Meroë
Sudan · River Nile · 360 m
Description
Meroë was the capital of the Kingdom of Kush for around six centuries and its royal cemeteries hold more than two hundred pyramids, far more than stand in Egypt. They are smaller and much steeper than the Egyptian ones, packed close together on dunes above the Nile, each with a small offering chapel at its base carved with scenes of the queen or king inside. Many were decapitated by a treasure hunter in the nineteenth century and the flat tops are now part of the silhouette. The royal city with its baths and Amun temple lies a few kilometres away.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Meroë Northern Cemetery pyramids
- Pyramid offering chapels & reliefs
- Sunrise & sunset over the pyramids
- Royal City of Meroë
- Southern Cemetery
- Temple of Amun at Meroë
- Royal Baths of Meroë
- Camel rides among the dunes
- Desert camp beneath the pyramids
- Meroë stargazing
- Bagrawiyah village & Nile bank
- Wad ban Naqa royal palace ruins(Day trip)
- Atbara Nile confluence(Day trip)
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- KRT