Sudan
Local time:GMT+2.
Capital:Khartoum.
Language: Arabic, English, many local dialects.
Electricity: 240VAC50Hz.
Int. direct dialling code: 249.
Driving:International Driving Permit recommended. Temporary licence available from local authorities on presentation of UK licence.
Currency: Sudanese Dinar (SDD 1 = 100 Piastres).
Notes: 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 SDD
Business hours
Banks: 8.30am-12pm Sat-Thurs
Offices: 8.30-2.30pm Sat-Thurs
Shops: 8.30-1.30pm and 5.30-8pm Sat-Thurs
Emergency Services
Police: 74461/999
Clothing
Tropical all year with light rainwear during rainy season and warmer clothes for evenings in the north.
Health
Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate required by all. Exempt, infants under one year. A certificate may be required from travellers leaving Sudan.
Business/social hints
Appointments:should be made in advance. If the visitor is a woman this must be stated in correspondence.
Attire for business meetings: men should wear a lightweight or tropical suit and tie. Women should dress conservatively.
Etiquette: it is the convention to use the right hand when shaking hands. It is polite to drink coffee or tea, when offered.
Language: many executives speak English, a few words of Arabic will be appreciated.
Laws: alcohol is forbidden by law. There are restrictions on photography. Smoking is generally accepted.
Weather
The north has a desert climate where rainfall is rare, daytime temperatures are very high and cooler winter months have nightly temperatures low enough for occasional frost. The rainy season is between Apr-Oct almost everywhere, although in the far south some rain may occur in any month. However, during this period the weather may remain dry and sunny and the wettest areas may only have one out of three rainy days.
Khartoum
Temp C Humidity % Rain
Max Min am pm (mm)
January 32 15 37 20 0
February 34 16 28 15 0
March 38 19 31 11 0
April 41 22 18 10 0
May 42 25 24 13 3
June 41 26 38 18 7
July 38 25 57 33 57
August 37 24 67 41 71
September 39 25 55 30 18
October 40 24 38 21 5
November 36 20 34 19 0
December 33 17 38 20 0
Khartoum Civil KRT
Postal address: POBox 430, Khartoum.
Telephone: +249 11 73624/79147.
Location: two and a half miles southeast of Khartoum.
Transportation to city centre: Taxi:available.
Airport departure tax: Domestic:SDD600
International:SDD 2500 (nationals), USD 20 (all other nationalities).
Passport and visas
Passports must be valid for six months from date of entry.
Customs
Import allowances for persons of 20 years of age or older:
a) 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225gr of tobacco
b) A reasonable quantity of toiletries (including perfume) for personal use.