16 Best Places To Visit In South Sudan
South Sudan is a landlocked country in East Africa. Its borders are Sudan to the North, Ethiopia to the East, Uganda to the West, and Kenya to the South. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011.
Since then, the country has faced many challenges. For example, South Sudan has endured a civil war, resulting in significant political unrest. South Sudan also faces many other challenges such as widespread food insecurity and poverty.
Despite these challenges, South Sudan is a wonderful place to visit. It has several beautiful national parks and nature reserves. It also has a rich cultural heritage and is famous for its tribal people. These attractions make this country one of the must-see destinations in Africa. Let’s take a closer look.
Juba
The capital of South Sudan, Juba is located on the White Nile and is the largest city. It is also the capital of the Central Equatoria State. The capital city is home to 525,953 people. There are a lot of interesting things to see and do in Juba.
The best place to shop in Juba is the Customs Market. Here you can find a range of consumer goods, from fresh fruit to overpriced building materials.
You can also visit a Dinka cattle camp, where you can see hundreds of long-horned cows. The experience of visiting a cattle camp is also a fascinating window into many conflicts in the country.
National Museum
The National Museum of sits above the confluence of the Blue and White Niles. This museum has relics dating back to the First Stone Age and the era of the ‘black sultanate’ Al Saltana Al-Zarqa. The museum also hosts regular archaeological conferences and seminars.
The South Sudan Museum Network is a collaborative research network of academics and museum practitioners.
The Sudan Museum houses a collection of jaw-dropping exhibits. It covers the rise and fall of the various kingdoms and includes some amazing royal statues. The museum also contains many perfectly preserved 3500-year-old artifacts.
Sudd
The name Sudd describes the flooded grasslands of the Saharan regions. The area is 400km long and is home to over two million animals, most of them antelope. There are also leopards and lions. Although the area has been inaccessible for decades, a recent peace agreement may make it more accessible to visitors.
If you’re interested in wildlife, Sudd is the place to visit. The wetland is home to more than 100 species of birds. Tours will allow you to see some of these creatures. You might even spot a Ruddy shelduck or Egyptian goose. You can tour the region on foot or by canoe.
The Sudd wetlands, currently on the tentative list of World Heritage sites, are among the largest in Africa, containing over 400 different species of birds and mammals species. Many of these species migrate across the wetlands, which are relatively undisturbed. The region also houses the largest population of kob antelope in the world.
Malakal
Before the civil war, Malakal was one of the biggest cities in South Sudan. It is located in the northeastern region of the country, near the international border with Sudan and Ethiopia. It sits on the banks of the White Nile and is 650 kilometers north of Juba.
Today, the town is the capital of Upper Nile State and the headquarters of Malakal County. The area is a popular destination for travelers and is a great place to explore if you’re interested in African history.
Boma National Park
Boma National Park is a protected area full of wildlife and is well worth the trip. It is located near the border with Ethiopia. In addition to the park, you can also explore the surrounding towns and villages. You will see a wide variety of wildlife and birds, including the endemic pygmy hyena.
Boma is a wildlife watcher’s dream, and it is home to the largest population of mammals in the entire country. Its floodplains are home to elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and zebras. In addition to these large animals, you can also find a range of birdlife in this park, including the endangered black-chested snake eagle.
The park is located in eastern South Sudan and covers 22,800 square kilometers and is one of the best places to see wildlife in the region.
It also provides great opportunities for landscape filming. It is managed by Bomahills Tourism Limited, a South Sudan destination management company.
In addition to the African bush elephant, you will also be able to spot Masai lions and Ruppell’s vultures, which are the highest-flying birds in the world. Other animals you might encounter include buffalo, elephants, and giraffes.
Wau Zoo
Visit Wau Zoo in South Sudan for the chance to see African wildlife up close and personal. This zoo, which is located near South Sudan’s largest national park, shares its compound with over a thousand anti-poaching guards. Guests can enjoy watching a variety of animals while learning about their natural history.
If you’re looking for a great place to visit with your family, consider the state’s zoo. There are over 200 animals on display for the general public to enjoy. There’s also a cultural theater where local musicians perform. About 50 percent of travelers use bicycles, 40 percent use motorcycles, and ten percent drive land-cruiser cars to get around.
The Fula falls
The Fula Waterfalls are located on the Bahr al-Jabal Mountain Nile, about four miles below the town of Nimule in South Sudan. A large island separates the falls from the river, with the eastern channel carrying the most water. The falls plunge a maximum of 20 feet.
They are part of Bahr al-Jabal, a section of the Nile that touches South Sudan. The falls themselves are about two miles long and drop 20 feet. They are also 120 meters wide and spread out beyond the northern tip of Nimule.
The surrounding area is composed of thin bushes, thorny trees, and open grasslands. During the rainy season, the area can become swampy.
Kidepo Game Reserve
Whether you’re an animal lover or just looking for a beautiful place to go on safari, the Kidepo Game Reserve in South Sudan is a destination not to be missed. The wildlife here is spectacular, with 77 species of mammals living in the park. You’ll be able to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, and lesser kudu, among many others.
The Game Reserve is located in the far southern parts of South Sudan, adjacent to Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park. It has over 1200 square kilometers of the protected area and is home to the defassa waterbuck, the largest animal in South Sudan. It is also a great location for filming, as the landscapes are spectacular and offer unique viewing opportunities.
The national park is also rich in birdlife. Birding in the park is best in the mornings and evenings. Several bird species live in the park, including Clapperton’s francolin, the Purple Heron, the Karamoja Apalis, the black-breasted barbet, and many more.
