Driving Northern Sudan
 

Hi,

I will be in Kartoum for a couple of days over New Year and would like to hire a driver taking me from Khartoum via Meroe (Pyramids) and Karima (Djebel Barkal) back to Khartoum.

1) Is it possible to do this trip in a long day's drive? (I know it's not enough time to see the archaeological sites, but I don't have more time.)

2) Is it really all asphalt by now?

3) I have conflicting information about road fees. A local agent quoted me €220 road fees per day on that stretch, which I find hard to believe.

4) Is is it still necessary to obtain a travel permit from the ministry of tourism, if leaving Khartoum? Even if only for a day?

Many thanks.

1. Certainly possible, but it'd be a long day and not much fun.
2. IIRC, yes. At least, mostly.
3. Never heard of that. Seems steep.
4. Don't know. Our driver arranged pretty much everything for us.

Thanks, Nick.