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A Dream Returned – Exploring Southern Sudan The Natural Habitat of Southern Sudan full of wildlife are making Southern Sudan the second Garden of Eden. * Tourism like many other industries in Southern Sudan, is relatively new and is beginning to make a fundamental impacts of its own. The world begins to appreciate the beautiful landscapes and water features following the isolation of Southern Sudan. However, since 2005, Southern Sudan has the opportunity to showcase its unique splendour. The wildebeest migration in Southern Sudan is one of the biggest animal migrations in the world and has been described as more spectacular than other migrations on the African continent. This amazing discovery in the Boma region has been attracting many visitors. Water is the greatest natural resource in Southern Sudan and boat trips can be arranged on the White Nile and experience serenity through the breezes of this historic river and its numerous tributaries. The Sudd Swamp can be found in a confluence of the Nile. This green carpet of water lillies and other water plants presents a beautiful and extraordinary view to be reckoned with. The Sudd is indeed spectacular scenery, especially with an aerial view of this wonder There are 5 National Parks and 14 Game Reserves in Southern Sudan. Southern Sudan's protected areas support some of the most spectacular and important wildlife populations in Africa, and hosted second largest wildlife migration in the world. Surveys in the preceding years revealed that Boma National Park, west of the Ethiopian border, as well as the Sudd wetland and Southern National Park near the border with Congo, provide habitat for large populations of kob and topis (two types of antelope), buffalo, elephants, giraffes, hartebeests (another antelope), and lions. Southern Sudan's forest reserves also provided habitat for bongo (also an antelope), giant forest hogs, red river hogs, forest elephants, chimpanzees, and forest monkeys. Surveys begun in 2005 by WCS in partnership with the semi-autonomous government of Southern Sudan revealed that significant populations exist, and the huge migration of 1.3 million antelopes in the southeast is intact. Associated wildlife species include the endemic white-eared kob and Nile lechwe, as well as elephants, giraffes, common eland, giant eland, oryx, lions, wild dogs, buffalo, and topi. The Safari Company of the River Nile is pioneers in Tourism in Southern Sudan, doing their part to help this new nation. They plan to expand our safaris into other areas of Southern Sudan in the near future. There is a new school to teach forest rangers and the rebuilding of lodges in National Parks which has started. Boma and Badingilo National Parks, the vast swamps of the Sudd, including the Zeraf Game Reserve and the proposed Loelle protected area in Jonglei is East Africa's largest savannah ecosystem Wildlife in Southern Sudan is beyond ones imagination especially when you witness it with your own eyes. The Natural Habitat and the jungles of Southern Sudan are full of wildlife making Southern Sudan the second Garden of Eden. Says Mr. Thomas Banks, Sec- Treasurer of "Bahr El Jebel Safaris" the Safari Company to Southern Sudan, "I feel Southern Sudan is one of the last areas of Africa that is truly pristine and for this reason wish to be one of the first safari operators in before it changes" interview. . Q: Juba is the capital of Southern Sudan, and a starting point for tours? Thomas: Juba is the capital of Southern Sudan. Truck loads of materials flow north from Uganda, daily. Juba is like a gold rush town, where things are very expensive and building is ahead of planning. Q: "Bahr El Jebel Safaris" are considered as pioneers in tourism in Southern Sudan. Why the name "Bahr El Jebel"? Thomas: That is the Juba Arabic name of the Nile. We consider our company as pioneers in Tourism in Southern Sudan. It is our small contribution to help this new nation. Q: What are the challenges at hand for tourism? Which issues are of particular concern? Thomas: Education of the rangers in the parks are foremost and supporting them with a good infrastructure Q: The most convenient and affordable route to reach Southern Sudan? Thomas: Fly to Entebbe and the next day fly to Juba is the best way to get to Southern Sudan at this time. The roads from Nimule to Juba are being rebuilt. Q: Best time to visit? Thomas: Best time and only time to visit is November to April in the dry season. Q: Final thoughts… ? Many of the peoples in Southern Sudan adhere to their tribal dress, customs, belief and language. Thus major part of the experience of Southern Sudan are its people. Thank you.
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Sudan, Southern Sudan, tourism, national park, safaris, culture,
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