Mount Kinyeti
Mount Kinyeti is the highest mountain in Sudan. This mountain, also known as Mount Immatong or Matonge, lies at an altitude of 3187 meters. It is covered in thick montane forests that support a diverse variety of animal life.
In the 1940s, the British colonial administration of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan began a forestry project in the Kinyeti basin. The aim was to plant fast-growing softwoods for lumber. In the 1950s, the mountain range was placed within the Imatong Central Forest Reserve.
Unfortunately, this reserve was not protected during the civil wars. The forestry project brought more laborers into the mountains and undermined the natural environment. Once the Second Sudanese Civil War broke out in 1956, forest management and forestry were neglected.
Zeraf Game Reserve
A visit to the Zeraf Game Reserve, also called Ez Zeraf Game Reserve, is a great way to see the African wildlife in their natural habitat. The reserve encompasses 6,750 square kilometers of woodlands and is home to lions, hippopotami, and a range of primate species. Visitors can spot these animals in the park, which is also a popular spot for safaris.
Ez Zeraf Game Reserve is located in the northern region of South Sudan and covers 1.6 million acres. This park features woodlands and seasonally flooded grasslands. It also has a plethora of animals, including lions, leopards, and zebra.
South Sudan has a number of national parks, including Nimule National Park, which is home to a huge herd of elephants. Visitors can also find Nile crocodiles, which live on the Nile River. Nimule National Park is located on the border of Uganda and South Sudan.
Southern National Park
To explore a vast wilderness area that is home to zebras, gazelles, cheetahs, and gliding vultures, visit the Southern National Park. This park is claimed by the government of South Sudan and borders Ethiopia to the east. Located in the heart of the country, it is a must-see destination.
The park is spread across 23,000 square kilometers and was first established in 1939. It was originally a floodplain and had three rivers that fed the park. Today, the park is home to many animal species that survived civil wars.
The park has been designated a national park, and Bahr El Jebel Safaris does not operate in the park. But the non-profit organization Fauna & Flora International, based in the United Kingdom, has supported the reconstruction of the park’s infrastructure.
Bandingilo National Park
The region of South Sudan has numerous potential protected areas and national parks. The country is home to the second-largest animal migration in the world, and one of the world’s largest wetlands. While South Sudan is still a developing nation, it is one of the most beautiful in the world.
The Bandingilo National Park is one of South Sudan’s most beautiful, and accessible, natural attractions. Spread over riparian grass plains, the park is home to elephants and Nubian giraffes. The park’s size makes it easy to reach and is also convenient for travelers from Juba, the capital.
The park’s location makes it a popular choice for visitors who wish to see the largest migration of wildlife in the world. It’s also one of the few places in the world where tourists can go to witness a thriving and diverse wildlife ecosystem. While there are few major tourist attractions in the country, the capital, Juba, is home to several exciting hotspots.
South Sudan’s vast landscapes and plateaus, fed by the Nile River, are covered in an area of wetland known as Sudd. It’s an important part of the country’s ecosystem, and it has been declared a wetland of international significance. There are several endemic species, including the white-eared kob and the tiang.
Shambe Nature Reserve
Shambe Nature Reserve is home to a variety of animals. It is also one of the most underrated natural attractions in Africa.
It is considered one of the world’s largest wetlands and is home to nearly 400 species of birds. The vast wetlands are the perfect setting for a wildlife safari.
This park is a must-see for birdwatchers. The wetlands and oxbow lakes are the perfect environments for birds. Elephants, lions, and other large animals can be seen here. There is also a designated birding area in Shambe National Park. You can spot many species of birds, including migratory birds.
Nimule National Park
Visit Nimule National Park in South Sudan, and you will be able to witness one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world.
The Nimule National Park is located on the Eastern Equatorial side of the country. Its borders Uganda and is surrounded by the White Nile. The park is very scenic and is home to a wide range of vegetation, including savanna woodland and riverine woodland.
South Sudan has plenty of wildlife to offer travelers, including lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and leopards. This park is relatively close to the capital and is an excellent place to get a close look at wildlife. You’ll also have the opportunity to see some of the world’s largest crocodiles, including Nile crocodiles.
Fashoda
To see a fascinating area in South Sudan, visit the city of Fashoda. This small town was the capital of the Shilluk Kingdom for 16 centuries. You may be familiar with the town as the setting of the Fashoda Incident.
But beyond the historical significance, Fashoda is also a place where the dead kings and spirits of the Shilluk community come to meditate. In fact, it is said that the sound of Juok, a Shilluk language, attracts the kings of the Shilluk to come here.
All Saints Cathedral
For visitors to South Sudan, the cathedral is an essential stop on their visit. The Cathedral is home to a diverse congregation, including the Nuer, Yida, and Abeyi people. The Cathedral hosts Sunday Schools every week. The first stone was laid on February 15, 1959, and the building was dedicated on February 15, 1962.
The cathedral was built in 1886 by the British and is part of the British Colonial Missions to South Sudan. It is the only Anglican church in South Sudan. The Cathedral is accessible to people of all religions and backgrounds. Its design is reminiscent of an English cathedral. The exterior is simple and elegant, and the interior is adorned with intricate details.
Takeaways
South Sudan is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. From the lush rainforests to the stunning lakes to the staggering waterfalls, it’s easy to see why South Sudan is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
South Sudan is a hidden treasure with untold riches waiting to be discovered. The incredible scenery and hospitable people are some of the treasures you’ll find in South Sudan.
It’s home to some of the most incredible wildlife in Africa, including giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions, rhinos, and more. And it’s an incredible place for people who want to see the sunrise and sunset over the Nile River — two of the most beautiful phenomena on the planet!
Visitors absolutely love the warm welcome they receive from friendly people in this African hidden gem!