Major city · Sudan
Dongola
Spend a half‑day in Dongola to see Old Dongola and the Nile banks; add a night if you need rest before traveling onward.
Dongola is a small administrative hub on the eastern Nile bank in northern Sudan. Its historic Old Dongola site and river scenery can be explored in a few hours, but limited services mean a night’s stay is practical for onward travel.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SDG
- Best months
- Oct–Feb (cooler evenings, less sandstorm risk)
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat, sandstorms)
- Airport
- ZLX
- Nights
- 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
Emergency numbers for Dongola999 ▾
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 Dongola, 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
- SafetyTravel security is variable; stay in known accommodation, avoid night travel outside town, and keep updated on local advisories.
- Emergency numbers999 police · 999 Medical
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckZLX Dongola Airport (check).
- Getting aroundTaxis are the main local transport; the town centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)checkSDG 500–800
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (3.1 mi (5 km))SDG 1 200–1 500
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per personSDG 15,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SDG 30,000 · Mid SDG 50,000 · High SDG 80,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- ZLX Dongola Airport (check)
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
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Apr
not flagged
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
May
not flagged
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Jun
Avoid
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Jul
Avoid
49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)
Aug
Avoid
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Sep
not flagged
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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dongola: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Mar
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Apr
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
May
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Jun
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°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
Taxis are the main local transport; the town centre is walkable.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Old Dongola
goDoor to door: ≈15 min total
Walk or short taxi from city centre (≈5 min)
Archaeological ruins of the medieval Makurian capital; no entry fee.
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.
Dongola city centre
Few guesthouses; basic rooms close to the market and river.
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 30 000–45 000 excl. bed
- Mid
- SDG 45 000–70 000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse room2 × 1 night × SDG 25,000 | SDG 50,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × SDG 50,000 | SDG 100,000 |
| Taxi from Khartoum (round‑trip, 600 km)2 × SDG 120,000 · check | SDG 240,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × SDG 5,000 · check | SDG 10,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SDG 60,000 |
| Trip total≈ SDG 230,000 per person per day, bed included | SDG 460,000 |
2026 estimate in SDG; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café)check | SDG 500–800 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | SDG 200–300 |
| Taxi within town (5 km) | SDG 1 200–1 500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security situation can change; follow local advice and check travel warnings.
- Summer heat can be severe; carry water and sun protection.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Medical
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
DongolaDongola
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Medical999
Embassy
Check the nearest foreign embassy in Khartoum; many consulates operate from there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Khartoum → Dongola (bus): about SDG 120 000, 10 h (check)
- Taxi within Dongola (5 km): SDG 1 200–1 500
Say or show
- عفواً — Excuse me / Sorry (ʿafwan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- كم السعر؟ — How much is it? (kam al‑siʿr?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the toilet? (ayna al‑ḥammām?)
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 Dongola. 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–Feb (cooler evenings, less sandstorm risk) · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat, sandstorms)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Dongola to rest after long road travel from Khartoum.
- Combine with a visit to Merowe Dam (≈80 km north) if time permits.
Sources
Ask about Dongola
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