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Juba City Tour: South Sudan Tours
There are many things to do in South Sudan, but endless civil wars have prevented the world from seeing what the country has to offer in terms of biodiversity and culture. Internal wars have meant that the country has had to start and wait again in developing its tourism resource and overall economy, just as it appeared to be recovering after its independence in 2011. Tourism currently contributes less than 4% to the South Sudanese economy. Apart from insecurity in certain parts of the country, the greatest challenges to tourism are a lack of sufficient marketing, a scarcity of high-quality accommodation facilities, a scarcity of skilled personnel to manage the tourism sector, poor road networks, funding gaps, and weak policies.
The ongoing civil wars in certain parts of the country have played a significant role in discouraging potential visitors from visiting Juba or any of the remote towns. The news in all media outlets is negative about the country’s political situation. Few people discuss the positives, such as the fact that South Sudan has one of the world’s largest animal migrations. Fewer people mention the lakes, rivers, 14 national parks and reserves, the world’s largest swamp (the Sudd), and possibly the best birding site on the planet. Some of South Sudan’s national parks are larger in size than those in East Africa.
Another mistake many people make is assuming that what they see in Juba is the entirety of what the country has to offer. The best parts of South Sudan are found in the countryside. South Sudan’s wildlife and remarkable cultures are still isolated in the vast and remote wilderness, waiting to be discovered with the assistance of an experienced local guide.
To attract tourists to the country’s amazing tourism attractions, the country will need to work harder to build the necessary infrastructure and aggressively market the destinations. The country’s road network remains deplorable, and more high-quality hotels in national parks are needed to accommodate both budget and luxury travelers. There are already signs of progress.
Attractions On Juba City Tour
Tour the country's capital Juba: Juba City Tour
Juba is South Sudan’s capital and one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities. It has good lodging options and many more are being built. With direct flights from the Middle East and Africa’s major capitals, Juba International Airport is becoming busier by the day. The roads within and outside of the city are improving, and large corporations have established bases to capitalize on the available business opportunities. Juba is small enough to explore in a day or two. While in the capital, there are many interesting things to see and places to visit. Some of them will be covered as separate attractions in later chapters.
Those arriving by road from Uganda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo should fly into Juba International Airport. The University of Juba is the largest public university in the young country and a must-see. The university was founded in 1977, but due to civil unrest in the 1980s, it was relocated to Khartoum (Sudan). Students are instructed in English. After visiting the University, you can go to the new presidential palace, which opened three months after the country gained independence in 2011. Some areas of the palace are open to visitors, but photography is not permitted.
Road travelers from Uganda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo should fly into Juba International Airport. The University of Juba is the country’s largest public university and a must-see. The university was founded in 1977, but it was relocated to Khartoum due to civil unrest in the 1980s (Sudan). Students are taught in English. You can visit the new presidential palace after visiting the University, which opened three months after the country gained independence in 2011. The palace is open to visitors in some areas, but photography is not permitted.
We recommend hiking to the top of Jebel Kujur Mountain for the best views of the city. This mountain stands only 684 meters tall. Its original name was Korok, but it was changed to Kuruk because many people came to the summit to perform rituals and other forms of witchcraft. You can also visit some of the old colonial buildings or the monument in the center of the main roundabout. Konyo Konyo is the name of Juba’s largest market. It is a chaotic environment, but it is arguably the best place to observe locals congregating in one location to buy vegetables, fruits, and groceries.
Bandingilo National Park: Juba City Tour
This national park is located in South Sudan’s Equatorial region and is relatively unknown to tourists. It was founded in 1992 and covers an area slightly larger than 10,000 square kilometers. It is one of South Sudan’s most important national parks because it attracts a large amount of wildlife migration. Giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, gazelles, elephants, and reedbuck live in the park, which has incredible biodiversity.
Nimule National Park: Juba City Tour
This park was established in 1954 near the Ugandan border. It has a land area of approximately 540 square kilometers. It is easily accessible and a great place to stop if traveling from Uganda to South Sudan. Nimule National Park is relatively well-developed due to its proximity to the capital, and it is home to leopards, baboons, zebras, warthogs, and several antelope species. The park has an office, and rangers can be assigned to take you on a tour of the park or by boat to Opekoloe Island, where large herds of elephants and a few predators can be seen. Hippos, zebras, crocodiles, leopards, warthogs, bushbucks, baboons, jackals, primates, and hyrax are among the other animals in the park.
Mount Kinyeti and the Imatong Mountains: Juba City Tour
If you enjoy mountain climbing, Mount Kinyeti is a challenging hike. Mount Kinyeti, at 3,187 meters, is South Sudan’s highest point. It is located in the remote and rarely visited Imatong Mountains near the Ugandan border. Climbing to the peak exposes one to pristine wilderness, forested slopes, and the chance to see wildlife such as leopards, buffaloes, and elephants that live in the Imatong Forest Reserve.
White Nile: Juba City Tour
Beginning in Uganda, the Nile flows through several countries before reaching the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. South Sudan is one of these countries. The Nile River is fed by two major tributaries: the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The name was inspired by the color of the river. Because of the clay soil, the Nile changes color here. The White Nile flows through Juba, allowing tourists in the capital to visit it without having to drive long distances. It’s a good idea to go to the Juba bridge and admire the river from the top, knowing that it runs through several countries. Fishermen and transport boats can be seen going about their daily business.
Visit the John Garang Tomb: Juba City Tour
Garang was a highly respected former South Sudanese leader who died in a helicopter crash while returning from a meeting in Uganda. He was the leader of the liberation movement that fought against the Sudanese government’s oppressive rule until the country gained independence. The Mausoleum is located on the Avenue of Nations, which hosts independence celebrations. Visit the Mausoleum to pay homage to a leader regarded as South Sudan’s father. The facility is heavily guarded, and you must be courteous when signing the visitor’s books in order to gain access without difficulty. The facility features a photo of the former president as well as Sudanese flags.
Accommodation in Juba: Juba City Tour
If you are looking for a place to stay in Juba, you should read the section below. There are no ultra-luxury hotels in Juba yet, but the ones that are available are adequate. The majority of them provide self-contained budget, mid-range, and luxury rooms. Crown Hotel and Pyramid Continental Hotel are two of the best hotels in the area. Consider three of the most popular:
