Sudan

Sudan is not currently a conventional holiday destination. As of late 2026, several governments advise against all travel because of armed conflict, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, disease, and rapidly changing restrictions. If travel is unavoidable, arrange it through an experienced local organization, confirm the situation with your government and Sudanese authorities, and share a detailed itinerary with trusted contacts. Most foreign visitors need a visa arranged before arrival; processing can take weeks, and your passport should generally have at least six months’ validity. Foreigners may also need to register with Sudanese authorities within three days of arrival. Travel outside approved areas can require a permit, so do not assume that a hotel booking is enough. Keep printed copies of your passport, visa, insurance, emergency contacts, and permits. Hello’s trip-planning tools can help organize documents and movement plans, but they should support—not replace—professional security advice.

Connectivity in Sudan is unpredictable, with mobile and internet services sometimes unavailable for hours, days, or longer. Port Sudan and parts of eastern Sudan generally offer the best chance of a working signal, while conflict-affected areas may have little or no coverage. Before departure, download offline maps, translation tools, accommodation details, and important phone numbers. An Hello eSIM can be activated before landing so you are prepared without relying on airport shops or roaming arrangements, but no mobile solution can guarantee service during outages. Carry a power bank, spare charging cables, and a paper copy of your route. Tell someone when you expect to arrive at each stop, and avoid depending on your phone for emergency communication. When a signal is available, send brief check-ins rather than assuming continuous access. Keep your device discreet, charged, and protected with a strong passcode.

The official currency is the Sudanese pound (SDG), but access to cash and reliable exchange services can be difficult. Credit cards and foreign bank cards may not work, so essential travel should be funded with sufficient cash in widely accepted foreign currency, subject to current declaration and import rules. Exchange money only through trusted, lawful channels and keep small SDG notes for transport, food, and minor purchases. Prices can change quickly as supply routes and fuel availability shift. Hello’s budget-tracking feature can record spending in SDG and help you notice exchange-rate changes, while expense splitting is useful when companions share transport, accommodation, or meals. Keep money in several secure places rather than one wallet, and maintain a reserve that is not needed for daily purchases. Confirm the current exchange and cash rules with an embassy or reliable local contact before departure.

Sudanese hospitality is warm and generous, and meals often center on sharing. Look for ful medames, slow-cooked fava beans served with bread and toppings; kisra, a thin fermented sorghum flatbread; and asida, commonly paired with savory stews. Tea and spiced coffee are important social rituals, so accept invitations thoughtfully while observing local etiquette. Dress modestly, ask before photographing people or religious sites, and use the right hand when eating or offering items. Road travel is especially hazardous because of fighting, checkpoints, fuel shortages, damaged infrastructure, and possible mines; journeys should be undertaken only when strictly necessary and with knowledgeable local support. Do not travel alone or improvise routes outside populated areas. Historic places such as the pyramids at Meroë and the Red Sea coast are culturally significant, but access can change without warning, and sightseeing should never override current security guidance.