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Traveling to Sudan
Click on the links below to turn the itinerary on or off:
- Itinerary ANCIENT NUBIA (blu)
- Itinerary THE KINGDOM OF THE BLACK PHARAOHS (red)
- Itinerary BERENIKE - NOMADS AND DESERT FROM NUBIA (light blue)
- Itinerary NUBA PEOPLE AND VILLAGES (white)
Turn ON all the itineraries
Turn OFF all the itineraries
ANCIENT NUBIA
(On / off itinerary)
An expedition along the Nile Valley amongst temples, pyramids and
Nubian villages.
This trip in the Northern Region of Sudan, the Ancient Nubia, is like a journey in time. The desert environment and the communication difficulties have created a geographical-cultural isolation that allow the travelers to get to know an untouched reality, not only from tourists, but also from any kind of western influence. The encounters with the local people is of mutual curiosity and the extraordinary welcoming feeling of the Nubian people allow the travelers to experience many spontaneous and interesting contacts with families who live in very nice villages, amongst sand dunes and palm oases along the Nile River up to the 4th cataract. Crossing the deserts amongst the Big Nile Bends there are ever changing natural arid scenarios: from dunes, to volcanic craters, to brown sandstone rocks eroded into unusual shapes, to the round grey, granite boulders. But this expedition also focuses on the unexpected archaeological sites that will be appreciated without large numbers of tourists.
For the brochure please click THE ANCIENT NUBIA.
THE KINGDOM OF THE BLACK PHARAOHS
(On /off itinerary)
All accommodated tour through the most important Nubian archaeological sites with encounters with people and villages.
A journey to visit an unknown country where tourism is at the very beginning with the comfort of our own permanent properties: Karima Nubian Rest-House and Meroe tented camp with luxurious rooms and private facilities. Charming and comfortable accommodations managed by our Italian directors and very well trained Sudanese staff. A journey across Northern Sudan, which offers also the adventure of crossing the desert in total safety on board of our new 4x4 vehicles. The tours are led by very knowledgeable multilingual guides, expert in archeology and local culture. Unique archaeological sites such as the Pyramids of the Royal Necropolis of Meroe, the temples of Naga and Musawwarat, the colorful hidden chambers of Jebel Barkal and the tombs of El Kurru. Incredible sites that can be appreciated without many tourists around. Enjoy also the colorful markets and the incredible hospitality of Nubian people.
For the brochure please click THE KINGDOM OF THE BLACK PHARAOHS.
BERENIKE - NOMADS AND DESERT FROM NUBIA
(On /off itinerary)
A real archaeological expedition in Northern Sudan, in the eastern part of Sahara, between the Nile and the Red Sea, an area still rich of mystery and unexplored because of its mountainous ranges.
Since ancient times the area was inhabited by nomads and also the Ancient Egyptians knew these places where they dug gold to forge precious jewels for their pharaohs. They left behind the remains of many settlements among which the famous Berenike Panchrysia, the city of gold, which seems abandoned only few years ago, ancient fortresses, stone grinders, rock shelters tumulus tombs: an interesting tour that gives the opportunity of making fascinating encounters and discovery such as our last tour in spring 2009 when we found the rests of a fortress (Keyau al Nafaab), an ancient settlement from the Middle Ages. The encounters with the Beja (Hadendowa, Bisharin, Amarar) nomads are incredible: they live in perfect harmony with the surrounding desert and during their life they rarely met other Europeans which makes them as curious as we are. We will visit the fascinating pyramids of Meroe, we'll cross the Bayuda Desert stopping near some craters where nomads collect salt...memories to last for a lifetime.
For the brochure please click BERENIKE - NOMADS AND DESERT FROM NUBIA.
NUBA PEOPLE AND VILLAGES
(On /off itinerary)
This is an explorative journey in a pacified area after many years of war.
