South Sudan is the youngest country in the world having gained its independence from Sudan in 2011. This was a hard fought battle that saw many lives lost as the South Sudanese sought fair representation and treatment from their northern brothers dominated by Arabs. This struggle for independence started during the 20th century when the United Sudan got its independence from the British colonial masters.
However, between 1983 and 2005, a civil war took place, and this is the war that shaped and crafted the future of South Sudan. Several diplomatic dialogues followed shortly after the war, with many mediating countries in Africa that all sought peace in the region. This led to the independence of South Sudan, which was declared in 2011, and since then, the country has slowly developed to international standards.
Traveling to any country in the world requires one to have a document paid for either upon entry into the country or before entry and South Sudan is not any different. This document is known as a visa and it permits individuals to enter a country for a specific time and purpose. South Sudan joined the East African Community in 2016 and thus obtaining a traveling visa from any country in the East African Community permits you entry to all the countries under this umbrella. This means one can travel through the whole of East Africa without requiring a visa for each country after buying it once.
What is the cost of a tour visa to South Sudan?
The costs of a tour vis to South Sudan range from nationality and region where the visitor is coming from. East African countries in the East African Community umbrella share similar tour visa costs since they apply to all the countries. Visitors from neighboring countries like Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, and Tanzania do not require a visa to tour South Sudan. European, Asian, and African tour visas cost USD 100 while American tour visas cost USD 160.
How to obtain a South Sudan visa?
Obtaining a visa for South Sudan is not a complicated procedure due to the adoption of the technology. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, obtaining a traveling visa to South Sudan was done physically where the traveling person would go to the South Sudanese embassy in their country and buy the traveling visa. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 called for safety and neat methods of obtaining a visa. An online system was developed and travelers can now apply for their visas online and after payment and approval, their visas are obtained.
What are the visa requirements?
There are requirements to obtain a traveling visa to South Sudan and they include some of the following.
- Valid passport
- Applicant’s passport-sized photo
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Purpose of travel document or letter i.e. travel itinerary
- Negative pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test result
- Previous visa, if the applicant had obtained a visa before
How to get into South Sudan?
South Sudan can easily be accessed by either road or air transportation means. One may wonder how to travel to South Sudan by road. It is possible to travel by road to South Sudan through neighboring countries like Uganda in the south and Kenya in the southeast. This is because one will not require obtaining another visa for each of these countries since they are all together with South Sudan in the East African Community. However, traveling to South Sudan by road through the neighboring countries is hectic and costly.
Therefore, the best and most effective means of transport to South Sudan is by air transport. South Sudan has an improved air transport system with a state-of-the-art Juba International Airport. Travelers across the world can now fly to the country with ease and land at the international airport.
Why travel to South Sudan?
South Sudan over many years was categorized as a poor that is war-torn and dangerous to visit. However, this narrative is wrong, and yes South Sudan has had many step-backs of instability and natural disasters like drought and famine but has stood tall and overcame these challenges to be one of the best tourism destinations in Africa. Below are some of the reasons why you should visit South Sudan and why it is worth adding to your bucket list.
Wildlife
South Sudan boasts a natural hub of several wildlife species that can be spotted in the different protected areas in the country. These protected areas include national parks like Nimule and game reserves like Kidepo that host these species. These wildlife species include elephants, lions, giraffes, antelopes, waterbucks, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, and crocodiles, to mention but a few. There is also plenty of birdlife that can be of interest to several travelers, especially bird lovers and nature enthusiasts.
Culture
You can enjoy a cultural tour of South Sudan people as you learn their unique ways of life such as their dress code and food and get entertained with their cultural songs and dances. The way of life of the South Sudanese is fascinating with different tribes of the Toposa, Larim, and Mundari people. These people are largely cattle keepers and their ways of cattle rearing like milking, ghee production, and mixing blood with milking is quite an experience.
Vegetation
Often South Sudan is termed an area in the semi-arid region but is dry and has hardly any vegetation cover. However, this view is very wrong and South Sudan is quite rich with a diverse landscape and vast vegetation zones that present a beautiful scenery worth your attention. The landscape of South Sudan is defined by rolling hills, deep valleys, and vast plains. The country has different vegetation zones including savannah grassland and woodland, dense rainforests, and riverine vegetation zones. These are also scattered across the country and experienced immediately on a visit to the country.