Major city · South Sudan
Malakal
Skip Malakal as a tourist destination: the city was largely destroyed in the civil war and remains a ghost town with a UN camp. Only go if you have a specific humanitarian or security assignment.
Malakal was South Sudan's second-largest city before the civil war, but fighting between 2011 and 2015 left it in ruins. What remains is a looted ghost town with minimal infrastructure and a large UN refugee camp. There are no functioning hotels, restaurants, or tourist sights. The airport is used mainly by UN and military flights. For almost all travellers, the answer is clear: skip it.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SSP
- Best months
- Dec–Feb (dry season, roads passable)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season; all roads become unusable)
- Airport
- MAK
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…Check your own government travel advice for South Sudan b…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- South Sudan ↗Check your own government travel advice for South Sudan before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- South Sudan ↗An e-visa and proof of yellow fever vaccination are required before arrival; permits for movement and photography have been enforced (check).
- South Sudan ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to South Sudan before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Malakal777 ▾
- Police777
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Malakal, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?US dollars in cash carry most payments: see Insurance & payments above.South Sudan-wide
- SafetyMalakal is a post-conflict ghost town with active security risks.
- Emergency numbers777 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMAK Malakal Airport (Functional for UN charter and military flights; commercial service is check.
- Getting aroundNo public transport.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAK Malakal Airport (Functional for UN charter and military flights; commercial service is check. No passenger facilities.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Feb
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Mar
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Apr
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Best: Dec–Feb. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Aug (14 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Malakal: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Feb
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Mar
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Dec
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport. Roads are unpaved and often impassable. A UN or military vehicle is required for any movement outside the camp.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 4–5 h
Road via the UN supply route, about 3–4 h in a suitable vehicle (dry season only)
Bentiu is also a conflict-affected town with no tourist infrastructure.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
UN camp area
Only accommodation is within the UN compound for staff; no hotels for travellers.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Not applicable — no commercial services
- Mid
- Not applicable — no commercial services
- High
- Not applicable — no commercial services
Trip budget
| No commercial beds available1 × 1 night × SSP 0 | SSP 0 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × SSP 1 | SSP 1 |
| Trip total≈ SSP 1 per person per day, bed included | SSP 1 |
Only UN staff accommodation exists.
2026 estimate in US dollars; no commercial accommodation or dining exists for travellers.
Prices of common things
| Bottled water (if available)No reliable supply for travellers. | check |
| Meal (if any) | check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The ruined city is not safe to visit without a UN or military escort.
- No functioning hospitals, banks, or shops for travellers.
- Roads become impassable in the rainy season (May–Oct).
- Emergency services are extremely limited; dial 777 (check).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 777
Pocket card
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MalakalMalakal
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ilā hādhā al-'unwān, min faḍlikTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police777
Embassy
The US embassy is in Juba; no consulate in Malakal.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Malakal Airport → UN camp: No public transport; UN shuttle only.
Say or show
- Marhaba — Hello (mar-ha-ba)
- Shukran — Thank you (shuk-ran)
- Kam? — How much? (kam)
- Musa'ada — Help (mu-sa-a-da)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Malakal. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Feb (dry season, roads passable) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season; all roads become unusable)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Malakal
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