Juba

Visas are necessary for the majority of visitors to South Sudan. Visas are theoretically available for $100 upon arrival at Juba airport. However, the principles governing their dispute are ambiguous. Frequently, immigration authorities may establish regulations to suit their own purposes. At the absolute least, you should have an invitation letter from a local business/organization, and you will need the assistance of someone with local contacts to ensure your visa application is approved. It is preferable to get one before to arriving in London, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa.

The most common entrance method is by direct commercial flights from Nairobi (Kenya Airways and others) to Juba. Numerous daily flights are also accessible from Khartoum, Entebbe (Air Uganda), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopian). Additionally, charter and United Nations flights are accessible from Lokichokio. Egyptair operates direct flights from Cairo twice a week.

There are many direct flights from Khartoum to Juba each week at a cost of roughly US$200 one-way, although the airlines that operate this route are constantly changing (AirWest now operates this route (Feb 2008), whereas Nova Airlines just discontinued this service). There are also frequent flights from Uganda’s Entebbe.

Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Egypt Air provide the most convenient single-carrier itineraries from Europe, often without a significant layover. British Airways flights from London to Entebbe are also available, as are a few daily Air Uganda flights from Entebbe to Juba.

Juba airport is in disrepair. Anticipate anarchy and overpopulation. Immigration waits may be lengthy.

If overlanding, daily buses depart from Kampala; the trip should take at least 12 hours if the roads are dry; one broken down truck or deeply flooded muddy pothole may add hours to the route. Departure at 3 a.m. from the Nile Coach outside the Gateway in Kampala’s city center, with an overnight stop in Yumbe. There are no regular buses to Kenya, but some trucks do; the majority of Kenyan traffic passes via Uganda, where the roads are in better condition.

Bring your passport if flying down from Khartoum; although you do not need a separate Sudan visa in addition to the usual Sudanese visa, your passport will be examined for a Sudan visa at Juba airport.

If you are overlanding from Kenya or Uganda, it is still recommended to get a travel permit/visa for southern Sudan (GOSS office in Nairobi or Kampala, 100 USD; presently only a one-month, single-entry visa is available); this will spare you a great deal of stress at the border.

Additionally, regular buses operated by Sudanese-owned companies depart from Kampala (LOL brand). Approximately 12 hours. Yumbe does not allow overnight stays. By way of Gulu and Atiak.

Unless money is a major consideration, fly from Entebbe to Juba. The bus is an excellent cultural tour; it is safe but dusty, and the southbound travel in daylight provides spectacular views of the countryside. The northern journey at night has police roadblocks and potty breaks in remote locations!

Juba is a little town with grandiose ambitions. You can walk around the most of it in a few hours – but, the town is somewhat dispersed into three main regions – Juba Town, Government ministries, and the Nile camps – and getting between them is a lengthy, hot, dusty trip. If you’re living and working here, you’ll need a vehicle to get about – although there are plenty of boda bodas (motorbike taxis) operating throughout the day.

However the roads are primarily unpaved, you can travel about in a saloon – although after a big rain, 4×4 is required. However, the roads are progressively improving due to extensive grading and tarring.

Jit Supermarket sells an excellent map of Juba town.

Make an entertainment plan for yourself. There is little activity in town. Having said that, the town is suffering expat overload, and the sheer numbers of Kenyans, Ugandans, and the hundreds of foreigners in Juba sustain a plethora of pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs. Almost every weekend, there is something going on. Additionally, you may take a boat tour on the Nile, go fishing, exercise, or join a Hash House Harriers group in Juba.

However, if you’re going here for a lengthy amount of time to work, pack plenty of books, DVDs, and so on.

The Village and Da Vinci camps are feuding over who makes the town’s greatest pizza. Home and Away serves some standard fare at Western-style rates in a Western-style setting. Numerous tent camps along the Nile, all of which seem identical; buffets are the standard. Prices vary significantly. It’s worth visiting Rock City for the panoramic views of Juba.

• Da Vinci’s Restaurant (South of centre, where the A43 passes White Nile).A little on the pricey side, but with an excellent ambience and views of the Nile, as well as occasional live music. A lunch will cost around $30.
• Spice ‘n Herbs, Hai Malakal, near Queen of Sheba,  +211 97725 6969,+211 92366 3007. Indian and Chinese cuisines that are authentic. Sandwiches, Burgers, and Pizza are available for take-out or home delivery.
• Notos Lounge Bar & Grill (Opposite Hamza Inn). A stylish restaurant complete with an outdoor dining area. Tandoori grilling is highly recommended.

Everything is trucked in from Uganda, which means that costs are high; but, as more merchants open up business in Juba, supply are rising and prices are reducing; nonetheless, anticipate the majority of items to cost 30% to 100% more than they would in Kampala.

The Customs Market is the primary shopping area, featuring fresh fruit, exorbitantly priced construction supplies, and the normal assortment of consumer products.

The air-conditioned JIT shop is a recently established supermarket next to the Juba Raha Hotel. Jit bills itself as having ‘everything under one roof,’ which it almost does. Jit is open to the public and carries a variety of products, including high-quality soaps and shampoos, as well as beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits. Prices are cheap in comparison to the option of bringing items in through air (and often paying for extra baggage), and the proprietors have promised to expand their supply of electronics/home appliances, cigarettes, and fragrances. Pringles are plentiful in Juba! There is also a respectable assortment of wine, beginning at US$8 per bottle.