48 Hours in Sudan: Pyramids, Dervishes, and UNESCO Sites!

48 Hours in Sudan
After having explored most of the Middle Eastern countries reachable within a short flight from Dubai, we just had to do one last unexpected trip before saying goodbye to the UAE - so we picked exploring the Sudan with our friends!
A short non-stop Flydubai flight away, Sudan is home to many pyramids (more than Egypt, fact!), welcoming people, unique traditions and unbelievable raw beauty.
A true gem and yet-to-be-discovered off the beaten path destination, Sudan has so much to offer for a quick escape from the UAE, that you’ve probably never even heard about let alone dreamed of visiting.
48 Hours in Sudan | Day 1: Market, Sudan Museum and Dervish Ceremony
After a convenient 4-hour Flydubai flight from Dubai arriving in Khartoum at 10pm (no time to waste!), we received a warm welcome at the Khartoum International Airport by our tour company driver, who brought us to our hotel for the first night, the Acropole.
Useful information:
Currency: Sudanese Pound
Language: Arabic
Time change: UTC/GMT +2 hours
Best time to visit: October-April
Dress Code: Conservative
Alcohol: Sudan is a completely dry country - do not bring any alcohol in!
We started our 48 Hours in Sudan with an early visit to the bustling Friday market at the center of Khartoum. Food, clothes, even kitchen appliances were displayed, and the atmosphere was truly incredible. We felt totally in sync with the ambiance, and not completely as out of place as we could have imagined.
Make sure to not film or take pictures too much though, as locals don’t particularly like it, understandably. Unlike so many markets or souqs around the world that we have visited, there was no being bothered, hassled or barked at, everyone was just living their lives and we were so happy to just observe. Such is the case in a country with such few tourists.
We then visiting Omdurman, the old capital of Sudan, the Mahdi’s tomb and the Khalifa’s house, we headed to the Sudanese National Museum, home of many beautiful objects and two full temples rescued by UNESCO and moved from the Lake Nasser area, when it was flooded by the water.
As we do with most trips, we pulled a classic Jeff and Anne, barely researching anything before going, so it was a great start to our trip getting to know a little bit better the country we were in. Some people prefer to travel after exhaustive research into where they are going, we like to do the complete opposite, just show up and discover what is around us as it happens.
Around 4pm each Friday, a very unique Dervish ceremony takes place, near the tomb of the sufi leader Ahmed al Nil. The Dervishes ceremony gathers women, men and children together every week to pray, dance and sing together in one of the largest cemeteries in Khartoum, outside of a small mosque. We were lucky enough to be warmly welcomed around the prayers.
Not far from here there is an interesting site of petrified wood, an ancient forest with hundreds of huge trunks strewn out completely in the middle of a vast desert with little explanation. Later on we reached the necropolis of Nuri. After a little walk among these ancient ruins, we stumbled upon the pyramid of Pharaoh Taharqa dominating high above the the others. After the visit we reached our beautiful Nubian Rest-House, located just at the foot of the Jebel Barkal, with the small town of Karima situated nearby. We ate some delicious food, took a hot shower to get rid of the dust and passed out.
48 Hours in Sudan | Day 2: Jebel Barkal and Meroe Pyramids
After a delicious breakfast at the Rest-House, we headed over to visit the Jebel Barkal area. A landmark in the Nubian Desert, the Jebel Barkal can be seen from a few dozen kilometres whilst still in the open desert.
A huge rock mountain in the middle of desolate sand a few hundred meters from the banks of the River Nile.
At the foot of this wonderful and isolated red sandstone mountain, considered holy since the ancient times, there is a big temple, dedicated to the Pharaohs of the New Reign and to their patron, Amon. Amon's ancient "Pure Mountain", the Olympus of the Nubians, was the religious Nubian heart for more than 1000 years.
The Jebel Barkal archaeological sites are on the World Heritage list and the royal necropolis of the ancient city of Napata, the Nubian capital before the Meroitic period, had a large number of pyramids, located in three different places: few hundred metres north of Jebel Barkal; a dozen kilometres southwards from the holy mountain, in El Kurru; in Nuri...
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[@emmaadward9703]

Worked and lived in Sudan for 3 years, I worked in other African countries as well, I had a good experience in each place but to be honest Sudanese people the most kind, honest and loyal and they are very smart even with a limited resource of Education, I am backed in US now and I wish one day will go back to Sudan again

[@marwatawfiq6006]

You are always welcome to sudan

[@VioleRose100]

Lovely comment Emma 💜

[@maherrsheed3327]

Welcome back to Sudan

[@killua9369]

You are always welcome lovely Emma 😊

[@nadirkhalafalla8607]

you are welcomed at any time in our country

[@samsonbenyahyahudah5731]

In the United States, they teach us that Egypt is the pyramid capital of Africa. It's obvious that Sudan holds that title. Go Sudan.

