"The Pyramids of Meroe, at Bajrawiya" Meroe by maykal

Meroe Travel Guide: 45 reviews and 159 photos

Bajrawiya, Sudan

Sudan's number one tourist attraction lies just off the "Osama Highway" (so called because a certain Mr Bin Laden built it)between Khartoum and Atbara. A few miles out of Shendi heading north, look to your right and you can't fail to miss the famous pyramid tombs of an acient meroitic city.

Stone carvings on a tomb entrance, Bajrawiya

Black stone pyramids amidst orange sand dunes and black volcanic outcrops is quite a stunning scene. You will most likely be the only tourist/person in sight, and it is amazing to walk around these ancient relics in total silence

Pros and Cons

Pros:Stunning location, easy to reach, deserted, not a tourist or tout in sight
Cons:No comparison to Pyramids of Giza....but who wants decorated camels anyway?
In a nutshell:Sudan's major attraction, Meroe shouldn't be missed

Last visit to Meroe: Aug 2003
Intro Updated Oct 8, 2003
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Reviews (4)

Sleeping under the stars Hotels (1)

Apparently you can camp out near the pyramids in the middle of the desert. I would imagine this is an amazing... more travel advice

Get a permit! Favorites (1)

Officially, you need to get a permit from the National Museum in Khartoum before heading to Bajrawiya, and these cost... more travel advice

Destination desert... Transportation (1)

From Khartoum, take a bus heading to Atbara, and ask to be let off at Bajrawiya or Al-Ahram. If they don't stop the bus,... more travel advice

Explore the tombs Things to Do (1)

There are about thirty tombs in various states of preservation spread out over two main areas. The pyramid tombs are... more travel advice

Comments (11)

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craic Feb 10, 2008 at 11:47 AM

fascinating - but i am not sure i would be brave enough to hitchike in the sudan
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marielexoteria Nov 6, 2007 at 3:19 AM

Nice pictures.
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triplehelix Oct 7, 2006 at 7:25 PM

wow! a must see for sure. i'm not that brave yet. let my interest peak further and i'll visit sudan.
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uglyscot Jun 5, 2005 at 6:26 AM

Maykal, was it the Italians who did the reconstructions? I always was lead to believe it was one of the German archaeologists whose name began with an H.[ Hinkel or Hintze]
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Rachelynn Nov 4, 2004 at 8:43 AM

Interesting! I would really like to visit this place someday
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Aurorae Apr 9, 2004 at 1:42 AM

Great page!!! Very interesting and intriguing place!!! Fascinating!!!!
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freya_heaven Mar 25, 2004 at 12:23 AM

This place is definately on my wish list, I really enjoy reading your pages. Beautiful photos again. (~_~)
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seratonin Jan 5, 2004 at 11:18 PM

Meroe must be a fantastic place! I hope that I will be there one time, to get another impression of pyramids than the Gizah one... ;-) !
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SirRichard Oct 20, 2003 at 12:02 AM

Fantastic place, I just saw an exhibition on Nubia, would love to go some day... :-)
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aeroarce Oct 11, 2003 at 2:20 PM

This is one of the places I always wanted to head for! wish I could get there and Good for you you've been there!!