dark and street lighting is only found on a few main roads in Khartoum. Therefore, all driving on both the main road and the country road (outside Khartoum center) in the dark should be avoided. Car accidents pose a significant danger in Sudan and the country ranks fourth worldwide on the number of traffic deaths per capita.

The situation in some countries in the Arab world and the expanded Middle East means that terrorist attacks in Sudan cannot be ruled out, but there have been few such projections in recent years.

Norwegian citizens are encouraged to have valid travel insurance and to bring a passport or a copy of the passport at all times.

In case of emergency it is urged to contact the embassy in Khartoum on telephone +249 187 188 100/+47 23 95 21 00

Outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel. +47 23 95 00 00 or e-mail UDops@mfa.no.

Major Landmarks in Sudan

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

Norwegians need a visa to visit Sudan. Visa only on invitation from Sudanese host (Sudan hotels can arrange this). Sudan’s embassy in Oslo issues a visa for a month. Please note that the process may take several weeks, so search well in advance. Passports must be valid for a minimum of six months after the application date.

All visitors to Sudan must register at the Alien Registration Office within three days of arrival and pay a one-off Sudan Pound (SDG) one-time fee. The hotels are happy to assist with such registration. Please note that permission from the authorities for travel outside Khartoum is required.

It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents and visas are valid.

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Khartoum airport is closed for international flights. The Norwegian embassy in Khartoum does not currently have information on how long this situation will continue. We encourage Nordic citizens who want to go home to monitor the situation themselves and possibly contact airlines with whom they have booked tickets.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

***

Travelers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with official health professional travel advice, guidance and overview of recommended vaccines at the Institute of Public Health.

Yellow fever vaccine is mandatory for entry into Sudan. Contact the National Institute of Public Health or a travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure to find out what other vaccines are required. Travelers are advised to protect themselves from mosquito bites and consider malaria prophylaxis in the Khartoum area as well.

Khartoum has a hospital and emergency room that can treat easier cases of illness, but for more complicated cases evacuation is recommended. Outside of Khartoum, health care is either non-existent or of poor standard. Therefore, unless you are acutely ill, you should seek medical help in the capital. Should you become ill while traveling in the countryside, contact your nearest international aid organization.

Practical information

Travel in Sudan is strictly regulated. Foreign citizens must apply for a travel permit from the Ministry of the Interior for travel outside Khartoum. Since the beginning of 2018, it has been difficult to obtain fuel (gasoline and diesel). Travelers should therefore check in advance if there are opportunities to refuel along the way, before embarking on a long trip.

The time difference to Norway is + 1 hour at winter time (GMT + 2).
The current is 220 volts. Both standard European and UK sockets are used. Adapter recommended included.

According to allcitycodes, the area code for calls from abroad is +249. Sudan has a relatively well-developed telephone network in central areas, including 3G. The net is overloaded at times. Norwegian mobile phones usually work, but not always.

It is not possible to use credit cards or travelers checks in Sudan. It is therefore necessary to bring enough cash. Travelers are advised to bring US Dollars (USD 50/100 printed after 2009) and change to local currency upon arrival. You can exchange at the airport, larger hotels and in banks.

The working week in Sudan is from Sunday to Thursday. All public offices are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. National holidays: January 1 (Liberation Day) and June 30 (Revolution Day). In addition, Eid is celebrated twice a year.

Official languages ​​are Arabic and English. In addition, there are numerous local languages ​​/ dialects.

Sudan has Sharia law. However, the rules are enforced less strictly here than in many other countries in the Middle East. One should respect the expectation of proper dress. On the street and other public places, clothing should cover shoulders, upper arms and shoulders. Alcohol is not allowed and also importation is strictly prohibited. Possession of any type of drug is strictly prohibited and severely punished.

There are strict restrictions on photography. Please note that you must have a photo permit from the Ministry of Tourism to be able to photograph. It is forbidden to photograph military installations and their surroundings, bridges, public buildings, airports, soldiers and police. Please ask for permission before taking pictures of the locals.

The climate in Sudan is dry and very hot. Between March and October the temperature is generally between 40 and 45 degrees. From April to June it is the sandstorm season. The sandstorms are often followed by thunder and rain. In July, August and September there can be heavy rain that lasts from 30 minutes to a few hours. There may be a danger of flooding, especially in the south of the country. In winter it is quite dry and comfortable with temperatures between 25-30 degrees a day, but in the evenings and nights the temperature can sometimes go below 15 degrees.