National Parks
Witness sublime displays of nature at one of the many parks and reserves. Boma National Park, Bandingilo National Park and Kidepo Game Reserve offer beautiful natural landscapes and majestic wildlife.
Juba offers a taste of the ‘real’ Africa in a palette of shimmering swampland, emerald grassland and cinnamon and cedar hues. Juba is home to more than 500,000 people and is the capital and largest city of the Republic of South Sudan. Attractions include St. Theresa Cathedral, White Nile River and Bandingilo Game Reserve.
An authentic African experience awaits with cheap flights to Juba!
Juba is served by Juba International Airport (JUB) which is a 15 minute drive from the centre of town and serves Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines. Popular flights to Juba depart from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Juba is approximately 7 hours 15 minutes.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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Witness sublime displays of nature at one of the many parks and reserves. Boma National Park, Bandingilo National Park and Kidepo Game Reserve offer beautiful natural landscapes and majestic wildlife.
Follow the rhythm and beat, and you may stumble upon local dances. Mesmerising dances include the Dinka leap dance, Nuba kambala, Miseiryah nuggurah, Half’as barbabrah and the Beja sword dance.
Rise early and you may encounter cows making their way through town. Follow them and you will get to taste kisra and experience the unique revelry of a cattle market.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Country | South Sudan |
|---|---|
| Currency | South Sudanese Pound |
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 0.50 SDG |
| Language | English / Arabic |
| Hub Airport | Juba International Airport |
| Airline | South Supreme Airlines |
| Time Zone | GMT +3 |
| Travel Adaptor | Standard type C & D |
Juba has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The wet season settles over the city from May through to October with the heaviest concentration of rainfall during May. Humidity and temperatures are high throughout the year (often reaching into the mid-high 30 degrees Celsius region) but these months see a slight drop in temperatures. July is usually the coolest month. The dry season spans the months of January, February and December. Animals emerge in abundance during this time and the landscape flourishes. The dry season is a fantastic time to visit if you want to experience the sublime natural beauty of Juba and encounter some of the weird and wonderful animal inhabitants. March is usually the warmest month and January the driest. A number of events and festivals take place in Juba throughout the year. Some of these include: Festival of Fashion and Arts for Peace, Japanese Summer Festival, Human Rights Film Festival, Agricultural Trade Fair of South Sudan, South Sudan Film Festival and Hope for a New Nation.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | 20°C | 21°C | 23°C | 23°C | 22°C | 22°C | 21°C | 21°C | 21°C | 21°C | 20°C | 20°C |
| High °C | 37°C | 37°C | 37°C | 35°C | 33°C | 32°C | 30°C | 30°C | 32°C | 33°C | 34°C | 36°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 4 | 12 | 45 | 92 | 149 | 120 | 136 | 144 | 117 | 102 | 46 | 7 |
The city of Juba invites you to experience the real Africa with a spirited kambala dance and a steaming mug of delicately spiced coffee.
Juba is a crossroads for travellers between the Congo, Uganda and Kenya and is one of the newest capitals of the world. However, archaeological evidence shows it was a thriving cattle farming area as far back as 3000 BCE and has passed through the hands of the Egyptians, British and Greek traders.
Today, Juba is a burgeoning city with boundless opportunities and an interesting fusion of cultures.
Delve into the world of the native Bari people at a traditional village in the countryside, or along the White Nile River that runs along the city of Juba. Listen to folktales or join in on a traditional dance, or simply learn about Bari arts and crafts.
Watch the carving artistry of local sculptors or indulge your senses with Sudanese cuisine and Arabic rhythms. Disappear into one of the national parks or simply wander through the city in search of historical Greek architecture. Juba invites you to discover its wild heart and hidden beauty.
Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to Juba online at Travelstart!
South African passport holders do require a visa when travelling to Juba, or anywhere else in South Sudan. You should leave considerable time for processing. Before leaving on your trip, ensure your passport has two blank pages for entry stamps and has a validity of at least six months.
The South Sudanese Embassy is situated in Pretoria. 54 Amos Street, Colbyn, Postnet Suite 289, Private Bag X15, Menlo Park, 0102. Phone: (+27) 012 342 9754.
Due to the unpredictable political situation and ongoing conflict, there are risks when travelling to Juba. You should do significant research before your trip and stay up to date with travel advisories and security updates throughout your trip. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Remain vigilant and monitor the political and security situation through the news and media. Avoid wandering around alone, especially at night. Stick to the safer areas, and do not venture into the rural or mountainous areas. Avoid political demonstrations and gatherings.
Water should be boiled thoroughly before use. Ice cubes and raw or under-cooked food should be avoided. South Sudan is a high risk country for malaria. You will need to take prescription medication before, during and after your trip. Proof of yellow fever immunisation against yellow fever is required upon arrival. Other recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A & B, typhoid, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, cholera, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, and polio.
| Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Juba |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal inexpensive restaurant | R 100.00 | R 100.00 | R 265.74 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | R 25.00 | R 25.00 | R 43.18 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | R 22.51 | R 22.51 | R 73.08 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | R 10.00 | R 10.00 | R 9.56 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 38.00 | R 38.00 | R 66.44 |
Juba is a tiny city, so accommodation is limited. Accommodation options are typically guest houses and intimate hotels scattered along the White Nile River or tucked away in the local neighbourhoods.
There are several hotels that offer upmarket accommodation, exceptional facilities and outstanding service. But whatever you choose, warm local hospitality and personalised service are standard.
Accommodation in Juba is conveniently located. You will get a chance to indulge in authentic home-style Sudanese cuisine, meet and get to know locals and experience the soul soothing quiet of this tiny riverside city.
There are several options when it comes to getting around Juba: local taxis, boda-boda, private taxi hire, car hire and walking.
Taxis in Juba are usually 14-seater vans. Fares are extremely cheap and gives you the chance to get around town like the locals. They follow a number of routes all around town.
Boda-bodas are a thrilling way to get around. Thousands of these ‘Senke’ motorbike taxis criss-cross Juba, offering short and longer trips. Fare are between 2 to 5 pounds.
Private taxi hires can be organised through the reception desk at hotels.
Car hire is a great option for getting around town. A number of car hire agencies operate within Juba. A car hire agency can also be found opposite Juba International Airport.
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