Bir Tawil Tours and Travel

YPT Tours to Bir Tawil

YPT was the first company to organize Bir Tawil tours and was even the only company allowed to take people there. Bir Tawil is the only “unclaimed” piece of land on earth. Sadly, being unclaimed means that in actual fact it is claimed by a whole host of people, many of whom have not actually been here. In reality this piece of land sandwiched between Egypt and Sudan has a fraught history and despite claims it is “uninhabited” it is very much inhabited by the Ababda Tribe – believe it or not they do not take too kindly to people planting flags.

You can read the book about our initial voyage there here: “The Men in No Mans land”.

YPT’s Inaugural Tour to Bir Tawil

Group Tours to Bir Tawil

Young Pioneer Tours ran the first group tour to Bir Tawil in 2019, but because of Bir Tawil’s position bordering Sudan, and the on-going conflict there, YPT is currently unable to operate Bir Tawil tours. Please send an email to tours@youngpioneertours.com to be one of the first notified when tours resume. It is not possible to conduct tours through Egypt either.

In the meantime, YPT continues to offer group tours to both Egypt and South Sudan.

Bir Tawil: The Strange Tale of Unclaimed Land

Independent Tours to Bir Tawil

When tours resume, it will be possible to organize private Bir Tawil tours through YPT.

Below is an example Bir Tawil tour. When the situation will be more stable, this can be extended or combined with other activities to create independent tours.

Example of a Bir Tawil Itinerary (8 days)

Day 1: Khartoum

Arrive at your convenience into Khartoum – the capital city of Sudan which is well connected from many countries within Africa and the Middle East.
Meet your local guide at the airport and be transferred to our hotel
Free time to explore Khartoum, with YPT able to arrange day tours for you
Overnight in Khartoum.

Day 2: Khartoum – Meroe

Breakfast at hotel and depart early towards Meroe
Set off on an off-road/on-road adventure to visit Mussawart. This is a complex of temples dedicated to the local god Apedamak – the lion god. This was the biggest construction in the history of Nubia.
After a local lunch you will continue to Naqa 20 km from Mussawart. This was once a vital trading post between the Mediterranean world and Africa. It houses a wonderful collection of buildings dated to the first century AD.
Visit the Roman kiosk which represents the intersection of several ancient cultures.
Visit the Among temple, after which we head back north to Meroe.
Camp and stargaze next to the Pyramids of Meroe – optional night time exploration of the pyramids available!
Overnight camping in Meroe.

Day 3: Meroe – Abu Hamad

After your breakfast, you will leave early for the long trip to Abu Hamad, the end of the road!
The town of Abu Hamad is one of the last stops on the train, and named after a sheikh who was buried there.
Enjoy your last dinner in a human settlement, before you head… nowhere!
Overnight in tents by Abu Hamad.

Day 4: Abu Hamad – Bir Tawil

Today, your expert guides drive you across the desert, where there is no road but the traces of the previous travelers’ cars.
You are in the deepest of the desert and shall stop for many photo opportunities.
Lunch today will be a picnic in the desert.
You will reach Bir Tawil in the evening and enjoy your camp meal outside of any country!
Overnight in tents, in Bir Tawil!

Day 5: Bir Tawil

Today, your day will be dedicated to the in-depth exploration of Bir Tawil.
If you brought a flag, plant it in Bir Tawil and claim the land! It is your opportunity to change the world and start a country according to your values (YPT can’t guarantee your claim will be approved by any international organization but you’re welcome to have a go at it!).
Lunch by your camp.
Spend the afternoon exploring Bir Tawil some more.
Dinner and overnight by your camp in Bir Tawil.

Day 6: Bir Tawil – Abu Hamad

As always, all good things must come to an end and you will start making your way down towards Khartoum but this time as a proper trailblazer.
Lunch on the way.
Arrival in Abu Hamad by the beginning of the evening. You’re back in civilization!
Overnight camping by Abu Hamad.

Day 7: Abu Hamad – Khartoum

After a good breakfast, you’re back on the road!
You will arrive in Khartoum in the early evening.
Go for an evening stroll around Khartoum.
Dinner and overnight in Khartoum

Day 8: Khartoum

Conclusion of your tour to Sudan and Bir Tawil. YPT can help arrange your ongoing flight to Juba, South Sudan or ongoing to another destination.

Bespoke Bir Tawil Tours

There are currently no tour options for Bir Tawil.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel to Bir Tawil

Do I need a visa to travel to Bir Tawil?

Bir Tawil is an unclaimed area of land. You will need to receive a visa for Sudan to travel to Bir Tawil. Sudan is currently not issuing tourist visas due to the ongoing civil war.

How do you get to Bir Tawil?

Bir Tawil is an unclaimed area of land. You will need to receive a visa for Sudan to travel to Bir Tawil. Sudan are currently not issuing tourist visas due to the ongoing civil conflict.

Technically an “unclaimed land”, you can get here via both Egypt and Sudan, although the area is dejure part of Sudan. Our trips involve travelling via Khartoum, rather than through Egypt. All trips involve camping, if you cannot camp then you cannot go to Bir Tawil! There are no hotels in Bir Tawil.

When is the best time to visit Bir Tawil?

Bir Tawil is completely composed of desert areas and therefore is not suitable for tourism in the summertime. YPT recommends traveling in the wintertime.

What should I wear in Bir Tawil?

Ensure you are wearing long, loose, modest and light clothing to Bir Tawil. The weather can be extremely hot. However, in the night the temperature can drop below 10 degrees.

Can I travel to Bir Tawil without assistance and claim it as a country?

No, you cannot. There are people that live here and claim it as their ancestral homeland. How would you feel if someone rocked up on your doorstep and planted a flag in your garden before walking in your door and telling you how they will make your life better?

Bir Tawil is extremely interesting because of the anomaly that it is, but as always you need to show the land and its people respect.

When will Bir Tawil be open for tourism?

There is no indication yet of when Bir Tawil will be safe for tourism as the civil war in Sudan makes Bir Tawil unsuitable for travel at the current moment. YPT will notify those interested in traveling to Bir Tawil when tours resume. You can join our waitlist by contacting tours@youngpioneertours.com.