Why visit
Juba is South Sudan's capital on the White Nile, a young city tied to the world's newest country. It is primarily a logistics and government hub, with conventional tourism still very limited.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Juba is useful when you want a city-level starting point in South Sudan. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Juba, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in South Sudan better matches the trip style.
Juba at a glance
City population
450k
Elevation
518 m
1,699 ft
Time zone
UTC+2
Africa/Juba
Airport
JUB
Juba International Airport
South Sudan at a glance
Country center
7.0°, 30.0°
Coast
Landlocked
Country area
619,745 km²
239,285 mi²
Country population
11.1 million
18/km²
Subregion
Middle Africa
Currency
South Sudanese pound (£)
SSP
Dial
+211
Language
English
Demonym
South Sudanese
Internet
.ss
UN
Member state
ISO code
SS / SSD
Where in the world
7.0° - 30.0°
South Sudan
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Juba sits on the White Nile and became the capital of South Sudan when the country became independent in 2011.
- The city has grown quickly around government, aid, river transport, and regional trade.
- Juba, on the White Nile, is the world's youngest national capital, serving a country born in 2011.
- South Sudan is the world's youngest recognized country: independence on July 9, 2011.
- The Sudd, South Sudan's vast swampland, is one of the largest wetlands in the world.
Bordering South Sudan
Traveler notes
- The White Nile shapes the city's setting
- Independence history is central to the city's identity
- Most travel requires specialist support and current local knowledge
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Juba
What currency is used in Juba?
Juba uses the South Sudanese pound (£), ISO code SSP.
What languages are spoken in South Sudan?
The primary language is English.
What is the international calling code for South Sudan?
The calling code is +211.
When is the best time to visit Juba?
Dec–Feb. Check current weather and local events before booking.
What airport serves Juba?
Juba International Airport (IATA: JUB).
Other Africa destinations
Liberia
Liberia, founded by freed American settlers, has West Africa's best surf at Robertsport and the chimpanzee research island of Monrovia's outskirts. Sapo National Park protects a large block of Upper Guinean rainforest.
Libya
Libya holds Leptis Magna and Sabratha, two of the Mediterranean's greatest Roman cities, and the prehistoric rock art of the Acacus mountains. Conventional tourism is currently very limited; the sites wait for calmer years.
Madagascar
Madagascar split from the continents 88 million years ago and kept its own cast: lemurs, baobab avenues, and the limestone needles of Tsingy de Bemaraha. Distances are huge and roads are slow, so itineraries need discipline.
Malawi
Malawi is built around its lake: a 580 km inland sea with clear water, cichlid fish found nowhere else, and beach lodges from backpacker to boutique. Liwonde and Majete parks have restocked into genuine safari destinations.
Mali
Mali carries some of Africa's most storied places: Timbuktu, Djenné's Great Mosque, and the Dogon escarpment. Security conditions have made most of the country off-limits to travelers for years; the heritage endures.
Mauritania
Mauritania is deep Sahara: the ancient caravan libraries of Chinguetti, the Adrar plateau, the world's longest iron-ore train, and the Banc d'Arguin, where the desert meets a bird-filled Atlantic.