Major city · Sudan
Kerma
Skip Kerma for leisure travel in 2026: no published trip line for Sudan, so read your own government's travel advice first.
Kerma is an archaeological town on the east bank of the Nile just south of the Third Cataract, the cradle of the Kingdom of Kush, with mud-brick deffufas and a museum. Current security warnings make it unsuitable for casual tourism; most travellers base in Dongola and make a brief day visit only if clearance is granted.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SDG
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat), plus any period with active conflict alerts
- Airports
- Dongola (DOG) · Khartoum (KRT)
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Check your own government travel advice for Sudan before …
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Sudan ↗Check your own government travel advice for Sudan before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Sudan ↗Major airports and land routes have been disrupted by the conflict; no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Sudan ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Sudan before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kerma999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kerma, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?US dollars and Sudanese pounds in cash carry most payments: see Insurance & payments above.Sudan-wide
- SafetyCurrent travel advisories strongly discourage non-essential visits; the security situation is volatile.
- Emergency numbers999 police · 333 ambulance · 998 fire
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckDOG Dongola Airport (Nearest airport, about 45–50 km (28–31 mi) south of Kerma; flight schedules check).DOG Dongola Airport (Nearest airport, about 28–31 mi (45–50 km) south of Kerma; flight schedules check).
- Getting aroundThe modern village and the ancient city are compact and walkable; paved tracks and sandy trails link the ticket office to the Western Deffufa.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DOG Dongola Airport (Nearest airport, about 45–50 km (28–31 mi) south of Kerma; flight schedules check) · KRT Khartoum International Airport (Long-distance hub; overland connections to northern Sudan check)DOG Dongola Airport (Nearest airport, about 28–31 mi (45–50 km) south of Kerma; flight schedules check) · KRT Khartoum International Airport (Long-distance hub; overland connections to northern Sudan check)
Map of Kerma
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Apr
not flagged
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
May
not flagged
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Jun
Avoid
50°C (122°F)122°F (50°C)
Jul
Avoid
49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)
Aug
Avoid
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Sep
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Oct
Best
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Nov
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (50°C (122°F)122°F (50°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kerma: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Mar
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Apr
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
May
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Jun
50°C (122°F)122°F (50°C)
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
0 rd
Jul
49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
0 rd
Aug
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
0 rd
Sep
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Oct
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Nov
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The modern village and the ancient city are compact and walkable; paved tracks and sandy trails link the ticket office to the Western Deffufa. For the 4 km to the Eastern Cemetery or the Dukki Gel dig, charter a local pickup or three-wheeler.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: ≈1 h
Car or shared minibus, 45–60 min north along the paved desert road
Base for accommodation and supplies; better security.
Door to door: check
Overland via Karima and the Nile highway; long desert drive
Check road and security clearance before setting out.
Door to door: check
Overland via Dongola and Karima on the Nile highway
Jebel Barkal and the pyramids are the draw; check access.
Door to door: check
Overland north along the Nile highway via Dongola
Long desert run; only with confirmed clearance and a vehicle.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Museum Tourist Guest House
Basic rooms north of the museum complex, used by researchers and heritage travellers; limited amenities.
Dongola hotels
More secure options about 45–50 km (28–31 mi) south; most travellers return there after a day visit.More secure options about 28–31 mi (45–50 km) south; most travellers return there after a day visit.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- SDG 300–600 excl. bed
- Mid
- SDG 600–1200 excl. bed
- High
- SDG 1200+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Security advisory: avoid non-essential travel; coordinate with private operators and check real-time clearance.
- Cash only: no ATMs in Kerma; bring Sudanese pounds.
- Mobile network erratic; download offline maps before you leave Dongola.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 333
- Fire
- 998
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KermaKerma
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Ambulance333
- Fire998
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dongola → Kerma, shared minibus: 45–60 min along the paved desert road; fare check at the Dongola bus terminal
- Kerma village → Eastern Cemetery: about 4 km (2.5 mi); charter a three-wheeler or pickup, price checkabout 2.5 mi (4 km); charter a three-wheeler or pickup, price check
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salaam)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much? (bikam?)
Cash only; no ATMs in Kerma. Carry Sudanese pounds and a printed copy of your permits.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kerma. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat), plus any period with active conflict alerts
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Kerma
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