Safe National Parks to visit in South Sudan

Safe national parks to visit in South Sudan

You might be unfamiliar about the existence of safe national parks to visit in South Sudan. Yes, it is true that it’s the youngest country in African. Numerous armed conflicts here often threaten tourism. These have occurred quite often hence the numerous questions in regards to its general safety. However, the gradual enhancement in the country’s security creates renewed hype for explorations in the parks. The safe ones include,

Nimule National Park

Notably among the safe national parks to visit in South Sudan, it occupies a space of 410 sq.km. in Eastern Equatoria. The park’s location along the White Nile and near the border with Uganda comes as a blessing for visitors. Other outstanding natural features of Nimule National Park include the pristine savannah landscape. Complements to this include rocky outcrops, woodland habitats and the river rapids. What all these habitats offer to the immense biodiversity of Nimule is a place they all together call home.

Large animals common in Nimule National Park include buffaloes, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, giraffes, tiang, hippos, elephants and warthogs. Being continuous with Mount Otzi and Mount Kei Forest Reserves, Nimule National Park shelters a lot of avifauna. The birds to watch in the destination include southern ground hornbill, black crowned crane and village weaver. Birders should also expect to see the northern red bishop, red collared widowbird and singing bush lark.

The adjacent communities at Nimule National Park comprise Madi and Acholi tribes. An encounter with these unique people is a chance to see rare traditional music and dancing patterns. Hear various tales about their past and present. But, Nimule National Park offers more activities beyond cultural encounters or village tours. Wildlife viewing is done for enthusiasts to see all the large animals inside. Only in a helicopter that flies above the ecosystem can you do this. Boat trips, nature walks and birding offer additional activities to enjoy in the park.

Bandingilo National Park

Situated in Central and Eastern Equatoria State, Bandingilo is one of the safe national parks to visit in South Sudan. Find it on 8,400 square kilometers of land. The ecosystem is on a swamp just 40 kilometers east of Mongalla Game Reserve. However, the place is surrounded by waterless plains. These factors make Bandingilo an important water source for animals in the dry season. Other habitats that create a beautiful landscape throughout the destination include grassland, woodland, rivers.

Habitats in Bandingilo offer a home for a lot of animal species to share. Tiang, white-eared kob, Bohor reedbuck and Mongalla gazelle all live here. These are key participants in the Great Nile Migration—the largest mammal migration on earth. Animals that prey on these antelopes include lions, spotted hyenas, wild dogs and leopards. Other animals in the park are warthogs, giraffes, lesser kudus and zebras. Bird species also find life inside Bandingilo nice. Find the village weaver, Ruppell’s starling, common bulbul, African thrush, little bee-eater, barn owl and pied kingfisher etc.

Communities adjacent comprise Mundari, Pari and Bari tribes. Interact with them in aguided visit to witness pastoralism, crop farming and other activities. These people also have unique diets for instance the Mundari consume a variety of cattle products such as blood and milk. Bandingilo National Park also offers a chance to watch wildlife while on a helicopter. The Great Nile Migration captivates visitors even aerially from your helicopter.

Boma National Park

One of the safe national parks to visit in South Sudan is Boma in the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan. Boma National Park spans 22,800 square kilometers. Along with Bandingilo, Boma forms the Great Nile Migration Landscape. It is in Bandingilo National Park where the animals breed in the wet season. From here they continue into the Sudd and Gambella National Park in Ethiopia. African jacana, Egyptian goose, Goliath heron, wattled lapwing and striped kingfisher are among the bird species to see in the park.

More bird species that shelter in the pristine Boma are Abyssinian ground hornbill, gray kestrel, beautiful sunbird, singing cisticola and silverbird. Wildlife viewing is done only aboard a helicopter over the entire landscape. This is because game tracks have not been established yet. Nevertheless, just enjoy aerial views of Lelwel hartebeest, zebras, Nubian giraffes, oryxes, Sudan cheetahs, buffaloes and elephants. The Kangen river, woodland and grassland present photogenic physical features.

Kidepo Game Reserve

Kidepo Game Reserve is also one of the safe national parks to visit in South Sudan. This semi-arid protected area covers 1,200 square kilomters in the Eastern Equatoria State. Kidepo Game Reserve is linked to Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda. Savannah grassland, woodland, shrub land and forest cover the reserve. Prominent hills and mountains include Lonyili, Alorou-Bira and Dongotona. Riverine vegetation and dry river beds in Kidepo Game Reserve create lovely vistas. All habitats in Kidepo Game Reserve contain a wide range of wildlife.

Big animals to see include aardwolves, lions, cheetahs, forest elephants, Nubian giraffe, leopards and buffaloes etc. Officially an Important Bird Area because the reserve keeps plenty of unique bird species. Some of the birds to spot in Kidepo Game Reserve include ostriches, yellow-necked spur fowl, Heuglin’s spurfowl, dusky turtle dove. The people around Kidepo come from the Didinga, Lotuko, Lango and Buya tribes etc. Meet them for deeper insight into their distinct South Sudanese cultures and lifestyles. Many of them are agro-pastoralists.

Southern National Park

With a size of 23,000 square kilometers in the Western Equatoria State, this sits on the largest area in the country. This is among the safe national parks to visit in South Sudan. Numerous species of wild animals get attracted to this place and eventually call it home. It is a swampy ecosystem, and drained by rivers Ibba, Sue and Gel. Tilapia, Nile birchir, catfish, lung fish and crocodiles dwell in these open waters. Savannah grassland and forest dominate the landscapes.

Elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, northern white rhinos and Kordofan giraffes offer unforgettable wildlife sightings. Meanwhile bird enthusiasts and ornithologists must rejoice since plenty of birds live here. The avian list here contains sun lark, white-fronted black chat, yellow-billed shrike, white crested turaco, Sahel bush sparrow and fox kestrel. Activities to do range from wildlife viewing, birding, nature walks, village visits and boat trips.