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South Sudan🇸🇸 | national parksLantoto National ParkSavanna woodland, granite kopjes, woodland birds, night skies | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Lantoto
👌 Worth visitingnational park ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Lantoto National Park is best known for its savanna woodland and the white-eared kob and tiang that move across it, though wildlife numbers are far below what older reports describe. It lies in the east of South Sudan, in Eastern Equatoria, near the Imatong foothills country around Torit, roughly east of Juba. Be direct about expectations: this is not a park for ticking off big game, and the trade-off is real. Years of conflict and poaching thinned the herds, and there are no marked trails, no visitor center and no signposted loops. What you get instead is empty country, open walking through grass and scattered trees, birdlife, and almost no other travelers. Do not count on cheap improvisation. Guides, vehicles and fuel cost more than you expect, and turning up unannounced wastes days. Hire a local guide through the wildlife authority before you go, and confirm the security situation on the ground first.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 South Sudan Travel Guide.
Safety warning

The current risk level for South Sudan is high. Check the advice before going.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 national park in South SudanWhy visitors keep coming back

Lantoto National Park suits the traveler who wants empty ground rather than a checklist. Most backpackers who come here do it for two reasons. The first is the open Equatorial savanna, where you can walk for hours without meeting another visitor, something almost no other park in East Africa still offers. The second is the chance to see wildlife recovering in a landscape that has had very little tourism, so every antelope track or bird call feels earned. Independent travel works only with local help. You will need a guide or ranger contact and a reliable driver, because there are no signposted routes and no tour industry to lean on. If you like planning, asking questions and improvising, that gap is the appeal. If you need infrastructure, choose a different park.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Savanna woodland plains: the broad grass and scattered tree landscape that defines the park, open enough to scan for animals from a rise.
  2. Antelope and buffalo country: the grazing areas where signs of antelope and other plains game are most often found, best searched with a ranger.
  3. Rocky outcrops and kopjes: granite rises that give long views over the plains and a place to rest in shade.
  4. Seasonal streams and waterholes: the spots where animals gather as the dry months advance, and where birds are easiest to find.
  5. Birdlife of the woodland edge: hornbills, bee-eaters and raptors work the tree lines, rewarding slow walking.
  6. Open night skies: with no town lights nearby, the stars over the plains are dense and clear.
Lantoto National Park has no ticketed attractions, but permission and a ranger escort … read more 👉
  1. Savanna woodland plains: the broad grass and scattered tree landscape that defines the park, open enough to scan for animals from a rise.
  2. Antelope and buffalo country: the grazing areas where signs of antelope and other plains game are most often found, best searched with a ranger.
  3. Rocky outcrops and kopjes: granite rises that give long views over the plains and a place to rest in shade.
  4. Seasonal streams and waterholes: the spots where animals gather as the dry months advance, and where birds are easiest to find.
  5. Birdlife of the woodland edge: hornbills, bee-eaters and raptors work the tree lines, rewarding slow walking.
  6. Open night skies: with no town lights nearby, the stars over the plains are dense and clear.
Lantoto National Park has no ticketed attractions, but permission and a ranger escort should be arranged ahead through the wildlife authorities in Juba.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Dry Season (December to March): Lantoto National Park is most walkable now, with daytime highs of 32 to 36°C (90 to 97°F) and nights of 20 to 23°C (68 to 73°F). Tracks firm up, grass burns or thins, and animals are easier to spot near water.
  • Early Rains (April to June): Storms build, highs ease to 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F), and dirt roads turn to slick clay in places. Fresh green cover makes sightings harder.
  • Peak Rains (July to October): Expect 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F), heavy downpours, flooded tracks and swarming insects. Access from Juba can stall for days.
  • Late Season (November): Rains taper off and roads recover, with the park quiet and few other visitors.
  • Daylight and Costs: Days run close to 12 hours all year. Visitors are so few that crowds are no issue, but vehicle hire and guide rates rise
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (December to March): Lantoto National Park is most walkable now, with daytime highs of 32 to 36°C (90 to 97°F) and nights of 20 to 23°C (68 to 73°F). Tracks firm up, grass burns or thins, and animals are easier to spot near water.
  • Early Rains (April to June): Storms build, highs ease to 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F), and dirt roads turn to slick clay in places. Fresh green cover makes sightings harder.
  • Peak Rains (July to October): Expect 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F), heavy downpours, flooded tracks and swarming insects. Access from Juba can stall for days.
  • Late Season (November): Rains taper off and roads recover, with the park quiet and few other visitors.
  • Daylight and Costs: Days run close to 12 hours all year. Visitors are so few that crowds are no issue, but vehicle hire and guide rates rise when roads are at their best.
Book a driver and guide at least two weeks before a December or January trip.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

