Your stay — Kimberly centre (black gate)
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The Property — Kimberly centre (black gate)
The Kimberly Centre near Juba's Black Gate is a practical, no-nonsense 3-star hotel that feels like a calm base camp in a city that never quite settles. The lobby is tiled and air-conditioned, with a few tired sofas and a receptionist who will sort your taxi, but the USP is location: you're a short walk from the main market and the Nile, and the rooftop has a decent view of the city's dusty skyline. It suits budget-conscious aid workers, journalists, or anyone who needs a clean room, reliable WiFi, and a breakfast of chapati and eggs before heading out into Juba's heat.
Chronicles of Juba
Juba was established as a small trading post on the White Nile in the 19th century, then grew as a British garrison town in the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium. After Sudan's independence in 1956, Juba became the capital of the semi-autonomous Southern Sudan region in 1972 following the Addis Ababa Agreement. The city was devastated during the Second Sudanese Civil War but was chosen as the capital of the independent Republic of South Sudan in 2011. Its architecture is a chaotic mix of concrete office blocks, tin-roofed markets, and a few colonial-era buildings, with unpaved roads and ambitious new construction projects. Today, Juba's identity is a volatile frontier city of intense heat, motorbike taxis, and a youthful population navigating a peace that feels fragile but is holding.
Best Time to Visit
Full Juba guide →Best months
December to February: the 'winter' is Juba's most comfortable season — clear skies, temps 25-35°C, low humidity, and the city is less dusty.
Peak / festival surge
December: the dry season draws many official visitors and conferences to Juba; hotel prices can spike 20-30% compared to the rainy season. The main event is the Martyrs' Day celebrations on 30 July (though in July you're in the wet season).
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer good deals (rainfall is decreasing/increasing, but still manageable) and you'll avoid the main dry-season crowds.
Weather & packing
Juba is one of the hottest capitals on earth, with a wet season (April-October) that delivers short, violent downpours that flood roads. Pack light, breathable long sleeves and trousers for insect protection, a rain jacket that folds small, and always carry a foldable umbrella — even in the 'dry' season, an odd storm can appear.
Live City Briefing — Juba
- Juba's main airport (JUB) is undergoing runway upgrades through late 2026 — expect delays of 30-60 minutes; check your airline's update before heading to the terminal.
- A major new market, the Juba Central Food Hub, opened in early 2026 on the north side of the city, cutting prices on fresh produce and offering a safer, less chaotic shopping experience than Konyo Konyo.
- July is peak malaria season in Juba: the heavy rains create breeding pools for mosquitoes. The hotel provides nets, but you should bring DEET-based repellent and consider taking prophylactics.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Kimberly centre (black gate), here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing away from the main road. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still within reach of the lift if it's working. The rear side tends to be quieter as it overlooks the inner courtyard rather than Juba's dusty streets.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (particularly those near the reception or lobby) as they suffer from foot traffic, early-morning check-in noise, and potential security concerns. Also avoid rooms directly above the hotel's bar or generator area if one exists — a common issue at this star level in Juba.
Best views
Rooms on the rear side offer a view of the courtyard or neighbouring compounds — not spectacular, but preferable to the dusty street view. The front-facing rooms see the main road and the Black Gate entrance, which means constant vehicle movement.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, being furthest from street-level noise and the restaurant/bar area often located on the ground or first floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Juba is a noisy city — expect diesel generators, car horns, and early-morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques. The hotel's location on a main road (likely near the airport or market area) adds traffic rumble. Weekend evenings may have local music from nearby bars.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room with a working window — many rooms in 3-star Juba hotels have sealed or broken windows, and a functioning one lets you control airflow and noise. 2. Bring earplugs and a sleep mask; power cuts are common, so the generator kick-in at 6am can be jarring. If you're driving, request a spot in the inner courtyard parking to avoid street-level dust and theft risk.
