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Sudan🇸🇩 | attractionsKhartoum War CemeteryCommonwealth headstones, clipped lawns, personal epitaphs | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Khartoum War Cemetery
👍 Recommendedattraction ranked #6
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Khartoum War Cemetery is a Commonwealth war graves site, not a monument to a single battle, and it holds far more than soldiers killed in the city itself. It sits in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, close to the Blue Nile side of the center. Entry is free and crowds do not exist, so you will likely have the lawns to yourself. Do not expect grand architecture or a visitor center. What is worth your time is the rows of uniform headstones, the names, regiments and ages, and the quiet. I expected a dusty, neglected plot. Instead the grass was clipped and the stones were upright, kept by a caretaker who clearly took pride in it. Skip it if you want spectacle. History readers and anyone tracing family names will like it most.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Sudan Travel Guide.
Safety warning

The current risk level for Sudan is high. Check the advice before going.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #6 attraction in SudanReasons people choose to visit here

Khartoum War Cemetery gives you a rare, quiet window into Sudan’s role in the Second World War, when British and Commonwealth forces fought in the East African campaign against Italian positions. That context rarely appears in the capital’s busier sights, and here it is laid out in stone. Go for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones, which carry regiments, ages and personal inscriptions that make the numbers human. A second reason is the contrast. Khartoum is loud, hot and congested, and this walled, tended lawn is one of the few places in the city where you can sit and think for half an hour without anyone selling you anything. It also fits neatly into a day of walking the colonial-era center. Reading the inscriptions takes under an hour, so it never drains your schedule, and … read more 👉
Khartoum War Cemetery gives you a rare, quiet window into Sudan’s role in the Second World War, when British and Commonwealth forces fought in the East African campaign against Italian positions. That context rarely appears in the capital’s busier sights, and here it is laid out in stone. Go for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones, which carry regiments, ages and personal inscriptions that make the numbers human. A second reason is the contrast. Khartoum is loud, hot and congested, and this walled, tended lawn is one of the few places in the city where you can sit and think for half an hour without anyone selling you anything. It also fits neatly into a day of walking the colonial-era center. Reading the inscriptions takes under an hour, so it never drains your schedule, and the care taken over the site is itself worth seeing in a country where upkeep is hard.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Khartoum War Cemetery

  1. The rows of CWGC headstones: identical white-grey stones laid in straight lines, each with a regimental badge, name and date. The uniformity is what hits you.
  2. Personal inscriptions: families chose short lines for the base of many stones. Reading them slowly is the emotional core of the visit.
  3. The Cross of Sacrifice: the standard Commonwealth cemetery cross, with a bronze sword set into the stone, marks the main axis of the site.
  4. The Stone of Remembrance: the plain altar-like block carries the words from Ecclesiasticus, “Their name liveth for evermore.”
  5. The cemetery register: kept in the entrance structure, it lists the buried by plot and row, useful if you are searching for a specific name.
  6. The maintained lawns and planting: green, trimmed and watered, a visible contrast with the dusty streets
… read more 👉
  1. The rows of CWGC headstones: identical white-grey stones laid in straight lines, each with a regimental badge, name and date. The uniformity is what hits you.
  2. Personal inscriptions: families chose short lines for the base of many stones. Reading them slowly is the emotional core of the visit.
  3. The Cross of Sacrifice: the standard Commonwealth cemetery cross, with a bronze sword set into the stone, marks the main axis of the site.
  4. The Stone of Remembrance: the plain altar-like block carries the words from Ecclesiasticus, “Their name liveth for evermore.”
  5. The cemetery register: kept in the entrance structure, it lists the buried by plot and row, useful if you are searching for a specific name.
  6. The maintained lawns and planting: green, trimmed and watered, a visible contrast with the dusty streets outside the wall.
  7. The mixed national graves: look for stones of different units and origins, a reminder of how many places the Allied forces drew men from.
Khartoum War Cemetery pairs best with a stroll through the nearby colonial-era center in one day, since the cemetery needs under an hour and the walk fills the rest.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Cool Season (November to February): Daytime highs sit around 30 to 35°C (86 to 95°F), and nights drop to 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F). This is the most comfortable window for walking the shadeless rows of headstones, and daylight runs roughly 11 to 12 hours.
  • Hot Season (March to June): Highs climb to 38 to 44°C (100 to 111°F), and dust storms called haboob can roll in with little warning. Visit right after the gates open or skip the midday hours entirely.
  • Rainy Season (July to September): Highs ease to 33 to 38°C (91 to 100°F), but downpours flood Khartoum streets and turn dirt approaches to mud. Humidity rises, and getting around gets harder.
  • Autumn (October): The rains fade and the heat softens to 34 to 37°C (93 to 99°F). Grass around the graves is greener than at any other time.
Crowds are not an … read more 👉
  • Cool Season (November to February): Daytime highs sit around 30 to 35°C (86 to 95°F), and nights drop to 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F). This is the most comfortable window for walking the shadeless rows of headstones, and daylight runs roughly 11 to 12 hours.
  • Hot Season (March to June): Highs climb to 38 to 44°C (100 to 111°F), and dust storms called haboob can roll in with little warning. Visit right after the gates open or skip the midday hours entirely.
  • Rainy Season (July to September): Highs ease to 33 to 38°C (91 to 100°F), but downpours flood Khartoum streets and turn dirt approaches to mud. Humidity rises, and getting around gets harder.
  • Autumn (October): The rains fade and the heat softens to 34 to 37°C (93 to 99°F). Grass around the graves is greener than at any other time.
Crowds are not an issue in any month, so choose by temperature and check local security conditions before you go.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: below average for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Stay in central Khartoum or the Khartoum 2 district, the two areas where budget travelers have traditionally concentrated, with the cemetery a short taxi ride away in the city center. Central Khartoum, around Africa Road and the Blue Nile waterfront, puts you near the National Museum, the Souq Arabi market and the main bus and minibus routes. Guesthouses and budget hotels here tend to be the most affordable, and you will find cheap tea stalls and shawarma counters within walking distance. It gets loud and busy by day, and quiet after dark, so do not wander far at night.

