Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked East African country located in the upper Nile Basin and bordered by Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. The capital of Sudan is Juba.

Formerly part of the Republic of Sudan, South Sudan signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement with its northern counterpart; in addition to ending the Second Sudanese Civil War, the agreement also set out a roadmap for southern autonomy. On July 9, 2011, South Sudan declared its independence and became the newest internationally recognized country in the world, as well as the most recent member of the United Nations.

South Sudan has a generally tropical climate, with average temperatures in the country normally above 25 °C. The dry season (January to April) is hotter, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 35 °C. Temperatures in the capital, Juba, can range from an average of 21 °C to around 35 °C .

To explore this fascinating country, book a flight ticket to South Sudan and enjoy a privileged and comfortable trip with Turkish Airlines.

South Sudan flights

Turkish Airlines operates flights from Istanbul to South Sudan’s capital, Juba. Flights depart from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Juba International Airport three days per week. The Istanbul-Juba flight takes about four hours and 40 minutes.

While South Sudan has a tropical climate, there can be sudden temperature drops. Rainfall is common during the summer months, especially in August. In addition, sandstorms, blowing from north in the country, are common between November-January and July-August. The spring and autumn months are the most favorable, climate-wise, to visit South Sudan.

Places to visit in South Sudan

Juba

Juba, the capital city, straddles the White Nile River, one of the two main tributaries of the Nile River. In this mid-size city, visitors will notice roads, parks and bridges named for Dr. John Garang, a key leader of the South Sudan Liberation Movement. Set in the Doctor John Garang Memorial Park, the John Garang Mausoleum is certainly worth visiting. About two kilometers from the Memorial Park is the Nyakuran Cultural Center. The complex features gardens and an outdoor stage, as well as exhibition areas: various festivals, including the Juba Film Festival, are held at the Cultural Center. The Freedom Bridge, South Sudan’s first arched steel bridge, was completed in 2022 and spans the Nile River; it is approximately ten kilometers from the Nyakuran Cultural Center. The capital is also home to several universities, as well as restaurants, bars and markets.

National Parks and Wildlife Preserves

South Sudan has abundant natural beauty and the country’s many national parks and game preserves are notable. Of the six national parks, the most prominent is Bandingilo National Park, about 85 kilometers north of Juba. Covering more than ten thousand square kilometers, Bandingilo is a habitat for wildlife such as giraffes, lions, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, gazelles, tigers and elephants, Bandingilo is also where the second-largest animal migration in the world occurs.

Some of the other parks include Boma National Park, close to the Ethiopian border, and Radom National Park, on the Sudanese border. The Southern National Park, extending over 7,800 square kilometers, features woodlands and savannahs that are among the nation’s largest protected game areas. On the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Sudd wetland covers approximately 57,000 square kilometers: it is one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands and also represents one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the world.