Things to Do in Sudan in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Sudan
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December sits right in Sudan's sweet spot - daytime temperatures around 30-32°C (86-90°F) make desert exploration actually comfortable instead of punishing. You can climb the Meroe pyramids at midday without melting, which honestly isn't possible most of the year.
- The Nile is at ideal levels for river activities after the flood season subsides in November. Water clarity is excellent for swimming near Khartoum's confluence, and felucca rides don't require navigating high currents. Nubian villages along the river are particularly accessible right now.
- December marks the traditional season for archaeological work in Sudan, meaning you might encounter active dig sites at places like Naga or Musawwarat es-Sufra. Researchers are friendlier than you'd expect, and some sites offer informal tours when teams are present. The light in December also makes photography of ancient sites spectacular - low sun angles create dramatic shadows on hieroglyphics.
- Virtually zero rainfall means you can plan ambitious desert trips without weather contingencies. The road from Khartoum to Meroe (about 200 km or 124 miles) stays passable, and camping in the Bayuda Desert is reliable. Tour operators don't charge weather premiums this month, and you won't lose days to unexpected storms.
Considerations
- Night temperatures drop more than visitors expect - down to 15°C (59°F) in desert areas, occasionally lower near Dongola. Most Sudanese hotels outside Khartoum don't have heating, and budget guesthouses provide thin blankets. If you're camping at Meroe, you'll genuinely need a sleeping bag rated for near-freezing temps.
- December coincides with peak European winter holiday season, which means the handful of established tour operators get booked solid. Sudan doesn't have mass tourism, but the limited infrastructure that exists fills up. Expect to book desert camps and Nile cruises at least 6-8 weeks ahead, longer for Christmas week.
- Dust storms, while less common than spring, still happen unpredictably in December. When they hit, visibility drops to under 100 m (328 ft), flights delay, and you'll be finding sand in your camera gear for weeks. Locals call them haboobs, and they typically last 2-3 hours but can shut down your entire day.
Best Activities in December
Meroe Pyramids Desert Exploration
December is genuinely the only comfortable month to properly explore Meroe's 200+ pyramids without suffering. The temperature lets you climb the dunes for sunrise shots around 6:30 AM when it's about 18°C (64°F), then spend midday examining the smaller pyramid clusters that most visitors skip. The archaeological sites are spread over roughly 3 km (1.9 miles), and you'll want to cover them on foot. Late afternoon light around 4 PM creates those iconic long shadows across the pyramid faces. The site has minimal shade, but December's UV index of 9 is manageable with proper sun protection, unlike summer's brutal 11+.
Nile Felucca Sailing Near Khartoum
The confluence of the Blue and White Nile at Khartoum is visually striking in December when water levels stabilize and you can actually see the color difference between the two rivers. Felucca captains run half-day sails (typically 3-4 hours) in the morning when winds are steady at around 15-20 km/h (9-12 mph). The temperature stays comfortable enough that you won't be baking under the canvas. Multi-day felucca trips north toward Karima are feasible now because nights are cool enough for sleeping on deck without mosquito swarms. Water temperature sits around 22°C (72°F), which is swimmable if you're not too picky.
Nubian Village Cultural Visits
Villages along the Nile between Khartoum and Dongola are particularly welcoming in December when the harvest season wraps up and families have more time for visitors. The cooler weather makes walking through villages actually pleasant - you can spend 2-3 hours exploring mud-brick architecture and watching traditional pottery-making without overheating. December timing means you might catch date harvests in northern areas, and families are preparing for wedding season which runs January through March. The cultural experience feels more authentic than summer when it's too hot for anyone to do much of anything.
Jebel Barkal Temple Complex Exploration
This UNESCO site near Karima combines temples, pyramids, and a distinctive flat-topped mountain that was sacred to ancient Kushites. December weather makes the 1.5 km (0.9 mile) walk around the temple complex comfortable, and you can actually climb partway up Jebel Barkal itself - about 100 m (328 ft) elevation gain on a rough trail. The summit views over the Nile and surrounding desert are worth the scramble. Morning visits around 8-9 AM offer the best light for photography and temperatures around 24°C (75°F). The site sees maybe 20-30 visitors per day in December, so you'll have temples largely to yourself.
Khartoum Souk and Architecture Walking Tours
December's cooler mornings make walking Khartoum's sprawling souks actually manageable. Omdurman Souk, one of Africa's largest markets, covers roughly 2 sq km (0.8 sq miles) and requires 3-4 hours to properly explore. You'll find everything from frankincense to camel saddles, and the spice section is genuinely overwhelming in the best way. The architecture around Khartoum's old town - colonial-era buildings mixed with Sudanese modernism - photographs beautifully in December's clear light. Start around 7 AM when it's 20°C (68°F) and vendors are setting up, finish by 11 AM before midday heat builds.
Bayuda Desert Camping and Rock Art Sites
The Bayuda Desert between Meroe and Karima offers some of Sudan's most dramatic landscapes - volcanic rock formations, ancient rock art, and genuine emptiness. December is the only season when multi-day desert camping is comfortable because nights cool down enough to sleep properly and days stay below 35°C (95°F). The rock art sites near Umm Muri and other locations date back thousands of years and see maybe a dozen visitors per month. You're covering serious distances - expect 200-300 km (124-186 miles) of rough track driving per day - but December weather means vehicles don't overheat and you can actually enjoy being outside.
December Events & Festivals
Sudanese Independence Day
January 1st celebrations actually start in late December with preparations visible across Khartoum. You'll see increased flag displays, street decorations, and families shopping for celebration foods. While the main events happen January 1st, the festive atmosphere builds through the last week of December. Not a tourist event per se, but it gives insight into contemporary Sudanese national identity. Expect some government buildings and museums to have modified hours December 30-31.