The desire of these simple people to start a new normal life welcoming the first few visitors with a bit of curiosity and a big sense of hospitality. Meeting a population who live in one of the most remote areas of Africa that has allow them to keep some of the original tradition. The villages of Nyaro, Kao and Fungor, isolated in the vast savannah land where one of the Nuba sub tribe live, that have been made famous by the Leni Riefenstahl photographic book, then the Nuba Masakin with their fortified huts among the stone hills , the encounter with groups of Peul nomads in their colorful dresses and the huge herds of zebu of the Dinka tribe, the remains of the Funj Kingdom. A daily real discovery of an untouched Africa.
For the brochure please click NUBA PEOPLE.
MINI GUIDES
You can see and download the mini-guides for the following tours:
SUGGESTED READINGS
Paul Clammer - SUDAN: The Bradt Travel Guide
- The first comprehensive guide to Sudan;
- Security, visas and border crossing;
- Where to stay and eat, and how to get around;
- Detailed coverage of culture and history;
- Sudan's civil war in context, and information for aid workers.
map of Sudan (english) (loading...), the must see in Sudan (english)
Click on the links below to turn the itinerary on or off:
- Itinerary ANCIENT NUBIA (blu)
- Itinerary THE KINGDOM OF THE BLACK PHARAOHS (red)
- Itinerary BERENIKE - NOMADS AND DESERT FROM NUBIA (light blue)
- Itinerary NUBA PEOPLE AND VILLAGES (white)
Turn ON all the itineraries
Turn OFF all the itineraries
ANCIENT NUBIA
(On / off itinerary)
An expedition along the Nile Valley amongst temples, pyramids and
Nubian villages.
This trip in the Northern Region of Sudan, the Ancient Nubia, is like a journey in time. The desert environment and the communication difficulties have created a geographical-cultural isolation that allow the travelers to get to know an untouched reality, not only from tourists, but also from any kind of western influence. The encounters with the local people is of mutual curiosity and the extraordinary welcoming feeling of the Nubian people allow the travelers to experience many spontaneous and interesting contacts with families who live in very nice villages, amongst sand dunes and palm oases along the Nile River up to the 4th cataract. Crossing the deserts amongst the Big Nile Bends there are ever changing natural arid scenarios: from dunes, to volcanic craters, to brown sandstone rocks eroded into unusual shapes, to the round grey, granite boulders. But this expedition also focuses on the unexpected archaeological sites that will be appreciated without large numbers of tourists.
For the brochure please click THE ANCIENT NUBIA.
THE KINGDOM OF THE BLACK PHARAOHS
(On /off itinerary)
All accommodated tour through the most important Nubian archaeological sites with encounters with people and villages.
A journey to visit an unknown country where tourism is at the very beginning with the comfort of our own permanent properties: Karima Nubian Rest-House and Meroe tented camp with luxurious rooms and private facilities. Charming and comfortable accommodations managed by our Italian directors and very well trained Sudanese staff. A journey across Northern Sudan, which offers also the adventure of crossing the desert in total safety on board of our new 4x4 vehicles. The tours are led by very knowledgeable multilingual guides, expert in archeology and local culture. Unique archaeological sites such as the Pyramids of the Royal Necropolis of Meroe, the temples of Naga and Musawwarat, the colorful hidden chambers of Jebel Barkal and the tombs of El Kurru. Incredible sites that can be appreciated without many tourists around. Enjoy also the colorful markets and the incredible hospitality of Nubian people.
For the brochure please click THE KINGDOM OF THE BLACK PHARAOHS.
BERENIKE - NOMADS AND DESERT FROM NUBIA
(On /off itinerary)
A real archaeological expedition in Northern Sudan, in the eastern part of Sahara, between the Nile and the Red Sea, an area still rich of mystery and unexplored because of its mountainous ranges.
