What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Sudan, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
No numbered levels
Updated 11 May 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:Updated information on operations in Sudanese airports ('Safety and security' page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in Sudan” of the UK government's travel advice for Sudan, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
Emergency services in Sudan have been severely impacted by the conflict and are often unresponsive.
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Sudan, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Personal ID
It is a legal requirement to carry photographic ID, such as a passport, with you at all times.
Dress code
Non-Muslim women do not have to wear a veil or cover their heads. Men and women should dress modestly and respect local customs and sensitivities.
Ramadan
Sudan is an Islamic country. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure your actions do not cause offence, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.
Alcohol and drug laws
Non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol in Sudan, but not in the presence of Muslims. However, you may still be arrested for drinking alcohol regardless of the circumstances.
There are severe penalties for drug trafficking.
Using cameras in secure areas
Due to the conflict, it is not advisable to take photographs in secure areas in Sudan. Do not take photographs or use a mobile phone camera close to:
government buildings
military installations
public utilities, including petrol stations
other sensitive areas, such as bridges and airports
Plain-clothed public security officers operate in these areas.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Sudan and not tolerated in Sudanese society. This includes inviting guests into hotel rooms.
It’s illegal to have extramarital relations and there are severe penalties. It’s illegal to live together, or to share the same hotel room, with someone of the opposite sex if you’re not married or closely related.
Guests in hotel rooms
It’s illegal to invite guests into your hotel room. Business meetings should take place in hotel lobbies or meeting rooms, not hotel rooms. Tourist police patrol the hotels, and British nationals have reported problems with Sudanese authorities about this.
Technical equipment
You might need a licence to use some technical equipment in Sudan, including:
It’s difficult to use non-Sudanese credit or debit cards, and most banks and ATM machines will not let you withdraw cash. Bring US dollars with you to Sudan.
You may be able to exchange US dollars dated 2006 onwards (older ones will not be exchanged), but this will be difficult due to the current conflict.
British pounds are rarely exchanged. Only change money through banks or official exchange bureaus.
Travelling with medicines
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Sudan, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Sudan, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Flash flooding can happen during the rainy season from July to October. Risks at this time of year include:
flooding that can make areas inaccessible by road, including areas south of Khartoum
dry riverbeds (‘wadis’) being hit by flash floods, with many only being passable on a major road
What to pack
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCDFG
Voltage230/400 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
21 °C (71 °F)
Lows
13 °C (55 °F)
Highs
30 °C (86 °F)
Rain
0 mm (0.0 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
February
Average
24 °C (74 °F)
Lows
15 °C (59 °F)
Highs
32 °C (90 °F)
Rain
0 mm (0.0 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
March
Average
27 °C (80 °F)
Lows
18 °C (65 °F)
Highs
36 °C (96 °F)
Rain
0 mm (0.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
April
Average
30 °C (86 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
39 °C (102 °F)
Rain
2 mm (0.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
May
Average
32 °C (90 °F)
Lows
24 °C (76 °F)
Highs
40 °C (104 °F)
Rain
14 mm (0.5 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
June
Average
32 °C (90 °F)
Lows
25 °C (77 °F)
Highs
40 °C (103 °F)
Rain
27 mm (1.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
July
Average
31 °C (88 °F)
Lows
25 °C (76 °F)
Highs
38 °C (100 °F)
Rain
66 mm (2.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
August
Average
30 °C (87 °F)
Lows
24 °C (76 °F)
Highs
37 °C (98 °F)
Rain
89 mm (3.5 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
September
Average
30 °C (87 °F)
Lows
24 °C (75 °F)
Highs
37 °C (99 °F)
Rain
40 mm (1.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
October
Average
29 °C (85 °F)
Lows
22 °C (72 °F)
Highs
37 °C (99 °F)
Rain
14 mm (0.5 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
November
Average
26 °C (78 °F)
Lows
18 °C (64 °F)
Highs
34 °C (93 °F)
Rain
1 mm (0.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
December
Average
22 °C (72 °F)
Lows
14 °C (58 °F)
Highs
30 °C (87 °F)
Rain
0 mm (0.0 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Sudan.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.