Essentials
- City
- Khartoum, Khartoum State, Sudan
- Population
- Approximately 6,300,000 (Greater Khartoum area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 12-25 Mbps; reliable fiber available in high-end districts like Al-Amarat via Sudatel
- Currency & Banking
- Sudanese Pound (SDG). 1 USD ≈ 600 SDG (Official), but parallel rates fluctuate significantly.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water like Safia or Soba (approx. 300 SDG per 1.5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and Type D sockets. Frequent load shedding occurs; solar backups are common in modern rentals.
- SIM Card
- Zain, MTN, and Sudani. Zain is preferred for data. 10GB package costs approx. 8,500 SDG.
- Banking for Expats
- Limited international connectivity. Bank of Khartoum (BOK) is the standard; MBOK app is essential for local transfers.
- Accommodation
- High-end serviced apartments in Al-Amarat or Riyadh; Airbnb is limited, professional real estate agents are preferred.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; mobile banking (MBOK) and SyberPay are widely used, but physical international credit cards often fail.
- Short Term Rentals
- Regus Serviced Offices & Apartments (Al-Amarat), Khartoum Plaza Hotel ($70-$120/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Bougainvilla Guesthouse (Riyadh) - Approx. $45/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al-Mogran (confluence of the Niles) and Nile Street for proximity to museums and scenery.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al-Amarat (Streets 1-15) and Riyadh; these areas have the best cafes, reliable power, and expat communities.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Savannah Innovation Labs (Riyadh) – Day pass approx. $15, features stable fiber and networking.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Impact Hub Khartoum (Mogran) or Ozone District (Al-Amarat) – High-speed WiFi and outdoor seating.
- Networking Events
- Sudan Digital events and gatherings at the British Council in Abu Sinn Street.
- Social Events for Expats
- The German Club (Al-Amarat) and weekly meetups at the Khartoum American School social nights.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Tirhal (The local Uber) or Raksha (Tuk-tuk) for short distances.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not common due to heat and road conditions; private driver hire is the standard for nomads ($30-$50/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- No ocean access; 'The Blue Nile Sailing Club' offers riverfront access. Closest sea is Port Sudan (12h drive/1h flight).
- Top Regional Airline
- Badr Airlines and Tarco Air.
- Top International Airline
- Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines.
- Highway Access
- A1 North (to Merowe) and the Khartoum-Madani Highway.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Khartoum North Railway Station (limited service); main hub is the Souq Al-Arabi bus terminal.
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal pass system; cash-based 'Amjad' (minivans) cost 500-1000 SDG per trip.
- Regional Travel
- Bus travel via MTC (Madani Transport Company) from the Al-Mina Al-Bari terminal.
Other Services and Amenities
- Community Centers
- Faisal Cultural Center.
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex (Riyadh) and DHL (Al-Amarat).
- Tech Repair Services
- The 'Computer Market' in Downtown Khartoum (Souq Al-Arabi).
- Table Tennis Spots
- The Syrian Club (Al-Amarat).
- Language Classes
- Sudan Volunteer Programme (SVP) or language centers in Riyadh for Arabic/Sudanese dialect.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Sudan Library (University of Khartoum) and the French Cultural Center (IFAS).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Strictly prohibited.
- Gaming Lounges
- Matrix Gaming Zone (Riyadh).
Culture and Attractions
- Cooking Classes
- Private workshops usually arranged via the 'Sudanese Kitchen' community.
- Art Galleries
- Dabanga Gallery (Al-Amarat) – High-end Sudanese crafts and art.
- Historic Buildings
- The Republican Palace (Old building).
- Local Heritage
- The Whirling Dervishes ceremony every Friday at sunset in Omdurman.
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Confluence of the Two Niles (Al-Mogran) and the Corinthia Hotel (Egg Building).
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Museum of Sudan (Nile Street) – Houses relocated temples from Lake Nasser.
- Historical Sites
- Khalifa House Museum and the Mahdi’s Tomb (Omdurman).
- Religious Sites
- King Farouk Mosque and the Great Mosque of Khartoum.
- Annual Events
- Khartoum International Book Fair (October).
- Cultural Districts
- Omdurman Souq – The most traditional and culturally rich area.
- Theater Venues
- The National Theatre (Omdurman).
- Local Markets
- Souq Omdurman (One of the largest in Africa).
- Music Scene
- Traditional Sufi Zikr at Hamed al-Nil (Fridays in Omdurman).
- Street Art
- Political murals around the University of Khartoum and Burri district.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tuti Island – A rural farming escape in the middle of the city accessible by bridge.
- National Parks Nearby
- Dinder National Park (Note: Requires a full day of travel/8 hours from Khartoum).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Nile Street walkway (best at sunrise or late evening).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The roof terrace of the Corinthia Hotel for a 360-degree view of the Niles.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The banks of the White Nile near the Jebel Aulia Dam.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Sandbars on the Nile accessible by private boat rental from the Marine Club.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000) - Market uses USD for real estate valuation.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $28,000) in areas like Bahri.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000) in Al-Amarat.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $36,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000) in Riyadh.
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $550 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $44,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 15% to 35% depending on sector (Trading vs Industrial).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Currently no withholding tax on dividends).
- Tax System
- Territorial/Source-based system.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 15%
- VAT
- 17%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No.
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual city rates apply based on rental value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 2-5% registration fees.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; most operate on business visas under foreign income assumptions.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Royal Care International Hospital (Burri) – English speaking staff and modern equipment.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Wellness Hub (Riyadh) – Offers Yoga and Pilates sessions ($15/class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Blue Sky Fitness Center (Al-Amarat) – Approx. 40,000 SDG/month.
- Laundry Services
- Clean Line Laundry (Riyadh) – Reliable dry cleaning and wash/fold services.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Dukkan or Yalla Feed (availability varies by district).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Ful Medames with Shata (spicy sauce) at Gad (Al-Amarat).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Papa Costa (Downtown) – Offers varied Mediterranean vegetable dishes.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Movenpick (Nile Street) and Al-Housh (Kafouri) for traditional Sudanese sweets.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Saad Qishra Market (Khartoum North) for clothes; local vegetable markets in Souq Al-Markazy.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Alsoug.com (The Craigslist/Amazon of Sudan).
- Grocery Delivery
- FreshKart (App-based grocery ordering).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Alcohol is prohibited in Sudan. Social life revolves around tea lady stalls on Nile Street and high-end hotel lounges.
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol-free country). Popular alternative: Sharbat (traditional hibiscus/date drink).
- Wine Bars
- None. Try the high-end coffee bars at Corinthia Hotel.
- Street Food Stalls
- Nile Street Tea Ladies – A vital cultural experience for tea and hibiscus (Karkadeh).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Solitaire (Riyadh) for Italian/Continental food ($20/meal).