Africa · Middle Africa

South Sudan

Republic of South Sudan

Flag of South Sudan
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+03:00
🏛️ Capital
Juba
👥 Population
15,786,898
📐 Area
619,745 km²
💱 Currency
South Sudanese pound (£)
🗣️ Languages
English
📞 Calling Code
+211
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+03:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Middle Africa

About South Sudan

South Sudan is the world's youngest country, having achieved independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after decades of devastating civil conflict. Located in the heart of sub-Saharan Africa, bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic, it is a vast and largely undeveloped land of immense natural beauty and deep cultural complexity. The country is home to the extraordinary Sudd — one of the world's largest wetlands and a crucial refugium for wildlife and migratory birds — as well as sweeping savannahs and lush greenery in its southern regions.

Travel to South Sudan is not for the faint-hearted. The country has experienced recurring internal conflict since its independence, and large parts remain unsafe for foreign visitors. However, for seasoned travellers and journalists operating within organised, well-supported expeditions, the country offers an extraordinary window into one of Africa's most culturally rich and largely undocumented corners. The Dinka, Nuer, Bari, and dozens of other ethnic groups maintain pastoralist and agropastoral traditions of extraordinary antiquity, and wildlife including large antelope herds, the Nile lechwe, and the elusive shoebill stork can be found in the Sudd and surrounding wetlands.

Juba, the capital, has grown rapidly since independence and houses a small but growing hospitality sector catering primarily to NGO workers, diplomats, and journalists. For those who do visit, South Sudan leaves a lasting impression — not as a conventional tourist destination, but as a place of raw, unfiltered humanity and natural wonder in the making.

History & Background

The region that is now South Sudan was incorporated into British-Egyptian Sudan in the nineteenth century and later administered by Britain as part of the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium. The north-south divide that would eventually lead to independence was foreshadowed by British policies that treated the two regions distinctly — the predominantly Arab and Muslim north and the predominantly African and Christian or animist south developed under very different administrative frameworks.

The First Sudanese Civil War (1955–1972) and the far more devastating Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005) resulted in the deaths of over two million people and the displacement of millions more. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement paved the way for a referendum in 2011, in which an overwhelming 98.83% of southern Sudanese voted for independence. South Sudan became the world's 193rd recognised country on July 9, 2011 — a moment of jubilation quickly overshadowed by renewed civil conflict between 2013 and 2018, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. A peace agreement signed in 2018 brought a fragile but meaningful reduction in large-scale fighting.

Culture & People

South Sudan is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa, with over 60 distinct ethnic groups and more than 60 languages spoken across its territory. The Dinka are the largest group, followed by the Nuer, and both communities are defined by a profound attachment to cattle, which represent wealth, status, social connection, and spiritual identity. Cattle raids, elaborate coming-of-age ceremonies, and intricately scarified skin patterns are central to the cultural identity of many groups in the country's interior.

Music, dance, and oral poetry carry enormous importance in South Sudanese society. The communal dances of the Dinka and Nuer — performed at weddings, seasonal celebrations, and community gatherings — are expressions of communal identity and joy. Christianity, brought by missionaries during British colonial administration, is the dominant religion in much of the south, though traditional animist beliefs remain deeply interwoven with daily life. Despite the immense hardships the country has endured, South Sudanese culture exhibits a remarkable vitality and warmth that surprises many first-time visitors to Juba.

Food & Cuisine

South Sudanese cuisine reflects the country's pastoral and agricultural traditions. Asida, a thick porridge made from sorghum or maize flour, is the staple food across most of the country and is eaten with stewed vegetables, dried fish, groundnut sauce, or the occasional meat dish. Ful medames — slow-cooked fava beans — reflects the cultural influence from the north and is popular in Juba, where it is commonly eaten for breakfast with flatbread and oil.

Juba's restaurant scene, though modest, has grown considerably since independence, catering to the large NGO and diplomatic community. You will find Ugandan, Ethiopian, Kenyan, and Western food alongside South Sudanese staples. The Nile perch, caught fresh from the White Nile, is a popular and excellent fish choice grilled or fried. Fresh tropical fruits including mangoes, papayas, and watermelons are abundant and cheap. Alcohol is available in Juba but less so in more conservative areas.

