The story of South Sudan
South Sudan's vast floodplains, savannahs and forests along the White Nile have been home for thousands of years to cattle-herding and farming peoples. Today more than 60 ethnic groups live here, including the Dinka, Nuer, Shilluk, Bari, Zande and Mundari, each with its own language, traditions and deep bonds to cattle and land. From around the 15th and 16th centuries, the Shilluk developed a kingdom along the Nile centred on the town of Fashoda, with a line of kings that continues in ceremonial form today.
For centuries the immense Sudd swamp, one of the largest wetlands in the world, kept outside powers at bay. In the 19th century, Turco-Egyptian rulers based in Khartoum pushed south along the Nile, and the region suffered from ivory and slave raiding. After the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium was established in 1899, Britain administered the south largely separately from the north, with limited development, a policy that deepened divisions within Sudan.
Read the full history
When Sudan became independent in 1956, many southerners sought greater autonomy, and long periods of civil war followed. A peace agreement in 1972 brought a decade of self-rule before conflict resumed in 1983. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 opened the way to a referendum in January 2011, in which southerners voted overwhelmingly for independence. On 9 July 2011, South Sudan became the world's newest country, with Juba as its capital.
Independence was followed by internal conflict from 2013, and a revitalised peace agreement was signed in 2018, though the country continues to face serious security and humanitarian challenges. Tourism is extremely limited and most governments advise against travel. For those with specialist knowledge, the country holds remarkable natural and cultural heritage: one of Africa's great antelope migrations in Boma and Badingilo National Parks, the Mundari cattle camps near Terekeka, the Sudd wetlands and the living traditions of its many peoples.
Timeline
- c. 1500Shilluk kingdom emerges along the White Nile
- 1820s–1870sTurco-Egyptian expansion and ivory and slave raiding reach the south
- 1899Anglo-Egyptian Condominium rule begins over Sudan
- 1956Sudan, including the south, becomes independent
- 1972Addis Ababa Agreement grants the south self-rule
- 2005Comprehensive Peace Agreement ends the second civil war
- 2011South Sudan becomes independent on 9 July
- 2018Revitalised peace agreement is signed
Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.
- EAC – East African Community member – look out for regional tourist visas.
Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:
- Visa policy of South Sudan (Wikipedia) ↗
- IATA Travel Centre – passport, visa & health rules ↗
- U.S. passport holders – State Department country pages ↗
- UK passport holders – GOV.UK travel advice ↗
The latest visa and entry news for South Sudan appears below as soon as publishers report it.
🛰️ The agents haven't spotted fresh news about South Sudan in the last few days – here is the travel guide, plus the latest from nearby countries.
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Things to do in South Sudan
- Witness the great migrationSee vast herds of white-eared kob and other antelope crossing the plains of Boma and Badingilo, on a specialist-guided expedition.
- Visit a Mundari cattle campWatch herders care for their prized long-horned cattle amid smoky dusk fires near Terekeka, with an experienced guide.
- See the White Nile at JubaWatch fishermen and boats along the river that has shaped the country's history.
- Fly over the SuddGlimpse the endless channels and papyrus of one of the world's largest wetlands from the air.
- Explore Nimule National ParkLook for elephants and hippos along the Nile near the Ugandan border, where conditions allow.
- Browse Konyo Konyo MarketExperience the bustle of Juba's busy market, full of produce, fabrics and everyday goods.
- Learn about Nilotic culturesDiscover traditions of scarification, cattle songs and wrestling unique to the region's peoples.
- Spot shoebillsSearch the swamps for the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork, a prize for birdwatchers.
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Where to go in South Sudan
- JubaCentral Equatoria · capitalThe young capital on the White Nile is the entry point for nearly all visitors.
- 📍Boma National ParkEast · wildlifeA huge wilderness that hosts part of one of Africa's largest land mammal migrations.
- 📍Badingilo National ParkCentral Equatoria · wildlifeGrasslands and woodlands crossed by migrating antelope herds, closer to Juba.
- 📍TerekekaCentral Equatoria · cattle campsArea known for the photogenic Mundari cattle camps along the Nile.
- 📍The SuddCentral · wetlandA vast swamp and floodplain of the White Nile, rich in birdlife and fishing communities.
- 📍Nimule National ParkSouth · Nile wildlifeA park on the Ugandan border with river scenery, rapids and wildlife.
- 📍Imatong MountainsEastern Equatoria · highlandsCool, forested highlands rising to Mount Kinyeti, the country's highest peak.
