Juba, South Sudan: Heritage Guide to the World's Youngest Capital on the White Nile

Juba, the capital of South Sudan, lies on the banks of the White Nile in the heart of East Africa. South Sudan became the world's youngest country on 9 July 2011, after decades of civil war with Sudan, and Juba grew rapidly from a small town into a busy capital. The country is home to more than 60 ethnic groups, vast wetlands and one of the largest wildlife migrations on Earth, but at present the security situation means travel to South Sudan is strongly discouraged.

Before You Go: Important Safety Information

  • Travel advisories: the US Department of State rates South Sudan at Level 4: Do Not Travel, citing crime, kidnapping and armed conflict, and most governments advise against all travel.
  • Political crisis: tensions rose sharply in 2025, when First Vice President Riek Machar was arrested and fighting broke out in several regions. The US ordered non-emergency staff to leave the country in March 2025.
  • Crime: violent crime, including armed robbery and carjacking, is common, including in Juba.
  • Health: cholera outbreaks have occurred, yellow fever vaccination is required, and medical care is very limited.
  • If you must travel: check your government's latest travel advice, travel with trusted local contacts and make sure your insurance covers South Sudan.
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Top 5 Highlights of Juba

1. The White Nile and Freedom Bridge

The White Nile is Juba's lifeline, with fishing boats, riverside markets and green islands. The Freedom Bridge, opened in 2022 with Japanese support, is a modern landmark across the river. In calmer times, riverside restaurants and lodges offered sunset views over the Nile.

Visitor information: photography near bridges and government buildings is restricted; always ask permission and carry a photography permit if required.

2. Dr. John Garang Mausoleum

The John Garang Mausoleum honours Dr. John Garang de Mabior, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, who died in a helicopter crash in 2005, shortly after the peace agreement that led to independence. The site was the setting for the independence celebrations in 2011 and remains a symbol of the nation.

Visitor information: behave respectfully at the mausoleum.

3. Konyo Konyo Market

Konyo Konyo is Juba's busiest market, where traders sell dried fish, vegetables, spices, cattle products and household goods. It's a vibrant glimpse into daily life, but crowded markets require caution.

Visitor information: visit only with a trusted local guide, and keep valuables hidden.

4. Jebel Kujur and the Mundari Cattle Camps

Jebel Kujur, a rocky hill on the edge of Juba, offers views over the city and the Nile. North of the city, near Terekeka, the Mundari people live in cattle camps with their long-horned Ankole-Watusi-type cattle, which are central to their culture and wealth. Photographs of the camps, filled with smoke from dung fires, have become famous around the world. The Mundari sleep beside their cattle, cover themselves in ash to protect against insects and the sun, and care for their animals with extraordinary devotion, as cattle are used for dowries and ceremonies and are rarely slaughtered for meat. The camps move with the seasons in search of grazing and water.

Visitor information: visits require local permission and trusted guides.

5. Boma and Badingilo National Parks

East of Juba, Boma and Badingilo National Parks are home to one of the largest land mammal migrations on Earth, with millions of white-eared kob, tiang and other antelopes moving across the grasslands. A 2023 aerial survey estimated around six million animals. Nimule National Park, near the Ugandan border, protects elephants, hippos and Uganda kob along the Nile, where the river rushes through the dramatic Fula Rapids. Further north, the Sudd, one of the largest wetlands in the world, covers tens of thousands of square kilometres and is home to shoebill storks and countless birds.

Visitor information: visits are currently very difficult and dependent on security conditions.

Practical Information for Juba

Getting Around

  • By air: Juba International Airport is close to the city, with flights from Nairobi, Entebbe, Addis Ababa and Cairo.
  • Local transport: use trusted drivers.
  • Money: the currency is the South Sudanese pound; US dollars are widely used.
  • Languages: English is official; Juba Arabic is widely spoken.

Local Culinary Specialties

  • Kisra: a sorghum flatbread.
  • Asida: a thick porridge.
  • Nile fish: grilled or fried.
  • Walwal: sorghum balls.

Best Time to Visit

  • December–March: the dry season, when roads are more passable.
  • April–November: the rainy season, when many roads become impassable.
  • 9 July: Independence Day.

Conclusion: Stay Informed About Juba

Juba is the capital of a young nation with rich cultures, the mighty White Nile and extraordinary wildlife, from the Mundari cattle camps to the great antelope migration of Boma and Badingilo. For now, the security situation makes travel very dangerous.

Stay informed: follow your government's travel advice, and plan carefully with trusted local contacts.