Major city · South Sudan
Wau
Spend 1–2 days in Wau to see the cathedral and Jur River hippos; road from Juba ~6 h, flights limited – check.
Wau is South Sudan's third‑largest city, a regional hub with a few sights and expensive hotels. One to two days lets you visit the main cathedral, see river wildlife and rest before moving on.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SSP
- Best months
- Nov–Mar (dry season)
- avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- WUU
- Nights
- 1–2
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Wau777 ▾
- 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 Wau, 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
- SafetyTravel risk is high; follow government advice, stay in secure hotels, avoid night travel on roads.
- Emergency numbers777 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckWUU Wau Airport (Unpaved runway; limited flights, check schedule.).
- Getting aroundRoads are poor dirt tracks; regular cars not advised.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$2–3
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))US$10–15
- Budget bedHotel room, a night, per roomSSP 120
- Mid-range bedHotel room, a night, per roomSSP 150
- High-end bedHotel room, a night, per roomSSP 200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SSP 30 · Mid SSP 60 · High SSP 100
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- WUU Wau Airport (Unpaved runway; limited flights, check schedule.)
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
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Mar
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Apr
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Aug
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Sep
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Oct
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Nov
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Dec
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Wau: 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)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Jul
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16 rd
Aug
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16 rd
Sep
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Oct
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Nov
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Dec
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 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
Roads are poor dirt tracks; regular cars not advised. Walking is safest in town centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Juba
goDoor to door: ≈6 h
Road bus or 4WD from Juba, about 6 h; roads are dirt tracks, travel by day only
Check road conditions after rain; avoid night travel.
Jur River (hippo spotting)
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round trip
Walk or short taxi from town centre to riverbank, about 15 min
Hippos seen seasonally; best in dry months.
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.
South Sudan Hotel
Government/NGO clientele; price from US$120 per night.
Wau Regency Hotel
Prices start at US$150 per night.
Wau River Lodge
Closed for foreseeable future due to conflict.
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
- US$30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$50–80 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel room1 × 1 night × SSP 120 | SSP 120 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × SSP 30 | SSP 30 |
| Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle (if offered)1 × SSP 20 · check | SSP 20 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SSP 26 |
| Trip total≈ SSP 196 per person per day, bed included | SSP 196 |
Prices from listed hotels; check availability.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$2–3 |
| Water bottle | US$1 |
| Taxi (5 km) | US$10–15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security situation volatile – see South Sudan warning.
- Road conditions can be impassable after rain.
- Flights are irregular; verify before travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 777
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
WauWau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Tafadhali nenda hapaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police777
Embassy
Check the US consulate in Juba for assistance.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Juba → Wau by road (bus/4WD): about US$150–200, 6 h (check)
Say or show
- Jambo — Hello (jambo)
- Asante — Thank you (asante)
- Bei gani? — How much? (bei gani)
- Hoteli iko wapi? — Where is the hotel? (hoteli iko wapi)
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 Wau. 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: Nov–Mar (dry season) · avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 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 Wau
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