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

Correct! While Egypt's pyramids are vastly larger, Sudan does in fact have more total :)

[@Kemet3.0]

@meezy Taharqa conquered both. The Black Pharaohs.

[@obayabdallah8457]

Yes we have more then 300 pirmdz

[@jokojoko3804]

Well we know that some countries manipulate facts but thanks you guys for showing the world the real Sudan

[@Samo106]

No pyramid such the Egyptian pyramids . Anyway Egyptian people and Sudanese people share the same history and culture. I love Sudanese people ❤

[@mohamedahmad7667]

This is one of the oldest civilizations and cultures in Africa.. Or you can say the greatest civilization in Africa.. You are always welcome here..

[@TimorDa]

and yet now it's one of the worst places on the planet. unfortunately.

[@nooralsheikhgoofy316]

Well not exactly, it’s making history now and fighting for a future. All the citizens together, chanting slogans, having fun and enjoying the togetherness that a common goal brings. After all they are known for having the most welcoming and friendly people. 🤗✌️

[@Daniel-fx7xv]

I thought Sudan was an english colony in 1940 and then in 1950 became an independent country

[@band4marii235]

Im from egypt and sudan ask me eny question ill answer it

[@amenra5851]

mohamed ahmad 🤩💪👑

[@MIKE1REAL]

This is a dope video. Everytime they show Sudan on TV it's either about violence or starving children. I've never seen anything positive about Sudan until I watched this video. Excellent presentation, outstanding editing. Much appreciated.

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

Thanks so much, Mike! Sudan is so much more than what we saw on the TV all growing up!

[@geoffdaviesdavies6166]

It's not SouthSudan-a horse of a different colour

[@pajigabahar3382]

Thanks a lot for visiting my company and I hope that you enjoyed .

[@magly8040]

Welcome to Sudan, I'm just watched your video it's amazing and thank you to give people the true story about Sudan 🇸🇩

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

Thanks so much Ismail!

[@NailaRose]

I didn't know that sudan was such an amazing coutry guys! thanks for let us discover this very nice culture and people!

[@ibrahimalkoum946]

Naila Rose in which planet do you live?

[@truthbetold89]

@@ibrahimalkoum946 I'm Sudanese too, please stop acting like people should know everything about us. You need to humble yourself and take it as a compliment!

[@Discoveretheworld9]

The most beautiful place in the world and the simplest place Sudan is wonderful

[@reemibrahim4127]

Thank you guys for saying all this amazing stuff about us ❤🇸🇩

[@esraayassin4938]

So proud that I’m from Sudan 🇸🇩 ❤️❤️

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

You should be! It is an amazing country!

[@alphytree1559]

same

[@agnesaluoch4431]

This is south Sudan or northern south

[@MujahidAli-tr6my]

Thanks for visiting sudan. We look forward seeing you again 😍

[@sudanese2998]

I love you visited sudan im from sudan you made me smiled 😊💗👋🇸🇩

[@annabeldelrue8927]

I used to live here.... miss this

[@hibaelbuluk8596]

Love and respect from Sudan😍😍❤️❤️

[@Sasm-ib9rt]

Welcome to sudan 🇸🇩

[@Haxs.24]

I love it when people go to my county

[@mazinmohamed1035]

Thank you man, this is one of the best videos about Sudan I have ever seen, next time you have to go another 300 km north to the city of Kerma , you can explore the royal city of kerma , Kerma national museum were 25 Pharaoh family (Nubian family) status and also you will be amazed by western Dafufa temple

[@redblackgreenvegan8722]

From Aswan what is the best means of travel? I don't see flights into Khar??

[@msadurski]

You can start from Aswan. By bus/coach. Or better by boat to Wadi Halfa and than a bus.

[@taqwaali1203]

I'm from Sudan and your the best people ever for visiting a not so popular country I'm so happy that you did and this the first time seeing your channel

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

Aww, thanks so much Sama, glad you like the video and we can't wait to come back soon!

[@user-kd3fm3xk3t]

تحيااا السودان 🇸🇩 ✌🏾♥♥♥

[@mahmoudmubarak5203]

Amazing video guys ,I love what you doing ,am telling you there is a lot of indescribable places in Sudan u haven't seen yet ,in kassla and aljazeera states ,green magnificent places ..you are always welcome to visit us again ❤

[@mohamedahmed1372]

Thanks guys for sharing your adventure in my Homeland Sudan! I've been living in South East Asia for almost 23 years! I hope you have wonderful time!

