Sudan; The Bradt Travel Guide

by Paul Clammer

• ISBN13: 9781841621142
• ISBN10: 1841621145
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2005-05-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

Sudan is an emerging destination for adventurous travellers, and this new Bradt guide illustrates why it is such a compelling country to visit in its own right. Africa's largest nation, its varied land features include the Nubian desert, Nile plains and several mountain ranges, whilst the fascinating city of Khartoum is a cultural melting-pot that reflects its Egyptian, Islamic and black African heritage. Sudan also has more pyramids than Egypt! This first dedicated guide to Sudan will satisfy the needs of aid workers, eco-travellers, and those with interests as diverse in topics as archaeology, travel photography, hiking and diving.

Author Biography

Paul Clammer works for an adventure-travel company leading tours to far-flung countries, and also runs a Web site dedicated to independent travel in Kabul. In 2002, he crossed Sudan overland as part of a trip following the Nile from its source in Ethiopia to the sea.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	viii
Introduction	ix
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 The Land and its People	3	(16)
Introduction	3	(1)
Climate	3	(2)
Geography	5	(1)
Wildlife	6	(2)
The people	8	(3)
Religion	11	(8)
Chapter 2 History	19	(22)
Approaches to Sudanese history	19	(1)
Ancient Sudan	20	(2)
Medieval Sudan	22	(4)
The Turkiyah	26	(4)
The Mahdiya	30	(1)
The Anglo-Egyptian Condominium	31	(2)
Sudan since independence	33	(8)
Chapter 3 Planning and Preparation	41	(14)
When to visit	41	(1)
Tourist information (abroad)	41	(1)
Paperwork	41	(2)
Sudanese embassies and consulates	43	(1)
Getting to Sudan	44	(1)
Money	45	(1)
What to take	46	(2)
Planning an itinerary	48	(4)
Tour operators	52	(3)
Chapter 4 Travel in Sudan	55	(30)
Tourist information	55	(1)
Public holidays	55	(1)
Money	56	(1)
Red tape and permits	57	(3)
Getting around	60	(8)
Accommodation	68	(2)
Eating and drinking	70	(2)
Shopping	72	(1)
Media and communications	73	(1)
Making the best of your travel photographs	74	(3)
Hassles	77	(2)
Etiquette and responsible tourism	79	(2)
Giving something back	81	(4)
Chapter 5 Health and Safety	85	(12)
Travel insurance	85	(1)
Immunisations	85	(1)
Medical kit	86	(1)
Travel clinics	86	(2)
Diseases	88	(4)
Outdoor health	92	(2)
Medical facilities	94	(1)
Safety	94	(3)
PART TWO THE GUIDE	97	(146)
Chapter 6 Khartoum	99	(26)
History	99	(4)
Getting there and away	103	(1)
Getting around	104	(1)
Orientation	104	(1)
Where to stay	105	(2)
Where to eat and drink	107	(3)
Theft and safety	110	(1)
Listings	110	(3)
Media and communications	113	(1)
What to see and do in Khartoum	114	(3)
Sightseeing in Omdurman	117	(8)
Sightseeing in Khartoum North	124	(1)
Chapter 7 Khartoum to Atbara	125	(14)
Shendi	125	(3)
Naqa	128	(3)
Musawwarat es Sufra	131	(1)
Meroe	132	(3)
Atbara	135	(4)
Chapter 8 Karima and Dongola	139	(14)
Karima	139	(4)
Nuri	143	(1)
El Kurru	144	(3)
Old Dongola	147	(2)
Dongola	149	(4)
Chapter 9 Dongola to Wadi Haifa	153	(16)
Travel along the Nile	153	(2)
Kerma	155	(4)
West Bank temples	159	(3)
Abri	162	(2)
Wadi Halfa	164	(5)
Chapter 10 Khartoum to Kassala	169	(16)
Wad Medani	169	(3)
Gedaref	172	(3)
Kassala	175	(10)
Chapter 11 The Red Sea	185	(14)
Port Sudan	185	(4)
Scuba diving from Port Sudan	189	(4)
Suakin	193	(6)
Chapter 12 Kordofan	199	(12)
El Obeid	199	(5)
The Nuba Mountains	204	(6)
Babanusa	210	(1)
Chapter 13 Darfur	211	(12)
A warning	211	(1)
Background	212	(6)
Travel in Darfur	218	(5)
Chapter 14 South Sudan	223	(20)
The civil war	223	(10)
South Sudan: open for travel?	233	(10)
Appendix 1 Language	243	(4)
Appendix 2 Glossary	247	(2)
Appendix 3 Who's who in Sudanese History	249	(2)
Appendix 4 Further Reading	251	(6)
Index	257