Top Attractions

  • The Sudd Wetlands — One of the world's largest freshwater wetlands, home to extraordinary birdlife including the prehistoric shoebill stork, and hosting Africa's second-largest animal migration — the white-eared kob.
  • Juba Waterfront — The banks of the White Nile in the capital offer riverside restaurants, sunset views, and a focal point for Juba's slowly developing social scene.
  • Boma National Park — A vast, remote park in eastern South Sudan that hosts huge populations of tiang antelope and is part of one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife migration corridors.
  • Nimule National Park — On the border with Uganda, this relatively accessible park supports elephant, buffalo, hippo, and crocodile populations along the Nile.
  • Dinka Cultural Villages — With proper guidance and permission, visits to Dinka communities in the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region provide extraordinary cultural encounters with one of Africa's most distinctive pastoral peoples.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Register with your country's embassy or consulate in Juba immediately on arrival and maintain regular contact; the security situation can change rapidly and evacuation plans need to be in place.
  • Carry your visa and all documentation in original form at all times; checkpoints are common and security forces will inspect your papers.
  • US dollars are the most widely used foreign currency; bring crisp, undamaged notes as older or torn bills are often refused.
  • Arrange travel with a reputable local fixer or NGO-affiliated logistics provider; independent travel outside Juba carries significant risks that most solo travellers are not equipped to manage.
  • Malaria prophylaxis is essential — South Sudan has one of the highest malaria burdens in the world, and mosquito nets and strong repellent are mandatory.
  • Do not photograph military installations, checkpoints, soldiers, or government buildings under any circumstances; this is a serious offence that can result in detention.

Visa Overview

All foreign nationals require a visa to enter South Sudan. Tourist visas must be obtained in advance from a South Sudanese embassy or high commission; visa on arrival is not reliably available. The application process requires a valid passport, passport photos, a completed application form, and supporting letters from your employer or organisation. Processing times vary. Journalists require a separate media accreditation. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory. All travellers are strongly advised to check current travel advisories from their government before applying, as access and safety conditions vary significantly across the country.

Getting Around

Transport infrastructure in South Sudan is extremely limited. Juba has paved roads and regular matatu minibuses and boda-boda motorcycle taxis, but travel outside the capital by road is often only possible with a 4WD vehicle and local knowledge of current conditions. Small charter aircraft operated by NGOs and private companies are frequently the only practical way to reach regional towns during or after the rainy season. The Nile is navigable and used for cargo and some passenger traffic. Hiring a vehicle with a local driver and fixer is strongly recommended for any travel outside Juba.

Safety Notes

South Sudan remains a high-risk destination and most governments advise against all non-essential travel to many areas. Armed conflict, banditry, and intercommunal violence have affected large parts of the country at various times since independence. Juba is relatively more stable but not without risk. Carjacking and armed robbery occur. Any travel requires thorough security briefings, communication equipment, emergency contacts, and ideally affiliation with an established NGO or reputable tour operator with on-ground security resources. Check your government's latest travel advisory immediately before any planned trip.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in South Sudan.

