Sudan Desert Explorer

13 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
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Small Group Tour
There is a place where the desert stretches out beyond the horizon, where the Blue and White Nile join before meandering over cataracts, where there are more pyramids than in Egypt and where hospitality is simply a way of life. That place is Sudan. We head out in 4WD vehicles, camping wild under the stars. We explore the changing faces of the Sudanese des...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Travel off the beaten path in the Western and Nubian Deserts
    • Wild camping under the Sahara night sky
    • More Pyramids than Egypt
    • The remnants of the ancient Black Pharaohs civilisation
    • Warm hospitality of Nubians and other Sudanese

What's this trip about?

    There is a place where the desert stretches out beyond the horizon, where the Blue and White Nile join before meandering over cataracts, where there are more pyramids than in Egypt and where hospitality is simply a way of life. That place is Sudan. We head out in 4WD vehicles, camping wild under the stars. We explore the changing faces of the Sudanese desert, visit Nubian villages and discover temples left behind by the Black Pharaohs.Explore Sudan, one of the most underrated countries in the World

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 15 people
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityKhartoum
End CityKhartoum

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • National Parks

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Nature
  • Wildlife Viewing

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 15

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners included
    • All accommodation (see below)
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Photography permit
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Itinerary

Flight Inclusive

Day 1 Fly to Khartoum.

Arrive at the hotel any time, those on the group flight will arrive in Khartoum late in the evening. No activities planned today. *Holiday Villa Hotel*

Day 2 Khartoum city tour; on to the Western Desert.

After travelling hundreds of miles from Ethiopia and Rwanda respectively the Blue and White Nile meet in Khartoum. The capital of Sudan is surprising, bustling and with many modern buildings and quite pleasant. Not what most people would expect. This morning we hav...

Day 3 Cross the Wadi el Milk

Continuing into the Western Desert we cross the Wadi el Milk. This plain is scattered with acacia trees and Bisharin settlements around the few water wells. In the middle of the desert we reach fortress Gala Abu Hamed, dating back to Napatean times (700-400 B.C.) ...

Day 4 To Jebel Peak

Our main destination today is an isolated mountain in the middle of a dune desert which the drivers have christened Jebel Peak (due to the remoteness of this location, and the crumbling sandstone structure of this small mountain, it is not possible to climb to the...

Day 5 Drive out of the desert and on to Dongala

Today we cross small oases rich in palm trees before reaching the town of Dongola on the banks of the Nile. We stop here and resupply for the next few days before heading north along the new road heading towards the Egyptian border (we usually arrive in Dongala on...

Day 6 Temple of Soleb, Third Cataract and the Nubian villages.

Today we reach the Temple of Soleb. Possibly the most beautiful ancient Egyptian temple in all of Sudan, the Temple of Soleb was built bay Amenhotep III as a symbol of Egyptian presence in Kush. The temple has numerous walls and columns rich in hieroglyphic inscrip...

Day 7 Nubian Desert and Station no. 6

Heading east we cross a flat landscape with isolated hill. Here we get a true sense of the solitude of the desert. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two parallel tracks appear. The Sudan railway was built in the late 19th century by the British army as it campaigned to re...

Day 8 Nubian Desert, Station no. 6, El Kab village and Lake Merowe.

Continuing on our journey we reach the small village of El Kab situated in a picturesque spot where the sand dunes stretch down to the Nile. Further up the river is the newly formed Lake Merowe. In 2008 the new Dam of Merowe was completed on the Fourth Cataract, fl...

Day 9 Visit Karima, Jebel Barkal and El Kurru.

Crossing the open desert we will see a large sandstone butte, Jebel Barkal, standing alone long before we reach it. The ancient Egyptians perceived this spot as the birthplace and southern residence of the god Amon and built a large temple at the foot of the mounta...

Day 10 Across the Bayuda Desert to Meroe.

Crossing the Nile we visit the Pyramids of Nuri, another necropolis of the Napatean Kingdom. From here we head into the Bayuda desert, an area bounded by a loop in the Nile between the 4th and 6th cataracts. Sharp black basalt mountains, mostly volcanic and conical...

Day 11 Visit the Royal Necropolis of Meroe, Mussawarat El Sufra and on to Naga.

Our first stop this morning is at Sudan’s greatest archaeological site, the Royal Necropolis of Meroe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located some 3kms from the Nile on top of a hill covered in sand dunes where the pyramids of Meroe stand out against the clear ...

Day 12 Explore the ruins of Naga, browse Omdurman Souk and attend a Dervish Ceremony; end Khartoum.

Naga was an important city and one of the main centres of the Kingdom of Meroe. We visit a temple dedicated to Apedemak and is a wonderful building with bas-relief decorations depicting the god with a lion’s head, Pharaoh, noblemen and various ritualistic images. N...

Day 13 Arrive London.

**

Land Only

Day 1 Start Khartoum.

Arrive at the hotel any time, those on the group flight will arrive in Khartoum late in the evening. No activities planned today. *Holiday Villa Hotel*

Day 2 Khartoum city tour; on to the Western Desert.

After travelling hundreds of miles from Ethiopia and Rwanda respectively the Blue and White Nile meet in Khartoum. The capital of Sudan is surprising, bustling and with many modern buildings and quite pleasant. Not what most people would expect. This morning we hav...

Day 3 Cross the Wadi el Milk

Continuing into the Western Desert we cross the Wadi el Milk. This plain is scattered with acacia trees and Bisharin settlements around the few water wells. In the middle of the desert we reach fortress Gala Abu Hamed, dating back to Napatean times (700-400 B.C.) ...

