Is Sudan Safe to Travel to in 2026?

The UK Foreign Office maintains its most severe "do not travel" advisory for Sudan as of April 2026, with no British diplomatic presence in the country since evacuations began in April 2023.

The US State Department and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs echo this assessment, according to their latest advisories updated in February 2026. All three governments cite armed conflict, civil unrest, terrorism and kidnapping as primary threats to travellers.

No major Western embassy operates from Khartoum. The British Embassy suspended operations in April 2023 and has not resumed consular services within Sudan's borders.

The Current Situation

Armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces continues across multiple regions, according to UN reporting through March 2026. Fighting has displaced over 8.2 million people internally, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees confirmed in February.

Khartoum International Airport remains closed to civilian flights. The facility has been non-operational since April 2023, forcing humanitarian and evacuation flights to operate from Port Sudan Airport, 650 kilometres northeast of the capital.

Power cuts affect Khartoum and surrounding areas for 12-18 hours daily. Water shortages impact residential areas across the greater Khartoum region, encompassing the capital, Bahri and Omdurman.

Banking services operate sporadically. ATMs frequently lack cash, and international card transactions face severe limitations, the Central Bank of Sudan acknowledged in January 2026.

Internet connectivity remains unreliable, with outages lasting several days in some areas. Mobile networks function intermittently, particularly during periods of intense fighting.

Regional Safety Breakdown

Khartoum and the tri-city area face the highest risk levels. Artillery exchanges occur regularly between opposing forces, with civilian areas caught in crossfire. The Foreign Office identifies this zone as experiencing "active warfare."

Darfur provinces witness ongoing tribal conflicts alongside the broader civil war. West Darfur recorded 312 civilian casualties between January and February 2026, Human Rights Watch reported. South Darfur's capital Nyala remains under RSF control as of March 2026.

Blue Nile and South Kordofan states experience lower-intensity conflict but maintain significant security risks. Landmines from previous conflicts pose additional dangers to ground movement.

Red Sea State, including Port Sudan, offers relatively greater stability but faces overcrowding from displaced populations. The port city hosts most remaining international organisations and serves as the primary evacuation route.

Eastern states including Kassala maintain government control but experience periodic unrest. Cross-border tensions with Eritrea and Ethiopia create additional security considerations.

Crime & Safety

Kidnapping risks have escalated significantly since April 2023, targeting both Sudanese nationals and foreign workers. Armed groups exploit the security vacuum to conduct ransom operations, the US State Department warned in February 2026.

Armed robbery occurs frequently, particularly targeting vehicles and fuel supplies. Petrol shortages create black market opportunities that criminal groups exploit through violence.

Checkpoints operated by various armed factions pose risks to travellers. Personnel manning these positions may lack proper identification, making it difficult to distinguish legitimate security forces from criminal elements.

Sexual violence reports have increased in displacement camps and areas under military occupation. Women travellers face particularly acute risks, according to UN Women's March 2026 assessment.

Medical facilities operate with severe limitations. Doctors Without Borders reported that 78% of hospitals in conflict zones remain non-functional as of February 2026. Emergency medical evacuation proves extremely difficult given airport closures and security conditions.

Entry Requirements & Practicalities

Sudan requires tourist visas for British nationals, but visa processing has become irregular due to embassy closures. Sudanese diplomatic missions in neighbouring countries may process applications, though services vary significantly.

Yellow fever vaccination certificates remain mandatory for travellers arriving from endemic areas. Other routine vaccinations including hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid are strongly recommended by the Canadian government's travel health guidelines.

Travel permits for movement within Sudan, previously required for certain regions, cannot be reliably obtained due to administrative breakdown. Carrying multiple copies of identification documents is advisable, though checkpoint procedures vary unpredictably.

Currency exchange operates primarily through informal markets due to banking sector disruption. US dollars in small denominations provide the most reliable medium of exchange.

Communications equipment including satellite phones may face confiscation at checkpoints. Some armed groups view such devices with suspicion as potential military equipment.

What Travellers Should Do Now

British nationals currently in Sudan should register with the Foreign Office's crisis management team through emergency contact numbers, as normal consular services remain unavailable in-country.

Evacuation planning requires coordination with remaining international organisations in Port Sudan. Overland routes to Egypt, Chad or Ethiopia present significant dangers and should only be attempted with professional security guidance.

Travel insurance policies typically exclude coverage for war zones and areas under "do not travel" advisories. Specialised crisis insurance may be required, though availability remains limited.

Journalists and aid workers require comprehensive security briefings and should operate only through established international organisations with robust security protocols. Independent travel proves extremely hazardous under current conditions.

Monitoring multiple information sources becomes essential, as communication networks provide incomplete coverage. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs publishes regular situation reports through its regional headquarters in Nairobi.

Key Facts:

  • UK, US and Australian governments maintain "do not travel" advisories as of April 2026
  • Khartoum International Airport closed since April 2023, no scheduled civilian flights
  • Over 8.2 million internally displaced persons according to February 2026 UN figures
  • No British diplomatic presence in Sudan since April 2023 evacuations