Destinations

Six places worth the longer flight.

From the royal pyramids of the north to a coral coast almost no one has dived — Sudan opens slowly, and only for those who come.

Why these six?

Sudan holds more royal pyramids than anywhere on earth — over 200 in the fields of Meroë alone. Two Niles meet at its heart. A coral coast few have dived remains largely unexplored. Ancient kingdoms, living cultures, Nile villages, and mountains shaped by geologic time draw visitors who seek authenticity over tourism infrastructure. These six destinations represent Sudan's span: from the oldest continuous civilisation in the world to the Red Sea's hidden reefs.

Meroë
01 / 06

Meroë

The royal cemetery of the Kingdom of Kush holds more pyramids than any single place on earth — steep-sided, close-packed, the colour of the sand they rise from.

You walk between them with a guide and the wind, and almost never another traveller.

Region
River Nile
Best season
Oct — Mar
Pyramids
200+
Read the full article on Meroë

Continue north to Jebel Barkal, the sacred mountain at the heart of Kush's power.

Khartoum
02 / 06

Khartoum

Here the Blue Nile and the White Nile braid into one river. Watch the confluence from a wooden boat at dusk, a glass of cardamom tea in hand.

Then cross to Omdurman for the largest souk in the country.

Region
The confluence
Best season
Year-round
Souk
Omdurman
Read the full article on Khartoum

Explore Kassala and the Taka to the east, where Sudan meets the mountains of Eritrea.

Jebel Barkal
03 / 06

Jebel Barkal

A flat-topped sandstone mountain so sacred its people believed the god Amun lived inside it. No Kushite king could take the throne without its blessing.

At its base stand the pyramids of Karima and the palace of Natakamani.

Height
≈100 m
Capital
Napata
Best season
Oct — Mar
Read the full article on Jebel Barkal
Port Sudan
04 / 06

Port Sudan

The least-dived coast on the Red Sea. Sanganeb atoll and Shaab Rumi reef offer 40-metre visibility, hammerheads in season, and almost no other boat on the water.

Inland lies Suakin, the sunken coral citadel.

Reefs
Sanganeb
Visibility
40 m
Best season
Year-round
Read the full article on the Red Sea coast
Nubian villages
05 / 06

Nubian Villages

Along the river north of Dongola, doors are painted bright blue, ochre and red — a thousand-year tradition of protection and welcome.

A culture still living, not framed behind glass.

Region
Lower Nubia
Craft
Painted doors
Best season
Sep — Apr
Read the full article on the Nubian villages
Bayuda desert
06 / 06

Bayuda Desert

Black volcanic cones in yellow sand, where the Nile makes its great S-bend. Sleep in a mobile camp and wake to a silence so complete you can hear your own pulse.

Overhead, the Milky Way with no light to dim it.

Terrain
Volcanic
Nights
Mobile camp
Best season
Nov — Feb
Read the full article on the Bayuda