Khartoum 2 is a calmer … read more 👉
Stay in central Khartoum or the Khartoum 2 district, the two areas where budget travelers have traditionally concentrated, with the cemetery a short taxi ride away in the city center. Central Khartoum, around Africa Road and the Blue Nile waterfront, puts you near the National Museum, the Souq Arabi market and the main bus and minibus routes. Guesthouses and budget hotels here tend to be the most affordable, and you will find cheap tea stalls and shawarma counters within walking distance. It gets loud and busy by day, and quiet after dark, so do not wander far at night.

Khartoum 2 is a calmer residential grid with more cafes, small restaurants and a few mid-range guesthouses. It suits travelers who want a quieter night and easier meals, and taxis or rickshaws link it to the center in 10 to 20 minutes depending on traffic.

Omdurman, across the Nile, is the third option. It is cheaper and more local, close to the Khalifa’s House and the Friday dervish ceremonies, but it adds a bridge crossing to every trip. Social hostel-style dorms are rare in Sudan, so expect to meet other travelers in guesthouse courtyards and at foreigner registration offices rather than in common rooms.
Best hostels in Sudan


Best quality hotels in Sudan

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Khartoum War Cemetery costs next to nothing to visit, and a realistic budget for a day in the city is about US$23 to 56. Entry has generally been free or covered by a small donation to the caretaker, and no ticket system exists. Most of your money goes to a bed, food and taxis. Prices are paid in local currency, and rates shift with inflation, so treat the figures below as estimates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0 to 2Usually free. A small tip for the caretaker who opens the gate is appreciated.
Photo or travel permitUS$0 to 5Photography permits and foreigner registration are separate paperwork, and requirements change often.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 30Basic guesthouse or budget hotel room in central Khartoum. Low season runs about US$10 to 25.
FoodUS$4 to 8Ful beans, tamiya,
… read more 👉
Khartoum War Cemetery costs next to nothing to visit, and a realistic budget for a day in the city is about US$23 to 56. Entry has generally been free or covered by a small donation to the caretaker, and no ticket system exists. Most of your money goes to a bed, food and taxis. Prices are paid in local currency, and rates shift with inflation, so treat the figures below as estimates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0 to 2Usually free. A small tip for the caretaker who opens the gate is appreciated.
Photo or travel permitUS$0 to 5Photography permits and foreigner registration are separate paperwork, and requirements change often.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 30Basic guesthouse or budget hotel room in central Khartoum. Low season runs about US$10 to 25.
FoodUS$4 to 8Ful beans, tamiya, grilled meat and tea at local canteens.
Local transportUS$3 to 8Short taxi or rickshaw rides around the center. Agree the fare before you get in.
Water and extrasUS$1 to 3Bottled water and a cold drink to survive the heat.
Total Daily BudgetUS$23 to 56Based on high-season accommodation, with sightseeing at the low end.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Khartoum War Cemetery

Khartoum War Cemetery needs about 30 to 60 minutes, as the site is small and mostly a walk along the rows of Commonwealth headstones. Add another hour if you want to read the inscriptions and look at the memorial wall. Pair it with the nearby National Museum and the Blue Nile waterfront for a half-day city outing.
Khartoum War Cemetery is worth visiting because entry is free or nearly free, usually US$0 to 2 for a caretaker tip. It holds graves of Commonwealth soldiers from the East African campaign of the 1940s, plus earlier casualties from the Mahdist era. Military history fans will get the most from it, and others can see it quickly alongside other central sights.
Khartoum War Cemetery sits in central Khartoum, and a taxi or rickshaw from the downtown area costs about US$2 to 5 and takes 10 to 20 minutes. Minibuses run along the main roads of the center, but a taxi is simpler for finding the gate. From Omdurman, allow 30 to 45 minutes across the Nile bridges depending on traffic.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Khartoum War Cemetery works best as a quiet pause between the livelier parts of a day in the capital, such as the riverside and the museums nearby. I would pair it with the colonial-era center on foot, bring a notebook for names, and keep your expectations modest. It is small, but it is moving.

✈️ When did I visit Sudan?
Sudan I visited back in October 2017. I combined the trip with a visit to Ethiopia.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Sudan, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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