National park · South Sudan
Boma National Park
Skip unless you have a helicopter charter and a guide from African Parks or a specialist operator; the park has zero tourist infrastructure, no roads, no accommodation and no ranger station for visitors. If you go, budget at least US$5,000–10,000 per person for a 3–5 day fly-in safari from Juba, and go only in the dry months (December–March).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
22,800 km² (8,803 sq mi)8,803 sq mi (22,800 km²)
approximate
Established
1977
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
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.
At a glance
- Country
- South Sudan
- Area
- 22,800 km² (8,803 sq mi)8,803 sq mi (22,800 km²)
- Official figure; boundaries are not precisely surveyed (check).
- Established
- 1977
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Boma National Park, created in 1977, covers 22,800 km² of savannah, floodplains and acacia woodland in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan. Together with Bandingilo National Park to the southwest, it hosts one of the largest land mammal migrations on Earth — the white-eared kob, tiang and Mongalla gazelle move between the two parks with the seasons. Decades of conflict left the park with no tourist infrastructure; in 2022 the government signed a management agreement with African Parks, but as of 2026 the park remains accessible only by helicopter charter from Juba or Nyat. The experience is raw, expensive and logistically demanding, but for a traveller who has seen the Serengeti and wants something genuinely off the map, Boma delivers a wildlife spectacle that rivals any in East Africa.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World HeritageListed jointly with Bandingilo National Park as a UNESCO site (check).
Size and age
22,800 km² (8,803 sq mi)8,803 sq mi (22,800 km²) · national park since 1977
Official figure; boundaries are not precisely surveyed (check).
Why go
- One of the largest land mammal migrations in Africa — white-eared kob, tiang and Mongalla gazelle move through the park in numbers that exceed the Serengeti wildebeest migration.
- Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes and buffalo still roam the park, largely undisturbed by tourism.
- An experience that is genuinely remote: you will see almost no other visitors, no lodges, no vehicles.
- Supporting the African Parks management model helps rebuild conservation infrastructure in a post-conflict region.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry and cool; peak migration of white-eared kob.
- FebDry; good wildlife viewing.
- MarEnd of dry season; still good.
- AprStart of rains; roads become impassable.
- MayHeavy rains; helicopter access only.
- JunWet season; migration moves south.
- JulWet season; flooding.
- AugWet season; difficult logistics.
- SepRains easing; still muddy.
- OctTransition month; variable.
- NovDry season begins; wildlife returns.
- DecDry and clear; peak migration.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-eared kob migrationDec–Mar · Peak movement between Boma and Bandingilo. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Tiang and Mongalla gazelleDec–Mar · Part of the same migration. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Lions, cheetahs, leopardsNov–Apr · Present year-round but harder to spot in the wet season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Elephants and giraffesNov–Apr · Smaller populations; seen mainly in the dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Shoebill (possible)Nov–Apr · Rare; reported in the wetlands (check). | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Juba
Helicopter charter only; no scheduled flights or road access for tourists. The flight takes about 1.5 hours.
1.5 h by helicopter
From Nyat village
Nyat is a small village on the park's edge; reachable by road from Juba (4–6 hours in dry season, 4WD required), but the road is rough and insecure. From Nyat, a helicopter or a guided vehicle with a local guide can enter the park.
4–6 h by 4WD from Juba
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Central savannah | Open grasslands and acacia woodland where the antelope herds concentrate in the dry season. | Helicopter or guided vehicle only. |
| Floodplains and wetlands | Seasonally flooded areas along the rivers; good for birds and buffalo. | Helicopter only; ground access impossible in wet season. |
| Nyat entry point | The only village on the park boundary with any infrastructure (basic camp). | Open; no facilities for tourists. |
Sketch map
- 1Boma National Park (approximate centre) · Headquarters≈6.489, 33.914No physical headquarters; coordinates are approximate.Map ↗
- 2Nyat village · Village≈6.200, 33.700Approximate; the main entry point from the west.Map ↗
- 3Juba International Airport · Ranger station≈4.872, 31.601Departure point for helicopter charters.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate; the park is large and has no fixed visitor centre.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry fee | Free | person | No official fee published; African Parks may introduce a fee after development (check). |
| Helicopter charter (Juba to Boma, return) | US$5,000–10,000 | group | 2026 estimate; price depends on aircraft and fuel. |
| Guide and safari package (3–5 days, all-inclusive) | US$5,000–10,000 | person | 2026 estimate; includes helicopter, guide, camping gear, food and permits. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Helicopter landing permit permit or guide
South Sudan visa permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5,000–10,000
- US$5,000–10,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on African Parks — Boma and Bandingilo before you go.
Park rules
- No unguided entry
- The park has no ranger station for visitors; you must be accompanied by a guide from African Parks or a licensed operator.
- No camping without a guide
- Camping is allowed only with a guide and proper equipment; there are no facilities.
- No drones without permission
- Drones require clearance from the South Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority and the park management (check).
- Firearms
- Do not carry firearms unless you are a licensed professional guard; the park is patrolled by wildlife rangers.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; there is no waste collection.
Where to stay
In the park
Camping with a guide
Tented camp set up by your operator; no fixed campsites.
Near the park
Nyat village basic camp
A rudimentary camp at the village; no running water or electricity (check).
Near the park
Juba hotels
All accommodation is in Juba; fly in and out each day or base yourself there.
Safety
Security situation high
Landmines and unexploded ordnance high
Wildlife encounters medium
Medical evacuation high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park has no infrastructure for visitors with limited mobility; all activities require getting in and out of a helicopter or a 4WD vehicle.
- There are no paved paths, ramps or accessible toilets.
Visiting lightly
- The African Parks management model aims to develop the park sustainably; choose operators who work with them.
- Avoid any operator that offers 'hunting safaris' — hunting is not permitted in the park.
- Support local communities by hiring guides from Nyat or nearby villages.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Boma National Park?
There is no official entrance fee as of 2026. The main cost is the helicopter charter from Juba (US$5,000–10,000 per group) and a guided safari package (US$5,000–10,000 per person for 3–5 days).
What are the best hikes in Boma National Park?
There are no marked hiking trails. The park is explored by helicopter or guided 4WD vehicle. Walking on the ground is possible only with a guide and is limited to short, supervised walks near the vehicle.
When is the best time to visit Boma National Park?
The dry season from December to March is the best time. The antelope migration peaks in these months, and helicopter access is reliable. The wet season (April–October) makes ground access impossible and helicopter flights risky.
Is Boma National Park safe to visit?
The security situation in the Greater Upper Nile region is volatile. Travel only with a reputable operator who has security contacts and a plan for evacuation. Check your government's travel advice before booking.
Can I drive to Boma National Park from Juba?
A 4WD road exists but is rough, slow and insecure. It takes 4–6 hours in the dry season and is impassable in the wet season. Most visitors fly by helicopter.
What wildlife can I see in Boma National Park?
The park hosts one of Africa's largest land mammal migrations: white-eared kob, tiang and Mongalla gazelle. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes and buffalo are also present. Birdlife includes storks, herons and possibly the shoebill.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Boma National Park
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