Things to Do in South Sudan in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in South Sudan
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season conditions make road travel actually feasible - December sits right in the middle of South Sudan's dry season, meaning the notorious mud roads that turn impassable during rains are at their most navigable. You can realistically reach places like Boma National Park that become completely cut off May through October.
- Wildlife viewing hits peak season as animals concentrate around remaining water sources - with water becoming scarcer, you'll find massive concentrations of wildlife at permanent water holes and rivers. The white-eared kob migration through Boma and Badingilo is one of Africa's largest land mammal migrations, rivaling the Serengeti, and December catches the tail end of this spectacular movement.
- Cultural festivals and celebrations ramp up as communities gather post-harvest - December marks the end of harvest season across South Sudan, and you'll find traditional celebrations, wrestling matches, and cattle camps at their most active. The Dinka, Nuer, and other pastoralist groups hold ceremonies that tourists rarely witness.
- Lower Nile water levels reveal archaeological sites normally submerged - the receding waters along the White Nile expose ancient settlements and pottery fragments that give glimpses into South Sudan's deep history. Local guides around Malakal can show you these seasonal discoveries that disappear again come rainy season.
Considerations
- Extreme heat during midday makes outdoor activities genuinely punishing - we're talking temperatures that can push past 40°C (104°F) in places like Bor and Juba by noon. This isn't just uncomfortable; it's legitimately dangerous without proper preparation. You'll need to structure your entire day around the heat, which means early starts and long afternoon breaks.
- Security situation remains unpredictable and requires constant monitoring - December 2026 will still require working with security advisors, checking UN reports daily, and having evacuation plans. Certain areas remain off-limits, checkpoints are frequent, and the situation can change rapidly. This isn't casual travel; it requires serious preparation and flexibility.
- Tourism infrastructure is minimal to non-existent outside Juba - you won't find hotels with reliable power, restaurants with printed menus, or tour operators with websites. Everything requires advance coordination through local contacts, NGO networks, or the few specialized operators who work in South Sudan. Self-guided travel is essentially impossible for first-timers.
Best Activities in December
Boma National Park Wildlife Expeditions
December offers your best shot at witnessing one of Africa's most underrated wildlife spectacles. The white-eared kob migration involves over a million antelope moving through Boma and Badingilo National Parks, and while peak migration happens October through November, December still catches significant herds plus predators following them. The dry conditions mean animals concentrate at water sources, making viewing more predictable. You'll need 4x4 vehicles and camping gear since there's zero tourist infrastructure, but the complete absence of other tourists makes this feel like stepping back to Africa before mass tourism. Expect to see tiang, reedbuck, buffalo, and if you're lucky, the occasional lion or cheetah.
White Nile River Journeys
December's lower water levels actually make river travel more interesting along certain stretches of the White Nile. You can arrange boat trips from Juba heading north, passing through papyrus swamps where shoebill storks nest and hippos congregate in shrinking pools. The receding water exposes sandbanks where crocodiles sun themselves and local fishermen set up seasonal camps. It's not scenic in the postcard sense, but it's genuinely wild and gives you perspective on how communities rely on the river. Early morning departures are essential because by 11am the sun reflecting off the water becomes brutal.
Traditional Cattle Camp Visits
December is actually ideal for visiting cattle camps because the Dinka and Nuer pastoralists have moved to dry season grazing areas where they'll stay until rains return. These camps are central to South Sudanese culture - young men live with the herds, compose songs about favorite bulls, and maintain traditions going back centuries. Visiting requires proper introduction through local contacts and genuine cultural sensitivity, but it offers insight into a way of life most travelers never glimpse. You'll see traditional wrestling, hear cattle songs, and understand why livestock means everything in these communities. The heat is intense, but that's part of the authentic experience.
Juba Market and Urban Exploration
Juba itself offers fascinating urban exploration for those interested in how a capital city functions in one of the world's newest and most challenging nations. December's dry weather makes walking around Konyo Konyo Market and other areas more pleasant than during muddy season. You'll find incredible diversity - traders from Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia; South Sudanese from every ethnic group; UN workers; and the chaotic energy of a city still defining itself. The central market sells everything from Chinese motorcycles to traditional medicines. Street food vendors offer asida, kisra, and grilled tilapia. It's hot, dusty, and completely unpolished, which is exactly the point.
Sudd Wetlands Birdwatching Expeditions
The Sudd is one of Africa's largest wetlands and December offers decent access before water levels rise again. This is serious birdwatching territory - shoebills, African skimmers, goliath herons, and hundreds of other species. The landscape is otherworldly: floating islands of vegetation, channels that shift annually, and local communities who navigate this maze with traditional knowledge. Access requires boats and local guides who understand the constantly changing waterways. It's hot, buggy, and requires patience, but for birders and naturalists, it's genuinely special.
December Events & Festivals
Post-Harvest Wrestling Competitions
Throughout December, various communities hold traditional wrestling matches celebrating the end of harvest season. These aren't tourist events but genuine community gatherings where young men compete for prestige and honor. The Nuer and Dinka wrestling traditions involve elaborate preparation, ceremonial scarification, and intense competition. Matches happen in villages and cattle camps, typically announced only locally. If you're visiting with proper local connections, witnessing these competitions offers authentic cultural insight. They're usually afternoon events, and the atmosphere combines sporting competition with social celebration.
Independence Day Commemorations
While South Sudan's Independence Day is actually July 9th, various December gatherings occur as communities reflect on the year and hold local celebrations. These aren't organized tourist events but rather community gatherings, church services, and local festivals that happen across the country. The nature and timing vary by location and community, but December tends to see increased social activity as the harvest is complete and dry season allows easier travel between communities.