For a long time, South Sudan was divided along ethnic lines, which led to constant civil wars that destabilized the country, and some lives were lost. However, through hardships, many states emerged and were formed following their strategic and geographic positioning. At the time of the establishment of the Equatoria states by Sir Samuel Baker in 1870, it was a milestone achievement not only for the region but also for the country, as it was later a reason for independence.
The Equatoria as a state, was divided following compass directions for proper management and service allocation. This state, like most regions of South Sudan, faced a lot of tribal challenges that led to the state being divided on October 1st, 1972. The Eastern Equatoria state was divided into Imatong and Namorunyang states. After about 48 years, a peace agreement was signed on 22nd February 2020 that further reinstated the Eastern Equatoria state.
The Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan is home to 40 tribes, including Toposa, Larem/Buya, Lopit, and Lotuko, among others, that account for over 4.4 million people in the whole state, following the recently concluded national census in 2025. The Eastern Equatoria state adds to the cultural diversity of the entire country by having notable cultural tours. This state is located in the extreme southeastern region of South Sudan.
The Eastern Equatoria state is situated along the international borders of Uganda in the south, Kenya in the southeast, and Ethiopia in the northeast. Internally, Eastern Equatoria is bordered by Central Equatoria, with its capital, Juba, just 3 hours’ drive from Eastern Equatoria. In the northern region, Eastern Equatoria is bordered by the Jonglei state.
Among the Equatoria states of South Sudan, the Eastern Equatoria state is the safest state to explore. Arguably, it is also the host of the most incredible tourist destinations in the country to explore. The Eastern Equatoria state is vast, stretching for over 73, 472 square kilometers with its capital as Torit. This state is governed by 8 administrative counties, each with its headquarters as shown below;
| County | Headquarter |
| Torit | Torit |
| Ikotos | Ikotos |
| Kapotea South | Kapotea |
| Lafon | Lopa |
| Budi | Chukudum |
| Kapotea North | Kapotea North |
| Magwi | Magwi |
| Kapotea East | Narus |
What makes the Eastern Equatoria state a peaceful, hidden gem is its adventures and its scenic beauty. The Eastern Equatoria state is ruled by a governor under the head administration of the government of South Sudan.
Attractions in the Eastern Equatoria state
We would think that Eastern Equatoria state is not explored as much because there are a lot of attractions that make this impressive state up for exploration. Below are some of these attractions in this state.
Nimule National Park
Among the few attractions in the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan is the Nimule National Park. This park is one of the smallest protected areas of South Sudan, covering about 410 square kilometers. It is home to a vast population of wildlife species, such as leopards, elephants, Uganda kobs, oribis, common duikers, warthogs, hippos, and hyraxes, among others. This park also hosts bird species like the Abyssinian roller, Egyptian goose, African jacana, standard-winged nightjar, and sacred ibis, among others.
Fulla Falls
Situated on the White Nile, a tributary of the River Nile, the longest river in the world, the Fulla Falls, also called Fola Rapids, are another attraction in the Eastern Equatoria state. The rapids are formed when water is funnelled into a narrow gorge about 90 meters long, into a deep cavity, after dropping 7 meters over a 3-mile stretch of rock. These falls offer a spectacular sight on the Nile.
Kidepo Game Reserve
Kidepo Game Reserve, located in the Budi and Ikotos counties of the Eastern Equatoria state, is a popular destination. This game reserve forms a continuous ecological system with Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park. This reserve is approximately 1,200 square kilometers of vast savannah grasslands and woodlands. Some wildlife species include African bush elephants, African wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, lesser kudus, and buffaloes, among others.
Cultural tours
The Eastern Equatoria state hosts a large population of different tribes. Through cultural tours, visitors can explore and witness the cultural diversity of this state. The common tribes to explore their customs, beliefs, values, and norms include the Toposa, Larem/Buya, Lokuto, and Lopit, among others. Visitors can have a glimpse into the cattle herding practises of these tribes.
Getting to the Eastern Equatoria state
The accessibility of the Eastern Equatoria state is quite impressive, with the state accessible by both air and road transportation. Traveling by road transport from the country’s capital city, Juba, takes about 3 hours of straight driving. The main highway used is the Juba-Kenya highway, which connects to the Kenyan border with South Sudan in the eastern region. Driving is the cheapest and most commonly used means of transportation in the country.
Traveling by air is the quickest way to get to the Eastern Equatoria state and also the most expensive. There are domestic scheduled flights that run weekly from the state to the capital city, Juba, in the Central Equatoria state. The Eastern Equatoria state has airfields in the Kapotea and Torit counties. A scheduled flight from either of these countries takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to the capital city, Juba.
Accommodation facilities in Eastern Equatoria State
There are several accommodation facilities scattered across the Eastern Equatoria state. These facilities are categorized under luxury, midrange, and budget options. There may not be many 5-star accommodation facilities in this state, but there are good options that come close. Among these options are Kuleo Resort Hotel and Torit Hotel. These are some of the most popular options.