Wadi Halfa'
Overview
Northest town of Sudan, that was partly submerged by Lake Nasser: an important archaeological site .
It is the terminus of a railroad from Khartoum and is the point at which cotton, wheat, livestock, and other goods are transferred to steamers going down the Nile into Egypt. Archaeological expeditions have worked to excavate and preserve the area's numerous Egyptian antiquities, which faced flooding from the reservoir of the Aswan High Dam.
21°47.57N, 31°22.28E
[Edit]History
Wadi Halfa is Nubia's most important trading point, being the gateway between Egypt and Sudan. With immaculate buildings and surrounded by the golden dunes of the Nubian Desert, it is also exceptionally beautiful for a border town, with none of the usual hassle and dirt. The town is actually the new Wadi Halfa; the original Wadi Halfa was submerged with the building of Lake Nasser, and most of its disgruntled inhabitants were re-located hundreds of kilometres away, to the east. A few Wadi Halfans refused to move away from the river (the Nile) that had built their ancestors' identities as fishermen and river traders and built new settlements several times, finally settling on the current location when the flooding stopped. Seasonal flooding still occurs.
When to Go
[Edit]Transport
| » Getting Around |
| » Getting There & Away |
General Information
There is a weekly train from Wadi Halfa to Khartoum, which leaves some time after the weekly ferry from Aswan arrives. There are also buses and boxes heading south after the ferry arrives. NB If you wait for more than a couple of days in Wadi Halfa, all transport will have left and you may be stranded until the next weekly ferry arrives. If travelling south to Akasha with your own vehicle, note that this is a 145 kilometre stretch (local maps are wrong) and there is only one place with water along the way, just before Akasha.
[Edit]Health & Safety
General Sleeping
For most of the year, there are several hotels in Wadi Halfa, although after the rains, many close for repairs. All are similar, offering string beds, bucket showers, mud floors, a courtyard and clean rooms. Many have no signs so ask around.
[Edit]Entertainment
[Edit]General Shopping
The shops and market in Wadi Halfa are substantially better stocked than other small towns to the south, getting most of their goods directly from Egypt. There is an excellent food market just beside the main square that opens early some mornings.
[Edit]Sights
[Edit]General Activities
If you have just arrived in Sudan and plan to travel independently and off the beaten track (ie not going straight to Khartoum), you will require a Permit To Travel in Sudan. Obtaining one from Wadi Halfa's police station will likely take the best part of a day. More relaxed options for things to do include wandering out into the desert, climbing a sand dune or sitting around drinking tea and chatting.
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