Since ancient times the area was inhabited by nomads and also the Ancient Egyptians knew these places where they dug gold to forge precious jewels for their pharaohs. They left behind the remains of many settlements among which the famous Berenike Panchrysia, the city of gold, which seems abandoned only few years ago, ancient fortresses, stone grinders, rock shelters tumulus tombs: an interesting tour that gives the opportunity of making fascinating encounters and discovery such as our last tour in spring 2009 when we found the rests of a fortress (Keyau al Nafaab), an ancient settlement from the Middle Ages. The encounters with the Beja (Hadendowa, Bisharin, Amarar) nomads are incredible: they live in perfect harmony with the surrounding desert and during their life they rarely met other Europeans which makes them as curious as we are. We will visit the fascinating pyramids of Meroe, we'll cross the Bayuda Desert stopping near some craters where nomads collect salt...memories to last for a lifetime.
For the brochure please click BERENIKE - NOMADS AND DESERT FROM NUBIA.
NUBA PEOPLE AND VILLAGES
(On /off itinerary)
This is an explorative journey in a pacified area after many years of war.
The desire of these simple people to start a new normal life welcoming the first few visitors with a bit of curiosity and a big sense of hospitality. Meeting a population who live in one of the most remote areas of Africa that has allow them to keep some of the original tradition. The villages of Nyaro, Kao and Fungor, isolated in the vast savannah land where one of the Nuba sub tribe live, that have been made famous by the Leni Riefenstahl photographic book, then the Nuba Masakin with their fortified huts among the stone hills , the encounter with groups of Peul nomads in their colorful dresses and the huge herds of zebu of the Dinka tribe, the remains of the Funj Kingdom. A daily real discovery of an untouched Africa.
For the brochure please click NUBA PEOPLE.
MINI GUIDES
You can see and download the mini-guides for the following tours:
SUGGESTED READINGS
Paul Clammer - SUDAN: The Bradt Travel Guide
- The first comprehensive guide to Sudan;
- Security, visas and border crossing;
- Where to stay and eat, and how to get around;
- Detailed coverage of culture and history;
- Sudan's civil war in context, and information for aid workers.
points of interest
Ferry at Atbara
Ferry (Ponton) to cross the Nile in Atbara, nice little town at the confluence of the Nile with the Atbara River, the last affluent before the Mediterranean sea. The Ponton is the only way to cross the Nile where bridges are not yet available. During these occasions it is possible to have a taste of nubian hospitality and to make interesting encounters.
Berenice Pancrisia
The legendary Berenice Pancrisia, the city of gold, consists of a large residential settlement and buildings scattered within the framework of a dry wadi Allaqi. Under the wide wadi bend, which flows east and then turns north, there are two imposing fortresses.
Salt crater in the Bayuda desert
In one of the many volcanic craters found in the Bayuda desert there is a small salt lake where the nomadic tribes gather salt.
Bayuda desert
Lorries are the usual vehicles that Sudanese people take to cross the desert, often they travel on the top of the deck outside.
Western Desert
The Western desert covers the area that extends west of the Nile towards Chad and Libya and it is also known as the Libyan desert. It is mostly a vast, flat and sandy area.
El Kurru: tombs
The El Kurru Necropolis (900-650 b.C.), Napata's Kingdom. The paintings in Tawentamani tomb, the 4th of the 5 Pharaohs also known as the Ethiopian Pharaohs of the XXV Dynasty, who ruled over Sudan and Egypt between 750 and 650 b.C.
IV cateract
One of the longest cataracts of the Nile River. Unfortunately it has recently disappeared under the water of the Merowe dam.
Jebel Barkal: Hatoric syle columns
Hatoric style columns in the outer courtyard of the Temple dedicated to the Gods Amon and Mut at the base of the Jebel Barkal, the pure Mountain. The Temple is partially excavated in the mountain walls and it belongs to the Napata Kingdom about 750-640 [...]
Amon Temple
View from the top of the Jebel Barkal of the main Amon Temple, this mountain was considered sacred both by the Egyptians and the Nubian people. [...]
