Kawa
A temple town on the Nile with a sanctuary built by Taharqa, largely buried in sand.
Updated 3 September 2026
Kawa lies on the east bank of the Nile near Dongola, a settlement founded in the Egyptian New Kingdom that became a Kushite centre, and its main structure is a temple built by Taharqa in the seventh century BC, dedicated to Amun, whose granite rams were removed to museums in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Sand has buried much of the site, which has protected it and made it hard to see.
What's there
- Taharqa's temple - the seventh-century BC sanctuary at the centre of the site.
- The buried town - the settlement remains under sand around the temple.
- The New Kingdom origins - the Egyptian foundation the Kushite town grew from.
- The removed rams - the granite figures now in museums abroad.
When to go
November to February is the cool season. March to May is extremely hot. Sand cover varies with the wind.
What to expect
Much of the site is under sand and there is very little to see above ground. The best material is in museums abroad. Access needs a boat crossing and four-wheel drive.
Nearby
Dongola is south, and Old Dongola is upstream.
What to pack for Kawa
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.