TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(SDD)
Sudanese Dinar |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 249, City Code Khartoum 1+8D, Atbara 211+6D, Karima 231+6D |
AIR:
Sudan Airways (SD) runs services to 20 airports, including Dongola,
Juba, Port Sudan and El Obeid. The most reliable route is Port
Sudan to Khartoum. There is also an air-taxi service operating
twice-weekly to Nyala, available from Khartoum.
Departure
tax: sD600.
RIVER:
River steamers serve all towns on the Nile but conditions are
mostly unsuitable for tourist travel. Services depend on fluctuating
water levels. It is wise to take food and water. Destinations
include Dongola, Karima, Kosti and Juba. A 320km (200-mile) navigable
canal, the Jonglei, is under construction in the south.
RAIL:
Sudan has an extensive rail network (5500km/3418 miles) but the
service is in bad repair, extremely slow and uncomfortable. Travelling
first class is advisable; second- and third-class compartments
can get very crowded. Sleeping cars are available on main routes
from Khartoum to Wau/Nyala, Khartoum to Kassala/Wadi Halfa and
Port Sudan to Khartoum. There are a few air-conditioned carriages,
for which a supplement is charged.
ROAD:
Only major roads are asphalted; road conditions are poor
outside towns, roads to the north are often closed during the
rainy season (July to September) and street lights are non existent.
Owing to the bad conditions, a full set of spare parts should
be carried for long journeys. Vehicles must be in good working
condition. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Services run between
the main towns and depart from the market places; however they
are not entirely safe. Souk (market) lorries are a cheap but uncomfortable
method of transport. Taxi: Also often unsafe, taxis can be found
at ranks or hailed in the street. Taxis are not metered, fares
must be agreed in advance. Car hire: Available in the main towns
and at major hotels but charges are high. Documentation: Carnet
de Passage, adequate finance and roadworthiness certificate (from
the Embassy) are all needed. An International Driving Permit is
recommended, although not legally required. A temporary driving
licence is available from local police on presentation of a valid
British or Northern Ireland driving licence. Women are allowed
to drive in Sudan.
URBAN:
Publicly operated bus services in Khartoum have of late become
unreliable and irregular which has led to the proliferation of
private bakassi minibuses, nicknamed boks. They pick up and set
down with no fixed stops. These operations are on the fringes
of legality and should be used with care.
