Best time to visit South Sudan

The best time to go to South Sudan is December to early February. You’ll barely see a drop of rain at the beginning of the year, when dawn-to-dusk sunshine and hot – but not quite sizzling – temperatures rule the roost. The rainy season is the only no-go, when surface runoff can make the dusty tracks between villages impassable.

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Best time to visit South Sudan

Go in January to beat the rains. South Sudan sits just above the Equator, so it’ll be toasty – but not as hot as March, when temperatures sometimes peak at 45°C.

South Sudan has all the markers of a tropical climate. The rainy season between April and October transforms the landscape, growing the Sudd swamps, filling the White Nile floodplains, and triggering massive animal migrations. The best time to visit South Sudan is in bone-dry December, January or February, when temperatures in Juba city can sit anywhere between 20 and 37°C. The higher in altitude you go, the cooler it gets; remember to pack layers if you’re staying in the Imatong Hills. Although it’s all sunshine during the dry season, it can get windy too; pack a scarf to protect your face from the dust.

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South Sudan Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

155

MAY

185

JUN

175

JUL

165

AUG

210

SEP

190

OCT

180

NOV

DEC

Things to do in South Sudan…

Meet tribal communities. South Sudan has an astonishing number of ethnicities and tribal groups. You can camp outside the villages, chat with tribal elders, join the spectators of a wrestling match, and listen to the women weave stories. Once you’ve got a handle on the different politics, beliefs and land interests at play in one country, you’ll start to understand the roots of the civil war. See the Dinka cattle camps, which can reach upwards of 500 long-horned cows. The Dinka themselves are mostly nomadic pastoralists whose cattle are worth their weight in gold – a visible show of wealth and status. The cattle camps are also a window into many a conflict; neighbouring tribes have fought to the death over pastureland. Fancy catching one of the highlights of the Dinka calendar? Travel in December or January for a chance to see calves getting their sea legs as they totter around the savannah. Put your money where your morals are. Poached leather – no. Empowering women – yes. Swing by the ROOTS showroom in Juba to pick up intricate beaded necklaces by women from across a spectrum of tribes. It’s a win/win/win situation, giving vulnerable women employment and education, preserving traditional South Sudanese folk crafts, and giving you the chance to go home with a heartfelt souvenir.

Things not to do in South Sudan…

You’re on a pioneering trip visiting a previously inaccessible country and meeting people who have been cut off by civil war for years. How exciting is that? So don’t forget to treat your holiday like the adventure it is, and go with your eyes (and mind) wide open. South Sudan’s tourist industry is pretty much non-existent, so you’ll soon get used to being faced with honest curiosity. Don’t take travel guides as gospel – even this one. South Sudan is a country finding its way through the early days of peace, so things change weekly. Once you’ve booked your holiday, your tour operator will get in contact if there are any tweaks to the itinerary. It should go without saying, really, but don’t treat villagers like exhibits – especially if taking photographs. The best trips to tribal communities celebrate local culture and educate you, all the while allowing the visit to occur on the villagers’ terms. You’ll have the rare privilege of meeting the real experts on South Sudan, so grab the opportunity to pick their brains for tips and tales. Got questions about tribal tourism? Read about how it can be a force for good when done respectfully.

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South Sudan holiday advice

Jim O’Brien, from our off-the-beaten-track travel experts Native Eye Travel, shares his travel tips for South Sudan.

One of a kind

“South Sudan is home to some of the most traditional tribal groups on the continent, as well as large amounts of wildlife in Boma National Park, including the largest migration in Africa. But it’s usually the tribal groups that are of most interest – the ethnic groups living here are quite unique.”

Peek into the past

“My favourite experience is staying with the Mundari people, who live in remote camps with their vast herds of cattle. Spending time here is like stepping back in time and seeing an Africa that has mostly disappeared elsewhere.”

Small group; local guide

“South Sudan has stabilised somewhat in recent years, but it’s still not a place for independent travel. It’s best to travel with a knowledgeable guide who has good relations with the local communities and can add insights to your time here.”

Best time to visit South Sudan