Bayuda Desert

The Bayuda fills the great bend of the Nile between Karima and Atbara, a desert of gravel plain and volcanic cones with a field of young craters at its centre, black against the pale ground. The old caravan route cut straight across it rather than following the river, saving days. Bisharin and Kababish herders use it, and wells scattered through it are what make crossing possible at all. The volcanic field is geologically young by desert standards, and some of the cones are fresh enough that their crater rims are still sharp.

What you actually see

• The volcanic field - the young cones and craters at the desert's centre.
• The colour contrast - black lava against pale gravel plain.
• The caravan route - the old short cut across the bend of the river.
• The wells - the water points that make crossing the desert possible.

When to go

November to February is the cool season and the only sensible window. March to May is extremely hot. Sandstorms occur in spring.

Honest expectations

There is no infrastructure and crossing requires a guide, fuel and water carried. Navigation is difficult. Travel in Sudan requires arrangements made well in advance.

Nearby

Karima is northwest, and Ghazali is on its edge.