Day 4 To Jebel Peak

Our main destination today is an isolated mountain in the middle of a dune desert which the drivers have christened Jebel Peak (due to the remoteness of this location, and the crumbling sandstone structure of this small mountain, it is not possible to climb to the...

Day 5 Drive out of the desert and on to Dongala

Today we cross small oases rich in palm trees before reaching the town of Dongola on the banks of the Nile. We stop here and resupply for the next few days before heading north along the new road heading towards the Egyptian border (we usually arrive in Dongala on...

Day 6 Temple of Soleb, Third Cataract and the Nubian villages.

Today we reach the Temple of Soleb. Possibly the most beautiful ancient Egyptian temple in all of Sudan, the Temple of Soleb was built bay Amenhotep III as a symbol of Egyptian presence in Kush. The temple has numerous walls and columns rich in hieroglyphic inscrip...

Day 7 Nubian Desert and Station no. 6

Heading east we cross a flat landscape with isolated hill. Here we get a true sense of the solitude of the desert. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two parallel tracks appear. The Sudan railway was built in the late 19th century by the British army as it campaigned to re...

Day 8 Nubian Desert, Station no. 6, El Kab village and Lake Merowe.

Continuing on our journey we reach the small village of El Kab situated in a picturesque spot where the sand dunes stretch down to the Nile. Further up the river is the newly formed Lake Merowe. In 2008 the new Dam of Merowe was completed on the Fourth Cataract, fl...

Day 9 Visit Karima, Jebel Barkal and El Kurru.

Crossing the open desert we will see a large sandstone butte, Jebel Barkal, standing alone long before we reach it. The ancient Egyptians perceived this spot as the birthplace and southern residence of the god Amon and built a large temple at the foot of the mounta...

Day 10 Across the Bayuda Desert to Meroe.

Crossing the Nile we visit the Pyramids of Nuri, another necropolis of the Napatean Kingdom. From here we head into the Bayuda desert, an area bounded by a loop in the Nile between the 4th and 6th cataracts. Sharp black basalt mountains, mostly volcanic and conical...

Day 11 Visit the Royal Necropolis of Meroe, Mussawarat El Sufra and on to Naga.

Our first stop this morning is at Sudan’s greatest archaeological site, the Royal Necropolis of Meroe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located some 3kms from the Nile on top of a hill covered in sand dunes where the pyramids of Meroe stand out against the clear ...

Day 12 Explore the ruins of Naga, browse Omdurman Souk and attend a Dervish Ceremony; end Khartoum.

Naga was an important city and one of the main centres of the Kingdom of Meroe. We visit a temple dedicated to Apedemak and is a wonderful building with bas-relief decorations depicting the god with a lion’s head, Pharaoh, noblemen and various ritualistic images. N...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,805
Price per day$370
Last Updated: 1/15/2019

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,502
Great
3,265
Average
609
Disappointing
146
Terrible
190
A

Anonymous

Feb 2018

Sudan explorer

An excellent trip for those who love camping and deserts. With the added astounding sights of Pharaonic temples and buildings and the wonderful sight of the Meroit...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

Sudan Desert Explorer (AYA)

Travelled in Nov/Dec 2015. This feels much more an expedition that a standard holiday. Taking 4x4s off road and into wild remote spectacular desert landscapes. An un...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

AYA Sudan Desert Explorer

This is a fantastic trip and a great adventure. I loved every moment of it, and would definitely recommend this trip to anyone interested in an exciting and differen...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

AYA Sudan Desert Explorer

Really enjoyed the whole trip. Our guide, drivers and cook together with my fellow travellers made it an unforgettable experience. I haven't spent much time in the d...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

Sudan Desert Explorer AYA

A true desert expedition! The ancient sites were impressive, especially the pyramids at Meroe and the carvings on the temple dedicated to Apedemak, but I think, for ...

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Other Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews

S

Sheila Bissell

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Excellent service

Excellent service

R

Roger hil

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Roger

They were very helpful, polite and knowledgeable

G

Gill Barber

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt, good service

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations
    • Video permit (needs to be per-arranged)

Accommodation

Travel by 4WD vehicles Some long drives off-road Group normally 4 to 15, plus local leader. Min age 18 yrs 3 nights hotels and permanent camp and 8 nights wild camping All breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners included
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
Dinner: All breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners included Sudan is a 'dry country' in other words Alcohol is forbidden and you should not try to import any as there can be serious penalties for doing so. Meals include both international and local dishes. The most common local dishes are ‘full’, a type of broad bean soup, ‘fasolija’ bean soup, lamb and chai tea. Dinners are cooked meals including meat or fish, vegetables, pasta, rice or soup, fruit and desert and tea or coffee. Lunches are picnic style and normally include things like tomato, rice or pasta salad, cheese, ham, tuna and fresh fruit. Drinks are normally water, tea and coffee as well as Karkade, a type of hibiscus juice, for breakfast and as an aperitif before dinner. It is possible to buy soft drinks along the way and even non-alcoholic beer on occasion.
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Travelstride Take
Travelers who are looking for an off the beaten path, active travel, experience in Africa will love this trip exploring the unique culture and landscape of the Sudan. Recommended for those who don’t mind basic accommodations, including rustic camping, with few amenities. This trip is 13 days, which can be a long time to camp and go off-roading. Be sure you’re ready for a lot of nature encounters!
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-AYA

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