Photo Credit: UNAMID

After so many years of civil conflict, much of the country’s infrastructure has been greatly damaged. This, in turn, has had a great impact on the tourism industry and the nature of activities available to tourists. Luckily for visitors, the Sudanese natural environment has been particularly resilient throughout the conflict and remains as breathtaking and as appealing as ever.

Most of the activities on offer are outdoors-based, making Sudan a nature lover’s dream destination. Whether taking advantage of the clear blue waters of the Red Sea or scoping out genuine African wildlife in its natural habitat, there is something of appeal for every interest.

While Sudan’s coastline is not exactly vast, travelers to the region still have prime access to the gorgeous Red Sea. It is here that there are many snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. The best place for diving is Port Sudan, a little town on the Red Sea coast. The deep blue waters in the region are home to some of the most stunning coral reefs in the world. There is also plenty of opportunity for making new underwater friends like sharks and various species of fish, including barracuda and grey cod. Many companies arrange diving trips in this area but one of the more reliable companies is Planet Dive.

If the deep waters of the Red Sea are a bit too daunting, why not take a dip in the cool, clear waters of the Jabal al-Awliya’ Dam? The dam is only a 45 minute drive from the capital city, Khartoum, and provides an amazing view of the Nile River. Many locals take picnics to the dam on the weekends but weekday visits are popular as well. Many tour agencies offer trips to the dam as a stop on bigger itineraries. One such company is Ethio Renaissance Tours.

Sudan is one of the largest counties in Africa but is actually mostly desert. This may be a deterrent for some but for others, this provides a great opportunity for camel trekking. Many companies arrange wonderful trips which include traveling through the Bayuda Desert on camel back, sleeping under the stars, and even interacting with local nomadic tribes. Exodus specializes in camel trekking and is known for organizing great trips.

There is no way a traveler can leave the African continent without having embarked on at least one wildlife safari. The south of Sudan is home to a few national parks that provide the perfect environments for such excursions. Through companies like Sudan Wildlife Safari Co, travelers can observe such majestic animals as elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions, hippos, and giraffes. Safaris are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see Sudan’s stunning natural environment.

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