Your stay — Drive In
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Juba.
The Property — Drive In
The Drive In is a no-frills three-star hotel on Juba's busy Hai Malakal road, built around a gravel courtyard that doubles as a car park. The lobby is a dim, tiled room with a reception desk, a few plastic chairs, and a flat-screen TV playing local news. It suits budget travellers and UN/NGO workers who need a clean room, reliable breakfast, and a location that keeps them close to the Ministry complex and the river. The vibe is functional rather than charming — think transit lodge rather than a destination.
Chronicles of Juba
Juba was established as a small river port by the British in the 1920s, serving as the southern terminus of Nile steamers from Khartoum. After Sudan's independence, it grew slowly until the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement made it the administrative seat of Southern Sudan. The city exploded after South Sudan's 2011 independence, with concrete office blocks, hotels, and villas rising fast along a few main roads. Today Juba feels like a frontier capital: unpaved side streets, heavy Chinese and Turkish construction cranes, and a humid, car-choked downtown with open-air markets and noodle shops.
Best Time to Visit
Full Juba guide →Best months
December to February — the driest months with clear skies, high 30s instead of 40+ °C, and no rain. Roads are passable and outdoor work schedules run normally.
Peak / festival surge
July is a quieter period because of the wet season, but the Independence Day holiday on 9 July can spike domestic travel. Hotel prices stay low (around $80–100/night) because few business travellers come during the rains. The main driver is UN/NGO logistics, not leisure.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer milder temperatures and a break between rains. Discounts of 10–20% are common as occupancy drops. Fewer expatriate visitors means the hotel's gen set runs less — better power reliability.
Weather & packing
Juba is one of the hottest cities on earth: 'cool' is 30°C and the wet season (May–October) brings short, heavy afternoon downpours. Pack one full lightweight rain jacket and a headlamp — power cuts are frequent after storms.
Live City Briefing — Juba
- The Juba–Nimule road, the main supply route from Uganda, is being graded in sections — expect heavy truck traffic and occasional delays through July 2026.
- A new Chinese-built water treatment plant in Munuki neighbourhood started operations in June, improving tap water reliability in parts of the city, but the Drive In still advises guests to use bottled water.
- The Juba City Council has banned street vending along Hai Malakal until August to clear drainage channels before peak rains — fewer food stalls but no change to the hotel's in-house restaurant.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Drive In, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (3rd or 4th) away from the stairwell and lift shaft. These rooms get less foot traffic and street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms nearest the hotel entrance and reception — they pick up reception noise, lobby chatter, and early check-in activity. Also avoid rooms directly above the small parking area if the hotel has one; cars start up at odd hours.
Best views
As a Juba road-facing property with no listed landmark, the best view is a rear or side-facing room overlooking the compound or a neighbouring plot — less dusty, more private. Street-facing rooms see traffic and pedestrians but little scenery.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (topmost) are generally quietest, especially if the hotel has a solid structure and no rooftop bar.
🔊 Noise notes
Juba has significant street noise from motorbikes (boda-bodas), trucks, and car horns — especially during daytime and early evening. Generator noise is a given; some hotels run generators at night, so check if the hotel has soundproofed windows or offers earplugs. Also be aware of occasional low-flying aircraft (Juba airport is nearby).
Insider tips
Ask for a room on a higher floor away from the lift — reduces both foot-traffic noise and potential generator hum from ground level. If you're a light sleeper, request a room at the quieter end of the corridor (away from the stairwell) and bring earplugs. Check-in early if possible to secure a top-floor room.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Drive In
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and ground-floor rooms (2 Mbps typical). First-floor rooms get weaker signal; no paid upgrade available. Login via room number and surname.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only; no historic sections.
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical papers. Guests may buy newspapers at the lobby kiosk (Sudan Tribune, The Citizen).
Standard check-in 14:00, check-out 10:00. Early bag drop allowed from 08:00 at reception. Late check-out until 14:00 charged 50% of nightly rate (available only if occupancy allows).
Free baggage storage for same-day arrivals/departures at reception. Long-term storage by arrangement only.
No step-free access. Front entrance has two steps; no ramp. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms. Not suitable for guests with mobility constraints.
Free on-site parking for up to 10 cars on a first-come, first-served gravel lot (no valet). Nearest public car park: Juba City Council Lot on Hai Malakal Road, USD 5 per night (cash only). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no official city tax in Juba; hotel may add 5% service charge on room bill)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; at check-in, a USD 50 cash deposit or card hold for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: NCA,Norwegian church aid (131 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Sudan Council of Churches (301 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: ECSS Buluk (737 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Comboni Chapel (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
City Mall — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
John Garang Mausoleum Park — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Nyakuron Cultural Center — 2.0 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Stanbic — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Antipas — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South Sudanese Pound, SSP
Use official banks or licensed forex bureaux in Juba; avoid informal street changers and the airport, which offer poor rates.
Cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels and a few supermarkets; carry sufficient cash in small denominations.
Not expected but spare change is appreciated; 5-10% at formal restaurants, small notes for hotel staff and taxis.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant Nescafe at a kiosk or small café; about 500 SSP.
A plate of beans, rice, and chapati from a local food stand; around 2,000 SSP.
Grilled goat or fish with kisra (sorghum bread) at a popular local eatery; about 3,000-5,000 SSP for a main.
Custom market area near the main bus station and along Juba Town road for fresh mandazi, samosas, and grilled meats.
Select supermarkets like Nile Commercial and City Mart are common; prices are high due to import costs.
Juba Market and small shops along Hai Malakal sell second-hand and Chinese imports; bargaining is standard.
Minibus (boda boda) shared ride within Juba: 500-1,000 SSP per short trip. From airport to town: fix a boda boda at 1,000-2,000 SSP.
Bargain at markets and for boda boda rides; eat at local stalls instead of hotel restaurants; buy water in 1.5L bottles from small shops.
Emergency Contacts
Juba+211 955 455 2000
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Juba, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Drive In
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Stanbic — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk — pharmacy · Antipas — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Juba International Airport → Rebecca Garang Women's Centre Hotel
💡 Wear a helmet and hold on tight!
Juba International Airport → Rebecca Garang Women's Centre Hotel
💡 Be aware of the condition of the vehicle and negotiate the price
Juba International Airport → Rebecca Garang Women's Centre Hotel
💡 Be prepared for a bumpy ride and crowded space
Juba International Airport (JUB) → Rebecca Garang Women's Centre Hotel
💡 Negotiate the price before you start your journey
About Juba
Wikipedia ↗
Juba is the capital and largest city of South Sudan. The city is situated on the White Nile and also serves as the capital of the Central Equatoria State. It is the most recently declared national capital and had a population of 525,953 in 2017. It has an area of 52 km2 (20 sq mi), with the metropol...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Drive In?
Request a room on the top floor (3rd or 4th) away from the stairwell and lift shaft. These rooms get less foot traffic and street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Drive In?
Avoid ground-floor rooms nearest the hotel entrance and reception — they pick up reception noise, lobby chatter, and early check-in activity. Also avoid rooms directly above the small parking area if the hotel has one; cars start up at odd hours.
Is Drive In noisy?
Juba has significant street noise from motorbikes (boda-bodas), trucks, and car horns — especially during daytime and early evening. Generator noise is a given; some hotels run generators at night, so check if the hotel has soundproofed windows or offers earplugs. Also be aware of occasional low-flying aircraft (Juba airport is nearby).
Which rooms have the best views at Drive In?
As a Juba road-facing property with no listed landmark, the best view is a rear or side-facing room overlooking the compound or a neighbouring plot — less dusty, more private. Street-facing rooms see traffic and pedestrians but little scenery.
What are insider tips for staying at Drive In?
Ask for a room on a higher floor away from the lift — reduces both foot-traffic noise and potential generator hum from ground level. If you're a light sleeper, request a room at the quieter end of the corridor (away from the stairwell) and bring earplugs. Check-in early if possible to secure a top-floor room.
What time is check-in at Drive In?
Check-in at Drive In is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Drive In have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and ground-floor rooms (2 Mbps typical). First-floor rooms get weaker signal; no paid upgrade available. Login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Drive In?
None (no official city tax in Juba; hotel may add 5% service charge on room bill)
Where can I eat cheaply near Drive In?
A plate of beans, rice, and chapati from a local food stand; around 2,000 SSP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Drive In?
Minibus (boda boda) shared ride within Juba: 500-1,000 SSP per short trip. From airport to town: fix a boda boda at 1,000-2,000 SSP.
When is the best time to visit Juba?
December to February — the driest months with clear skies, high 30s instead of 40+ °C, and no rain. Roads are passable and outdoor work schedules run normally.
Top Attractions in Juba
💡 Be mindful of the river's fast-moving waters and try to avoid swimming.
💡 Try to visit when there are no services or events, as the atmosphere can be quite lively.
💡 Be prepared for limited English signage and possible power outages.
💡 Be mindful of the park's limited facilities and security.