Worship places

Just like elsewhere in the world, people of South Sudanese are God fearing with major religions being Christianity, Islam and the African traditionalists. Visitors can enjoy touring and praising from churches like Saint Joseph’s Catholic church, Juba Christian Centre, Saint Theresa cathedral, Juba market mosque, main mosque, Konyo Konyo mosques, Kuwait mosques among others to appreciate the architecture and sculptures found in these sites.

Local markets

Because majority of the Sudanese Dinkas are pastoralists, cattle keeping is part of them and a means through which they survive. Big markets include Juba market, Jebel market and Konyo Konyo market. Just as the name suggests in Juba Arabic, Konyo Konyo market is always congested as it nearly feeds the entire country. Most of the indigenous people buy their necessities like food, clothes from this market.

Nimule National Park

Best things come in small packages but Nimule describes it all because it is probably the smallest National Park in the country but offers the most magnificent and enchanting views compared to other parks. Probably because its location at the borders with the glorious Pearl of Africa, the park gets a sneak peek of the climate of this country.

Nimule Park has a variety of lush green vegetation, Savanah woodlands, beautiful landscapes that permit filming and also provide a warm habitat for animals like Hippos, kobs, giraffes, gazelles, African dogs among other wildlife that tourists can sight only if their destination is South Sudan.

Fola falls

Full, fola or Nimule whatever you would wish to call these rapids that thunder down joyfully over gigantic rocks into a glorious water spout of Bahr al Jabal which is part of River Nile. This alone is amazingly enough to assure tourists that a journey to South Sudan will make them realize how good it is to be lost in right direction because falls in a dessert country is something undespicable.

While on any safari, travelers should ensure that they are safe and secure from any harm especially in countries that are universally known to be unstable. The following are some precautions tourists should take to safe guard themselves from any likely danger in this country.

Avoid moving at night

Since most of the violent crimes and activities are done in the wee ours of the morning and night hours, tourists should consider being in doors by around 7:00pm in the evening and avoid busy / crowded like local markets, down town areas, or big parties.

Hire an experienced tour guide on your South Sudan safari

Because most visitors are not very conversant with the local cities and towns in South Sudan, a local guide would work perfectly as they know the most chaotic areas and can clearly understand the meaning of different sounds and speak the local languages.

Follow guide’s instructions

Having a guide on a safari is advantageous but following their instructions give surety to travels that they will definitely get back home safe and become story tellers for the beautiful sights they see while on safaris in South Sudan.

Purchase a local Simcard in South Sudan.

Mobile phones aid in communication and staying connected with people back at home, hence tourists are encouraged to purchase local simcards so that they can effectively and efficiently communicate to their family, colleagues, friends and communicate to the booking office while they face any challenge or need to offer feedback.

Take photography but some places are prohibited

A safari that was meant to bring joy and happiness can turn into woes after the travelers is faced with charges such as taking pictures in confidential and restricted areas. Therefore, they should put it into account that military bases, parliament and other government buildings do not allow photography.

When to go to South Sudan for a tour?

Generally, safaris in South Sudan are undertaken during the dry season but it’s always hot in this country almost the whole year, with temperatures shooting to over 50⁰C but safaris can be done from December to February since the temperatures are always somewhere about 20⁰-37⁰C and can drop to almost half that temperature during the night which is reliably enough to guarantee a favorable weather to the tourists while on their safaris.

Getting a South Sudan visa

Travelers considering a visit to South Sudan should consider obtaining their visas before entering into this country because there are no visas on arrival anymore. South Sudan visas can be obtained by applying and paying for them online.

The traveler can then download their visa, print and present them to the responsible visa officers to obtain a stamp and check other travel documents upon arrival at the airport. South Sudan tourist visas range from $50 – 350$ per person depending on duration of stay and nationality.

Entry requirements

A passport with at least 6 months of validity while in the country and before leaving it is the first requirement that tourists should fulfill before granted entry into the country.

Tourists should possess necessary visas specifying their purpose of visit and period of stay in the country.

Travel permits shouldn’t be missed out especially in areas where they are required because if the travelers don’t have them, they won’t access the site or activity intended to be done.

Tourists should come with US dollars, Euros or local currency because ATM transactions for tourists are not in South Sudan.

The people and culture in South Sudan

Culture in South Sudan consists of religion, foods, ethnic groups, languages but the most prevalent of them all are the rich traditions of indigenous people. South Sudanese are diversely divided into 64 tribes with closely related cultural traits.

Dinka is the largest ethnic group in the country, occupying 36% followed by the Nuer making 16%. The love and attachment South Sudanese have for their tribes is magical.

The people of South Sudan are still typically indigenous and fully attached to their cultures. They have family dynamics similar to most of the African cultures like men inheriting their father’s fortune, women looking after the home and children being groomed by whole community.

Typically, Arabic and English are the official languages in South Sudan, however majority of the people still can’t speak, write and read English.

Their staple food is sorghum, millet, fish, milk which can as well be blended to make other cultural foods like okra stew called Bamwya in the local dialect.

Traditional acts of female genital mutilation are still common in the country.

Christianity is prevalent in South Sudan with over 60 % individuals but they have other religions like Islam and African tradition religions.

Suggested Packing List:

Travel documents and other personal requirements.

This seems obvious but usually the obvious things are forgotten. Tourists should endeavor to pack their passports, visas, travel permits at the fore front before getting anything for their safari. Yellow fever and Covid-19 vaccination certification, anti-malarial pills, insect repellants, etc.

Visitors should consider moving with all their important documents and cash in their wallets and not exposed to attract conmen and pick-pockets.

Tourists should also take up travel insurance that covers cancelation, emergency evacuation so that they are catered for incase of any emergency.

Tipping is not compulsory in South Sudan, but visitors can voluntarily choose any amount to tip a waiter at a local restaurant, porter and even the driver guide.

Photography equipment

Memories obviously cause a dejavu but they become more realistic if visitors have photography evidence. They shouldn’t miss binoculars, cameras, smart phones on their packing lists because they will make them better story tellers if they have evidence of the sites they talk about.

Clothes

This sounds obvious because we can barely move without them on, but here we mean clothes appropriate for a destination like South Sudan. Light clothes are recommended due to the hot temperatures in this country.

Flash lights

This is Africa! therefore tourists should know that a torch is a must while visiting remote areas of the country because facilities like electricity might still be a challenge in a few places. Therefore, a torch will patch up the whole dark mood created by lack of electricity.

Light hand luggage

Travels are always different hence amount of luggage to be packed, depending on the needs but it’s advisable to carry lighter luggage with only essential items that can be frequently accessed or requested by officials.

Insurance

Travelers are encouraged to obtain their own travel insurance as most tour operators here don’t provide. Anything can happen while they are here since they are not familiar with the environment and climate. In situations where they meet up with unfortunate incidents like accident or ailment, they can get evacuation services, and access treatment from the best hospitals in t