No established lodging exists inside Lantoto National Park, so most backpackers sleep in nearby Yei or Juba, or arrange a camp with local rangers. Check the current security situation with an operator before committing to any plan.

Most visitors use the Juba area as their base, since it has the widest choice of beds and the best transport links. Budget guesthouses and basic hostel-style rooms run about US$30 to 60 a night, while mid-range hotels with generators and air conditioning cost US$80 to 150. Book ahead in the dry season, because rooms fill with aid workers and consultants.

Smaller towns … read more 👉
No established lodging exists inside Lantoto National Park, so most backpackers sleep in nearby Yei or Juba, or arrange a camp with local rangers. Check the current security situation with an operator before committing to any plan.

Most visitors use the Juba area as their base, since it has the widest choice of beds and the best transport links. Budget guesthouses and basic hostel-style rooms run about US$30 to 60 a night, while mid-range hotels with generators and air conditioning cost US$80 to 150. Book ahead in the dry season, because rooms fill with aid workers and consultants.

Smaller towns closer to the park offer simpler options. Expect a plain room with a mosquito net, bucket washing and unreliable power, typically US$15 to 40 a night. Carry cash in small bills, since cards are rarely accepted.

If you want to camp near the park, bring your own tent, sleeping bag, water filter and food, and ask local authorities or rangers for permission and a safe spot. Never pitch a tent without a local contact vouching for the site. Many travelers hire a vehicle and guide from Juba and make it a short overnight trip.


Best quality hotels in South Sudan

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

A day in Lantoto National Park costs roughly US$150 to 260 for backpackers, driven mostly by transport and guide hire. The total is US$215 per day for one traveler in high season.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance and PermitsUS$10 to 30Fees are paid in cash to wildlife authorities or arranged through an operator; amounts vary.
Accommodation (high season)US$30 to 60Basic guesthouse in Juba or a nearby town; low season is slightly cheaper at US$20 to 45. Camping with your own gear costs little.
Local TransportUS$80 to 130Hired 4x4 with driver shared among travelers; public transport to the park is scarce.
Guide and RangerUS$20 to 40A local guide is strongly advised and often required.
Food and SuppliesUS$15 to 25Simple meals of beans, rice, grilled fish or goat; bring snacks and water, as
… read more 👉
A day in Lantoto National Park costs roughly US$150 to 260 for backpackers, driven mostly by transport and guide hire. The total is US$215 per day for one traveler in high season.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance and PermitsUS$10 to 30Fees are paid in cash to wildlife authorities or arranged through an operator; amounts vary.
Accommodation (high season)US$30 to 60Basic guesthouse in Juba or a nearby town; low season is slightly cheaper at US$20 to 45. Camping with your own gear costs little.
Local TransportUS$80 to 130Hired 4x4 with driver shared among travelers; public transport to the park is scarce.
Guide and RangerUS$20 to 40A local guide is strongly advised and often required.
Food and SuppliesUS$15 to 25Simple meals of beans, rice, grilled fish or goat; bring snacks and water, as shops near the park are minimal.
Total Daily BudgetUS$215Plan on paying in US dollars cash, as cards and ATMs are unreliable outside Juba.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Lantoto: routes, terrain, and sights

