Sudan is a country that doesn’t really pop up when thinking about the best places to visit in Africa. Sudan, officially the Republic of Sudan, is a country in Northeast Africa.
The country’s headlines fail to talk about the fantastic natural beauty and historical attractions in store.
It sure is known for its vast deserts. You may have camped in the wild amidst the forests and mountains. In Sudan, you get to camp in the middle of the desert and sleep under the stars and dunes.
Egypt sure is famous for its Pyramids, but Sudan is the place to go if you want to escape the Egyptian crowds. Here, you can check out the Pyramids at your own pace without tourists’ litters and annoying lines.
Its capital city, Khartoum, boasts history and tradition, classical Islamic architecture alongside its modernity.
History
The name Sudan means “land of the blacks” in the Arabic language.
The country was into a colonial holding before it became an independent country. Before the withdrawal of South Sudan in 2011, Sudan was the largest nation in Africa.
Since Sudan got its independence in 1956, it has had lots of changes in its government. The country faced a costly civil war from 1955 to 1972. The Addis Ababa Agreement temporarily ended the conflict till it resumed in 1983.
In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement finally ended the war.
Geography
Egypt borders it to the north, Ethiopia to the southeast, Eritrea to the east, Libya to the northwest, the Central African Republic in the southwest, Chad to the west, and the Red Sea to the northeast.
It consists of vast plains and plateaus that are drained by the Nile River and its tributaries. Sudan’s terrority is covered with desert, granite hills, inselbergs, Nubian sandstones, and volcanic highlands.
The Red Sea has also formed rugged hills in the northeastern region of Sudan.
Climate
Sudan has typically hot and dry weather. The central and eastern regions have temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to low-40s degrees celsius.
Temperatures rise to the highest before the rainy season. It also faces dust storms in the north and center regions.
Wildlife
Sudan has an affluent wildlife population. It shelters lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinoceros as well as antelopes.
You can also see a variety of monkey species.
It also houses beautiful bird species such as bustards, guinea fowl, and storks. Reptiles and insects are also abundant in the country.
People
Sudan has a diverse population and is home to many ethnic groups and subgroups.
The country’s population consists mainly of Muslims who speak Arabic. These Arab tribes form other clusters of tribes. Two of such tribes are Jalayin and Juhaynah.
Besides Arabs, the other notable tribes of Sudan are the Nubians, the Bejas, the Fur, and the Zaghawa.
Language
Arabic is mainly spoken for the conduct of commerce, government, and urban life. However, English is also an official working language of Sudan.
Best time to visit Sudan
It is a hot and dry country, can be challenging to travel, especially if you can’t bear the scorching heat.
The best time to visit this nation’s vicinity would be from December to February. These are the months when the temperatures decrease to around 30 degrees celsius. Nights are even cooler.
October is also an excellent time to travel to Sudan if you want to save some bucks on accommodation prices.
Food
It is a beautiful country to visit not just because of its history and culture but also because of its food.
Try their excellent bread, beans, and goat meat. Sudan’s eateries also provide exceptional Sudanese and Arab cuisine.