This stay requires an arrival by plane to Khartoum. It is not intended to be copied as is, but rather to provide ideas for possible paths. Some parts are for motorized travellers (personal or rented car).
Day 1: Formalities and visit to Khartoum
Day 2: Omdurman, on the other side of the Nile
Day 3: Road to El-Obeid
Day 4: Visit to El-Obeid
Day 5: The Nuba Mountains
Day 6: The Nuba Mountains (a)
Day 7: Aba Island
Day 8: To Kassala
Day 9: Visit to Kassala
Day 10: The Thaka Mountains
Day 11: Port Sudan
Day 12: Suakin, on the Red Sea
Day 13: Scuba diving
Day 14: Atbara
Day 15: Shendi
Day 16: Direction Karima
Day 17: Northern Sudan
Day 18: Visit to Kerma
Day 19: Drive up the Nile
Day 20: Return to Khartoum
Passage to the foreigners' registration office (it is mandatory within three days), to the Tourism office for the travel permits to be issued, and visit of the triangular metropolis. Omdurman, the tomb of the Mahdi, the Bait al-Khalifa, the camel souk... Khartoum, the banks of the Nile, the National Museum, Tuti..
If you are there on a weekend (Sudanese), come and watch the Nuba wrestling in Bahri or the Sufi ritual dances in Omdurman on Sunday evening. After a sunset on the banks of the Nile, spend an evening in a restaurant or one of the city's growing number of cafés. Don't forget, to rest from your travels, to sit down for a few minutes in front of the scented tea of the "sitta chay".
It takes at least 6h30 by car to reach El-Obeid, add 2 hours to visit Kosti on the way.
Discover El-Obeid, the world capital of gum arabic, in the middle of the semi-desert plain (sic). Enjoy a cup of tea or a good tabaldi juice, the delicious fruit of the baobab tree, in the shade of the refreshing khazan. Don't miss either the museum or the cathedral of this charming city.
For the bravest (and most curious), so close to the goal, a discovery of the Nuba Mountains is essential. Dare yourself, via Dilling or Kadugli, in the surrounding hills to discover the most ethnically composite region of Sudan.
Continue your expedition in the Sudanese mountains.
From Kosti, go to the island of Aba, where the strong memory of the Mahdi still hangs. Then reach Sennar, the former capital of the Sultanat Bleu des Founj.
Join Kassala via Gedaref. Take advantage of a stopover to discover the souk of this city passing through Ethiopia.
Explore Kassala. The headquarters of Khatmiyah, one of the oldest and most powerful Sufi brotherhoods in the country. The countryside and orchards a few kilometres from Eritrea.
Discover the Thaka Mountains and its mountain villages for the day.
Take the day off to Port Sudan via Tokar, through Beja country.
Discover Suakin, the old great coastal port, with its coral island and its village of glorious ruins. Back in Port Sudan, don't miss a walk in the souk to finish on the ledge to enjoy delicious conish under the gaze of the cargo ships.
Spend a relaxing day exploring Red Sea funds. The Coast of Port Sudan is renowned for its many and beautiful diving sites, which are appreciated by all professionals around the world.
Direction Atbara via Arkowit. The passage of the Red Sea mountains must require a small hook in this valley, formerly very popular with English settlers.
Go up the Nile towards Shendi. Go and get lost (figuratively speaking!) in the surroundings of Musawwarat and Naqa, testimonies of the remarkable syncretism of the Meroitic civilization. Win Meroe for an exceptional end of day.
Spend your late afternoon at the djebel Barkal.
Go from Nuri to El-Ghazali and then to El-Kurru. Then join Dongola.
Passage to Toumbous. By taking the ferry to Delgo, you can see Seisibi and especially the Soleib temple where you can spend the night. Unless you prefer to leave your car in Wawah, on the other side of the Nile.
A last foray northwards, to Abri via the island of Sa and its historical and natural richness, if you are interested.
The bountoun (ferry) can be useful if it takes you the idea on the way to discover the capital of Christian Nubia: Old Dongola.
Each Travel Idea is customizable according to your wishes