Transportation in South Sudan is still developing, and it varies greatly between urban and rural areas. Here’s a breakdown of the main modes of transportation in the country:
1. Road Transport (Most Common)
- Private Cars & Taxis – Common in cities like Juba.
- Motorcycles (Boda Boda) – Very popular for short trips and quick transport in both towns and villages.
- Mini-buses (Matatus) – Used for public transport within and between towns.
- Trucks & Lorries – Main way goods are moved, especially between markets and from neighboring countries like Uganda and Kenya.
Many roads are unpaved and become difficult to pass during the rainy season. Road conditions outside major cities can be poor.
2. Air Transport
- Airplanes – Important for connecting remote areas that are hard to reach by road.
- Juba International Airport is the main hub, with flights to domestic locations and international cities (like Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Khartoum).
- Charter Flights & Humanitarian Flights – Used by NGOs and the UN to reach conflict-affected or rural areas.
3. River Transport
- The White Nile River is navigable in some parts and used for transporting goods and people.
- Cargo barges and small passenger boats operate between towns like Malakal and Bor.
- Useful during rainy seasons when roads are impassable.
4. Traditional Transport
- In some rural or pastoral areas, donkeys, ox-carts, and walking are still the main means of moving around, especially for transporting water or goods.