Khartoum Holidays
Khartoum sits comfortably on the confluence of the Blue and White Nile, and is a melting pot of all the ethnic groups that make up Sudan. Made up of 3 distinct areas, Khartoum has developed quite rapidly in the recent past due to the discovery of oil in Sudan and the international interest this has created. On a holiday to Sudan, you can find a bit of old mixed with the new, with a visible influence from the Arab states. It has the reputation for being one of Africa’s most laid back and friendly cities and a walk along the promenade will vouch for this.
In Khartoum it is worth taking some time to explore. The exciting souk in Omdurman famously sells almost anything if you are willing to look for it and the Khalifa’s house and the Mahdi’s tomb must be seen. A short distance from there is the infamous Omdurmam prison which is now a woman’s institution. Try and time your visit so that you can spend a whole Friday in the city and visit the Hamed al Nil Tomb where the chanting and whirling Dervishes of the Sufi sect gather to dance and pray. For those with a stomach for it you may like to visit the camel market which is just out of town where you can spend time watching the traders go about their business. Be sure to wear a hat as there is little shade from the harsh sun. If you are not keen on watching the dervishes you can head to the district of Haj Yusef to watch the Nuba wrestling which takes place every Friday an hour before sunset.