Lantoto National Park has no developed, named trail network, so walking here means improvised routes with a ranger or local guide.
  • Savanna loop walks: Routes start from wherever your vehicle stops and circle through open grassland and woodland, usually two to four hours at an easy pace on flat to gently rolling ground.
  • Outcrop climbs: Short scrambles up rocky rises, about 30 to 60 minutes, moderate because of loose stones and uneven footing, with the best views over the plains.
  • Stream and waterhole walks: Gentle walks along seasonal watercourses where birds and tracks are easiest to spot, softer
… read more 👉
Lantoto National Park has no developed, named trail network, so walking here means improvised routes with a ranger or local guide.
  • Savanna loop walks: Routes start from wherever your vehicle stops and circle through open grassland and woodland, usually two to four hours at an easy pace on flat to gently rolling ground.
  • Outcrop climbs: Short scrambles up rocky rises, about 30 to 60 minutes, moderate because of loose stones and uneven footing, with the best views over the plains.
  • Stream and waterhole walks: Gentle walks along seasonal watercourses where birds and tracks are easiest to spot, softer ground after rain and often muddy.
Terrain is mostly grass, scattered trees and stony patches, hot by midday, so carry plenty of water and start early. Wildlife is thin compared with famous parks, but antelope, monkeys and many bird species are the realistic sightings. Always keep a guide close, since animals such as buffalo can be dangerous at close range.
There is no scheduled public transport to the park. Most people go by hired vehicle from Juba, and the final stretch can be rough, especially after rain. Crowds are essentially nonexistent. Entry arrangements are informal and handled through the wildlife authorities, so confirm any fee in Juba before setting out.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Lantoto National Park is remote, with little infrastructure, so your main risks are logistics and the security situation rather than wildlife. Check current travel advisories and speak to a Juba operator or local authorities before you go, and travel with a local guide who knows the area.

Roads are rough dirt tracks that turn to mud in the rains, and breakdowns happen far from help. Carry a satellite communicator or local SIM, a spare tire, extra fuel and more water than you think you need. Daytime heat above 33°C (91°F) drains you fast, so start walks early and rest at midday.

Malaria is a real concern, so take prophylaxis and use a net and repellent. Snakes and buffalo are present, so keep to cleared paths, make noise and give any large animal wide distance. Landmines and unexploded ordnance … read more 👉
Lantoto National Park is remote, with little infrastructure, so your main risks are logistics and the security situation rather than wildlife. Check current travel advisories and speak to a Juba operator or local authorities before you go, and travel with a local guide who knows the area.

Roads are rough dirt tracks that turn to mud in the rains, and breakdowns happen far from help. Carry a satellite communicator or local SIM, a spare tire, extra fuel and more water than you think you need. Daytime heat above 33°C (91°F) drains you fast, so start walks early and rest at midday.

Malaria is a real concern, so take prophylaxis and use a net and repellent. Snakes and buffalo are present, so keep to cleared paths, make noise and give any large animal wide distance. Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a risk in parts of the country, so never leave established tracks. Bring a first-aid kit and your yellow fever certificate.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Lantoto

Plan on two to three days for Lantoto National Park, including transfer time. The park lies in Central Equatoria, and the road from Juba takes a long day in dry weather. One full day on the ground with a guide is enough for a visit, while a second night gives time to look for wildlife.
Lantoto National Park is very hard to reach without a vehicle, since no regular public transport serves it. Most travelers hire a 4x4 with a driver from Juba, typically US$80 to 130 a day, or arrange a lift through a local operator. Once there, you explore on foot with a ranger or guide.
Lantoto National Park requires permission from South Sudan’s wildlife authorities, and fees are usually paid in cash or arranged through a tour operator. Expect roughly US$10 to 30 for entry, plus extra for a guide or ranger escort. You will also need a South Sudan visa and a travel permit, so sort these in Juba before heading out.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other South Sudanese national parks near Lantoto

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Lantoto National Park will suit self-reliant travelers who enjoy quiet, uncertain places and don’t mind arranging everything themselves. If you want a sure lion sighting, skip it. I would bring a good pair of binoculars, more water than seems sensible and a patient driver who knows the road.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in South Sudan. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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