Tombos, Archaeological site and island at Third Cataract of Nile River, Sudan.
Tombos is an archaeological site on an island in the Nile containing burial grounds and stone work spread across the landscape. The place shows traces of multiple cultures with graves, rock carvings, and remains of ancient structures.
Egyptian rulers took control of the region during the New Kingdom era and left behind victory inscriptions. This period showed how pharaohs secured their power over Nubia.
The burial sites show how Egyptian and Nubian traditions merged together: small pyramids stand alongside underground chamber tombs. You can see in these structures how two cultures mixed and influenced each other.
The site is remote and requires permits along with organized tours led by local guides. The best time to visit is during cooler months when traveling in Sudan is more comfortable.
In a nearby granite quarry sits an unfinished statue of a Napatan king that shows how ancient stonemasons worked. This abandoned piece gives insight into the techniques used to carve such monuments.
Location: Sudan
GPS coordinates: 19.70000,30.38333
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
Sudan offers photographers a substantial mix of ancient monuments, desert formations and river landscapes. The country contains more than 200 pyramids at Meroe, Nuri and El-Kurru that differ markedly from their Egyptian counterparts. These Nubian structures rise from the desert with few visitors present, allowing unobstructed shooting. The National Museum of Sudan in Khartoum and the museums at Kerma and Karima display artifacts from the kingdoms of Kush and Meroe. Archaeological sites including Jebel Barkal, Soleb Temple, Naqa and Al-Musawwarat es-Sufra document the region's historical position as a crossroads of African and Mediterranean cultures. The confluence of the Blue and White Nile in Khartoum creates a distinct dividing line between differently colored waters. Tuti Island and Sabaloka Gorge provide perspectives on the river environment. The Nubian Desert, Bayuda Desert with its volcanic cones and the Kassala Mountains present different desert settings. At the Red Sea port of Suakin, 19th-century coral stone buildings slowly deteriorate, while Sanganeb National Park gives access to coral reefs. The markets of Omdurman and Kassala, along with the Sufi shrine at Sheikh Hamad-al Nil, record contemporary Sudanese life. These locations provide substantial photographic opportunities in a country that receives considerably fewer tourists than its neighbors.
Jebel Barkal
199.6 km
Kerma kingdom
11.4 km
Old Dongola
168.7 km
Temple of Amun, Jebel Barkal
200 km
Throne Hall of Dongola
168.6 km
Semna
209.4 km
Soleb
81.8 km
Sedeinga
76.5 km
Kerma Museum
11.4 km
Uronarti
212.9 km
Kumma
209.4 km
Doukki Gel
7.5 km
Sabu-Jaddi
30 km
Askut
227.8 km
Kirche der Granitsäulen
168.4 km
Sanam, Sudan
202.9 km
Sesebi
48.6 km
Jebel Barkal Museum
199.7 km
Temple of Soleb
82.1 km
Jebel Dosha
89.5 km
Pyramid of Taharqa at Nuri
204.7 km
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
199 km
Fourth cataract of the Nile
202.4 km
Third cataract of the Nile
6.8 km
Eastern Deffufa
12 km
Western deffufa
11.4 km
Karima Museum
199.7 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes