February 10, 2012 10:17 pm

Slideshow: Desert rose

A tour company dealing in luxury African travel is about to launch tailor-made trips to Sudan

Desert rose

Carving of an elephant at the temple complex of Musawwarat es Sufra, near Shendi, about 80 miles north east of Khartoum

Carving of an elephant at the temple complex of Musawwarat es Sufra, near Shendi, about 80 miles north east of Khartoum

A family in a remote village north of Old Dongola. Despite the poverty in many regions, travellers often talk about the warmth of the welcome they received in Sudan

A family in a remote village north of Old Dongola. Despite the poverty in many regions, travellers often talk about the warmth of the welcome they received in Sudan

Pillars engraved with images of the Egyptian goddess Hathor at the Temple of Mut, at the base of Jebel Barkal near the town of Karima, central Sudan

Pillars engraved with images of the Egyptian goddess Hathor at the Temple of Mut, at the base of Jebel Barkal near the town of Karima, central Sudan

Nubian men smoking hookah pipes at a cafe in Karima, central Sudan

Nubian men smoking hookah pipes at a cafe in Karima, central Sudan

Gated entrance to the Nubian Rest House, a hotel in Karima in the shadow of Jebel Barkal

Gated entrance to the Nubian Rest House, a hotel in Karima in the shadow of Jebel Barkal

The queue for water at a well in the desert near Naqa. People walk with their animals up to six miles to get there. Water is lifted from a deep well ('over 80 men deep') using a goatskin bucket tied to a rope, which is pulled up with a donkey

The queue for water at a well in the desert near Naqa. People walk with their animals up to six miles to get there. Water is lifted from a deep well ('over 80 men deep') using a goatskin bucket tied to a rope, which is pulled up with a donkey

Bedouin men with camels in front of the pyramid complex of Meroe, which dates from the eighth century BC. There are 100 pyramids in all, up to 30 metres high

Bedouin men with camels in front of the pyramid complex of Meroe, which dates from the eighth century BC. There are 100 pyramids in all, up to 30 metres high

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