←Sudan travel guide
Khartoum State, Sudan
Omdurman
Sudan's cultural soul, alive with souqs and Sufi ceremony
CultureHistory & Heritage
Omdurman lies directly across the Nile from Khartoum and is widely regarded as Sudan's cultural capital, home to the country's most storied marketplace and a community of Sufi orders. Every Friday evening at the Hamed al-Nil Tomb, devotees of the Qadiriyya order gather for the zikr, a ritual of chanting and whirling that has drawn visitors for well over a century.
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Best time to visit
November to March
Region
Khartoum State
Main airport
Khartoum Airport (KRT)
Discover
Top Things to Do in Omdurman
Culture
Hamed al-Nil Tomb
The tomb of Sheikh Hamed al-Nil, a nineteenth-century Sufi leader of the Qadiriyya order, stands in the Omdurman district of Khartoum and is the setting for a weekly gathering of devotees every Friday afternoon. Participants in colourful robes perform the zikr, a rhythmic ceremony of chanting, drumming, and whirling intended to bring the worshipper closer to the divine. The ceremony has been drawing visitors from around the world for decades and offers an immersive encounter with living Sudanese Sufi tradition.
City
Omdurman Souq
The great market of Omdurman is one of the largest traditional markets in Sudan and has served as a commercial hub since the Mahdist period of the late nineteenth century. Stalls and workshops spread across a dense warren of lanes, selling spices, gold, hand-woven textiles, traditional leather goods, and Sudanese handicrafts. The souq offers a vivid introduction to the material culture of the country and to the commercial rhythms of everyday Sudanese life.
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Getting Around Omdurman
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Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Sudan
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Sudan page at Yoogo.
Sudan's official currency is the Sudanese Pound (SDG). Cash is the dominant means of payment across the country, as international card acceptance is very limited, and travellers are strongly advised to carry sufficient Sudanese Pounds for the duration of their stay.
Sudan has experienced significant internal conflict in recent years, with conditions varying considerably by region. Travellers should consult their government's latest travel advisory before making any plans, and register with their embassy upon arrival.
Within cities, shared minibuses, tuk-tuks (known locally as bajaj), and informal taxis are the most common modes of transport, with fares typically negotiated before the journey. For longer intercity trips, private bus companies and shared long-distance taxis operate from central transport terminals in major cities, though road conditions and schedules can be unpredictable.
The cooler months between November and February are generally the most comfortable for travel, with daytime temperatures in the northern regions averaging around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. The northern desert regions are extremely hot from April through September, while the south and central areas see a rainy season roughly between April and November.
Arabic is the dominant language and is widely spoken throughout the country, with Sudanese Arabic the everyday vernacular alongside Modern Standard Arabic for written communication. English has official status and is used in some government, educational, and business contexts, though outside Khartoum and Port Sudan it is less commonly spoken among the general population.
Travellers to Sudan are generally advised to be up to date with routine vaccinations and to consider additional protection against typhoid, hepatitis A, meningitis, and yellow fever, with the latter required as proof of vaccination for arrivals from countries where yellow fever is present. Malaria is a risk in many parts of the country, particularly in the south and during and after the rainy season, so appropriate prophylaxis and insect precautions are important. Consulting a travel health clinic or doctor at least four to six weeks before departure is strongly recommended.
Tipping is not obligatory in Sudan but is genuinely appreciated, particularly in restaurants, hotels, and when engaging guides or drivers. A common practice is to round up a restaurant bill or add a modest gratuity, while tour guides typically receive around five to ten US dollars per day as recognition of their service.