Sudan -> Saudi ??

[AliBaba]

Currently in Nairobi and someone told me it is possible to get a transitvisa for Saudi in Khartoum if you have a visa for Jordan. Can anyone confirm this?
Is it possible to get the visa for Jordan in Khartoum?
Do anyone have some information about the ferry, like frequency, cost...?

Thanks,
AliBaba

[GWJ]

I believe it is possible. When we were in Khartoum 4 months ago, a dutch couple got visas for Jordan, Syria and then a three day transit visa for Saudi. They then got ferry tickets for Suakin to Jedda. All this was possible in Khartoum. Note if you intend to carry on from Jordan to Syria, you need to get the Syrian visa in Khartoum as you won't have time in Saudi (only three days) and apparently, you can't get Syrian visas in Jordan. Its substantially cheaper than going via Egypt.

[GWJ]

Further info - ferry - I believe every couple of days, Sudan Shipping Lines from Suakin just south of Port Sudan. I think the Dutch couple paid about US$300 for a Landrover 90 + sankey trailer + cabin for 2 people. This can be booked and paid for in Khartoum to save having to sit round in Suakin waiting for ships.

[restless_soul]

We got the Jordanian Visa right at the border (coming on the Ferry from Nuweiba/Egypt). Hassle-free affair. 26 JP if I remember correctly.

[Pete Sinclair]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tobias:
I think the Dutch couple paid about US$300 for a Landrover 90 + sankey trailer + cabin for 2 people.

Hi Tobias, have you any contact details for these people? I'd like to find out how they got on with the Sankey Trailer as we're taking one out there in a few weeks.

Thanks,

Pete.

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Pete Sinclair.
Alnwick to Botswana
http://www.a2b.uk.net

[JonHarbour]

Although you can get the Jordanian visa on the border, you won't get the Saudi transit visa unless you have a valid visa for 'the other side'. This is ABSOLUTELY VITAL. You won't be allowed on the ferry to Saudi without a valid visa anyway. There are some magic places to see in Saudi on the Red Sea side of the country.

Make sure you cover Meda'in Salah and some of the Hejaz Railway. Also check out the Qusaybah dam at Khaybar, all of which is en-route. I would expect your ferry would arrive at Jeddah, although I'm not 100% sure of that.

DON'T drive at night in remote parts of Saudi. Ever.

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Jon Harbour

Middle East Off-Roader
http://www.mid-east-off-road.com

[GWJ]

Pete,

Re the two people in 90 + sankey trailer. Sorry don't have a contact for them. However having seen what they did, they seemed to go okay. They solved alot of their problems by grabbing two other dutch landrover 110s and travelling with them through all the difficult places, with one behind and one in front so they could be recovered easily. The trailer overturned once due to excess speed but didn't do much damage. As far as taking a sankey trailer goes, we were due to take one then two days before we left one of the group pulled out so we didn't need the trailer. Given we were going to take one I looked at the terrain alot. It would of been perfectly possible to do the whole trip with the trailer but lots more work and grief, slower travelling times, probably shorter distances as more intense driving, for our trip I was quite glad we left it behind but if you are going more slowly, wandering along, spending time in different places then it probably is a good idea.

[GWJ]

Hi,

It is not very difficult to obtain a visa in Khartoum for Saudi. Howevere visa of onward destination is neccessary. Furthermore make sure you indicate a transit visa but for more than 24 hours. The crossing from sauikin is quite straight forward except for payment of the car. THey try to cheat you but bargain wel and you wil be able to come to a reasonable price. $160 for a toyota lancruiser 80. Ferry can all be arranged in Sauikin. The rest is essential to finishoff in Khartoum. I travel this crossing in this month, july 2002.