Top Things To Do In South Sudan
Various tourists are interested in Africa due to the tropical climate and verdant thick forests found in most countries but these are not some of the considerations a traveler should look out for while intending to visit this country. South Sudan will give an insight to its travelers that pyramids are not in Egypt only while they find out more about the country through cultural exploration and wildlife safaris.
Why visit South Sudan?
View the glorious pyramids.
Majority of us have settled with the fact that Egyptians are the basic constructors of pyramids in Africa but the mighty South Sudan owns more pyramids in a small section of the northern Sudanese desert than what Egypt owns as a whole.
Wondrous landscapes and terrains of the desert.
The main types of deserts in the country include the Nubian and Libyan deserts and the terrain is generally plain and featureless plains stretch through the areas which calls for nomadic life and rearing of desert animals like camels.
Camp under the stars.
The terrain and semi-arid nature of the area provides tourists with experiences of sleeping in tents and view stars during darkness with the fact that temperatures at night drop to half that of during day, still making it manageable for the tourist and areas don’t possess thick tropical forests to obstruct the beautiful views.
Authentic traditions and culture.
The people of South Sudan are mainly grouped into Bantu, Nilo Hamites and the Nilo- Sudanic due to their attachment to the Nile where they are diversely grouped into other 60 different ethnicities with different cultures. These task travelers to come and witness some of the tallest people in the world perform their fascinating rituals like wife stealing ceremony by Latuka tribe, art of South Sudanese, dress code and so much more.
Getting a visa to South Sudan.
It is not so tiring to obtain a visa into this country since it can be obtained on arrival upon entrance. Price of the visa depends on travelers’ adherence to the country’s demands like duration of visa, purpose of the visit, etc.
NATIONAL PARKS IN SOUTH SUDAN.
Boma National Park
This is the largest National Park in South Africa and Africa generally found in northern Jonglei and its famous for the migrations that occur during the dry seasons. Usually, the country experiences wet season during march to June hence the animals trek from sudd and Bandingilo national parks since they flood and cross over to Boma and they again reverse their journey during the dry season that stretches from November to January.
The park is widely known for the white eared kobs whose migration is as huge as the greatest migration of the wildebeest in Serengeti. Besides the kobs, it’s a habitat for elephants, antelopes, several bird species like migratory birds, water birds and savannah birds.
Bandingilo National Park
This park is situated near the White Nile in the equatorial region and is one of the parks that offer visitors a chance to witness awe-inspiring and remarkable migration of white- eared kobs. Other animal species that trek during this migratory phenomenon are tiangs and reedbuck. The park is also home for mega species like the Nubian giraffe, predators like cheetahs, caracals, lions, wild dogs, spotted hyenas and birding cannot miss in this park due to presence of the various bird species found in this park. The park is also highly accessible considering its proximity to Juba the capital of South Sudan.
Lantoto National Park.
The park obtained its name from the Wildlife Act of 1986 as well as Wildlife conservation and National Parks Act of 2003. The lush vegetation of the park allows perfect residence to iconic elephants, buffaloes, baboons, antelopes and ostrich.
Southern National Park.
This park was established to protect the endangered white rhinos and elephants from extinction due to poaching. The park is proximate to both River Maridi in the east and River Sue in the west which signifies various aqua faunas like tilapia, lungfish, Nile perch, eel fish, cat fish among others.
Not missing out on the magnificent waterbucks, giant elands, African buffalos, colobus monkeys among other animals like Kordofan giraffes, oribis and Senegal bush baby.
Shambe Nature Reserve.
Shambe was established in 1985 to provide refuge to wildlife such as gazelles, giraffes, ostriches, foxes, monkeys and lions. The wetland nature of this park located on the west bank of White Nile offers a habitat to elephants and various bird species including the migratory birds and endemic species.
Kidepo Game Reserve
It is fascinating how this park can either be accessed through the semi-arid regions of Uganda on the border with South Sudan and in the south east from the north-western border of Kenya. The dry nature of this reserve doesn’t facilitate permanent water supply since river Kidepo and River Narus are seasonal rivers.
Permanent water can however be accessed from the remnant pools in Narus valley so this is the epitome of wildlife viewing as species like buffaloes, elephants, lions gather to get a sip of water on sunny days.
OTHER TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN SOUTH SUDAN.
Dinka cattle camp and markets.
It’s undoubtedly impossible to get into South Sudan and miss interacting with the bucolic Dinkas as they are famously known for their super-ordinary height as though they are aiming for the sky. This group of South Sudanese is basically nomadic. A typical Dinka marriage can attract bride price of over 400 heads of cattle. Their camps and cattle markets possess glorious long horned white bulls.
River Nile
This majestic river goes through various countries and South Sudan doesn’t miss out on this glorious opportunity because the White Nile flows through its areas before it meets Blue Nile in Khartoum. River Nile offers water sporting activities like sport fishing, boat cruises, white water rafting, bungee jumping to everyone who endeavors to visit South Sudan.
Malakal
This county emerged as a result of the Civil wars that begun in 2013 but is currently empty due to the deserted streets that possess saddening history of the civil war. Otherwise, this city is worth a visit as it comprises of deserted oil fields, owns famous catholic temple churches, the Upper Nile University and is located on the banks of White Nile.
Market places
Just like any country across the globe, South Sudan has local markets, due to its wide engagement in agriculture and vast livestock herding. Therefore, markets such as Juba, Konyokonyo and jebel would excite tourists.
When to visit South Sudan?
Generally, it’s advised to undertake all safaris to South Sudan during the dry season which spans from December to late April when the temperatures are severe but tolerable since they vary between 20 -37 0 C.
