When embarking on safari tours to Sudd wetland in South Sudan, one has to first find out what Sudd wetland is all about. Sudd wetland is a natural tropical swamp and the largest on the African continent with a vast ecological system. The Sudd wetland spans over 57,000 square kilometers of mass area and is a source of life for several species of flora and fauna. The Sudd wetland is fed and maintained by the River Nile since it is situated in the Nile basin.
The wetland is located in South Sudan and is the main tourist destination in the country. South Sudan is in most cases regarded as a dry country with almost no water bodies. It is on this account that the Sudd wetland best nullifies this narrative and checks the books of many visitors that see if there is nothing to spot in South Sudan.
The Sudd wetland is a source of livelihood for several flora and fauna species that harbor the swamp area and the surrounding communities. The wetland is not just a geographical and tourism site however it also trippers as a historical site. It is believed that during 61 AD Roman soldiers under the orders of Emperor Nero embarked on a journey to conquer Equatorial Africa however, faced the terrible challenge of traversing the Sudd wetland.
This made the conquest journey close to impossible which made them rotate other routes to avoid the wetland. This tale of history aligns well with the meaning of the Sudd an Arabic word meaning barrier.
What to see in Sudd wetland?
The Sudd wetland has several interesting attractions to engage in regardless of it being a giant swamp. It harbors various wildlife species and a rich diverse ecological system as illustrated below.
Wildlife
The Sudd wetland as mentioned is a source of life for various wildlife species around the wetland. The wetland’s vast landscape of over 57,000 square kilometers spans and borders various protected areas that host wildlife species. Several wildlife species to be encountered while on a safari to the Sudd wetland include buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, and white-eared kob, to mention but a few.
Birdlife
The Sudd wetland’s biodiversity does not only stop at the wildlife species but also the birdlife. The wetland has been so significant in the country hosting the largest population of birds in South Sudan and also in Africa. Millions of migratory birds fly in the wetland nest across its landscape and vegetation zones from all over the world every season. These add their tally to the current resident endemic bird species that permanently harbor the wetland.
There are approximately 500 bird species in the wetland. Some of these species include the shoebill stock, white stork, great white pelican, black tern, black crowned crane, white-faced whistling-duck, red-billed duck, mallard, Nob billed duck, blue-billed teal, Garganey, Egyptian goose, Ruddy shelduck, and Southern pochard, to mention but a few.
Fish species
Given that the Sudd wetland is situated in the Nile basin, it is important to note that it hosts several fish species. These fish species can be spotted on a fishing safari in the wetland. The White Nile collects several fish species from the different tributaries on its journey north to the Mediterranean Sea. The Sudd wetland hosts up to 100 fish species from the common freshwater species to the swamp endemic species. Some of these fish species in the Sudd wetland include the Nile perch, tilapia, African catfish, nothobranchus, and synodontis frontosus to mention but a few.
The Sudd wetland houses eight resident species of fish known as the Nile dwarf fish. These are common to the wetland and as the name dwarf suggests are very small compared to the Nile perch and tilapia. These include Cromeria nilotica, Nannaethiops unitaeniatus, Barbus stigmatopygus, Chelaethiops bibie, Andersonia leptura, Aplocheilichthys loati, Epiplatys marnoi, etc.
Vegetation
The vegetation zones in the Sudd wetland are scattered across the entire wetland. This is because of the many different factors, and flooding is one of the major factors. The different vegetation zones in the Sudd wetland include a permanent swamp, which, like many swamplands in Africa, is dominated by papyrus, water hyacinth, and other aquatic plants.
Flooded grasslands also known as riverine vegetation is another type of vegetation zone in the Sudd wetland. Flooded woodland composed of flooded trees of acacia trees. The flooded vegetation zone is a result of the large water volumes that increase in Lake Victoria the source of the Nile due to prolonged rainfall hence flooding the Sudd wetland.
Where to stay on a safari to the Sudd wetland
Just because the Sudd wetland stretches for over 57,000 square kilometers, someone may be worried about where to stay on a safari tour to the wetland. Well, let us clear the air and relieve your worry. Several accommodation facilities are available along the Sudd wetland boundaries offering special sceneries of the wetland, especially at daybreak as the sun rises above the wetland from the back of your window.
These facilities range from luxury to midrange and budget. Visitors can choose their best and the class they are interested in. The accommodation facilities in the Sudd wetland include the Sudd Eagle Palace Hotel.