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Back to Wau

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Voykit pocket guide · 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.

AweilBentiuJubaMagwiMalakalNimuleRumbekYeiWau200 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
South Sudan
Best months
Nov–Mar (dry season)
Avoid
Apr–Oct (rainy season)
Stay
1–2 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 US$30–50 excl. bed · Mid US$50–80 excl. bed (estimate; check)
Emergency
Police 777

What things cost

ItemPrice
CoffeeUS$2–3
Water bottleUS$1
Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))US$10–15

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

WUU · Wau Airport
Unpaved runway; limited flights, check schedule.

Typical fares

Juba → Wau by road (bus/4WD)
about US$150–200, 6 h (check)
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

Roads are poor dirt tracks; regular cars not advised. Walking is safest in town centre.

See and do

Known for

  • Saint Mary Cathedral
  • Jur River hippos
  • Wau Stadium

Day trips

WhereHowTime
JubaRoad bus or 4WD from Juba, about 6 h; roads are dirt tracks, travel by day only≈6 h
Jur River (hippo spotting)Walk or short taxi from town centre to riverbank, about 15 min≈30 min round trip

Sleep

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.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloJambojambo
Thank youAsanteasante
How much?Bei gani?bei gani
Where is the hotel?Hoteli iko wapi?hoteli iko wapi

Etiquette, safety and scams

Scams and watch-outs

  • Security situation volatile – see South Sudan warning.
  • Road conditions can be impassable after rain.
  • Flights are irregular; verify before travel.

Travel risk is high; follow government advice, stay in secure hotels, avoid night travel on roads.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Wau yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Saint Mary Cathedral
  • Jur River hippos
  • Wau Stadium

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Wau

Tafadhali nenda hapa

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Check the US consulate in Juba for assistance.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/wau-south-sudan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.