[@mohammedmubarak5755]

Sudan has the largest number of pyramids in the world, and the White and Blue Nile rivers converge, and it has the Al-Dandar Reserve, which is larger than the state of Lebanon.

[@silentkiller7562]

Namaste 🙏 Love from Nepal 🇳🇵

[@artvandelay3495]

Great job guys haven't tuned in to your channel in a while and just coming back to catch up on the vids I haven't seen and you guys never disappoint!! 👏👏❤

[@Delar1st]

Thank you, my friend, for coming to my country and reflecting the expectations of some people who think that Sudan is a country of violence and a country of terrorism. Otherwise, what do you think of generosity and hospitality 🥀❤️

[@bowhello5782]

I appreciate y'all visiting Sudan❤🇸🇩

[@_wyn0tgas]

I love him, he’s so respectful unlike ppl who show negative things in tv abt Sudan

[@ahmedelhaj9251]

Thanks guys to visit our country and reflected this amazing video to the world to know about sudan the ancient civilization. Just we have to syed wellcom any time in sudan

[@abdohamzaalhassan5412]

To be honest this is the best documentary visit to Sudan pyramid I had never so before thank you guys you did great and we hope to see you again in there.

[@marycarvalho8778]

I really loved to know about this friendly people and Country. You made an amazing video about the historical facts there. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@unicorngirl8870]

Thank you for visiting my country ☺️☺️

[@adishshakya898]

Great to see all your videos. ALWAYS SO INSPIRING AND INFORMATIVE

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

Adish Shakya glad you like it Adish!

[@MohammedEbrahim25]

Thank you for visiting us ... and you have a sweet soul

[@MohamedAli-vq3rn]

❤️thanks for the beautiful video ❤️

[@minnawateen2584]

Thanks for visiting Sudan you are always welcome

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

We hope to come back and explore more again soon!

[@amenra5851]

This is epic, thank Uuuuuu for such a beautiful Video!🤩👑⭐️

[@ak7tahir679]

We love you guys and your always welcome.

[@ahdabhassan8995]

Sudan is a beautiful country and the most beautiful characteristic of Sudan is the kindness of people and security. We welcome you in the land of kindness, beauty and goodness, the land of summer and the Nile, an extended civilization. Thank you for your presence and reflecting a beautiful image of Sudan

[@ibrahimalkoum946]

thank you for visiting sudan and reflecting good image about sudan

[@yousifalroufai8806]

Thanks for showing people the true sudan

[@malcomx_135]

You are so positive and give good image about our country. Thanks alot

[@andyt8216]

Absolutely incredible. So, now I have another country to add to the post-Covid travel plans!

[@koken9748]

Luv from S Sudan 🇸🇸❤️🇸🇩

[@PhilipDK5800]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Sudan just jumped a few places upwards on my bucket-list. :)

[@mrdiaz31]

Thanks for showing us part of Sudan.

[@arafatfkhairelsied8666]

Beautiful people and beautiful country

[@hamzamohamed7935]

Thank you for showcasing what you saw.... And there so many other things yet to be explored.... May be u could come again and see

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

So much more to come back and see - hopefully soon!

[@Userdoesnotexit]

thats was surprisingly a good video and well put together ! very nice ! and always welcome anytime to sudan

[@Debodreal1]

I spent 4years in Sudan and I didn't experience the Friday evening rituals, not even once. Good job guys !!

[@_ahmed2.0]

This is Sudan. You guys are always welcome to come again

[@goodwill8220]

Just imagine someone comes from a far a teach you your own history Thank you guys ... welcome to our beautiful land

[@user-uw6pb9wy1f]

Sudan, God willing, did you like it ?? Sudan, let Europe shout: We are talking to you from London, Southampton,🇬🇧 a Sudanese resident in London🇸🇩🇸🇩🇸🇩

[@ZoulSudani]

Really amazing video about Sudan 🇸🇩. Outstanding editing video. That is just a 48 hrs in Sudan, I think there are still a lot of things you have to see it in Sudan. It's really a beautiful country. You are always welcome in Sudan

[@waelgurafi757]

You see just 30% from sudan we love you to come again and see sudan again to know beautiful sudan ❤️❤️

[@user-if7et5md5p]

sudanii waad yeah they saw the desert part

[@theengineer2579]

Thanks we love to have ya again with all love (someone from sudan) ♥♥♥♥♥

[@azharialameen3433]

Beautiful video, you guys you're wonderful people.

[@SuperBashari]

you are welcome in sudan, next time don't forget to bring more of your freinds. ☺

[@mohamedabdelrahman121]

The most kind honest friendly people in the world and this is may be due to many civilization came to the river Nile, African, Egyptian, Turkish,

[@wadalhassan4590]

It is time for us to spread our an outstanding culture, welcome to Sudan any time and thanks a lot .

