Khartoum, Sudan: Heritage Guide to the City Where the Niles Meet

Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, stands at the confluence of the Blue Nile and the White Nile, where the two great rivers join to form the Nile on its journey to Egypt. Together with Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri), it forms one of Africa's largest urban areas, rich in Nubian, Islamic and colonial history. This guide introduces Khartoum's heritage, but the city has been devastated by war since 2023, and travel to Sudan is extremely dangerous.

Before You Go: Important Safety Information

  • Armed conflict: since April 2023, Sudan has been at war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Khartoum was the scene of intense fighting, and the army regained control of the capital in March 2025, but much of the city has been destroyed and looted.
  • Drone attacks: the RSF continues to target Khartoum with drones. Khartoum International Airport reopened in 2026 but was hit by a drone strike in May 2026, temporarily halting flights.
  • Travel advisories: the US Department of State rates Sudan at Level 4: Do Not Travel, and most governments advise against all travel.
  • Humanitarian crisis: Sudan faces one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with millions displaced, food shortages and disease outbreaks, including cholera.
  • Consular support: many embassies have closed or moved to Port Sudan, and consular help is extremely limited.
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Top 5 Highlights of Khartoum

1. Al-Mogran: The Confluence of the Niles

At al-Mogran, the waters of the Blue Nile, rising in Ethiopia, meet the White Nile, flowing from Lake Victoria. The two rivers flow side by side for some distance, their different colours clearly visible, before merging. In more peaceful times, the riverbanks were popular for evening walks, boat trips and tea stalls. Nearby, Tuti Island, at the meeting point of the rivers, was known for its farms and village life.

Visitor information: access depends entirely on the security situation.

2. National Museum of Sudan

The National Museum of Sudan, opened in 1971, was one of the most important museums in Africa, displaying treasures from ancient Nubia and the kingdoms of Kerma, Napata and Meroë. Its garden holds Egyptian temples, such as those from Buhen and Semna, relocated before the Aswan High Dam flooded Lower Nubia. During the war, the museum was badly damaged and looted, and UNESCO has warned about the loss of Sudan's cultural heritage.

Visitor information: the museum's future depends on restoration efforts.

3. Omdurman: The Mahdi's Tomb and Khalifa House

Across the White Nile, Omdurman was the capital of the Mahdist State, founded after the Mahdi's forces captured Khartoum in 1885, killing British General Charles Gordon. The silver-domed Mahdi's Tomb is an important landmark, while the Khalifa House Museum displays items from the Mahdist era and the Battle of Omdurman in 1898. The Omdurman Souq was one of the largest markets in Sudan, famous for its silver jewellery, gold, ebony carvings, spices, perfumes and leather goods. In Khartoum itself, the riverside Presidential Palace, built on the site where Gordon was killed, and colonial buildings from the Anglo-Egyptian period recalled the city's turbulent history.

Visitor information: many sites have been damaged.

4. Sufi Dervishes at Hamed al-Nil

Every Friday afternoon, Sufi followers gathered at the Hamed al-Nil Tomb in Omdurman for a ceremony of chanting, drumming and whirling known as dhikr, one of the most memorable cultural experiences in Sudan.

Visitor information: ceremonies depend on the situation.

5. The Pyramids of Meroë

About 200 kilometres north of Khartoum, the Pyramids of Meroë, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are more than 200 steep-sided Nubian pyramids, built for the kings and queens of the Kingdom of Kush from around 300 BCE. Sudan actually has more pyramids than Egypt. Rising from the golden sand dunes of the desert, many have lost their tops, some to treasure hunters in the 19th century, but their small chapels still preserve carved reliefs. Nearby, the temples of Naqa and Musawwarat es-Sufra reflect a unique blend of Egyptian, Greek, Roman and African styles.

Visitor information: travel outside the city is extremely dangerous.

Practical Information for Khartoum

Getting Around

  • By air: Khartoum International Airport has limited domestic flights; Port Sudan is the main entry point.
  • Money: the currency is the Sudanese pound; cash is essential.
  • Language: Arabic.

Local Culinary Specialties

  • Ful medames: stewed fava beans.
  • Kisra: a thin fermented flatbread.
  • Gurasa: a thick pancake bread.
  • Jebena coffee: spiced coffee.
  • Karkade: hibiscus tea.

Best Time to Visit

  • November–February: the cooler months.
  • April–June: extremely hot, with temperatures often above 40°C and dust storms known as haboobs.
  • July–September: the short rainy season.

Conclusion: Stay Informed About Khartoum

Khartoum is a city of ancient heritage at the meeting of the Niles. For now, the war makes travel extremely dangerous.

Stay informed: follow your government's travel advice, and plan with great care.