Sudan

This ancient land offers the traveller stunning desert landscapes and unbeatable hospitality. While there is ongoing conflict in the west and south of the country, the north-east is the most accessible for visitors. The capital Khartoum is known as the meeting place of the main tributaries of the Nile, the White Nile and the Blue Nile, and is bustling with life. Here you can see shepherds herding their flocks through the streets, enjoy traditional food such as foul, made from fava beans, or falafels and local bread from roadside vendors, and revel in the spectacle of Sufi musicians and dancers at sunset. While you’re there, a visit to the National Museum is a must where you will find artefacts from pre-history through to medieval frescoes from Christian Nubia.

North of Khartoum you will find a wealth of archaeological sites to explore. At Meroe, you can visit 2,500-year-old Nubian-style pyramids built as tombs for kings and queens, while further north you’ll find the Temple of Soleb, built for the god Amun who was introduced by the Egyptians. These atmospheric ruins will leave you in doubt about the breadth and depth of Sudan’s rich history.