Do you need a local guide in Sudan?
Strongly advised. The first answer is not to go: the Italian foreign ministry advises against all travel to Sudan, where the civil war that broke out in April 2023 reaches almost every part of the country. For anyone who must travel, the same ministry says never to move around alone but in a group led by reliable, competent local companions, with at least two vehicles for any trip outside built-up areas. Getting in also runs through a sponsor: the Sudanese embassy in Washington describes entry visas as issued for business or official purposes, with a letter from the sponsoring organisation for business, work and humanitarian visas.
Why it matters in Sudan
- All travel advised against — The war is still being fought across almost all of Sudan, above all in the states of Kordofan, Darfur, Blue Nile and White Nile, and the few quiet pockets that remain can change from one day to the next. Several areas are also contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance. (Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Never alone, never one vehicle — Move only in a group led by reliable, competent local companions, and use at least two vehicles for any trip outside built-up areas. Travel after dark is advised against, diesel and petrol are not always available even in Khartoum, and in urban areas the GPS signal can put you in the wrong place. (Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- A visa needs a sponsor — The Sudanese embassy in Washington says entry visas are issued to people travelling to Sudan for business or official purposes. Business, work and humanitarian applications need a letter from the sponsoring organisation stating the work, the length of stay, its financial responsibility and references in Sudan, and the embassy will not accept sponsorship letters from uncertified companies. (Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Washington, D.C. — Entry Visa)
- Permits once inside — Travel permits are required to leave Red Sea State, holders of an ordinary passport must register with the Alien Registration Office within three days of entering, and taking photos or filming needs a permit from the Ministry of Information. A satellite phone needs prior authorisation from a Sudanese embassy and must be declared on arrival. (Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
What to ask a guide before you book
- Who is the sponsoring organisation for my visa, and is it certified?
- How many vehicles travel together outside towns, and who leads the group?
- Who obtains the travel permit to leave Red Sea State, the registration and the photography permit?
- Where do we find fuel on this route, and what happens if there is none?
Local guides in Sudan
2 independent local guides work in Sudan on GuideMeet. You contact them directly: free, no commission. See the guides in Sudan
Sources
- Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Washington, D.C. — Entry Visa — consulted 21 September 2026
- Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — consulted 21 September 2026, updated 29 December 2025
Before you rely on this
This page summarises official sources in good faith, on the dates shown above. We cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials on the ground, not by websites. Always read the original sources and your own government's travel advice for Sudan before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide holds a licence or meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.