In the afternoon the next day we are already in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. There are quite a lot of interesting sights in the City. Khartoum was founded on the confluence of the White and Blue Nile, and actually consists of three parts. The historic center, Omdurman, the old capital of Mahdi and the modern Khartoum North.
The strategic importance of the confluence of the Blue and White Nile for the first time recognized Muhammad Ali in his expedition to the Sudan1820. The original main market in the region was then transferred from Shendi to Khartoum and a garrison was established here, which eventually became a permanent settlement. Prior to that time it was not more than a fishing village. Only 10 years after the expedition Khartoum grew enormously. The city experienced a boom from 1850 as the Nile was released for the ships into the South, and the city became the main transit point for ivory and slaves.
The pressure of the Europeans in Khartoum led to the closure of the slave market 1854. Thus the Nile became less important for Khartoum.
A good view of the confluence of the Nile is from the Mogran Family Park
Good to see also the unusual hotel Burj Al Fateh Hotel is, built in the form of a sail. We hear it should belong to the Libyan leader Gaddafi, or he should at least be involved by funding.
At the campsite we meet the taxi driver Hassan, he will show us Khartoum the next day. Hassan is fluent in German, he tells us that he had worked for years in Germany as a truck driver, but the homesickness drew him back to Sudan. From the savings he bought a car that is by now 25 years old with which he earns a living as a taxi driver.