South Sudanese pound (SSP) £
Updated: 2026-08-21
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.002001
AAVE 0.000002
ADA 0.000869
AED 0.000653
AFN 0.011743
AGIX 0.002849
AKT 0.000339
ALGO 0.002028
ALL 0.014103
AMD 0.064882
AMP 0.446614
ANG 0.000321
AOA 0.163337
APE 0.001349
APT 0.000309
AR 0.000086
ARB 0.001950
ARS 0.266416
ATOM 0.000118
ATS 0.002094
AUD 0.000250
AVAX 0.000025
AWG 0.000319
AXS 0.000183
AZM 1.512486
AZN 0.000302
BAKE 0.237832
BAM 0.000298
BAT 0.002672
BBD 0.000356
BCH 0.000001
BDT 0.021766
BEF 0.006140
BGN 0.000298
BHD 0.000067
BIF 0.529619
BMD 0.000178
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000226
BOB 0.002055
BRL 0.000924
BSD 0.000178
BSV 0.000011
BSW 0.476506
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.000379
BTN 0.017035
BTT 628.011369
BUSD 0.000178
BWP 0.002392
BYN 0.000542
BYR 3.487314
BZD 0.000358
CAD 0.000245
CAKE 0.000108
CDF 0.407926
CELO 0.002628
CFX 0.003953
CHF 0.000142
CHZ 0.013478
CLP 0.164193
CNH 0.001196
CNY 0.001196
COMP 0.000009
COP 0.546421
CRC 0.080875
CRO 0.003315
CRV 0.000623
CSPR 0.067526
CUC 0.000178
CUP 0.004715
CVE 0.016784
CVX 0.000104
CYP 0.000089
CZK 0.003672
DAI 0.000178
DASH 0.000005
DCR 0.000014
DEM 0.000298
DFI 0.330256
DJF 0.031694
DKK 0.001138
DOGE 0.002166
DOP 0.010411
DOT 0.000210
DYDX 0.001567
DZD 0.023642
EEK 0.002382
EGLD 0.000060
EGP 0.009053
ENJ 0.006776
EOS 0.002546
ERN 0.002669
ESP 0.025325
ETB 0.029000
ETC 0.000026
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000152
EURC 0.000153
FEI 0.000178
FIL 0.000239
FIM 0.000905
FJD 0.000391
FKP 0.000130
FLOW 0.006123
FLR 0.025580
FRAX 0.000179
FRF 0.000998
FTT 0.000818
GALA 0.109615
GBP 0.000130
GEL 0.000463
GGP 0.000130
GHC 19.735562
GHS 0.001974
GIP 0.000130
GMD 0.013197
GMX 0.000026
GNF 1.564342
GNO 0.000001
GRD 0.051865
GRT 0.011771
GT 0.000025
GTQ 0.001358
GUSD 0.000178
GYD 0.037256
HBAR 0.002400
HKD 0.001396
HNL 0.004774
HNT 0.000978
HOT 0.503285
HRK 0.001147
HT 0.003784
HTG 0.023307
HUF 0.055502
ICP 0.000075
IDR 3.157416
IEP 0.000120
ILS 0.000534
IMP 0.000130
IMX 0.001609
INJ 0.000038
INR 0.017035
IQD 0.233438
IRR 244.570144
ISK 0.021614
ITL 0.294714
JEP 0.000130
JMD 0.028184
JOD 0.000126
JPY 0.028285
KAS 0.006181
KAVA 0.004192
KCS 0.000024
KDA 0.036454
KES 0.023031
KGS 0.015578
KHR 0.716248
KLAY 0.006594
KMF 0.074881
KNC 0.001633
KPW 0.160132
KRW 0.245839
KSM 0.000056
KWD 0.000055
KYD 0.000148
KZT 0.081325
LAK 4.009863
LBP 15.972327
LDO 0.000524
LEO 0.000019
LINK 0.000017
LKR 0.058779
LRC 0.021935
LRD 0.032308
LSL 0.002865
LTC 0.000004
LTL 0.000526
LUF 0.006140
LUNA 0.003844
LUNC 3.336106
LVL 0.000107
LYD 0.001128
MAD 0.001646
MANA 0.002524
MBX 0.008360
MDL 0.003059
MGA 0.761137
MGF 3.805686
MINA 0.003796
MKD 0.009385
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.373623
MNT 0.640438
MOP 0.001437
MRO 0.071049
MRU 0.007105
MTL 0.000065
MUR 0.008300
MVR 0.002751
MWK 0.308862
MXN 0.003014
MXV 0.000343
MYR 0.000720
MZM 11.356541
MZN 0.011357
NAD 0.002865
NEAR 0.000101
NEO 0.000090
NEXO 0.000224
NFT 639.862823
NGN 0.240264
NIO 0.006552
NLG 0.000335
NOK 0.001661
NPR 0.027269
NZD 0.000298
OKB 0.000002
OMR 0.000068
ONE 0.238442
OP 0.001837
ORDI 0.000043
PAB 0.000178
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000597
PEPE 55.213218
PGK 0.000798
PHP 0.010975
PI 0.001954
PKR 0.049430
PLN 0.000657
POL 0.002201
PTE 0.030515
PYG 1.072821
QAR 0.000648
QNT 0.000003
QTUM 0.000219
ROL 7.992756
RON 0.000799
RPL 0.000109
RSD 0.017859
RUB 0.014732
RUNE 0.000396
RVN 0.058746
RWF 0.261865
SAND 0.004038
SAR 0.000667
SBD 0.001426
SCR 0.002499
SDD 10.678807
SDG 0.106788
SEK 0.001685
SGD 0.000226
SHIB 35.844464
SHP 0.000130
SIT 0.036475
SKK 0.004585
SLE 0.004075
SLL 4.074820
SNX 0.000836
SOL 0.000002
SOS 0.101750
SPL 0.000030
SRD 0.006729
SRG 6.729030
STD 3.760260
STN 0.003760
STX 0.001198
SUI 0.000240
SVC 0.001557
SYP 2.313370
SZL 0.002865
THB 0.005843
THETA 0.001095
TJS 0.001646
TMM 3.110799
TMT 0.000622
TND 0.000516
TOP 0.000429
TRL 8,550.220015
TRX 0.000526
TRY 0.008550
TTD 0.001207
TUSD 0.000178
TVD 0.000250
TWD 0.005667
TWT 0.000433
TZS 0.470764
UAH 0.007948
UGX 0.661797
UNI 0.000047
USD 0.000178
USDC 0.000178
USDD 0.000178
USDP 0.000178
USDT 0.000178
UYU 0.007140
UZS 2.107567
VAL 0.294714
VEB 13,830,114.643450
VED 0.137918
VEF 13,791.784340
VES 0.137918
VET 0.034225
VND 4.633432
VUV 0.021099
WAVES 0.000864
WEMIX 0.000895
WOO 0.015326
WST 0.000483
XAF 0.099841
XAG 0.000003
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000482
XCG 0.000321
XCH 0.000123
XDC 0.006207
XDR 0.000130
XEC 25.636761
XEM 0.387859
XLM 0.000962
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.099841
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.018163
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000139
XTZ 0.000794
YER 0.042185
ZAR 0.002865
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.070349
ZMK 3.376173
ZMW 0.003376
ZWD 0.064396
ZWG 0.004739
ZWL 11.840504