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#Sudan#Weather & Alerts- Visit a traditional cattle camp
- Watch sunset over the White Nile in Juba
- Look for shoebill storks in the wetlands
- Explore Juba's Konyo Konyo market
- Kisra – thin sorghum flatbread
- Asida – thick porridge served with stew
- Ful medames – slow-cooked fava beans
- Grilled Nile fish – fresh from the river
Best time to visit South Sudan
South Sudan is hot all year, with a single long rainy season and a dry season from roughly December to March. The north and the Sudd flood widely in the wet season, while the southern highlands are cooler and greener.
Typical daytime highs and rain in Juba (approximate averages).
- JulyIndependence DayCelebrated on 9 July to mark the country's independence in 2011.
- JanuaryComprehensive Peace Agreement DayA national holiday on 9 January remembering the 2005 peace agreement.
- JulyMartyrs' DayHeld on 30 July to honour those who died in the struggle for independence.
- DecemberChristmasWidely celebrated with church services, music and family gatherings.
How many days in South Sudan?
Day 1-2 in Juba to visit the Nile riverside and Konyo Konyo Market with a licensed local guide. Day 3-4 travel to the Mundari cattle camps near Terekeka for a guided stay. Day 5 return to Juba to fly out. Only consider this with a reputable specialist operator and up-to-date security advice.
Day 1-2 Juba for permits and briefings, then Day 3-7 a fly-in safari to Badingilo or Boma National Parks during the dry-season migration. Day 8-9 visit the Mundari cattle camps, and Day 10 return to Juba. Such trips depend entirely on security conditions and must be arranged by experienced operators.
Backpacker budget: about $70–120 a day
- South Sudan is not a backpacking destination – independent budget travel is strongly discouraged due to security risks.
- Costs are very high, as most goods are imported and accommodation in Juba is limited and expensive.
- Travel only with a reputable local fixer or specialist operator who can arrange permits, transport and accommodation.
- Photography requires permission and often a permit; always ask before photographing people or places.
- Carry enough cash, a reliable phone and a satellite or backup communication plan, as networks are patchy.
Stay safe
- Most governments advise against all travel or all but essential travel to South Sudan – check your government's latest travel advice before considering a trip.
- Armed conflict, intercommunal violence and crime affect many areas, and the situation can change quickly.
- Never travel by road outside Juba without expert security advice and local guidance.
- Ensure you have comprehensive insurance that covers evacuation, and register with your embassy if you go.
Money
- The economy is largely cash-based; foreign cards are rarely accepted and ATMs are unreliable.
- Bring clean, recent banknotes in a major currency and exchange only through official channels.
- Tipping is not formalised, but small tips for drivers, guides and fixers are appreciated.
Emergency:
Almost all visitors arrive by air at Juba International Airport; land borders exist with Uganda, Kenya and other neighbours, but overland travel carries significant risks.
✈️ Cheap flights to South Sudan: airports, flight times & best time to fly →
- South Sudan became the world's newest country when it gained independence in 2011.
- The Sudd is one of the largest wetlands in the world, and its size changes dramatically with the seasons.
- Many communities measure wealth and status in cattle, which are central to marriage customs.
- The country hosts one of the largest land mammal migrations on Earth, led by white-eared kob.
- More than 60 languages are spoken in South Sudan, with English as the official language.
South Sudan travel questions
Is South Sudan safe for tourists?
No – most governments advise against all or all but essential travel to South Sudan because of armed conflict, intercommunal violence and crime. Check your government's latest travel advice before considering any trip.
Can tourists visit South Sudan?
A very small number of visitors travel with specialist operators to see the migration or the cattle camps, but conditions can change quickly. Tourism infrastructure is minimal and permits are often required.
Do I need a visa for South Sudan?
It depends on your passport – most visitors need to arrange a visa in advance, and additional permits may be needed for travel and photography. Check the official government site or embassy before you travel.
When is the best time to visit South Sudan?
The dry season from December to March is the only practical time to travel, as rains from May to October flood roads and remote areas.
What language is spoken in South Sudan?
English is the official language, and Juba Arabic is widely used as a common language. Dozens of local languages such as Dinka, Nuer and Bari are also spoken.
Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).
Most travel beyond Juba is by charter flight or organised 4x4 trip, as roads are limited, especially in the rainy season.
- Always ask before taking photos – permits may be needed
- Greet elders with respect
- Dress modestly
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