Sudan - Uganda crossing via Juba: Anybody made it?
 

Hi All!

I'll drive down a Disco (300tdi) from Budapest to Cape Town (and come back via Jemen, Oman and Iran) in 2011.

Is it possible these days to leave Khartoum and follow the Nile down till Juba and make it to Uganda?

I know that u need a permit from the gov. of Southern Sudan, and according to thorntree there is a twice weekly Juba - Kampala bus.

The Khartoum - Juba road is doable?

Thanks. Ferenc

The simple answer: Maybe.
 

Yes this trip can be done, but it's probably not worth it. I work in the south and some of my mates have driven from Juba crossing into the Northern States, but not all the way to KHT. By the way, they were in a UN convoy...
What I'm trying to say that there is a road, but it doesn't follow the Nile. At least, we don't know of any road that follows the Nile. If you find it, let us know.
What I know about the north is that they have extreme travel restrictions and there can be delays of months to get permissions.
Once you are in the south from around Abyei to Wau area, things are less bereaucratic but the threat of banditry increases. The recommended way to Juba is to come down via Wau & Rumbek (2 days) however that area is sometimes caught up in tribal clases. In Juba you just have to worry about traffic police & where to stay (damn expensive, but I can recommend a couple of places). Free camping is not recommended any where in South Sudan due to the threat of landmines and UXO.
Come and visit me in Yei which is on the main road from Juba to the Uganda border.
Actually a few months ago I met a French guy who walked from Yei town to KHT so it is do-able.
Is it worth the hassle?

thank cam
 

for the infos.

Under the "Nile-route" i was thinking about going south till Malakal and make it somehow from Malakal to Juba but that was a dubious idea. So if I arrange all the permits I have to drive through Wau.

about the hassle: i'm just curious. SSudan seems to be a very interesting place

UN video
 

YouTube - UNJLC Convoy 2007

a good video of a 2007 UN convoy from KHT to Juba
cheers

Hi Again,
I'm not so sure of my North Sudan directions but if you reach Malakal remember that it is a disputed area between North & South. If you insist to go there I have a mate or two there who might be in a position to offer a cold beer.
The quickest way down from there is to cross the Nile (you'll have to find someone to take you across) and come down via Waat, Ayod, Dukpadiet, Panyagor until Bor then Juba (that should take you around 2-3 days). Malakal - Ayod still has active SPLA patrols of 60 + men from time to time, so don't be surpried if you see a lot of military. They will be interested in you.
After Ayod you will travel for a while down the canal that was supposed to divert the Nile, built sometime ago by the Russians but abandoned during the war. There is the wreckage of the (at the time) largest machine in the world that was making the canal, crashed MIG jet fighters and all kinds of game including leopard!
It's very difficult to find your way from Ayod as the road is not much more than a sandy track & you have to know where to turn sometimes at junctions as there are no people (amazing for sub-sahara Africa) and of course no signs.
If you still want to go, make sure you do it before January of next year.
!!!DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AFTER JANUARY 2011!!!!
There is a referendum at that time which will decide if the South will split from the North. Almost everyone here believes this will lead to a return to fighting.
Good luck mate. Let me know what you decide to do.
CJ.