From $920 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
This 3-day tour of Sudan is crafted to provide both historical and cultural depth, focusing on Khartoum’s iconic sites, ancient Nubian pyramids at Meroë, and the vibrant life of Omdurman. You’ll travel with knowledgeable guides, ensuring comfort, security, and in-depth understanding of each location.
Day 1: Arrival in Khartoum – Nile Confluence, Museums, and Local Culture
Arrive at Khartoum International Airport, where your driver and English-speaking guide will meet you and transfer you to your centrally located hotel for check-in and refreshment.
Begin your introduction to Sudan with a drive to the Confluence of the Blue and White Nile, where you’ll observe the two distinct river colors merging, creating one of Africa’s most significant waterways. This natural wonder is best viewed from the Al-Mogran Family Park or the nearby bridge area.
Proceed to the Sudan National Museum, which contains a rich collection of Nubian artifacts including relocated temples from the ancient city of Buhen, intricate pottery, and Christian-era frescoes from Old Dongola and Faras. The museum’s garden also displays statues and stone carvings from different ancient Sudanese kingdoms.
Continue to the Ethnographic Museum, a compact but insightful exhibition of Sudan’s many ethnic groups. Exhibits include tribal clothing, tools, musical instruments, and agricultural implements from Darfur, Kordofan, Nubia, and Eastern Sudan.
Drive past the Presidential Palace, once the British governor-general’s residence. Though not open to the public, it remains a prominent landmark along the Nile’s edge.
If visiting on a Friday, you’ll be taken in the evening to the Hamed al-Nil Mosque in Omdurman, where the Sufi whirling dervishes perform their spiritual dances at sunset—an electrifying and uniquely Sudanese tradition.
Accommodation: Corinthia Hotel Khartoum or Acropole Hotel
Meals: Dinner included
Activities: Nile confluence visit, two major museums, city landmarks, optional Sufi ceremony
Day 2: Meroë Pyramids – Full-Day Desert Excursion to Nubian Royal Necropolis
After breakfast at your hotel, depart at 7:30 AM for a full-day overland trip to the Meroë Pyramids, located approximately 220 km northeast of Khartoum (4 to 5 hours each way, depending on road conditions). Travel through arid plains and scattered Acacia trees with occasional camel caravans and roadside villages.
En route, stop briefly at Shendi town or Kabushiya village for refreshments or interaction with local traders.
Upon arrival, walk with your guide through the Royal Necropolis of Meroë, where over 40 pyramids built between the 8th century BC and 4th century AD stand in the sands of the Nubian Desert. These are the burial tombs of the powerful Kushite kings and queens, who once rivaled Egypt in military and cultural dominance. Some pyramids are intact while others are partially collapsed, revealing the inner burial chambers.
Highlights include:
- The North Cemetery, with the most intact and photographed pyramids
- The South and West Cemeteries, offering solitude and desert views
- Optional camel ride to appreciate the landscape from an elevated view
Your guide will explain the hieroglyphic inscriptions and historical significance of the Meroitic civilization. A picnic lunch is provided near the pyramid site, under shade or in a small tent with bottled water and fruit.
In the afternoon, begin the return journey to Khartoum, arriving in the early evening. Dinner will be served at a local Sudanese restaurant or at your hotel.
Accommodation: Corinthia Hotel Khartoum or Acropole Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Full-day guided pyramid tour, scenic drive, historical commentary, camel ride optional
Day 3: Omdurman Market, Mahdi’s Tomb, and Farewell
After breakfast, set out for Omdurman, the historic twin city across the White Nile. Begin your day with a visit to the Tomb of the Mahdi, the 19th-century religious leader who led a successful rebellion against Egyptian-Ottoman control. While the original tomb was destroyed during British reoccupation, the rebuilt site remains a national symbol of independence and resistance.
Next, visit Khalifa House Museum, once the home of the Mahdi’s successor, featuring personal belongings, weapons, documents, and photographs from the Mahdist era.
Continue to Omdurman Souk (market)—a labyrinth of stalls selling leather goods, gold jewelry, incense, copper utensils, traditional dresses, and camel accessories. It’s a great place for purchasing souvenirs and interacting with vendors who still use traditional bartering.
Enjoy a farewell lunch in a local restaurant serving Sudanese staples such as aseeda, kisra with mullah, and lamb tagine.
Return to your hotel for freshening up, then transfer to Khartoum International Airport for your departing flight.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
Activities: Historic sites, market tour, airport transfer
Included Highlights:
- Guided exploration of the Nile confluence and Khartoum museums
- Full-day visit to Meroë pyramids with historical insight and desert scenery
- Cultural experiences in Omdurman including markets, tombs, and historical residences
- Secure transport, licensed guides, accommodations, meals, and entrance fees throughout the itinerary
