Chapter XLII: Section 3: Roads

The Sudan is almost entirely flat, except along its eastern frontier and in parts of Southern Kordofan, S. Bahr El Ghazal, and Darfur. Theoretically it should be possible to traverse it from end to end without difficulty, for it is almost everywhere good “going” for animals, though not for wheeled transport; but practically communication is everywhere limited by questions of wells and water supply, in many parts by the presence of thick and thorny bush, and in some parts by swamps.

The main cross-country roads (including some leading outside the Sudan) are:—

1. The Darb El Arbain (40 days’ road), between El Fasher (Darfur)
and Assiut (Egypt). (_Vide_ Appendix, Part III., Vol. 2.)
Little used except by occasional smugglers.

2. Korosko-Abu Hamed. Little used since the railway was built.

3. Debba-Khartoum. Date caravans, Dongola to Omdurman.

4. Korti-Metemma. Date caravans, Dongola to Shendi, etc.

5. Berber-Suakin. Will be superseded by railway.

6. Suakin-Tokar-Kassala.

7. Berber-Kassala.

8. Khartoum-Abu Haraz-Gedaref-Kassala.

9. Omdurman-El Obeid.

10. El Dueim-El Obeid. Gum caravans.

11. El Obeid-El Fasher. Road to Darfur.

12. Renk-Jebel Gule-Roseires. Lately opened.

13. Shambe-Rumbek-Tonj-Wau-Deim Zubeir. Bahr El Ghazal supply
caravans’ road.

14. El Fasher-Shakka. In Darfur.

15. El Fasher-Abesher. Darfur-Wadai road. (_Vide_ p. 189.)

16. Kassala-Massawa

17. Gedaref-Gallabat-Lake Tsana. Trade route from Northern Abyssinia.

18. Kirin to Melut. Trade route from Eastern Abyssinia
(not yet opened).

19. Gore to Abwong. Ditto.

_See_ Vol. II for detailed descriptions of roads throughout the Sudan.