Major city · Sudan
Merowe
Spend a half‑day to see the UNESCO‑listed Gebel Barkal sites; add a night if you want a relaxed stay at Al‑Nassr hotel.
Merowe is a small Nile‑front town in Northern Sudan, best known for the Merowe Dam and the nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites of Gebel Barkal and El‑Kurru. It is reachable by bus from Khartoum (≈5 h) or Dongola (≈2–3 h). The town itself offers limited services, so a brief visit or one night in a local hotel covers the main attractions.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SDG
- Best months
- Oct–Feb (cooler, less rain)
- avoid Jun–Aug (high heat, possible travel disruptions)
- Airport
- MWE
- 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
Emergency numbers for Merowe999 ▾
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 Merowe, 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 with a local guide, keep to daylight hours, and stay updated on security alerts.
- Emergency numbers999 police · 999 Medical
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMWE Merowe Airport (Not operating as of 2019; check for updates before travel.).
- Getting aroundLocal taxis and motorbike taxis are the main options; walking is feasible between the town and nearby archaeological sites (≈30 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local caféSDG 150–300
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (short ride within town)SDG 200–400
- Budget bedAl‑Nassr Hotel (basic room), a night, per roomSDG 3,000
- Mid-range bedAl‑Nassr Hotel (basic room), a night, per roomSDG 4,000
- High-end bedAl‑Nassr Hotel (basic room), a night, per roomSDG 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SDG 1,500 · Mid SDG 2,500 · High SDG 4,000
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
- MWE Merowe Airport (Not operating as of 2019; check for updates before travel.)
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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
not flagged
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jun
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Jul
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Aug
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Sep
not flagged
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Oct
Best
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Nov
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jul (7 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Merowe: 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)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
May
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Jun
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
6 rd
Jul
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
7 rd
Aug
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
7 rd
Sep
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
5 rd
Oct
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 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
Local taxis and motorbike taxis are the main options; walking is feasible between the town and nearby archaeological sites (≈30 min).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gebel Barkal
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Taxi or local bus from Merowe town, about 20 min each way
UNESCO site with temples and palace ruins; wear sturdy shoes.
Jebel Barkal Museum
goDoor to door: ≈15 min from town centre
Walk from Gebel Barkal base, 5 min
Small museum displaying artifacts from the Napatan period.
El‑Kurru royal pyramids
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Taxi north along the Nile, about 30 min
Royal cemetery with early Kushite pyramids.
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.
Al‑Nassr Hotel
Basic rooms in Karima, closest to town centre; suitable for one night.
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 1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- SDG 2,500–4,000 excl. bed
- High
- SDG 4,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Al‑Nassr Hotel (basic room)1 × 1 night × SDG 3,000 | SDG 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × SDG 1,500 | SDG 1,500 |
| Bus Khartoum → Merowe, one way1 × SDG 1,200 · check schedule | SDG 1,200 |
| Taxi Merowe → Gebel Barkal, round trip1 × SDG 800 | SDG 800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SDG 650 |
| Trip total≈ SDG 7,150 per person per day, bed included | SDG 7,150 |
check
2026 estimate in SDG; flights and security costs excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a local café | SDG 150–300 |
| Meal (rice, stew, bread) | SDG 300–600 |
| Taxi (short ride within town) | SDG 200–400 |
| Entrance to Gebel Barkal site | SDG 500–800 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Merowe Airport is currently closed – arrange ground transport.
- Security situation in Northern Sudan can change; consult your government’s travel advice.
- Limited medical facilities; carry basic supplies.
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.
MeroweMerowe
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 countries have limited consular services.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Khartoum → Merowe bus: about SDG 1,200, 5 h (check schedule)
- Taxi Merowe → Gebel Barkal: about SDG 800 round trip
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salaam)
- كم السعر؟ — How much? (kam al‑si‘r?)
- ماء من فضلك — Water, please (maa min fadlik)
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 Merowe. 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, less rain) · avoid Jun–Aug (high heat, possible travel disruptions)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Al‑Nassr Hotel for a relaxed schedule.
- Arrange a guided tour of Gebel Barkal to ensure site access.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Merowe
- secondaryWikivoyage: Merowe, revision 5326969 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Merowe
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