Plizio Visual Lab

Wadi Howar

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

River

Weather…

Wadi Howar is a massive dry valley in northern Sudan that was once the primary tributary of the Nile in the Sahara, known as the Yellow Nile. During the African Humid Period, approximately 10,000 to 4,000 years ago, this river stretched over 1,100 kilometers from the Ennedi Mountains in Chad to the Nile Valley. Today, it is the largest wadi in the Sahara and a significant paleoclimatological archive, documenting the transition from a fertile savanna to extreme desert. Archaeological investigations have unearthed numerous Neolithic settlement remains, pottery fragments, and rock art along the former riverbed. In 2001, a portion of the area was designated as the Wadi Howar National Park to protect its unique geology and remaining wildlife populations, such as gazelles and ostriches. The wadi still serves nomadic communities today as a vital migratory route and grazing ground during the short rainy season. The region is of immense importance for understanding human migration and adaptation to climatic changes in North Africa. Despite its extreme aridity, Wadi Howar preserves a fascinating biological diversity beneath its sandy surface.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Nov.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	14	17	21	26	29	31	32	32	30	25	19	14
Rain mm	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	8	0	0	0	0

📋 Practical info

🧭

Getting there

Access to Wadi Howar is via unmarked tracks in the central Sudanese Sahara. A permit and an experienced expedition provider with 4x4 off-road vehicles are essential for reaching the area.

📅

Best season

Visit the area only in winter (December and January) when the heat is tolerable. In other months, extreme sandstorms and temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius make outdoor survival difficult.

⛰️

Terrain & paths

The wadi has a mix of sand dunes, fossilized vegetation, and archaeological relics. The ground is often unstable, and driving through the dry riverbed requires significant off-road driving skill.

🎒

What to bring

In addition to standard expedition gear, you should carry a shovel and sand plates for the vehicles. High-quality sun protection and windproof clothing against sandstorms are strongly recommended.

🅿️

Parking

There is no infrastructure on-site. Vehicles are secured in temporary camps at night. The logistical base for tours into this area is usually the city of El-Fasher or Dongola for supply runs.

⚠️

Safety

Orientation without GPS is impossible. Travelers must be aware of the total isolation; medical help is days away. A backup vehicle is an absolute prerequisite for safety in this vast desert area.

⏱️

Time needed

An expedition through the wadi typically lasts 4 to 6 days. The vast distances and slow progress through the sand make time pressure the greatest enemy of a safe and successful desert journey.