Sudan

We recommend you reconsider your need to travel to Khartoum due to the high threat of terrorist attack, the general threat of kidnapping and the possibility of further violent civil unrest. We strongly advise you not to travel outside of Khartoum, due to the high threat of terrorist attack, the extremely dangerous security situation, risk of armed conflict, violent crime and high threat of kidnapping.

If you intend to travel in urban areas, including Khartoum, you should exercise caution and avoid travel at night. You should vary your routes and change your pattern of movement. You should avoid crowded areas and any public location without an obvious security presence. You should avoid predicable patterns of travel in Sudan. If you intend to travel outside urban areas in Sudan you should ensure that you have appropriate security measures in place.

There is a risk of retaliatory attacks against Western targets in Sudan following the French intervention in the conflict in Mali in January 2013. Terrorist groups in the region have declared their intention to increase attacks and kidnappings targeting Westerners.

There is a general threat of kidnapping throughout Sudan. Information of early April 2013 indicated that terrorists may be planning to kidnap Westerners in Sudan. Since May 2013, planning has progressed to a point where a kidnapping operation targeting Westerners in Sudan, most likely Khartoum, could occur without further warning. On 8 May 2013, the US Embassy in Khartoum warned of a heightened security threat and imposed limits on movements of US officials and their families, including avoiding public gatherings and avoiding locations frequented by Westerners. We advise Australians in Sudan to do likewise.

Due to the high threat of kidnapping, Australians in Sudan should put in place robust measures to ensure their personal security, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.

The Australian Government’s longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers paying ransoms increases the risk of further kidnappings. For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping threat travel bulletin.

Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in areas frequented by foreigners. In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as key transport installations including air, railways and sea ports, buildings associated with foreign governments and companies, oil installations, hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, marketplaces, places of worship, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas. As security remains high at official facilities, terrorists may turn towards easier targets, such as residential compounds.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General advice to Australian travellers.

We strongly advise you not to travel outside of Khartoum, due to the extremely dangerous security situation, the risk of armed conflict, incidence of violent crime and the threat of kidnapping. Darfur and border regions with South Sudan, including the states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan are particularly dangerous.

Ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you're comfortable travelling outside of Khartoum knowing you could be caught up in armed conflict, widespread lawlessness, violent crime and civil unrest. If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to Sudan, you should exercise extreme caution. If you are in Sudan and concerned for your safety, you should consider departing if it is safe to do so.

On 14 September 2012, protestors attacked the US, British and German Embassies in Khartoum. A number of protestors were reportedly killed. Further incidents involving Western interests are possible.

Since mid-June 2012 there have been ongoing anti-government demonstrations in response to rising prices, leading to violent clashes between protestors and security services in Khartoum, Omdurman and elsewhere in Sudan. In some cases (outside of Khartoum), violent clashes have led to the deaths of protestors and bystanders. You should remain vigilant and avoid large crowds and protests anywhere in Sudan as violence could occur with little warning.

Foreigners in Sudan could be targeted in reaction to national and international events. Politically-motivated demonstrations, including anti-Western rallies, can occur in Sudan. You should keep a low profile, avoid demonstrations as they may turn violent and monitor the media and other local sources of information about the safety and security environment and possible new risks and threats. You should take particular care in the period surrounding Friday midday prayers.

Curfews can be imposed with little or no warning. All curfews should be strictly observed.

Armed conflict, clashes and violence involving government, rebel and militia groups occur in rural areas of Sudan, particularly in Darfur and regions bordering South Sudan, especially in the disputed area of Abyei and in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, including in the state capitals. Since April 2012, there has been escalating conflict in border regions with South Sudan, between forces from Sudan and South Sudan. Australians could be affected by violence directed at others.

Weapons are widespread among the population and conflict can escalate quickly.

