Do Not Travel
“Do not travelto South Sudan due to risk of unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, and health risks. The U.S.”
Updated Sun, 17 May 2026
Full advisory →Is Juba safe? 🇸🇸
South Sudan · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Juba scores 17/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — South Sudan is extremely unsafe for travelers. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Juba 🇸🇸
South Sudan · Assessed 29 July 2026
17
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~5% of countries
Score capped at 18 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime32/100ElevatedHomicide 14.0 / 100k
Sentiment31/100ElevatedExtremely negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability34Elevated
Health69Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all travel to South Sudan FCDO advises against all travel to South Sudan due to the risk of armed violence and criminality.”
Updated 2026-05-26T12:55:03Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for South Sudan: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-22T11:27:30.2373916-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Elevated
Homicide rate
14.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8South Sudan14Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
37
Robbery / mugging
HighMuggings and armed robbery of foreigners occur regularly, especially after dark and in poorly lit areas
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are common in crowded markets and transport hubs in Juba
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Elevated
Traveller sentiment score
Extremely negative
31/100
Reported feel12Extremely negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports describe feeling unsafe, with many cutting trips short or avoiding night travel altogether.
No — South Sudan is extremely unsafe for travelers.
The composite safety index of 14/100 and a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory reflect an extremely high risk of violent crime, armed conflict, kidnapping and unrest. Even in Juba, the capital, the security environment is volatile and unpredictable.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Juba High Court sentenced five police officers to 24 years for a raid on a general’s home, highlighting law‑enforcement misconduct and heightened insecurity— EEAS: Ambassador Enarsson Backs Campaign to End Sexual Violence in Conflict at Juba Advocacy Event
- Jun 2026BBC reported fears of a return to civil war over Riek Machar’s treason trial, signaling escalating political tension in Juba— BBC: South Sudan crisis: Fears balloon of a return to civil war over Riek Machar's treason trial
- May 2026Radio Tamazuj published an opinion piece calling for a rethink of aviation safety after a recent plane crash near Juba— Radio Tamazuj: Opinion | Beyond the plane crash: A call to rethink aviation safety
- Jun 2026ReliefWeb released a DREF final report on civil unrest in South Sudan, noting sporadic clashes in Juba that displaced civilians— ReliefWeb: South Sudan Civil Unrest 2025 - DREF Final Report (MDRSS016)
Common scams
- Fake visa‑processing or travel‑agency scams targeting tourists
- Overcharging for transport or accommodation by unlicensed operators
- Currency‑exchange scams and fraudulent tour bookings
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
South Sudan is one of the world’s most dangerous destinations for travelers. The country’s composite safety index of 14 / 100 and a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canadian governments reflect an extremely high risk of violent crime, armed conflict, kidnapping and sudden unrest. Even in the capital, Juba, the security situation remains volatile and can deteriorate without warning.
Recent dossier items underline the current danger. In June 2026 a Juba court sentenced five police officers to 24 years for a raid on a general’s home (EEAS), while the BBC reported in the same month that escalating tensions over Riek Machar’s treason trial could reignite civil‑war dynamics (BBC). Also in June 2026, ReliefWeb documented sporadic civil‑unrest clashes in Juba that displaced civilians (ReliefWeb). These incidents illustrate a pattern of law‑enforcement misconduct, political instability, and unpredictable violence that directly affect visitors.
For a traveler, the practical reality is stark: armed robbery and muggings of foreigners are common after dark, and pickpocketing/bag‑snatching occur frequently in crowded markets and transport hubs. Scams targeting tourists—such as fake visa services, inflated transport fees, and fraudulent tour bookings—are prevalent. The consumer‑sentiment score of 12 / 100 shows that most visitors feel extremely unsafe and often cut their trips short.
How to stay safe (if you are compelled to go despite the warnings): - Depart immediately if you are already in South Sudan; do not wait for conditions to improve. - Travel only with a trusted, armed security escort and avoid walking alone, especially at night. - Keep a low profile: hide valuables, use hotel safes for passports and documents, and carry minimal cash. - Register with your embassy on arrival, monitor local news hourly, and have a pre‑planned evacuation route. - Use only reputable, pre‑arranged transportation and avoid night travel on roads outside the city.
In short, the data make clear that Juba is not safe for ordinary travelers. The combination of high crime, ongoing political instability, and official “Do Not Travel” orders means the risk to personal safety is unacceptably high. The only responsible choice is to avoid travel to South Sudan altogether.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Juba districts for visitors: 1 safer, 5 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Juba safety map.
Nimuleavoidavoid: volatile border zone with frequent armed clashes and landmines
Mabokavoidavoid: known for armed robbery and militia activity; stay clear
Jebelcautioncaution: daytime ok but night movement risky due to armed robbery and landmines
Gudelecautioncaution: residential area with occasional clashes; stay alert after dark
Haicautioncaution: central hub with pickpocketing and occasional militia checkpoints
Juba Centralcautioncaution: high foot traffic, pickpocketing common; avoid night travel
Jongleicautioncaution: outskirts experience sporadic fighting; keep to main roads
Katorsafersafe: relatively stable residential area with lower crime reports but still daytime‑only
07 · After Dark
Is Juba safe at night?
Muggings and armed robbery of foreigners occur regularly, especially after dark and in poorly lit areas
After dark, be most careful around Nimule, Mabok, Jebel, Gudele. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Juba's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight18
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight18
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight18
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight18
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight18
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight18
09 · Questions
Juba safety FAQ
Is Juba safe for tourists right now?
No — South Sudan is extremely unsafe for travelers. The composite safety index of 14/100 and a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory reflect an extremely high risk of violent crime, armed conflict, kidnapping and unrest. Even in Juba, the capital, the security environment is volatile and unpredictable. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Juba should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Nimule, Mabok as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Juba?
- Fake visa‑processing or travel‑agency scams targeting tourists
- Overcharging for transport or accommodation by unlicensed operators
- Currency‑exchange scams and fraudulent tour bookings
How does Juba compare with other places in South Sudan?
Juba ranks #2 of 2 South Sudan destinations we've assessed, scoring 17/100. See the South Sudan safety overview for the full list.
How is this Juba safety score calculated?
The score blends 10+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
More South Sudan reports
1 reportNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the South Sudan safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: juba.json (CC BY 4.0).