Sudan Towns, Cities, Locations and Districts

(Sudan, SD, North-East Africa)

Located in the north-eastern part of Africa, this large country comes with a very long history of political instability. In July 2011, Sudan split from South Sudan, with both choosing to go their own ways and form separate nations.

Despite this period of turmoil and ultimate political division, Sudan still manages to call itself the third-largest country in Africa. Its biggest urban areas are the capital city of Khartoum and the extremely popular Red Sea resort of Port Sudan.

Khartoum is located on the eastern side of the country and close to Ombada, being the place that most tourists understandably head to first, or choose to base themselves at some stage before travelling elsewhere. The choice of accommodation and amenities in Khartoum is certainly comprehensive.

Khartoum

Khartoum is the lively capital of Sudan. Situated at the point where the Blue Nile meets the White Nile, the city is made up of three distinct districts - Khartoum itself, Omdurman and Khartoum North, also known as Bahri. Omdurman is home to an authentic 'souq', the Presidential Palace and the National Museum. More information about Khartoum.

Port Sudan

Port Sudan is perhaps best known for its tourist-friendly beaches, coral reefs, scuba-diving activities and local cuisine. However, the city has a more industrial side, as it also happens to be a major industrial port on the Red Sea. Founded in 1909 to form a rail link between the Red Sea and the River Nile, Port Sudan is now also a popular setting-off point for Muslim pilgrims en route to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Kassala

The eastern Sudanese city of Kassala is famed for its fruit production. Indeed, market gardens abound. Yet its earliest origins are military. Kassala was first set up as a camp for Ottoman soldiers. Today's visitors can enjoy browsing the city's colourful souqs, visit the old part of the city (known as Khatmiya), or climb the nearby Jebel Titil.

El Obeid

El Obeid is situated in the south of Sudan and throughout its history has been an important transport hub. Nowadays, it is relatively easy for tourists to get here from Khartoum thanks to the development of paved roads. The city has a rich history, which includes the Battle of El Obeid, fought between Anglo-Egyptian soldiers and the Mahdi's forces in 1883.

Gedaref

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Gedaref is best known in Sudan as a major producer of sesame seeds. Whilst there is little in the way of organized tourist attractions - other than the Russian-built grain silo on the edge of town - Gedaref does have several hotels and markets.

Wad Medani

Wad Medani lies south-east of Khartoum. First established as an 18th-century Turko-Egyptian outpost, this city has grown to become a busy commercial centre. For tourists, Wad Medani's main attractions are its beaches, which can be found on the Blue Nile. Also worth a visit are the city's souks.

Sennar

Situated on the Blue Nile, the town of Sennar has little in the way of tourist attractions, despite its once-important position as the capital of the Funj Dynasty in the 16th century. It does, however, lie close to the Sennar Dam, built in the 1920s by a British engineer, Stephen 'Roy' Sherlock, and managed by him until the 1970s. Nearby is Sennar Junction, an established railway hub.

Shendi

The town of Shendi is a relatively short drive north-east of Khartoum. Its situation at the centre of many ancient civilisations means that, for today's tourists, it is handily located close to a number of archaeological sites. These include the ancient city of Meroe.

El-Fasher

El-Fasher was once an important royal centre and the starting point for the 'Forty Days Road, one of the most famous camel caravan routes in Africa. Today, it serves as the capital of the North Darfur state in Sudan, an area that is still classed as politically unstable.