[@AlaaeldinMohamed]

Thank you guys for visiting Sudan I am happy to see this video

[@user-vl2mr8mr5u]

Thank for visiting sudan

[@saurabhjoshi4388]

Must be the most memorable 48 hours !

[@osamababiker3901]

Amazing ❤

[@capo6300]

Welcome to Sudan. I hope you have had a great time🌷🕊😍😍🌹🕊

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

An amazing time! We can't wait to get back!

[@hibaelbuluk8596]

@@WhatDoesntSuck Welcome anytime ❤️❤️

[@lipipopnoga484]

... Thanks alot for visiting my country ❤🌸I hope u return back guys there alot to see...

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

Hopefully we'll come back soon!

[@islamsanosi5590]

It's good that you like my country Karema is you can say the museum of culture of North Sudan you are welcome here.🇸🇩 ❤✌

[@shnan49]

i’m from sudan 🇸🇩, and Thank u for the vlog🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@AhmedAbdallah-xe5sg]

I my Sudanese this my frist time to see all these places thanks very much to showing us how beautiful my country ❤

[@ebrahomo]

Very nice show and media.. thank you bro

[@salmaa7176]

I am Sudanese and finally someone is talking about who we really are

[@salmaa7176]

this is the sudanese best simbel✌

[@mazenjaafar430]

You are Always welcome in sudan ❤

[@caitingsong6797]

you guy very cute and brave thanks for sharing the wonderful experience with us. keep going

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

Aww, thanks so much Caiting! Hope you can go one day!

[@MrRenedebeer]

Visited the Meroe pyramides in 2011 during my UNMIS mission. Really beautiful.

[@zuzu6483]

Thank you guys , it’s really awesome and good way to show the world the Sudan has Pyramid more than Egypt and older , cause world Seems to focus on Egypt .

[@user-rp7rm9bp6o]

شكرا لذيارتكم👍🌴🌹🇸🇩🌿

[@mosiddig8447]

There is a lot of beautiful places you should visit in Sudan and many traditional meals tray it next time. Welcome to Sudan 😀

[@jazi6750]

Beautiful

[@Nice-gu8vo]

Thank alolt for showing us to the world

[@zozgasem4936]

Love it amazing♥️

[@asaad199493]

Welcome to sudan again

[@medjayshaig9997]

كم من تزايدت دقاته عليك ياوطني فهو قلبي .. وطني انت ياسودان ❤💪

[@user-qu1vb2lk1d]

very good idea

[@user-qn7el6bx6i]

Thank you very much for your presence in your presence in Sudan, I hope to come once again We love you so much ♥🇸🇩

[@azhm1388]

Oh so cute lads I'm so glad to see u there in my great country so so amazing ....an then I'm gonna say welcome all of u in sudan ....Ali from Sudan lives in Wicklow town ..south Ireland

[@satypaljangir7181]

Fine video sir

[@mhmdhamoda1248]

Welcome to Sudan

[@mariomayen8783]

Wow!!!

[@ghaijal9085]

You two are amazing 😍👌

[@ExploringtheWorld]

Your videos are awesome! Thanks a lot for sharing!!

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

So glad you like them!

[@zoolgrayb9014]

انا لا اتكلم الانجليزي لكن ‏ سأبدأ في تعلم اللغة الإنجليزية في أقرب وقت ممكن ‏ولكن أود أن أشكرك باللغة العربية أنا سوداني أعيش في المانيا شكرا على مجهودك فيديو رائع جدا ‏بوجودكم نور السودان‏ أتمنى أنكم استمتعت في هذه الزيارة ‏أنا سعيد جدا برويتكم في السودان

[@PavelAdventurer]

Awesome you have seen a lot in 2 days!

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

As much as we could!

[@user-lf9dx2nh2z]

Welcome to Sudan 🇸🇩🇸🇩

[@mogahedalzeber4389]

professional and well organized and presented, i already love you guys, can i share it

[@mohamedmartin6914]

Good Job ... Keep it up ... ✨

[@shayona1460]

😍🖤 thanks for visiting Sudan . And make ppl now more about it :)) 🖤🖤

[@WhatDoesntSuck]

We can't wait to come back!

[@AhmedAbdallah-xe5sg]

Wow I wish you had a great time in Sudan

[@aishamohamed8714]

Amazing video ..liked and subscribed 👍 hope your channel continues to grow

[@wahbaassli3211]

amazing

[@marwaabbaro5020]

❤❤❤❤

[@waelgurafi757]

I hope you and your wife a good life together