Located at the meeting point of the Blue and White Nile rivers, this capital city includes Africa's largest mosque and has grown to 4 million residents while preserving ancient ruins.
Khartoum, Sudan's capital city, sits at the meeting point of the Blue and White Nile rivers. In the Souq al Arabi market, hundreds of vendors sell spices, textiles, and local crafts across several blocks. The National Museum of Sudan displays royal statues from Kerma, hieroglyphic tablets from Meroe, and temple fragments saved from Lake Nasser, while old wooden sailboats line the shore at the Blue Nile Sailing Club.
Where the Niles Meet
The Blue and White Nile rivers join at moqran al-nilayn, creating the main Nile that flows north to the Mediterranean Sea. The Blue Nile arrives from Ethiopia to the southeast, while the White Nile comes from the Uganda-Congo border region. You can cross between the three parts of the city using several bridges, including the Mac Nimir Bridge and the Cooper Bridge. The Blue Nile moves at about 2 kilometers per hour through the city, while the White Nile flows at roughly 4 kilometers per hour.
Markets and Shopping Areas
The Souq al Arabi fills multiple blocks in central Khartoum, south of the Great Mosque and the minibus station. Vendors set up their stalls at 7 AM, selling spices, textiles, household goods, and traditional crafts. You'll find specific sections for local foods, imported electronics, and handmade items. Most shops open from 7 AM to 2 PM, when temperatures are cooler and the market is most active.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The National Museum of Sudan contains artifacts from ancient Nubia, including two complete temples relocated from Lake Nasser. At the Khalifa House Museum, you'll find military uniforms, swords, and personal items from Sudan's Mahdist rulers of the 1880s. The Presidential Palace retains its 1920s architecture, with Ottoman-style domes and British colonial columns. Museums typically open from 9 AM to 4 PM, with reduced hours during Ramadan.
Educational Centers
The University of Khartoum's campus includes buildings from 1902, when it began as Gordon Memorial College. The central courtyard fills with students between classes, and the university library holds over 100,000 Arabic texts and 50,000 English volumes. The Ahfad University for Women continues classes for 7,000 students across five faculties, with its tree-lined campus in Omdurman serving as a key educational institution in Sudan.
Current Safety Situation
Military conflict began in Khartoum in April 2023, causing widespread damage to the city's infrastructure. Many residents have left the city, and most businesses remain closed. Fighting continues in various neighborhoods, particularly affecting central areas near government buildings. International organizations report limited access to basic services and recommend against travel to Khartoum until security conditions stabilize.
