Things to do in Sudan

Wander among the steep-sided pyramids of Meroe, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, set against the golden sands of the Bayuda Desert.

Stand at the Al-Mogran Family Park in Khartoum and watch the distinct, swirling waters of the two rivers merge into a single, powerful Nile.

Journey off the beaten path to the isolated necropolis of Nuri, home to massive pyramids including that of Taharqa, a powerful pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty.

Immerse yourself in the sensory overload of Khartoum's largest and oldest market, where you can haggle for spices, incense, traditional crafts, and everyday goods.

Trek through the dramatic volcanic landscape of the Jebel Marra massif in Darfur, featuring crater lakes, waterfalls, and unique Afro-montane vegetation.

Explore the ruins of a vast Meroitic temple complex, famous for its intricate carvings and graffiti depicting elephants, lions, and warriors.

Watch the powerful, ritualized sport of 'Nuba wrestling' at a local event, often accompanied by drumming and dancing.

Glide silently on a traditional wooden sailboat as the sun sets over the Nile, turning the sky and river into shades of orange and purple.

See the gleaming white-domed mausoleum of Muhammad Ahmad, the Mahdi, who led a major 19th-century revolt against Ottoman-Egyptian rule.

Explore pristine coral reefs teeming with marine life along Sudan's Red Sea coast, known for its exceptional visibility and shark populations.

Start your day like a local with a hearty plate of slow-cooked fava beans, seasoned with spices, lemon, and oil, often served with flatbread.

Take a boat to Sai Island in the Nile to discover remnants spanning from the Pharaonic era to the medieval Christian period.

Witness the ecstatic Sufi ritual of the 'dhikr' at the Hamed al-Nil mosque on Friday afternoons, where devotees chant, drum, and whirl in a trance-like spiritual ceremony.

Stand before the towering mud-brick Western Deffufa, the ceremonial center of the ancient Kerma Kingdom (c.

Partake in the ceremonial preparation and drinking of coffee, brewed in a traditional clay pot (jabana) and flavored with ginger and spices.

Wander the coral-stone ruins of this once-thriving Ottoman-era Red Sea port, now a hauntingly beautiful ghost town.

Tour the historic residence of Abdullahi al-Taishi, the successor of the Mahdi, which now serves as a museum housing artifacts from the Mahdist State period.

Visit the ancient royal cemetery where the earliest Nubian pyramids were built, including those of King Piye and Shabaka.

Admire the modern Islamic architecture of the Great Mosque (Masjid al-Kabir), a major religious and cultural landmark in downtown Khartoum.

Experience the thrill of sliding down the towering sand dunes in the vast, open Bayuda Desert.

View the stunning medieval Nubian Christian frescoes, now housed in the Sudan National Museum, that were salvaged from the Faras Cathedral site before it was submerged by Lake Nasser.

Try this fermented sorghum pancake that accompanies almost every Sudanese meal, with a slightly sour flavor and spongy texture.

Spot migratory and resident birds, including eagles, storks, and kingfishers, in this vast biosphere reserve on the Ethiopian border.

See the striking twin-spired Catholic cathedral, a rare example of German colonial-era architecture in Sudan, standing out in the Khartoum skyline.

Discover the remains of the capital of the Christian Kingdom of Alodia at Soba, near Khartoum.