This simply, but nicely produced, well-illustrated,
volume presents an English translation of a report
compiled in 1983 and first printed in 2004. The
title page evokes the early-nineteenth century
travellers with a long title detailing the route, and
by the authors styling themselves André Capiteyn
of Ghent, and Roger De Keersmaecker of Antwerp.
The journey, from Cairo via Aswan and Wadi Halfa
to Dongola, Karima, Abu Hamed, and Shendi, ended
at Khartoum. Roger, we are told, photographed everystone three times, and every graffito five! Thus adding to his celebrated collection begun in the 1960s.
The narrative is straightforward, recounting the journey, rest houses, sites and glimpses of everyday life. The text is punctuated by passages from Cailliaud and comparative views. I read this journal just before my most recent visit – and was able to note the major changes to travel within Sudan, not only since 1983, but even the first decade of this century. Now, a journey that took days across the desert, and the unmetalled Nile road, can be achieved directly along the new highways in a quarter of the time. The effects on life in Sudan can only be dramatic. The new roads are, no doubt, in many ways beneficial to the population, but reduce the ‘romance’ for the traveller.
Robert G. Morkot in: Astene Bulletin 77: Autumn 2018