Khartoum Travel Forum

Do we need to get any sort of medications before heading to Khartoum?

I would recommend asking your doctor who can tell you exactly what vaccinations you'll need. I had to have typhoid, hepatitis A & B, polio, meningitis and yellow fever. In fact, having a certificate to say you'd had a yellow fever vaccination was a legal requirement for entry, although nobody ever asked to see it. A rabies vaccination might also be recommended, depending on what you'll be doing there...many towns are full of street dogs.

Malaria is a problem in Sudan. Again ask your doctor which type of malaria tablets are the most effective for Sudan...some people I met took Lariam, others were on Doxycycline...although there may be newer alternatives now. Pharmacies all over Sudan have limited stocks of anti-malarial drugs (few Sudanese take them), although sometimes they are reluctant to sell their precious supplies, as doxycycline can be used to treat other illnesses.

If you are sticking to the main towns, finding basic medication in pharmacies shouldn't be a problem, although if you need specific drugs for anything, then you might want to bring all you need. If you do bring any medication, it might be an idea to have a doctor's letter translated into Arabic explaining what they are, to avoid any problems with customs.

If you are staying there long term, to get a residence permit you have to take an HIV test in a local hospital. A test taken outside Sudan is not valid. You might want to take along your own needles...a travel medical pack would be very useful.

Hope this helps... ;@P