Hostels in KHARTOUM, SUDAN

Enjoying the Exotic City of Khartoum in Sudan

Khartoum forms the capital of Khartoum state and Sudan as well. It is located at the convergence of Blue Nile and White Nile. The exact location of confluence is known as ‘al-Mogran’ and is a spectacular sight. The city is called al-Kharṭūm in Arabic. Khartoum is the economical hub of Sudan with its significant oil wealth. It is one of the busiest cities of Sudan with many luxurious amenities and recreational facilities.

Accommodation Options
University of Khartoum was established more than 100 years ago and supports many government and private accommodation facilities. youth hostels and student lodges are popular near the educational institutes of the city. Khartoum has luxurious hotels as well as budget hotels and guesthouses.

History
The word ‘Khartoum’ means ‘end of an elephant’s trunk’ in Arabic. Ibrahim Pasha, the Egyptian ruler established the city as an outpost for his army in 1821. The sleepy town grew from being a settlement for slaves to a trade centre. Later city came into the hands of the rebellion Mahdists in 1885. The year 1899 saw the city being referred as the capital of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Sudan finally got independence and Khartoum emerged as the capital once again.

Climate
The city experiences a hot arid type climate like most parts of Sudan. The average rainfall per year in Khartoum is around 6 inches with most of it during the months of July and August. Temperatures are high during the day, but cool off considerably during late evenings and night.

Popular Places
Apart from the exotic Sudanese cuisine, some small-scale hotels serve other African and even Middle Eastern cuisines. National Museum of Sudan consists of pieces of Sudanese history and it even has some Egyptian temples relocated to Sudan to escape floods. Palace Museum and the presidential palace are also popular. Souq Arabi is a famous open market here. Afra Mall here has a bowling alley and a movie theatre as well. Elfatih Tower, Great Mosque and the botanical gardens are also popular places with tourists.

Getting Around
Khartoum International Airport serves the city. Rail lines coming from Egypt, Port Sudan, El Obeid and Southern Sudan serve the city in terms of railways. As compared to other parts of Sudan, Khartoum has the best travelling facilities. There are some airlines, which connect Khartoum directly to certain European countries. Best air options to Khartoum are from Egypt, Libya and Kenya. Busses and boksis (small taxis mostly shared by local people) are other popular modes of transport.

Entertainment Options
Khartoum houses many clubs like the Sailing Club, International Club, German Club, Coptic Club, Syrian Club etc. Popular entertainment options are visiting clubs, museums, experiencing ethnic Sudanese food and shopping for traditional Sudanese artefacts. The Blue Nile Street has many good restaurants and other recreational facilities. Al Qasr St. and Al Jamhoriyah St are famous high streets that offer decent entertainment options.
 
Languages Spoken
There are many local dialects but Arabic is widely used. English is gaining popularity in big cities like Khartoum. Dinka is also spoken in some parts.

Currency Used
The Sudanese pound is the official currency of Sudan. It is further divided into piastres. Earlier, the Sudanese dinar was used as currency. Credit cards and ATMs can be used in Khartoum, but this is not recommended. Travellers are advised to check latest updates and news related to currency conversion before travelling to the interiors of Sudan.