Omdurman
Sudan · Khartoum · 380 m
Description
Omdurman (أم درمان) lies across the Nile from Khartoum and is the older and more traditional half of the capital, built as the Mahdist capital in the 1880s. Its souk is the largest in Sudan, a sprawl of alleys selling silver, spices, ebony and camel saddles. The silver domed tomb of the Mahdi and the Khalifa's House museum stand at its historic centre. On Friday afternoons the Hamed al-Nil cemetery fills with Sufi dervishes in patched green and red robes who chant and spin until sunset, the single most watched ritual in the country.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Hamed al-Nil Sufi dervish ceremony (weekly)
- Omdurman Souk
- Tomb of the Mahdi
- Khalifa's House Museum
- Omdurman silver & ebony workshops
- Camel market at Omdurman
- Beit al-Khalifa quarter
- Wrestling matches in Omdurman
- Karari battlefield
- Omdurman Nile corniche
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- KRT