The great Nile Migration of South Sudan is the annual movement of wildlife around the Nile region in South Sudan. This migration is not as popular or well-recognised as the one where wildlife migrate from South Sudan to Ethiopia.
It is also ranked as the largest wildlife migration, which suppresses the migration of the Serengeti National Park. It involves over 6 million wildlife around the Nile region.
The main purpose of this Nile migration is for the wildlife in search of water and pastures.
Where does the Nile Migration occur in South Sudan?
As you plan to encounter the Nile Migration in the south Sudan, this migration occurs in the Nile grassland plains also known as Boma Badingilo Jonglei Landscape in the southeast of the country and it extends to the Gambella National Park in Ethiopia.
The land escapes in this area are covered with savannah landscapes, covered with the white Nile flood plain ecosystem.
What wildlife species are encountered during the Nile migration?
In the Nile Migration, there are several wildlife species encountered during the safaris to South Sudan, including;
- White eared kob
- Tiang
- Mongolla Gazelle
- Bohor reedbuck.
- Several bird species.
How does the Great Nile Migration occur?
The great Nile migration in South Sudan occurs in patterns driven by seasonal rainfall and the availability of food and water. As the rains begin, the wildlife migrate from the dry areas to the lush areas with green grass near the Nile and its tributaries.
What is the role of the River Nile in the Nile Migration?
The River Nile is the primary source of water in South Sudan, where it is utilized for various purposes. This river plays a big role in the Nile Migration, and some of the purposes of the river include;
- Source of water in the dry landscapes of Boma National Park and the Suud wetland.
- The Nile River facilitates navigation and serves as a natural highway, as well as a migration corridor, where animals migrate to seasonal grazing grounds in the area.
- The Nile River is not only important to wildlife but also to local communities, such as the Dinka, Mundari, and Murle. This migration helps the pastoralists to locate fresh pastures and water as they follow the routes for the wildlife migration.
Challenges Facing the Wildlife of the Nile Migration in South Sudan.
Wildlife during the Nile Migration face several challenges, and some of these challenges include;
- Climate change is one of the challenges that face wildlife during migration. This climate challenge is characterized by changes in rain patterns and temperature increases, which impact wildlife migration patterns.
In this area, the climate challenge is due to drought and prolonged rainfall, which also alter the migration of wildlife.
- Human activities also affect the Nile Migration in South Sudan since the migration patterns and routes have been used by the locals, as the grounds for migration have diminished. Other human activities, like poaching, hunting, and many others, are also part of the activities that affect wildlife migration.
- Political instabilities are one of the key challenges facing wildlife migration in South Sudan, where there are no productive measures to protect and implement wildlife conservation.
What are the efforts being put in place to conserve the wildlife Migration in South Sudan?
As the government is increasing the efforts of the conservation of wildlife, there are several efforts put in place to increase conservation, and they include;
- Advocacy and addressing the communities around the migration routes. This is through creating awareness and sustainable means to avoid conflicts between wildlife and the communities.
- Giving back to the community to create increased support for wildlife conservation, since they know that they benefit.
- Increase in enforcement to secure the wildlife from hunting and poaching. It is done through increased monitoring around the protected areas.
Where to stay during the wildlife migration in South Sudan?
In considering encountering the wildlife Migration in South Sudan, which is one of the spectacular wildlife encounters, there are several accommodation facilities around the areas where the migration occurs.
These facilities range from the mobile tented camps, community guest houses, NGO tented base camps, and several hotels in Juba.
Some of the accommodation facilities in Juba include the Royal Palace Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel, Pyramid Continental Hotel, and many others.
Are you willing to encounter and witness the wildlife migration in South Sudan?
Nile migration in South Sudan is a lifetime experience for adventurous travelers and wildlife enthusiasts. In this migration, you will encounter the wildlife connection and cultural encounters.
As you plan to encounter the wildlife migration in South Sudan, contact us for the best experience of the wildlife migration in South Sudan.