The most beautiful natural sites to discover Sudan

It is the largest national park in Sudan. But how sad to see it in so bad a state! Stretching from the Environs border crossing to the Blue Nile province over 10 000 km, Dinder Park is in the image of Sudanese wildlife. It has suffered very badly from the fighting of civil war, intensive poaching and the state of abandonment in which it left authorities poorly aware of environmental problems until recently.

Safari fans will no longer find Dinder large specimens of wild animals, such as rhino, elephants or even giraffes. Contrary to what may be said by locals, they have disappeared from the region for years. Lions would still be visible, however. But you will be entitled to monkeys, warthogs, ostriches and, above all, if you care, the many birds that still inhabit this savannah landscape.

The entrance door to the park is in the village of Dinder, east of Sinja. You must register on-site with the competent police (and pay a tax). An all-terrain car is then required to win the park, even at 3 hours of that. Very difficult to reach, the park is closed throughout the rainy season. A permit issued by the Department of Humanitarian Affairs is required to travel to Dinder. For recently, tourists would not be very welcome in the park.

Tuti offers the opportunity to spend a afternoon relaxing, between promenade, picnic and, possibly, swimming (make sure to remain discreet, especially women who need to be more "covered" than in Europe). Still largely cultivated, the island hosts many irrigation pumps that draw in a Nile, which is easy to see in the seasons. In the wet season, there is in fact no more often than no beach… In the extreme north of the island, an old fortin (tabiya) rounded up date of the mahdiste period, but now does not defend much more.

To see the fusion of Blue Nile and White Nile waters, go to the tip of Mogran (literally the "confluence"), at the extreme northwest of Khartoum Centre. " Montaza Mogran "is a small park of green attractions (and paying) that makes it possible to have a significant view of this exceptional place in Africa. The photos are allowed but restricted. No need to photograph bridges… From May to August, the difference in flow and color is noticeable. Forget blue and white. But you'll surely notice that Blue makes much more sediment than White. You will also think of the frustration of Scottish explorer James Bruce, a European discoverer, in 1770, of Lake Tana, which he took for the unique source of the Nile. As it descended the river, the discovery of the confluence with another "Nile" the deprived of the pleasure to realize fully a dream of explorers dating from antiquity. We will still have to wait for nearly nine decades for Europe to discover the largest lake in Africa, christened by the British John Hanning Emancipation on behalf of the Queen of England: Victoria.

A last (more expensive) means of approaching the confluence is also the boat. You can rent one (more cost-effective if you are in group) at the foot of the Tuti Bridge, or that of Mek Nimir, the marina and the Blue Nile Sailing Club. You will also see Al-Malik, Lord Kitchener's old boat, rouillant for more than a century.

The jebel itself is a place of visit because it can climb on its southern slope and have a superb panorama of this region of the Nile, close to 100 m high: Karima, Nuri, Merowe, as well as the archaeological site at the foot of the mountain. The temples of Mut and Amun revèlent their Plan. Once at the top of the "python", take a dream of all the conquerors on these shores… Bring yourself water and take a quarter of an hour to climb (no need for equipment) and 30 seconds to get down! The sands accumulated by the elements for centuries on this wall allow an express and original descent. Moving slides or stairs… Make sure you don't leave your sandals, if you have!

This is the main reserve (khazan) of El-Obeid water. It is located in the south of the city, just after the Hotel Zénobia. There are many urban residents and nomads in the surrounding area who go to bowls and bidons, which they carry on the backs of donkey, bicycle or car. More generally, the place is frequented by the whole city for its beauty and freshness. Fed by a source from the Nuba Mountains, the khazan is lined with thick tall trees providing a welcome shade. This "oasis" of the savanna also attracts many birds… and probably also mosquitoes. During the rainy season, the khazan is at the highest and the whole region is green. A good time to visit El-Obeid, then more spared by relentless heat.

The island of Aba has no great interest outside its historic links with the religious leader of the th century. Mohammed Ahmed lived several years of Islamic studies on this famous island. In the early 1880 s, he led a violent campaign denouncing the Anglo-Egyptian occupation, which found such a strong echo in the country that Khartoum believed that he would cut the character to silence. But removing it from Aba Island turned out to be more complicated than expected and the troops broke their teeth there. The Egyptian debacle searched a movement of revolt across the country, which gradually justice into the cause of Islam's self-proclaimed imam.

This past bears witness to the ancient buildings of the university (now called the imam's name), redécorée of dubious colours, and the mosque of the times, more northerly. Symbolically, a commemorative kiosk was built on the immense central square. The village is a stronghold of the Mahdiste Mahdiste party and the flag of the Brotherhood of Ansars floats here as well as the grave of the Mahdi in Omdurman.

To go to Aba, you must take the bus in Rabak (request mawgif Aba). Count 2 SDG in minibus to descend White Nile over kilometres before obliquer to the river. As an anecdote, we were arrested by a member of the Security Bureau on the island before leaving it. Apparently, the guy had difficulty believing that Aba could be mentioned in a guide!

Sinja is located about kilometres south of Sennar, going back to the Blue Nile. Like Sennar, the city was a political centre that was even more forgotten than its neighbour. And just like Sennar also, the climate and greenery of Sinja allow a beautiful half-day stroll along the banks of the Nile, or even the Nile even if You settle with a fisherman.

Take a minibus to the Sennar as-Sha'abi souk.

This is happening when you arrive in Khartoum. Or, more often than not, we pass his bed. This river is virtually dry much of the year. The water is not rare in Kassala and walks along the river while vadrouillant through fields and orchards around it is very pleasant in the good season, that is, at the end of the rainy season (August-October). The landscape is beautiful and you can make beautiful photos with the Thaka Mountains reflecting the water. On the other hand, be careful, in full kharif (wet season) it is not uncommon for severe floods to ravage the city.

You can enjoy a day to combine the visit of the mosque with that of the surrounding villages and especially with an excursion in the mountains. The Thaka Mountains give its particular appearance to the landscape of Kassala. Their rounded and picked shapes emerge up to 1 000 m in the middle of a hopelessly flat area. In fact, there is only a summit called Thaka. The others are named Totil, Moukram and Awetila. The village of Totil lies in the hollow of the relief to the east of the mosque. Overlooking Totil, a famous source feeding a well passes to bring fertility to couples. It is perfectly possible to climb to reach the foot of the granite cliffs. The hazards of the climb will bring you through caves-reposoirs and will allow you to admire impressive panoramas. Traditional houses with a thatched roof are beautifully located on the green surroundings. Of course, plan to drink! To climb up to the top, professional equipment will be required.