Weather in South Sudan

The dry season in South Sudan runs from December through March and is the most practical time for travel. During these months, roads — many of which are unpaved and become impassable in the wet — are accessible by vehicle, and the heat, while intense, is dry and more bearable. Wildlife activity in the Sudd region increases as animals congregate around permanent water sources, and the shoebill stork is most consistently visible in accessible wetland areas near the river systems.

The wet season from April through November brings intense rain, flooded roads, and extremely challenging travel conditions in all but the most urban areas. The Sudd swells dramatically, cutting off large parts of the country by road. However, the green season transforms the landscape into extraordinary lushness, and birdwatching in the Sudd and surrounding areas reaches its peak as migrants arrive. Any travel to South Sudan should be preceded by thorough current security assessments; the situation changes and some regions are safer than others at different times of year.