Schedule

Flights : Flights are connecting scheduled services from the UK to Port Sudan on Egypt Air, Sudan Airways &/or Alitalia. Routings vary (please refer to your trip itinerary) but will usually involve at least one change of aircraft en route (usually in Cairo, Khartoum &/or Milan). Flight times are in local time. Check in 3 hours before departure at the indicated terminal.
Cairo: Where your flight connection in Cairo allows an overnight stay we will pre-book transfers and accommodation and arrange optional sightseeing excursions to the various cultural sights (please refer to the trip itinerary). Contact Tel Number (2) 703 5904
Flight tickets: will be sent to you by special delivery post (these must be signed for), unless otherwise arranged, 7-10 days prior to departure. These are sent special delivery and must be signed for. Please call if you have not received your tickets 3 days before
Baggage allowance : is 20Kg for hold baggage and 5Kg for hand baggage. It is recommended that electrical goods (torches) and gauges (regulators) in hand baggage. Dive knives go in the hold. Pony Cylinders can be transported in the hold luggage but must be shown to be open and empty.
Arrival in Port Sudan : Your flight will arrive in Port Sudan where you will be met by our representatives waiting outside the terminal building. Contact Tel Number (311) 23817
Weather: Northern Sudan coast has a hot desert climate with a high variance between day & night temperatures. December-February ranges between 25-30°C. October-November & March-April are around 30-35°C; May-September is between 30-40°C.
Clothes & Customs : Sudan operates Islamic Sharia Law. Alcohol is not permitted and may not be imported.
Non-Muslim women are not expected to wear a veil, but visitors should dress modestly while ashore and respect local customs and sensitivities. Shoes are not worn onboard, shorts, T-shirts and swimwear are the norm. We recommend warmer clothes for the evenings, particularly winter months. Towels are provided in cabins but we recommend you pack a beach towel for after diving. Remember sunscreen, hats and sunglasses, as the weather is nearly always sunny.
Money : Sudanese currency is the Dinar, Travellers cheques and credit cards are not widely accepted. You will need a little cash, US Dollars are recommended for meals/drinks, souvenirs and taxes not included in the trip. On our liveaboards drinks are normally charged on an honesty system payable at the end of the safari and a tip for the crew if appropriate.
Tax : The Sudanese authorities apply a number of taxes to all visiting divers, including departure tax. The total for 1 week safari US$180, for 2 week safari US$230, payable locally.
Passports/Visas : Entry visas are required by all nationalities to Egypt and Sudan. We include the cost of Egyptian Visas for UK passport holders for Sudanese itineraries that begin in Cairo. For Sudanese itineraries that begin in Port Ghalib (Marsa Alam) you can prepay the Egyptian Entry Visa – a cost of £10.00. Please send A4 photocopies or email scanned copies of the passport information pages to TBST at the time of booking so that we may arrange permissions to travel prior to the issuing of visas. Visas will be issued on arrival in Port Sudan where a charge of US$70 is payable locally. Visas will not be issued on passports where there is evidence of a previous visit to Israel (including a Taba crossing).

Insurance : Please make sure you have insurance that covers travel arrangements and diving. We can provide holiday and diving cover from £55 per person. If you have your own insurance we will need a copy of the certificate

Vaccinations : You should refer to your GP or vaccination centre for the most up to date advise.
We recommend Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Miningitis ’C’ and Polio.
Embassy: Tel 020 7839 8080 www.sudan-embassy.co.uk Time Difference: GMT +2hrs
Equipment : You will need a full set of diving equipment. Tank, weights and Belts are the only equipment provided by the boat. You will need a mask, fins and snorkel, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, dive computer or the PADI wheel dive tables. Diving in Sudan usually follows a multilevel profile, square profile tables are therefore not appropriate. Rental torches are expensive and unreliable, We recommend you take your own torch/lamp for night dives. SMBs are provided to all divers. Equipment rental is available from our centre in the UK or onboard, please give prior notice. Water temperature ranges from 24°C in February to 30°C in August so choose your suit accordingly. There are charging facilities available for lights and cameras, standard 220/240 volts. The sockets are continental 2 pin or 3 pin, so UK plugs may require an adapter. We recommend you buy film and batteries before departure. Tanks are steel 12l, 15l are available on request. Both international (A Clamp) & din regulators can usually be accommodated.
Medicals & Certification: Please bring with you your diving certification card and logbook.