Practical information about South Sudan
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Your trip
You can travel to South Sudan all year round. Normally, February to April and September to November are the most popular months, but other periods can also be enjoyable. South Sudan is located in the Northern Hemisphere, so the seasons are aligned with to most European and North American countries.
South Sudan is a large country and therefore has several climate zones. Along the border with Sudan is a desert climate, while the rest of the country has a tropical climate. The dry season runs from December to May and the rainy season from June to November. The average temperature in South Sudan is around 32 degrees.
Everyone should get travel and health insurance before travelling. Whether or not South Sudan is covered will vary by insurance, though in most cases it is. At CultureRoad we recommend IATI Travel Insurance or Global Underwriters – both reliable companies that have several insurance options to suit your personal needs. If you book with IATI through the referral link above, you will receive a 5% discount.
You can apply online for an eVisa to South Sudan one week ahead of the tour. If you attempt it any earlier it will be refused. Normally visa applications are accepted within 24-48 hours. The visa fee for most nationalities is $120, while for Americans it is $180, payable online. We will send you a manual for the visa process in the lead up to your tour to make it easier for you to obtain your visa.
South Sudan uses the time zone UCT +3.
South Sudan does not observe daylight savings.
The local currency in South Sudan is the South Sudanese Pound. ATMs are not available so you must bring enough US dollars in cash for the duration of the trip. You can exchange money with the guide at a similar rate that you see at the bank. For the most recent exchange rate, visit www.xchange.com.
The amount you’ll spend mainly depends on your personal spending needs and habits, but as a guideline, we advise to budget for approximately $50 per day. This budget should allow you to save at the end of each day. However, if you want to buy souvenirs, you might want to bring some extra cash. Soda is generally around $1. For a meal, you pay between $5 and $15.
Tipping local guides and drivers is always encouraged. Local wages are very modest, so a small contribution from you will often make a big difference to our local partners and their families. The amount you tip is, of course, ultimately your decision.
We are always available to advise you when booking a flight. However, most customers prefer to book their international flights themselves. Often this is more economical and allows for adjustments to your own preferences.
Practical information
The complete electricity supply in South Sudan is 220 Volt / 50 Hz. Type C and D are the most common plug sockets, the same as European plugs. However, you may occasionally need adapter plugs, so we recommend bringing a universal plug. Blackouts are extremely common in South Sudan. It’s advised to bring a torch or head torch and a power bank.
Internet is available at some accommodations. However, don’t expect a fast and stable connection. There is mobile coverage in some areas of the towns and cities that we visit. If you wish, the guide will be happy to assist you in buying a local SIM card.
Local culture
During trips to South Sudan, we will have many rich encounters with people living lives in a country that is radically different from what you are probably used to at home. Most people in South Sudan live below the poverty line and as such, the society there is organised in a different way. Many of the commodities we take for granted might not be available. This adds a lot to the experience and what we can learn from it. Some communities in South Sudan are quite conservative, all cultural practices will be explained by your guide on the tour.
Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when visiting South Sudan:
Avoid public displays of affection.
Show dignity and respect when visiting local communities.
Wear conservative clothes.
Many South Sudanese are not used to seeing tourists, which sometimes leads to some suspicious looks, but they are meant well.
We carefully select our tour destinations and activities based on current security situations and official travel advice. We also collaborate with local partners who understand the local conditions and can offer assistance if needed. Our goal is to provide everyone with an unforgettable tour, but the local guide will always have the final say on any changes to the itinerary.
The areas we visit in South Sudan are those where we feel confident about bringing travellers. If the situation in any location changes, we will adjust our plans immediately. For this reason, we ask our travellers to remain flexible throughout the trip, as ensuring everyone’s safety is our top priority.
Some of the safety measures to follow on our tours:
– Do not travel alone in the big cities without the guide’s approval.
– Do not display valuable items such as jewellery and watches.
– We do not share details of the itinerary or hotel names with anyone. While such questions may be asked simply out of curiosity, we refrain from disclosing this information as a precaution.
South Sudan has a strict attitude when it comes to photos, especially in Juba. Your guide will tell you when it is okay and when it is not okay to take photos. Generally, the situation is much more relaxed outside of Juba .However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Always ask permission before taking a photo of a person.
Do not take pictures of military personnel, military installations, police officers, or government buildings.
The cuisine in South Sudan is diverse, with influences from neighbouring countries and from local tribal traditions. Staple foods include sorghum, maize, and beans, which are often served with meat or vegetables. A popular dish is Kisra, a flatbread made from sorghum flour. Visitors may also have the opportunity to try local delicacies such as roasted goat or fish. It is important to drink only bottled or purified water, as tap water is not safe to drink. South Sudan is not an easy country for vegetarians. However there are some vegetarian options and the guide will certainly help you with it. Alcohol is available in some places.
Since we will generally experience warm temperatures, we recommend that you bring comfortable and breathable conservative clothes. During the rainy season, we advise you to also bring rain gear (or clothes that may get wet). It is also useful to bring good walking shoes, as many roads are unpaved. In some hotels in the big cities, you will be able to do laundry if time permits.
South Sudan is a developing country with a very turbulent recent history. Healthcare is very limited. The local hygiene standard naturally differs from that of the Western World. Make sure you have enough hand sanitiser, sunscreen and insect repellent with you.
The mosquito-borne disease Malaria is endemic in some areas of South Sudan. We recommend you take measures to avoid mosquito bites, including using insect repellent at all times and wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing. We also recommend consulting with a healthcare professional to ensure that all of your vaccines are up to date. Please be aware the Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory in order to enter South Sudan. Please stay informed about the latest health risks in the region you plan to visit. For the most up-to-date information about your destination, check with your government