Why Travel to South Sudan?

Why Travel to South Sudan? Here are 10 reasons

Its time to forget all the bad things you have heard about South Sudan. The most asked question will be, is it safe to travel to South Sudan? Every horror story has a good side to it but in most cases, the media will never say anything about that. They always portray doom and gloom. Since the country’s independence in 2011, there has been the rapid growth in the country, especially in the capital Juba. The country has been a desirable destination for business lovers, tourism, and adventure.

You may not have visited South Sudan because you are probably wondering where is South Sudan located in Africa. Well, the country is located in Northeast Africa, bordered by Sudan in the north, the Central Africa Republic to the west, DR Congo, Kenya, and Uganda to the south and Ethiopia to the east. There are many reasons you should travel to South Sudan. The ones I have listed below should make you get that visa to South Sudan.

1. Experience wildlife migration at Boma National Park

Authentic wildlife experiences are one of the reasons Why Travel to South Sudan should be on your bucket list. Your safari to South Sudan may not be complete if you don’t visit the magnificent Boma National Park. The park boosts of an area of about 22,800 Square Kilometers and its one of the biggest national parks in Africa located on the country’s boarder with Ethiopia.

One of the most outstanding features Boma National Park brags is the excellent wildlife migration that it records from between March to April and between November to January. The migration here is unique as it involves the movement of about two million animals, including gazelles, kobs, and other antelope species. The migration starts from the Sudd and Bandingilo National Park, then progresses to Boma National Park and later to Ethiopia.

If you want to catch these movements at their peak moments, you have to travel concerning the region’s rain patterns. The animals move when rains approach between March and April and return when the grass is greener again in the months between November and January.

2. Have some priceless moments at Bandingilo National Park

You are definitely going to have lasting memories of this place when you visit South Sudan. This park is located in the equatorial region of the country and it was gazzated in 1992. It occupies a space of about 10,000 Square Kilometers.

It is one of the most treasured national parks in South Sudan because it also attracts the great migration of wildlife. This park also brags its richness in biodiversity with a variety of animals for you to watch, including giraffes, reedbuck, elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and gazelles, among others.

3. Get first-hand information about John Garang

The entire history of the country’s independence almost only rotates around one person, John Garang. You need to South Sudan and have all the facts right of how and why there was a civil war here and if it paid off or not.

A great mausoleum is built at the Avenue of Nations (a place where independence festivities are conducted) in the South Sudan capital for citizens and visitors to visit and learn about this great leader. The facility is highly guarded, and you must be very courteous when signing the visitor’s book so that you can get access without any issues.

4. South Sudan is more peaceful now than before

The most common question when people think of South Sudan is if th country is safe since its known so much for the wars than for the peace.

Following the promising peace treaty of 2018, there has been a more peaceful atmosphere for visitors to come into the country without fear or worry. The emergence of churches and other places of worship has also boosted the young nation’s unity. The All Saints Cathedral, for example, attracts and brings together many of the influential people in Juba. It is also the main worship centre in Juba and is located between Gombura and Lanya Street.

5. Enjoy some wrestling at Bor’s Freedom Square

There are several tribes that make up South Sudan. Some are really very tinny while others are dominant. The one thing that unites all these tribes is wrestling.

Wrestling is a traditional sport that is practiced among many of these tribes and is a uniting factor. You will undoubtedly love the view of bare-chested participants challenging each other for a duel in front of a large group of spectators. Winners get prizes summing up to several heads of cattle. You can only enjoy this thrilling sporting event during the weekends when you visit South Sudan.

6. Easy entry, exit, and visa requirements

The requirements to enter South Sudan are manageable when you look at the visa requirements. You will not have to strain too much to get into or leave the country so long as you adhere to the country’s entry and exit demands. You have to obtain your visa before arrival. please visit https://www.evisa.gov.ss/ to apply for your visa

Your passport has to have two blank pages and should be valid for six months after your entry date. Also, you have to give proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. If you visit for the first time and stay for more than three days, you have to find out what is the capital of South Sudan and visit there for registration. The Department of Immigration and Aliens Control in Juba will help you register for a long stay.

7. Get the chance to visit Dinka Cattle Camp or Cattle Market

The Dinka is the biggest and most popular tribe in South Sudan. There is so much to explore about this tribe. The tribe are majorly cattle keepers and live nomadic life.

Among the Dinka, cattle are an integral factor for determining the wealth status of individuals and families. Some marriages among the Dinka attract a bride price of more than 400 heads of cattle. A cattle camp can accommodate more than 600 heads, which expresses how deeply the Dinka are rooted in their cattle. The cattle offer the owners nearly everything they need to survive. In Juba, you can always visit the cattle market in the city centre to see cattle being taken to the market. The fully grown, long-horned white bulls are a sight you will love.

8. Whitewater rafting adventures

The existence of the Nile has favored the growth of rafting in South Sudan. Sudan has become the biggest challenger of white-water rafting in the region behind Uganda.

A whitewater rafting crew has been set up near Nimule on the Nile River, where rafters row through the challenging Nile rapids to the capital, Juba. The speed is not the only obstacles to worry about here. You will have to encounter animals along the way, including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, antelopes, and primates. Anytime you are in Juba, you can book a whitewater rafting trip with a rafting company. The company will pick you up from the capital and take you to the Fola Falls in Nimule National Park and take you through the rafting experience for eight kilometres.

9. Get close with elephants at Kidepo Game Reserve

Some part of the Kidepo National Park in Uganda extends to the Southern Sudan area

The Kidepo Game Reserve of South Sudan is linked to the great Kidepo Valley National Park of Uganda. It is situated in the southernmost parts of South Sudan. The game reserve is consisting of Savannah grasslands and woodland habitat covering up to 1,200 square kilometers. The reason you will love visiting this game reserve is the warm nature of the animals here. The animals are fond of humans, and you can enjoy a close encounter with elephants without worry. You can as well enjoy the company of other animals like the defassa waterbuck.

10. Have some historic catch-up at Bor

This is one of the most fascinating areas to visit in South Sudan. Bor was once the site of some of the first-ever Christians before the separation of Sudan. Today you might recognize it as an abandoned ghost town but rich with historical occurrences, some bad and others good. The past conflicts in the country have majorly affected the shape of this town, with about 20,000 people losing their lives in the massacres recorded during the Second Sudanese Civil War in 1991. These occurrences did not dampen Bor’s spirit, and the city is living to date to tell stories of their traditions and cultures.

Finally, the South Sudan population of about 11.1 million people is a collection of people of all traits and behaviors. But one common trait you will find across this vast population is the warm heart they have towards visitors. The next time you want to travel to South Sudan, you should not hesitate as you will be getting ready to meet some of the warmest people in the world when you Travel South Sudan

So, is it safe to travel to South Sudan? Yes, it is, come have a memorable experience!

Why Travel to South Sudan?