Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: South Sudan

Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport

Daily Budget: $55-140 per day

Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in South Sudan

$25-60 per night

Basic guesthouses, shared facilities, NGO compounds with visitor rooms, simple lodges

$15-35 per day

Local street food, market meals, simple restaurants, self-prepared meals when possible

$10-25 per day

Shared taxis, local buses, motorcycle taxis for short distances, walking

$5-20 per day

Free cultural sites, local markets, community visits, basic wildlife viewing

Currency: SSP South Sudanese Pound (USD widely accepted and often preferred)

Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style

Stay in NGO guesthouses when available - typically 40-60% cheaper than commercial hotels

Eat at local markets and street stalls instead of hotel restaurants - usually 60-80% savings

Share transportation costs with other travelers - can reduce daily transport costs by 50-70%

Book accommodation through local contacts or NGOs rather than international booking sites

Bring essential supplies from neighboring countries to avoid high import markups of 200-400%

Travel during dry season for better road access and lower transportation costs

Use shared taxis and public transport instead of private vehicles - typically 70-85% cheaper

Not factoring in security costs and requirements - can add 50-100% to accommodation and transport budgets

Underestimating food costs due to limited local production - imported items cost 300-500% more than regional prices

Not budgeting for mandatory permits and documentation fees - can add $100-300 to total trip cost

Booking last-minute accommodation without local knowledge - premium can be 100-200% higher than planned stays