🇸🇩 Sudan
Khartoum: what to see and whether to move there
Sudan's capital sits exactly where the Blue and White Nile merge - an ancient crossroads of Arab and African worlds, where spice markets meet Sufi rituals at sunset.
Confluence of the Blue and White Nile
The point where two Niles of different colors flow side by side without mixing, best seen from a boat or bridge.
Sudan National Museum
The country's flagship museum, home to Nubian temples relocated here during the Aswan Dam construction and ancient Egyptian artifacts.
Omdurman Souq
A vast traditional market in Omdurman selling gold, spices, camel saddles, and Sudanese sweets.
Whirling Dervishes of Omdurman
A Friday Sufi ritual at the tomb of Sheikh Hamed al-Nil - dervishes whirling in green and red robes to drumbeats.
Khalifa House Museum
The former residence of Khalifa Abdullahi, now a museum on the late-19th-century Mahdist state.
Al-Mogran Family Park
A riverside park right at the confluence point, a favorite for family strolls and sunset picnics.
Sharia Al-Nil (Nile Street)
A Nile-side promenade overlooking the presidential palace and old colonial buildings along the river.
Ozone Café
A popular riverside café where Khartoum residents sip ginger-spiced Sudanese tea and play dominoes at night.
Kalakla Restaurant
A traditional Sudanese restaurant serving charcoal-grilled lamb and the national breakfast dish, ful medames.
Tuti Island
A small island right at the river confluence with fertile market gardens and village life a stone's throw from the capital's center.
What is happening in 2026
Khartoum is the capital of Sudan at the confluence of the White and Blue Nile. Since April 2023 the country has been at war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces; the city became a battlefield and millions fled. In 2025 the army regained control of Khartoum, and in January 2026 the government announced its return to the capital from Port Sudan. By spring 2026 more than 2 million of about 5 million who fled had returned, but there is still almost no electricity, many buildings are destroyed, and the war continues in other regions.
We do not recommend considering Khartoum for relocation, work or tourism. This page is for those who want to understand the situation and for families connected to Sudan.
Entry, money and communications
- foreigners need a visa, issued mainly to humanitarian staff, journalists and people with family ties;
- Khartoum international airport was damaged in the war, and the main entry point is Port Sudan;
- the Sudanese pound has lost much of its value, about 454 pounds per dollar at the official rate and considerably more on the market;
- banks, phones and internet are being restored, with frequent outages.
History and the city
Khartoum, together with Omdurman and Khartoum North, forms a metro area at the confluence of the two Niles, home to more than 5 million people before the war. Omdurman is the historic trading centre with a large market, and at the confluence you could see blue and white water flowing side by side. Many historic buildings and museums were damaged in 2023-2025.
Humanitarian situation
Sudan remains one of the world's largest humanitarian crises: millions have left their homes, there is famine in some areas, and healthcare is shattered. International organisations work under restrictions and special security rules.
If you are connected to Sudan: where to live in the region
| Country | How to get status | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | a work contract or a golden visa for property from 2 million dirhams, ~$544,600 | no income tax |
| Saudi Arabia | a work contract or premium residence | no income tax |
| Turkey | residence through a home purchase from $200,000 or other grounds | citizenship for property from $400,000 |
We will choose a country and grounds for your family and budget.
If relatives remain in Sudan
Contact with relatives is kept through messengers when the internet works, and money is sent through a limited set of banks and transfer systems with delays. Documents for moving to a third country, such as passports, birth and marriage certificates, are best prepared early: issuing and legalising them in Sudan takes a long time. Consular matters for Russian citizens are handled by the embassy, whose hours depend on the situation.
Port Sudan
During the war the government worked from Port Sudan on the Red Sea, which also has the country's main operating airport and port. The city took in hundreds of thousands of refugees from Khartoum, so housing there is expensive and scarce.
Is the city worth considering
No. The war is not over, Khartoum's infrastructure is destroyed, there is almost no electricity, and healthcare and banks work intermittently. If you need to live near family, the neighbouring Gulf states or Turkey are safer.
FAQ
Can I travel to Khartoum in 2026?
Who controls Khartoum?
Is there electricity in Khartoum?
Where can a family connected to Sudan live safely?
What is the Sudanese pound exchange rate?
How do I enter Sudan in 2026?
Can I send money to Sudan?
Is Port Sudan safe?
Can people live in Khartoum now?
Where is Sudan's main airport now?
What is the humanitarian situation in Sudan?
Which neighbouring countries suit a move from Sudan?
Can you travel to Khartoum right now?
What is the weather like in Khartoum?
Do you need a visa for Sudan?
Is Sudan an option for relocation?
Relocation options
Does your Khartoum family need residence in another country?
We work out which residence permits are open to Sudanese passport holders, match a country to your income and family and prepare the application. The catalogue lists every country.