Explore Juba's riverside setting on the White Nile
South Sudan's capital sits directly on the White Nile, historically offering a striking riverside backdrop to the country's youngest capital city.
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East Africa
Things to do in South Sudan
The world's newest country, home to the vast Sudd wetland and one of Africa's greatest wildlife migrations, currently facing serious internal conflict since gaining independence in 2011.
Explore South Sudan on the map →Budget$
Best forNot currently recommended by most Western governments
CapitalJuba
VisaNot currently applicable for general tourism: South Sudan has experienced recurring internal conflict since independence, and most Western governments maintain a Do Not Travel advisory covering the entire country.
CurrencySouth Sudanese pound (SSP)
LanguagesEnglish (official); Arabic, Dinka, Nuer, and other regional languages widely spoken
InternetSeverely limited nationwide
Typical lodging$20–$50/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/E plug)
Time zoneUTC+2
Emergency numberVaries. Save your hotel or embassy’s number on arrival.
Dialing code+211
★★★★★ Wildlife★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Culture
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or purified water only. 10% at restaurants; guides and drivers appreciate a daily tip.
South Sudan became the world's newest country when it gained independence from Sudan in 2011, following decades of civil war, a genuinely historic moment in African decolonization and self-determination. The Boma-Jonglei landscape hosts one of the largest and least-studied land mammal migrations on Earth, involving over a million white-eared kob and other antelope, a spectacle that rivals East Africa's more famous wildebeest migration but remains almost entirely unknown to international tourism given the country's ongoing instability.
When to go
Dry seasonNovember–March
Historically the most accessible window nationally, with lower rainfall easing travel logistics, before current conditions made general travel inadvisable.
Wet seasonApril–October
Heavy rain nationwide, historically making much of the country's limited road network impassable.
Peak migration seasonDecember–March
Historically when the Boma-Jonglei antelope migration is most concentrated and visible.
Transition periodOctober–November
Rains easing as the dry season approaches, historically a reasonable shoulder window.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
7Learn about South Sudan's path to independence
South Sudan's 2011 independence followed decades of civil war, a genuinely historic and hard-won moment in African self-determination.
Visit a traditional Dinka or Nuer cattle camp
South Sudan's Dinka and Nuer communities maintain a deep, centuries-old cattle-herding culture central to their identity and social structure.
Learn about South Sudanese basket weaving traditions
Traditional basket and mat weaving remains a genuinely practiced craft across South Sudan's many ethnic communities.
Watch a traditional Dinka wrestling match
Traditional wrestling remains a genuine and culturally significant sport among Dinka communities, tied to seasonal celebrations.
Visit the White Nile's riverside communities near Juba
Riverside fishing communities along the White Nile historically offered a genuine window into everyday South Sudanese livelihoods.
Learn about South Sudan's diverse ethnic heritage
South Sudan is home to over 60 distinct ethnic groups, each with genuinely distinct languages, customs, and traditions.
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Adventure & outdoors
1Explore the Imatong Mountains
South Sudan's highest mountain range, historically holding cooler highland forest ecosystems distinct from the rest of the country's lowland terrain.
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Wildlife
6Witness the Boma-Jonglei antelope migration
One of the largest and least-studied land mammal migrations on Earth, involving over a million white-eared kob and other antelope.
Explore the vast wetlands of the Sudd
One of the largest freshwater wetlands in the world, formed by the White Nile, historically supporting extraordinary birdlife and biodiversity.
Visit Boma National Park
A vast, remote protected area historically home to the country's greatest concentration of migratory wildlife, though infrastructure remains minimal.
Birdwatch in the Sudd wetland
The Sudd's vast wetland ecosystem historically supported extraordinary bird diversity, including the rare shoebill stork.
Visit the Nimule National Park
A protected area along the Ugandan border historically home to elephants and other wildlife, though largely undeveloped for tourism.
Search for shoebill storks in the Sudd wetland
The Sudd is one of the most important remaining habitats for the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill stork.
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Food & drink
6Eat South Sudanese kisra with stew
A fermented sorghum flatbread served with a meat or vegetable stew, reflecting the country's shared Nile Valley culinary traditions with Sudan.
Try South Sudanese ful medames
Slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with oil and spices, a breakfast staple shared with neighboring Sudan and the wider Nile Valley region.
Try South Sudanese asida, a sorghum porridge
A thick porridge traditionally served with a savory stew, reflecting the country's traditional grain-based culinary heritage.
Try South Sudanese groundnut stew
A peanut-based stew reflecting South Sudan's broader East and Central African culinary traditions.
Try South Sudanese sim sim, sesame paste
A sesame seed paste used in various traditional dishes, reflecting the region's broader Nile Valley and East African culinary crossover.
Try South Sudanese fresh Nile fish
Fresh fish from the White Nile and its tributaries reflects South Sudan's river-based fishing traditions.
Common questions
▾Is it safe to travel to South Sudan right now?
No. Since independence in 2011, South Sudan has experienced recurring internal conflict, and most Western governments maintain a Do Not Travel advisory covering the entire country. This page is a factual reference, not current travel guidance.
▾Why is South Sudan historically significant?
It became the world's newest country when it gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war, a genuinely historic moment in African decolonization and self-determination.
▾How significant is the Boma-Jonglei migration?
It's one of the largest and least-studied land mammal migrations on Earth, involving over a million white-eared kob and other antelope, a spectacle that rivals East Africa's more famous wildebeest migration but remains almost entirely unknown to international tourism.
▾Has South Sudan ever had functioning tourism?
Only in a very limited, specialized sense: even before the current instability, South Sudan's infrastructure and security situation kept international tourism minimal, despite the country's exceptional wildlife potential.
▾Why include South Sudan on this site at all right now?
To provide accurate context for people researching or planning ahead, not as a suggestion to travel there under current conditions. Always check official government advisories before making any decisions.
▾Is it safe to visit South Sudan right now?
Most governments currently advise against all travel to South Sudan given ongoing instability and security concerns. Check your government's latest advisory before making any plans.
