Khartoum in 3 Days — 3-Day Guide

Khartoum in 3 days: the city at the junction of the Blue and White Nile, gateway to the Meroe pyramids (the most pyramids in the world, steeper and older than Egypt's), and the shrine where Sufi dervishes whirl every Friday at sunset — a city with extraordinary heritage that requires peace to safely explore. Note: as of 2026, Khartoum is in an active civil war.

Also explore Khartoum for:

📋 General guide ⭐ Highlights

Day 1 — Two Niles Confluence, National Museum & Whirling Dervishes

Day 2 — Meroe Royal Pyramids UNESCO Day Trip

Day 3 — Tuti Island, Nile Felucca Sunset & Street Food

📋 General 3-day guide ⭐ Highlights

Book tours, tickets and experiences via GetYourGuide — free cancellation on most activities.

Browse all activities →

Language	Arabic (العربية — the official language of Sudan; Sudanese Arabic (العربية السودانية — a dialect of Arabic with significant vocabulary from the Nubian languages and the African languages of southern Sudan (Dinka, Nuer, Zande))); more than 100 other languages are spoken across Sudan (the Nubian languages of the North, the Beja language of the Red Sea Hills, and the Nilotic and Bantu languages of South Sudan (which is now a separate country since 2011)). English was co-official during the British colonial period (1899–1956) and is still widely understood among the professional class in Khartoum.
Currency	Sudanese Pound (SDG). Currency rates have been extremely volatile since 2019 (the fall of al-Bashir) and the 2023 civil war has caused hyperinflationary conditions. The official rate and the parallel (black market) rate differ significantly. USD and EUR cash can be exchanged in Omdurman Souk at the parallel rate. Budget assessment for future visitors: Sudan is one of the cheapest countries in Africa at the parallel rate — most tourist expenses will be minimal in hard currency terms.
Transport	Local minibus (amjad — the Khartoum minibus, overcrowded and inexpensive; SDG 100–300/trip). Taxis (negotiate in advance; SDG 500–2,000 for most city trips). Tuk-tuks (three-wheeled motor taxis; SDG 200–500 for short trips in Omdurman). Felucca (the traditional Nile boat; hire from the Khartoum corniche). Meroe day trip: hire a 4WD with driver (USD 80–150 for the day).
Best time	IMPORTANT: As of 2026, Khartoum is in an active civil war zone. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has made Khartoum extremely dangerous, and the city has experienced significant destruction. All major travel advisories advise against all travel to Sudan. This guide is provided for documentation and future planning purposes. Best months for future visits (when safe): November–February (25–35°C, low humidity, the Nile at a moderate level after the September flood peak).
Getting in	Khartoum International Airport (KRT) was closed to commercial flights during the 2023 civil war (an RSF attack on the airport in the first week of the war damaged aircraft and facilities). Commercial flights were suspended. Access to Sudan is currently via Port Sudan Airport (PZU) — the only functional international airport in Sudan during the conflict. Entry requires a visa (available at Port Sudan; pre-conflict, tourist visas were expensive (USD 100+) and required photography registration (a colonial-era regulation)). DO NOT travel to Khartoum without checking the most current security situation.
Tipping	10% at restaurants. Felucca captain: USD 5–10 tip for a good cruise. Meroe guide: USD 20–30. Museum staff: SDG 1,000–2,000. Tea stall: no tip expected (part of the fixed price).
Safety	CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: Khartoum is an active civil war zone as of 2026. The RSF controls large parts of the city; the SAF controls others. Civilian movement is restricted and dangerous. There is no functioning government in Khartoum proper (the SAF-aligned government has relocated to Port Sudan). Do NOT travel to Khartoum until peace has been established and a formal peace agreement (under the Jeddah Process or a successor framework) has been signed and implemented. Monitor UNHCR, UN OCHA, and your government's foreign travel advisory for updates.
Budget tips	Two Niles confluence: free. National Museum: SDG 500. Omdurman camel market: free. Whirling Dervishes: free. Felucca cruise: SDG 2,000–5,000. Meroe day trip: USD 100. Fuul breakfast: SDG 200. Karkadi tea: SDG 100. Sudan is exceptionally affordable at parallel exchange rates.