River Nile Expedition. Exploration trip to South Sudan
Exploration expedition to South Sudan in the purest Kumakonda style in which we will navigate the Nile River in three motorboats through the Sudd, the largest wetland in Africa. On our journey we will meet Mundaris, Dinkas, Nuer and Shilus herders.
The great Sudd swamp in South Sudan
The Sudd swamp is one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the world. The extent of the Sudd swamp is highly variable; it depends largely on the seasons and years respectively. It is sustained by the flow of the White Nile (or Bahr el Jebel) from Lake Victoria in Uganda, in addition to rainfall from surrounding areas.
White Nile Expedition
The White Nile dissipates northward from Juba through a shallow depression to produce a network of channels, lagoons, and flooded areas Flood patterns greatly influence the vegetation of Sudd, which consists mainly of permanent swamps, river- and rain-flooded grasslands, and floodplain forests.
The Sudd swamp is located within the ecoregion “Grasslands and flooded savannas of the Southeastern Sahel”, included in the WWF Global 200 list.
It is internationally recognized for its unique ecological attributes, which include several endangered mammal species, antelope migrations, millions of Palearctic migratory birds and large fish populations.
Notable wildlife species include African elephants ( Loxodonta africana ), Nile lechwe antelope ( Kobus megaceros ) endemic to South Sudan, migrating tiang ( Damaliscus lunatus tiang ), migrating white-eared kob ( Kobus kob thomasi ), buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ) and bird species include shoebill ( Balaeniceps rex ).
The Sudd is an important wintering site for some migratory birds, such as the white pelican ( Pelecanus onocrotalus ), crowned crane ( Balearica pavonina ), white stork ( Ciconia ciconia ) and black tern ( Chlidonias niger ). It forms part of the migration route of Palearctic birds from East Asia and East Africa, linking breeding areas in central Europe and Asia with wintering areas in the south. A large number of inter-African migratory birds also depend on the Sudd and surrounding habitats for shelter during the dry season.
Tribes of the Sudd in South Sudan.
The culture and society of the approximately one million inhabitants of the Sudd swamp region are closely linked to its ecological functioning. The dominant tribes in the Sudd are the Nuer (Southern Liech State), the Dinka (Eastern Lakes State), the Shilluk (Upper Nile State) and the Anyuak (Akobo State), all Nilotic peoples and indigenous pastoralists of the Nile Valley.
Nomads of South Sudan
These groups have developed traditions that have allowed them to adapt to flood conditions and seasonal variation throughout the Sudd through a combination of nomadic agro-pastoralism, collection of non-timber forest products and fishing. Specific practices include seasonal construction of settlements on small islands in flooded areas and traditional hunting and fishing techniques.
The hydrologic functions and patterns of the Sudd maintain the livelihoods and cultural practices of the Sudd tribes. Cultural groups living in the Sudd region also maintain beliefs and practices that serve to support and conserve the environment in which they live. For example, the cultural beliefs of the Shilluk community living in the Sudd region are an important aspect in the preservation of the Nile lechwe antelope (an antelope species endemic to South Sudan), as they consider killing this animal species a taboo, which of course helps its conservation and sustainable use. Therefore, it is valuable to support many of the cultural practices of the communities living in Sudd, as they are closely intertwined with the natural elements and their preservation also creates and maintains an awareness of past and traditional knowledge in the general public.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Juba city and transfer to the hotel (Overnight at Imperial Plaza Hotel).
- Day 2: Boat trip from Juba to Gemeza (Overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 3: Boat trip from Gemeza to Aguetthier (Overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 4: Boat trip from Aguetthier to Thiam Thiam (overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 5: Boat trip from Thiam Thiam to Juraweth (overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 6: Boat trip from Juraweth to Shambe (overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 7: Boat trip from Shambe to Taayor (overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 8: Boat trip from Taayor to Adok (overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 9: By boat from Adok to Kilo Kamsin (overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 10: Boat crossing from Kilo Kamsin to Tunga/New Fangak (overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 11: Boat trip from Tunga/New Fangak to Kodak (overnight in tents on the island).
- Day 12: Boat trip from Kodak to Malakal (overnight in one of the hotels in Malakal).
- Day 13: Fly back to Juba and transfer to the hotel (overnight at the Imperial Plaza Hotel).
- Day 14: Flight back home.
