Houses and flats

Usually, the DED office takes care of estate and rental issues. However, we try and do it after the arrival of the Development Advisor (DA), so he/she can have a say in choosing the house or flat, too. The size of the housing space is determined by the family status.

Power and gas

All bigger Sudanese cities possess a power network (220V/50Hz). However, due to fuel and spare parts situations there are frequently power cuts and current fluctuations (+/- 10-20% and even more). If you plan to bring a private PC or notebook, take a voltage stabiliser with you, too. In almost every house you will find the German and the British plug system alike. Adapters can be easily purchased in Khartoum. Not only for rural areas it is advisable to pack a good flashlight, batteries are available in Sudan. For cooking gas stoves with a bottle are usually used. In northern Sudan these are generally and cheaply available at most places. In Juba gas is more expensive and more difficult to get.

Telephone and internet

In most project locations in landline connections (also international) are available. Nowadays, there are even digital carriers which offer telephone and internet services, like Sudatel or Canar. Mobile phone companies (Zain, MTN, Sudani) offer their services throughout the country and are a good alternative to the good old landline. NB: In the South, Sudani works better than Zain, and vice versa.

Internet cafés can be found in every  bigger city in Sudan. However, besides the above mentioned option for DSL plus landline telephone connection, there is also the possibility of a mobile UMTS internet connection (Zain, Sudani). Monthly costs range between 50-250 SDG.

Water

Water supply is delivered through public or private waterworks, wells, or in smaller villages by vendors with donkey carriages. Quality and availability may change throughout the year, so make sure to always have some water reserves stored. In Juba the supplied water is purified Nile water delivered by tank lorries. Anywhere you live, always filter your drinking water! Filters are often installed in the houses in bigger cities, but can also be purchased in Sudan if necessary.

Hospitals, health centres, and doctor´s practices usually do not equal European standards. There are some exceptions in Khartoum – private health and dental centres. A list of recommended doctors and clinics in Khartoum and Juba is available at both Sudan offices.

Wearers of eyeglasses may expect to have mechanical defects repaired in all bigger towns. For repairs of or for new lenses themselves you generally have to travel to Khartoum where there are a number of good opticians. If you wear contact lenses, best make sure to bring sufficient fluids etc. from Germany, especially if you prefer certain brands.

In southern Sudan and depending on the season also in northern Sudan it is absolutely necessary to use insect repellent and a mosquito net due to high malaria risk! Concerning information on prophylaxis and treatment, please refer to DED´s medical service. Within Sudan, diagnosis and treatment of malaria is no problem at all.

Drugs are generally available in well-stocked pharmacies in Khartoum and all bigger towns, sometimes even cheaper than in Germany. However, if you need special medicine on a regular basis, please enquire beforehand if available in Sudan or bring a bigger supply with you from Germany.

"Fatuur" - Sudanese breakfast eaten around noon

Food

In the capital Khartoum all kinds of groceries are generally available. Imported European or American products are more expensive than back home. In Juba all groceries are available, however the price level is considerably higher than in Khartoum. Meat (beef, goat, lamb, chicken) varies in quality, but there is a range of butcheries to choose from. Vegetables and fruits are available year-round in Khartoum and Juba according to their season, especially local sorts. During rainy season the prices for vegetables and fruits sometimes triplicate. Outside the capital the range of products is seasonally smaller, however there is always sufficient to create a vitamin-rich diet. In the villages at the Nile rivers fish is available cheaply, in all other regions it is rather hard to find, and if, it is quite expensive. Dairy products can be found in all cities at reasonable prices, except for cheese, which is rather expensive. Sudanese bread is made of wheat in the shape of flatbread or stacks which have a similar consistency as the Turkish pita bread. In Khartoum, there are nowadays a few European-style bakeries which offer even wholemeal bread, however the prices are also European.

Leisure time

Direct recreational offerings (theatre, cinema, sports, swimming, snooker, horse-riding, sailing, etc.) can only be found in Khartoum and even there just in a limited form. Self-initiavtive to discover more possibilities is essential for leisure time activities, even in the capital. As there are a lot of expats in Khartoum and Juba, a lot of options for varied recreation arise. The number of good restaurants increases almost weekly. However, these are mostly quite expensive, i.e. on a European/German price level. Outside Khartoum the possibilities to eat out well grow steadily. Generally, development advisors in Sudan should be able to keep theirselves busy with themselves once in a while. There are a lot of options to do so in Sudan: archeology, nature in general, gardening, music (e.g. bring an instrument), nile cruises (yacht, motor boat, cayak, etc.), desert trips and so on. You just have to get going! If you are a passionate reader, please remember to bring a good supply of books from Germany. Book stores or libraries are hardly found throughout Sudan. The DED-Guesthouse in Khartoum meanwhile possesses quite a good mini-library of German and English books, which other development advisors donated.

Clothes

Generally, in Sudan the European impulse to get rid off of as many clothes as possible when exposed to great heat opposes the Sudanese rules of decency and manners. Men in short trousers are viewed as unbecomingly dressed. Women shoud not be wearing a sleeveless and/or low-necked blouse and a short skirt in public. We recommend light cotton clothing, t-shirts and long trousers are alright, even for women. Make sure to bring sufficient clothing with you as it proves difficult to find 100% cotton clothes in Sudan. You should also take into consideration that often you will have to change more often than once a day, not only in summer when temperature sometimes hits 50°C! Huge parts of Sudan consist of desert and savannah which require special clothing (e.g. light but sturdy footwear, sun protection, etc.). Having all that in mind, you should not forget that winter nights in the desert can get rather chilly. So please, keep in mind to bring some warm clothes, too. Last but not least, there will be rather formal events from time to time (especially in Khartoum), thus it is recommendable to take a set of "official" clothes (e.g. suit and tie, little black dress).

In Khartoum, there a quite a few good options for your children´s education. There are a number of private kindergartens and pre-schools. For school children, the following primary and secondary schools are available (all private):

Khartoum American School (American system)

Unity High School (British system)

French School (French system)

KICS – Khartoum International Community School (offering International Baccalaureate)

Outside Khartoum and in Juba schooling is rather not possible.