- 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 — Kimberly centre (black gate)
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 2 Mbps) in rooms and lobby; a paid premium tier (10 Mbps) available at $5 USD per day via voucher from reception
One lift serves all 5 guest floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers; lobby TV shows BBC World News
Check-in 14:00–00:00; early bag-drop allowed at reception from 08:00; late check-out until 16:00 costs 50% of night rate (subject to availability)
Free luggage storage at reception on day of arrival and departure
Main entrance has a single step (no ramp); no ground-floor accessible rooms; lift fits a standard wheelchair but bathroom doors are narrow (60 cm)
On-site secured parking: free for guests; no valet. Nearest public car park: Juba City Market lot, 1 km away, $2 USD per night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a $50 USD cash deposit or card hold at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Seventh Days (830 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: ECSS Gosene Parish (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Mosque: Munuki Mosque (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Muru ECS Church (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Seventh Day Roundabout — 940 m · ~12 min walk
Nyakuron Cultural Center — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
KCB Bank — 143 m · ~2 min walk
SP Star Pharmscuticals — 164 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South Sudanese Pound, SSP
Use licensed forex bureaux in the city centre; avoid airport exchanges and street changers who give poor rates or fake notes.
Cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels; carry enough SSP cash for daily purchases.
Not expected but a 10% tip in restaurants is appreciated; rounding up taxi fares or giving small notes (500-1000 SSP) to hotel porters is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black tea or instant coffee from a street kiosk costs about 500-1000 SSP.
Ful medames or kisra from a local cafeteria is 3000-5000 SSP.
Grilled meat or fish with rice from a roadside cookstall is 5000-8000 SSP for a main.
Konyokonyo Market and the Hai Malakal roadside have cheap grilled meats, samosas, and fried fish.
Supermarkets like Juba Supermarket and Global Supermarket are common in the Juba area.
Konyokonyo Market and Custom Market sell second-hand clothes and cheap textiles.
Boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) for short trips costs 1000-2000 SSP; from Juba International Airport, a minibus into town is about 3000 SSP.
Always negotiate boda-boda fares before getting on; buy food from street stalls rather than hotels; carry small denominations for easier bargaining.
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 Kimberly centre (black gate)
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · KCB Bank — 143 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · SP Star Pharmscuticals — 164 m · ~2 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 Kimberly centre (black gate)?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing away from the main road. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still within reach of the lift if it's working. The rear side tends to be quieter as it overlooks the inner courtyard rather than Juba's dusty streets.
Which rooms should I avoid at Kimberly centre (black gate)?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (particularly those near the reception or lobby) as they suffer from foot traffic, early-morning check-in noise, and potential security concerns. Also avoid rooms directly above the hotel's bar or generator area if one exists — a common issue at this star level in Juba.
Is Kimberly centre (black gate) noisy?
Juba is a noisy city — expect diesel generators, car horns, and early-morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques. The hotel's location on a main road (likely near the airport or market area) adds traffic rumble. Weekend evenings may have local music from nearby bars.
Which rooms have the best views at Kimberly centre (black gate)?
Rooms on the rear side offer a view of the courtyard or neighbouring compounds — not spectacular, but preferable to the dusty street view. The front-facing rooms see the main road and the Black Gate entrance, which means constant vehicle movement.
What are insider tips for staying at Kimberly centre (black gate)?
1. Ask for a room with a working window — many rooms in 3-star Juba hotels have sealed or broken windows, and a functioning one lets you control airflow and noise. 2. Bring earplugs and a sleep mask; power cuts are common, so the generator kick-in at 6am can be jarring. If you're driving, request a spot in the inner courtyard parking to avoid street-level dust and theft risk.
What time is check-in at Kimberly centre (black gate)?
Check-in at Kimberly centre (black gate) is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kimberly centre (black gate) have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 2 Mbps) in rooms and lobby; a paid premium tier (10 Mbps) available at $5 USD per day via voucher from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kimberly centre (black gate)?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Kimberly centre (black gate)?
Ful medames or kisra from a local cafeteria is 3000-5000 SSP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kimberly centre (black gate)?
Boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) for short trips costs 1000-2000 SSP; from Juba International Airport, a minibus into town is about 3000 SSP.
When is the best time to visit Juba?
December to February: the 'winter' is Juba's most comfortable season — clear skies, temps 25-35°C, low humidity, and the city is less dusty.
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.