No currencies match your search.

Cities in South Sudan 185
Browse all cities and towns
Abiemnhom Abukadara Adong Aduel Agangrial Akak Akobo Town Akuem Alek Anyidi Aroyo Atar Aweil Bagari Baliet Ban Jallo Barriak Bauw Bazi Bëntiw Bereka Bisellia Boma Bor Bunj Bwong Canal CITY OF KAJO KEJI Cueibet Cuhudum dhuɔrɛdiŋ Dik Mareeng Diŋkar Dok Dɔmɛ Duk Padiet Duk Payuel El Seriha Ezo Gadiang Geigar Girbanat Gogrial Gok Machar Gui̱t Gumuruk HILAL (CAMP-15) Huntau Ibba Ikotos Jalhak jamam town Jambo Jau Juba Kajo Keji Kaka Kapoeta Kassangor Kaya Kediba Keyala Ki̱ec Kun Kimotong Knich köbɛ Ko̱c Kodok Kuajiena Kuajok KuanyLualThɔ̱a̱n Labone Lafon Lainya Lankien Lɛ̈r Liet-Nhom Likuangole Lobira Lui Mabior Mabior Madiŋ Magwi Maiwut Malakal Malek Alel Mandɛ̈ŋ Mankien Maper Maridi Mathiaŋ Mayiandi̱t Mayɔm Melut Minkamman Mir Mir Mogiri Moli Mongalla Morobo Motot Mulbok Mundri Mvolo Nadupongor Nagero Narus New Fangak New Palouch Ngauro Nhialdiu Nimni Nimule Nyal Nyamliell Nyang Nyin Akok Nzara Old Fangak Owiny Kibul Padak Pagak (South Sudan) Paguir Pajok Pajut Paloich Panipandiar Panyi̱ji̱ar Pariak Pariang Pibor Pochalla Poktap Pulchol Pulturuk Raja Renk Riang Riang Aketh Rier Market Riwoto Rokon Romich Ruath-Nyibol Rubkona Market Rumbek Rupkuai Shambe Tali Tambura Terekeka Thiet Tindalo Tonga Tonj Torakit Tore Torit Turalei Turaybah Ulaŋ Wa̱a̱t Wadakona Walgak Wanyjok Waŋkɛy Warrap Wau Wau Weenyal Werngueny Wernyol Wonduruba Wulu Yambio Yei Yida Yi̱o̱d Yirol Yuai أكوك Agok أم حجار المقينص كافيا كنجي

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of South Sudan needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of South Sudan?
The capital of South Sudan is Juba.
What currency does South Sudan use?
South Sudan uses the South Sudanese pound (£) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in South Sudan?
The official language(s) of South Sudan include English.
What is the population of South Sudan?
South Sudan has a population of approximately 15,786,898 people.
What region is South Sudan in?
South Sudan is located in Africa, specifically in the Middle Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for South Sudan?
The international dialing code for South Sudan is +211.
What time zones does South Sudan observe?
South Sudan observes the following time zone(s): UTC+03:00.
What is the current time in South Sudan?
The local time in South Sudan is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of South Sudan?
South Sudan covers a total area of 619,745 km².
How many states or provinces does South Sudan have?
South Sudan is divided into 12 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in South Sudan in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for South Sudan in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of South Sudan?
Visa requirements for citizens of South Sudan vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.