Wau is the third largest city in South Sudan and capital of the Bahr el Ghazal region.

Understand

Founded in the 19th centuary by slavetraders as a zariba, a small fortified base, it grew into an administrative centre during British rule. The city is not dominated by a single ethic group; instead, its position as a commercial hub has drawn many different peoples from around the country. Over the last two decades, Wau has nearly doubled in size, from 84,000 in 1993 to 151,000 today.

Temperatures stay in the mid-30s °C during most of the year. The dry season lasts from November to March, while the summer months see an increase in rainfall.

Get in

Hitching a ride on the train to Wau, which is no longer possible.

By plane

• 1 Wau Airport (WUU  ^IATA). A small airport with a single un-paved runway northeast of city centre. The national carrier Southern Sudan Airlines is planning on starting services from Juba. Sudan Airways from Khartoum; Badr Airlines from Juba and Khartoum. What flights are available should be check at time of travel..  

By train

Wau is also the terminus of the narrow-gauge railway from Khartoum, however due to the independence of South Sudan, all trains have stopped running and there are no news on when they will resume.

By car

Several roads intersect here, A43 connects with Juba and Rumbek while A44 runs southwest towards Tumbura near the border with Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo. B41 heads northwest towards Raga and ends in Nyala. Notice that all roads are in poor condition and can sometimes be nothing more than a dirt track. Driving with regular cars is very unadvisable.

See

Wau has few attractions to see, wild hippos in the Jur river is however quite a sight and can be seen at times.

• 1 Saint Mary Cathedral. A large impressive Catholic church. 

Do

• 1 Wau Stadium. (updated Mar 2019)

Sleep

Hotels are generally expensive and often aimed at government officials and members of NGOs.

• South Sudan Hotel (Northern part of town, along A43 towards the airport), ☏ +121-201837. From US$120 per night. 
• Wau Regency Hotel, ☏ +121-044417. Prices starting at US$150. 
• Wau River Lodge, ☏ +211 912 080 376, wauriverlodge@gmail.com. Along the Jur river and refurbished, all rooms have air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms. The manager of the on-site restaurant is a Swede which according to rumours has the widest assortment of liquor in the country. Offers airport shuttle. Due to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, Wau River Lodge is closed for the foreseeable future. Single US$95 BB. 

Stay safe

See the warning on the South Sudan article for information on the security situation.