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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- South Sudan
- Best months
- Dec–Feb (dry season, roads passable)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season; all roads become unusable)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- SSP
- Money
- US dollars in cash carry most payments: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget Not applicable — no commercial services · Mid Not applicable — no commercial services · High Not applicable — no commercial services (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 777
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bottled water (if available) | check |
| Meal (if any) | check |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MAK · Malakal Airport
- Functional for UN charter and military flights; commercial service is check. No passenger facilities.
Typical fares
- Malakal Airport → UN camp
- No public transport; UN shuttle only.
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
No public transport. Roads are unpaved and often impassable. A UN or military vehicle is required for any movement outside the camp.
See and do
Known for
- Destroyed city centre and ghost-town ruins
- UN protection of civilians (PoC) camp (45,000 people)
- White Nile barge route (pre-war)
- Malakal Airport (MAK)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bentiu | Road via the UN supply route, about 3–4 h in a suitable vehicle (dry season only) | About 4–5 h |
Sleep
- UN camp area
- Only accommodation is within the UN compound for staff; no hotels for travellers.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Marhabamar-ha-ba |
| Thank you | Shukranshuk-ran |
| How much? | Kam?kam |
| Help | Musa'adamu-sa-a-da |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- 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).
Malakal is a post-conflict ghost town with active security risks. The UN camp is the only safe area. Read your government's travel advice for South Sudan before any planning.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Malakal yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Destroyed city centre and ghost-town ruins
- UN protection of civilians (PoC) camp (45,000 people)
- White Nile barge route (pre-war)
- Malakal Airport (MAK)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Malakal, revision 5244436 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5244436
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Malakal
Ilā hādhā al-'unwān, min faḍlik
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police777
The US embassy is in Juba; no consulate in Malakal.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/malakal). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.