South Sudan Safaris and Tours
South Sudan Safaris and Tours: Ever wondered what a South Sudan safari and tour would look like; here we take you through our beautifully crafted safaris to South Sudan and cultural experiences in South Sudan from the Mundari tribe cultural encounters to exploring the Nile basin in South Sudan, the Sudd swamp in South Sudan to the vast savannahs in Boma national park in South Sudan and the urban life in Juba the capital city of South Sudan.
South Sudan is a young African nation that gained independence from the greater Sudan on 9th July in 2011 under the leadership of John Garang.
Where to visit during South Sudan Safaris and tours
Juba city tour in South Sudan
Juba city is strategically located on the banks of the Nile which gives you an opportunity to explore the Nile River from the city.
Despite insecurity concerns within South sudan and Juba as a city as portrayed in the media, a trusted local South Sudan tour operator like Bujuku Eco Tours will help you plan your Juba city tour efficiently.
Juba city is used as the starting point from most South Sudan cultural safari experiences like visiting the cattle camps in the villages of the Mundari and Dinka tribes of South Sudan.
Juba is a fast-growing city with one of the most vibrant night lives on the African continent.
The Sudd swamp
The Sudd swamp covering an area of 320 km wide and 400 km long, is known as one of the largest wetlands in the world and nearly 400 species of birds can be found there.
This makes it a good and important birding destination in South Sudan during your South Sudan safari and tour.
The beautiful Sudd swamp acts as an important water catchment area in South Sudan in the Nile River basin.
Mundari tribe cultural safari experience in South Sudan
The Mundari tribe of South Sudan is a pastoralist group of people in South Sudan whose way of life revolves around keeping cattle.
A visit to the Mundari tribe involves a 75 Km Road trip to Terekeka town north on Juba city to go and explore their way of life, culture and customs. Usually it will involve camping with the Mundari in their settlements and cattle camps as you learn and observe their culture, cuisine and way of life.
The Mundari tribe are predominantly pastoralists who use cattle to measure status and as a form of currency. They offer cows as gifts to appease the gods and to their visitors.
The Mundari way of life involves males washing their hair in cow urine to change color which is considered beautiful, wrestling to show power and having scar tattoos on the body.
The Mundari tribe live in cattle camps where men graze cows in the fields away and women stay in the camp to prepare food for the group. Children clean the cattle camps and gather cow dunk for drying and burning at sunset to drive away mosquitoes at night.
Dinka tribe cultural safari experience
The Bor Dinka tribe is another pastoralist tribe of South Sudan often involved in cattle rustling wars with the Mundari tribe.
They neighbor the Mundari tribe and Neur tribe. The Dinka tribe are agro pastoralists whose way of life also majorly centered on cattle keeping. They are the biggest ethnic group in South Sudan.
Nimule national park
Nimule national park located at the boarder of Uganda and South Sudan offers stunning views and wildlife from big herds of elephants, lions, antelopes, giraffes, Zebras, etc.
Despite being the smallest national park in South Sudan, Nimule national park is a popular tourist destination in South Sudan for both local and international visitors.
Nimule national park is crossed by the White Nile giving it a green cover from the vegetation around the banks of the White Nile as it flows northwards to Egypt.
Juba Game Reserve
Juba game reserve located just 7Km from the heart of Juba city is a diverse wildlife sanctuary within Juba South Sudan.
Spread across a massive area of juba, this reserve is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
The reserve is known for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and picturesque landscapes that offer a serene and tranquil environment for visitors.
Juba Game Reserve boasts a variety of animals from African elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras, etc. Visitors can enjoy a thrilling safari ride through the reserve from within a few kilometers in Juba city an experience similar to Nairobi national park in Nairobi the capital of Kenya.
The reserve is also home to a large number of bird species, making it a bird watchers’ paradise.
In addition to wildlife, Juba Game Reserve offers a range of outdoor activities for visitors.
The reserve has several hiking trails that wind through the forests and hills, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Visitors can also enjoy camping in the reserve, which is a popular activity among adventure seekers.
The Juba Game Reserve is a must-visit destination for anyone on a South Sudan safari and tour.
Fula falls in Nimule national park
Fula falls is a set of rapid falls on the White Nile 6.5 Km north of Nimule town near the Uganda-South Sudan boarder in Nimule national park.
In Nimule, a large island divides the Nile river, the eastern channel of which carries most of the water. At the island’s southern end, the river enters the 3.2 km long stretch of rapids with a drop of about 6 metres. It then rushes through a narrow gorge more than 90 metres long, falls into a deep cavity less than 12 metres across, and passes over rapids that extend beyond the northern end of the island. This is how fula falls are made.
This forms the Fula falls in Nimule national park in South Sudan. The Fula falls are a popular tourist destination in South Sudan for both local and international visitors.
Konyo Konyo Market in Juba South Sudan
Located in the heart of Juba city, South Sudan, Konyo Konyo market is a must visit destination in South Sudan during your South Sudan safari and tour.
Enjoy a local South Sudan cultural experience and cuisine in the market with a variety of foods from fruits, vegetables, traditional south Sudanese dishes like stews, soups and grilled meat.
Konyo Konyo Market is a hub of activity, with vendors selling a wide variety of goods and services. The market is famous for its colorful textiles sold in a variety of patterns and styles inspired by the traditional African culture.
The market also has a diverse selection of handmade crafts and souvenirs, as well as traditional African jewelry and accessories.
