Things to Do in Meroe

Meroe sits quietly in Sudan's desert, about 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, holding what might be Africa's most underappreciated archaeological treasures. This ancient city served as the capital of the Kingdom of Kush for nearly a thousand years, and today you'll find yourself walking among dozens of pyramid ruins that rival Egypt's more famous sites - except you'll likely have them almost entirely to yourself. The sandstone pyramids, weathered by centuries of desert winds, create an otherworldly landscape that feels both haunting and magnificent, especially when the late afternoon light catches their weathered edges and casts long shadows across the sand.

Food options at Meroe itself are extremely limited - essentially non-existent - so most visitors either pack lunch from Khartoum or arrange meals as part of their tour package. The nearest restaurants are in the small town of Shendi, about 45 minutes away, where you'll find simple local places serving traditional Sudanese dishes like ful medames, kisra flatbread, and grilled meat. If you're doing a day trip from Khartoum, many tour operators will arrange a picnic lunch that you can eat in the shade of the pyramids, which actually makes for a pretty memorable dining experience.

The cooler months from November through February offer the most comfortable conditions, with daytime temperatures in the 70s-80s Fahrenheit rather than the brutal summer heat that can exceed 110°F. That said, even during the 'cool' season, midday sun can be intense, so early morning and late afternoon visits work best. The dry season means you won't have to worry about rain, but it also means everything is quite dusty and the landscape can feel particularly stark and barren.