Contingency planning: Australians in Sudan should ensure they have appropriate personal security measures in place and prepare a contingency plan to enable departure in the event of a sudden deterioration in the security environment. As a precautionary measure, you should ensure you have adequate supplies of water, food, fuel, cash and medications and that your documentation remains up to date. You are responsible for ensuring that your contingency plan is regularly reviewed and is appropriate for your personal circumstances.

In addition to registering your travel and contact details with the Australian Government, you should also register your presence with the British Embassy in Khartoum and keep in regular contact with the embassy through its warden network.

Border areas with South Sudan: Border areas with South Sudan are extremely dangerous. Since April 2012, there has been escalating conflict between Sudan and South Sudan in border regions. Other serious outbreaks of violence occurred in Abyei from May 2011, in Southern Kordofan state from June 2011 and in Blue Nile from September 2011. The violence has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and created thousands of displaced persons

Darfur: Darfur remains dangerous despite the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006 and the Doha Document of Peace in Darfur in September 2011. Some armed movements have yet to engage in the peace process. Violence and ongoing clashes between rebel groups and the Sudanese Armed Forces continue in Darfur. Conflicts can escalate and the security situation can deteriorate quickly. Civilians, including foreign workers, are at risk from the prevailing lawlessness and could be caught up in the violence between the various factions.

There is an ongoing and high risk of kidnapping throughout Darfur. Foreigners have been kidnapped in Darfur including US, German, South African, Russian and Jordanian citizens. Some victims were held captive for more than 100 days. Kidnappings are not restricted to rural areas. They have also occurred in and around the state capitals and towns, including Nyala, Kutum and Zalingei. Aid workers and expatriates are commonly targeted. Some international organisations have withdrawn staff from this region.

For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping threat travel bulletin.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers that paying a ransom increases the risk of further kidnappings, including of other Australians. If you do decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.

There is a low incidence of crime in Khartoum, however there are high levels of violent crime in Darfur. The presence of large numbers of displaced people has put a strain on scarce resources and led to an increased risk of crime. Banditry, carjacking, kidnapping, murder, sexual assault and looting are a danger. Westerners, including employees of aid organisations, journalists and other foreign workers have been the target of crime.

Due to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance outside of Sudan.

Credit, debit and cashcards and travellers’ cheques are not accepted in Sudan. ATMs that can access international funds are not available. You should expect to pay cash for all purchases, including hotel bills. Some major hotels and tour operators will only accept payment from foreign travellers in hard currencies, such as US dollars. It is difficult to obtain US dollars once in Sudan.

US dollars are easily exchanged, however, bills should be post-2006 series and completely unmarked. After the secession of South Sudan the Government of Sudan announced new currency notes would be issued. Some denominations of Sudanese Pound (SDG) banknotes have recently been reissued and old versions withdrawn from circulation. Travellers should confirm they receive valid banknotes when exchanging currency.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets and visas. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

A number of local airlines operate in Sudan, however serious doubts surround their safety and reliability. All Sudanese registered airlines are banned from operating in European airspace.

In August 2008, a Sun Air plane travelling from Nyala in Darfur to Khartoum, was hijacked and flown to Libya. All 95 passengers were released without harm. A Sudan Airways passenger jet carrying more than 200 people burst into flames after landing at Khartoum airport in June 2008.

In January 2007, a Sudanese Air West passenger plane was hijacked en route from Khartoum to Al Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region. The incident highlighted a severe security lapse with the airline and at Khartoum's international airport.

For further information, please refer to our air travel page on aviation safety and security.

There are strong Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in Sudan. Women are advised to wear loose-fitting clothing which covers the arms and legs and a headscarf. You should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims.

Our Dual nationals page provides further information.

Sudan often experiences extremely high temperatures. During the hottest months of the year, the temperature can exceed 50˚C.

Sandstorms and dust storms occur regularly. The rainy season occurs during July to October. Flooding can make roads in rural areas inaccessible.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, you should follow the advice of local authorities and monitor the media for up-to-date information.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with children page.