Konyo Konyo market is located within a radius of 3.7Km from the centre of Juba City the capital of South Sudan.
Animal migration in South Sudan between Badingilo national park and the Sudd swamp to Boma National park and Ethiopia
Unknown to many people and travelers, South Sudan experiences the second largest animal migration after the Wildebeest migration in Masai mara national park Kenya and Serengeti national park Tanzania
The animal migration in South Sudan occurs between Badingilo National Park and the Sudd wetlands in South Sudan to Boma National Park in South Sudan and Ethiopia.
During the rainy season between March and June, the animals migrate from South Sudan in Badingilo national park and the Sudd swamp towards Boma national park in South Sudan and cross into Ethiopia.
During the dry season from November to January, the animals move back from Ethiopia through Boma national park southwards and westwards to the Sudd swamp in the Nile basin and Badingilo national park in South Sudan.
Unlike the wildebeest migration, the main animal species involved in the Animal migration in South Sudan are the white-eared Kob, Tiang antelope and Mongalla gazelle.
The Animal migration in South Sudan is also triggered by the availability of nutritious grasses and water and flooding on the Nile basin accordingly.
The Boma-Badingilo animal migration involves overly one million animals moving in herds in search for green pastures and safer water.
Where to stay on a South Sudan safari and tour
Nimule Resort juba
Nimule resort is located at Congo Avenue, Tong Ping in Juba, South Sudan.
Nimule resort offers self-contained rooms with a desk and a flat-screen TV and air conditioning to help you in the highly humid and hot temperatures of South Sudan as you enjoy your South Sudan safari and tour.
Situated in Juba, 3.1 km from John Garang Memorial, Nimule Resort features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. Featuring a bar, the property is located within 4.9 km of Juba Stadium.
The resort offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests, Sauna and a paid airport transfer service for guests to the hotel.
Nimule resort is located within 9.4 Km from Juba Game reserve and 1 Km from Juba Airport.
Wilderness camping on a South Sudan safari and tour
You can never miss camping on a South sudan safari and tour especially if you love cultural experiences such as the Mundari cattle camp cultural experience in South Sudan.
Flat nature of the landscape in South Sudan provides you with the best camping grounds to enjoy your South Sudan safari.
From camping in the wilderness of Nimule national park, Boma national park to the community settlements of the Mundari and Dinka people in Bor village, you won’t miss camping during your stay on your safari to South Sudan.
other accommodation options in south sudan include
Radisson Blu Juba
Royal Castle hotel, Wau, South Sudan
Tulip Inn Juba
Acacia Village Juba
Juba Grand hotel
Royal hotel Juba
Pyramid continental hotel
AFEX River camp
Nyat Research camp in Boma national park
Shambe Fly camp
Boma highland adventure fly camp
How to get to South Sudan
Visiting South Sudan by road
South sudan can be accessed via land boarders by road from neighboring countries like Uganda and Kenya in the South, Ethiopia in the East, DR Congo in the west and Sudan in the North.
Visiting South Sudan by Air transport
Arguably the safest way to visit South Sudan, flying in to Juba international airport makes it easier for you to enter South Sudan.
For South Sudan safaris and tours, it’s advisable to take helicopter transfers to remote national park areas like Boma national park instead of a road trip.
Entry requirements for a visit to South Sudan
South Sudan visa
South Sudan offers visa on arrival for most countries but also has an online visa application system to ease the visa application and immigration process.
A single-entry visa to South Sudan costs $100 for most countries except Uganda, Sudan and Kenya which pay $50 and Egypt as well as Tanzania and South Africa which are exempted from a visa to South Sudan.
A South Sudan visa can be got online
The process takes a standard 7 working days and you are required to print the approved visa in colour before you travel to South Sudan.
What to avoid during a South Sudan safari and tour
Moving alone at night
If possible, avoid moving alone at night as there is a greater risk of insecurity at night. Only move at night with an experienced local guide and with security personnel.
Security can be arranged by our local guides in South Sudan. Security clearance for foreigners and registration on foreigners is a must in South Sudan.
Moving without identification documents
Always carry your identification documents and visa all the time during your South Sudan safari and tour.
Taking photos of security personnel or government installations
Be cautious while taking photos on your South Sudan safari and tour not to include armed security and government buildings as you might be mistaken for a spy.
Using foreign vehicles for the safari
Where applicable avoid using a foreign vehicle for your South Sudan safari and tour as you can easily become a target at security check points and incase of chaos.
Road transfers to conflict affected areas.
Transfers to South Sudan national parks such as Boma national park and Badingilo national park are often done using helicopters to avoid the risk with road transport in conflict affected areas.
Boma national park and Badingilo national park are managed by African parks which is transforming conservation and tourism in South Sudan with a promising increase in wildlife and security in these protected areas with the help of African parks and the South Sudanese army.
Best time for a South Sudan safari and tour
South Sudan is a very dry country but receives a reasonable amount of rainfall during the year. The best time for a South Sudan safari and tour is the dry season months from late December to late February.
Being in the Nile basin, the country has a low water table and many swamps which makes the roads to get worse and impassable during the rainy season.
South Sudan Tour Operators
As tourism is growing in this young nation of South Sudan, you need a reliable local South Sudan tour operator with local guides to handle your South Sudan safaris and tours.
A number of experienced local South Sudan tour operators are available such as;
Bujuku Eco Tours & Travel
Wild gorilla trekking safaris
Expedition Mundari safaris
Kinyeti Wild tours
Nile Wanderlust travel