Getting in and Around

Currency: The official currency is the South Sudanese pound.

Transportation: Presently, no commercial flights go directly into South Sudan from outside of Africa. Connections must be made in other African cities, such as Cairo, Nairobi, Entebbe, and Addis Ababa.

Passports/Visas: Valid passports are required to enter South Sudan. It is not requisite that current travelers obtain visas before arrival in the country. (Nevertheless, check before going, because this could change). However, it is recommended for travelers to attain a travel document from the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) mission in Nairobi or Washington, D.C., in advance of entering South Sudan. Otherwise, some airlines will not allow the travelers to board a plane to Juba. We are currently unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for South Sudan.

For Americans traveling abroad, the U.S. Department of State advises you to regularly check http://travel.state.gov to stay informed about worldwide caution, travel alerts, and warnings. Information about passports and other safe travel information can also be found here.

Safety and Security

Presently, all travelers are advised to have extreme caution when in this country. The civil unrest is very high. The South Sudan government has a restricted ability to deter crime or offer security to travelers outside of Juba, the capital city. Even in Juba, the risk of violent crime is elevated. Report all instances of crime to the South Sudanese Police. All travelers should be fully aware of their government's standpoint on traveling to South Sudan.

The U.S. Embassy in Juba has imposed a curfew from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. According to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. government personnel cannot travel outside the boundaries of Juba without being granted permission ahead of time. When traveling any time during the night, they must be in armored government vehicles. The U.S. Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to leave the border states.

Similar warnings are echoed by other country governments. For example, the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs strongly cautions its citizens against travel to South Sudan because it deems South Sudan too dangerous, unstable, and unpredictable. They also advise anyone who is currently there to leave.

Disease: Malaria is prevalent throughout the country. This particular strain of malaria has developed resistance to chloroquine and can therefore be fatal. Routine immunizations for other diseases are recommended. Medical facilities in South Sudan are below Western standards.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has created a security ratings system called the Ibrahim Index, wherein scores are based on each country’s quality of government. Before traveling to South Sudan or anywhere on the continent, check the index and do your research. Since South Sudan is a new country, ratings in the Ibrahim index are not available as of the 2011 year-end reports.