When coming into South Sudan, ensure that you bring foreign cash, preferably US dollars which are easily accepted in hotels. UK currency can easily be exchanged at larger banks in the cities, but Euros not as much. On the other hand, travellers’ checks, foreign ATM cards and credit card are not accepted in Sudan due to the US embargo. The only exception is Diners Club. A good tip would be exchange your Sudanese dinar and pound before leaving as these are closed currencies.
When travelling to South Sudan one of the things you must do is to visit The pyramids of Meroe which are about 2.5 hours to the North of Khartoum (Note – Leave early in order to avoid Khartoum traffic). It is best you are adequately clothed with a strong pair of hiking boots to avoid ankle sprains. In addition, you should have the necessary permits that are required before you visit the sites. Guidebooks must be acquired at each site as of January 2010. The cost for these are 10 Sudanese Pounds. Some of the tracks can be pretty sandy which is why you should ensure you carry a very good GPS to avoid getting lost when in the bush area.
Best to have a strong windbreaker jacket with you when coasting along the Red Sea towards the diving spots near Port Sudan. Especially useful during the months of November through to February each year.
Many foreigners living here go out at night. You should practice caution and not carry a purse/valuables, while taking care to avoid dark areas and you should be fine. The UN even has a set curfew of 1:00am just to give you an idea of the kind of security measures being taken.
In general you are advised not to drink any tap water where there are not bore holes. It is best to carry bottled water and purifying tablets with you. Be wary of fruit drinks as they would have been made with local water.
Should you wish to take pictures, you need to ensure that you the necessary permit and refer to the “Get in” section of your travelling guide South Sudan. Taking photographs in areas that are off limit is only looking for trouble.
It is useful to have antibacterial wipes or gel in your luggage as Sudanese currency is very dirty and you would end up shaking a lot of unwashed hands. Your immune system might not be strong enough, so it is best to regularly clean your hands using wipes.
Hotel Asante, Juba South Sudan 