Things to Do in South Sudan

From one of the largest wildlife migrations in the world to the Nile at Juba - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them, when conditions allow.

Travel guide - last updated September 2026

South Sudan, the world's newest country since gaining independence in 2011, holds a genuinely enormous wildlife migration across the Boma-Jonglei landscape - by some estimates larger than East Africa's more famous Serengeti migration, though far less studied and virtually unvisited. Ongoing conflict and instability have made most of the country inaccessible and unsafe for travel, so checking your government's official travel advisory is essential before considering any visit.

Top attractions

The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.

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Boma-Jonglei Landscape

Home to one of the largest land mammal migrations in the world, involving white-eared kob and other antelope species, discovered to be far larger than previously known through recent aerial surveys.

📍 Boma-Jonglei, Eastern South Sudan

🚉 The great antelope migration crosses a roadless region reached only by charter aircraft from Juba, arranged through the handful of operators working in the country.

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Juba & the White Nile

South Sudan's capital, on the White Nile, with river cruises and access points to view one of the source stretches of the world's longest river.

📍 Juba

🚉 Juba has an international airport with regional flights; the city is covered by shared taxis and boda-bodas, and boat trips on the White Nile are arranged through hotels.

Mark South Sudan, get the stamp

🇸🇸SOUTH SUDANVISITED

🇸🇸SOUTH SUDANLIVED

🇸🇸SOUTH SUDANWISHLIST

In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.

Open MyPassportStory

Planning questions

How many days do you need in South Sudan?

Not a straightforward answer under current conditions - check your government's official travel advisory before planning any specific itinerary.

What's the best time to visit South Sudan?

Current safety and access conditions should be your primary consideration, not seasonal weather.

Is South Sudan good for a first-time visit?

Not currently recommended for most travelers given ongoing conflict - check your government's official travel advisory carefully before considering any visit.

Do I need a visa to visit South Sudan?

Visa requirements vary by nationality, but this is secondary to the current travel advisory situation. Check the official information for your nationality: mfa.gov.ss.

What are some things to do in South Sudan on a tight budget?

Not applicable under current conditions - this section will be updated once travel to South Sudan is broadly considered safe and accessible again.

Can I rent a car in South Sudan, and what licence do I need?

Most governments advise against all travel to South Sudan, and consular support is very limited. Where visits happen - almost always for work rather than tourism - transport is arranged by the organisation or operator, with vehicles, drivers and often security. Independent self-drive is not realistic: roads outside Juba are largely unpaved and impassable in the rainy season, and checkpoints are constant. A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted on paper. Consult your own foreign ministry before planning anything.