Rules for overlanding in South Sudan

Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 31 May 2026.

Which licence you need

All vehicles — The ministry's country sheet does not state the licence requirements for South Sudan. Check with the authorities of South Sudan before you travel.

An International Driving Permit states the categories it covers: check yours covers what you will actually drive. A car licence does not cover a motorcycle, and a heavy camper or a truck can need a higher category.

At the wheel

Armed checkpoints — Armed checkpoints, some official and some irregular, are numerous in the main cities and above all in Juba, and they often make movement difficult, especially after sunset. Vehicles are generally searched and passengers are also asked for money.
Mined areas — Several regions, the area around Juba included, hold mined zones and other explosive devices. Keep to the main roads and ask the local authorities before undertaking any journey at all.
Roads — The road network is in terrible condition and consists mostly of tracks and dirt roads, which the ministry names as one of the main risk factors, worse still during the rainy season.
Rainy season roads — From April to September most roads outside Juba become impassable. Outside the capital, and in Unity, Warrap, Jonglei and Upper Nile states in particular, you risk being cut off by flooding that often arrives without warning.
No night movement — Do not travel at night: a night curfew is generally observed even though it is not official.
Only essential journeys — Take maximum precautions and avoid any internal journey that is not strictly necessary.
Supplies and documents — Keep food supplies and your identity and travel documents within reach at all times.

What catches travellers out

Cash only — You cannot pay by credit or debit card, and cash withdrawals from ATMs are not possible. Costs in Juba are high, around 200 dollars for a hotel night and around 150 dollars a day for a rental car, so bring enough cash with you, preferably dollar notes printed after 2017.
Visa before you fly — A visa is required. If you are flying to Juba with a stop in another country, airlines generally will not let you check in for the Juba leg without a valid South Sudanese visa.
Political timetable — The transitional period, postponed several times, is meant to end with general elections by late 2026, but that remains uncertain and tension between the country's two main ethnic groups has recently flared again. Without a political solution, the ministry expects the factions to turn to violence more often and destabilise the country further.
Upper Nile flight ban — The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority has banned overflights of the Upper Nile area towards the town of Agok until further notice, for security reasons.

Before you rely on this

This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 31 May 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for South Sudan before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.

Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 31 May 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.