Pyramids
Pyramids of the 'Meroitic' times, the best preserved in all Sudan. They are a dort of mystery because they were built at the same time as the Meroe pyramids making us believe that there could have been two contemporary parallel dynasties, one ruling over Meroe and the second over Napata.
Karima: Rest House
The Karima Nubian rest house entrance door in typical Nubian style, this rest house is located at the base of the Jubel Barkal. [...]
Kerma
From Wikipedia: The Kingdom of Kerma was a state in Nubia from around 2500 BC to about 1520 BC. It was based in the city of Kerma in Upper Nubia and emerged as a major centre during the Middle Kingdom period but with a distinct civilization (for example very fine and original ceramics have been found). The archaeological site of Kerma includes both an extensive town and a cemetery consisting of large tumuli.
Khartoum museum
Outer courtyard of the National Museum of Kharotum. This museum was built at the end of the '60 by the Unesco to be able to show temples and other archaeological items removed from the area where the Assuan dam had to be built.
A ram representing the god Amon in front of a channel that represents the Nile River. Behind there are the huge granite colossus moved from the Argo Temple on the Tabo Island.
Musawwarat: archaeological site
Main temple in Mussawwarat, the columns in front of the temple entrance have all different decorations.
Naga: archaeological site
The Naga kiosk was built during the late Meroitic time (200 a.D.) and it is really recognized as the jewel of the Meroitic art. In the same building there are Egyptian, Greek and Roman elements.
Nuri: necropolis
Nuri, one of the Napata's Necropolis, it was built on Taharqa's pharaoh request on the eastern bank of the Nile.
See the Wikipedia for the Civilization of Napata
Old Dongola
Ruins of the Church of the columns at Old Dongola (II - IX - century a.D). Old Dongola was the capital of the Christian Kingdom of Makuria. The Eastern Roman Empire missioners converted the Nubian Kings and influenced the Nubian culture. They taught them to read and write in Greek and Coptic languages, the Byzantine art took over the local one and in the tombs they stopped putting the personal belongings.
Old Dongola
Many cemeteries in Sudan are characterized by the presence of some large conical-shaped tombs. They are called 'Qubba' and are used as a funerary monument for leading Muslim religious figures. [photo: Maurizio Levi]
Omdurman
The Mahdi's Tomb. He was political and spiritual leader that led the rebellion against the Anglo Egyptian domination at the end of the XIX century.
Omdurman
The spice market in Omdurman: piles of dry dates, karkadè tea, cereals, chilly and many more . . .
Onib: gold mine
In Wadi Onib are the remains of an old gold mine. Among the ruins of the miner houses, there are many millstones abandoned. Thanks to the particular rotary movement, these mills were suitable to crush the stones that came from the gold-bearing vein.
Nubian Doors
The habit of decorate the house dates back to the '20 probably for a pure sense of aesthetic. It seems that the first paintings represented the transports that were needed to do the pilgrimage journey to the Holy Mecca. Unfortunately this tradition is slowly disappearing as after every [...]
Sesibi: archaeological site
In Sesibi there are the ruins of an Egyptian fortress with a square base, surrounded by protective walls and the remains of an Egyptian temple built by Amenophis IV, also known as Akhenaton, the heretical pharaoh.
Soleb: archaeological site
The big Soleb Temple built by Amenophis III, Akhenaton's father, during the New Reign, to celebrate his kingdom jubilee.
Tombos: caves
Old granite caves. Amongst the big boulders there is an abandoned statue of a Black pharaohs, probably damaged when someone tried to remove it from the area.
Nubian village
Nubian ladies dressed in the traditional, colourful 'tub' in front of a painted Nubian house.
Wadi El Milk
An ancient dry river bed: the wadi. Once it was an affluent of the Nile River today it is a track followed to move camels herds between the Central Western Sudan and Egypt.
Wadi Hofra
Hofra, which means 'bowl' is a kind of circular crater with a white sandy bottom and steep walls of black rocks.
All pictures are copyrighted by Animated Web unless otherwise noted (Maurizio Levi)