Although South Sudan is one of the littler-known nations in the world, the very fact that South Sudan is so undiscovered is what makes it likely to attract the first intrepid visitors here. Tourism in South Sudan is a very new field, however, the rewards for those adventurous spirits who are up to the challenge, are immeasurable.
South Sudan does have the potential to establish a travel and tourism industry. With extensive forests, grassland, lakes, grass swamps and rivers, it has extensive wildlife to rival that in all of East/Central Africa. It is home to one of the largest animal migration routes in the world, as well as having significant populations of classic safari animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions, and cheetahs. The Boma National Park is likely to become a centre for tourists, but it will require significant expenditure for this to become reality as it currently possesses minimal tourism infrastructure. Additionally, whilst there is ongoing conflict in the country and its neighbour Sudan, visitors are likely to go to other more established and perceived safer destinations.
Boma National Park, covering around 22,800 sq km near the border of Ethiopia may very well become the number one tourist attraction in South Sudan. This widespread wilderness is home to large quantities of wildlife including migrating herds of over a million white-eared kob, tiang antelope and Mongalla gazelle.
Nimule National Park may be the smallest national park in the country, but may also hold title for the most beautiful. Nimule sits on the border of Uganda. This park was once renowned for its white rhino (which are sadly no more) and is now home to hippo, Uganda kob, elephants and buffalo.
Juba, the bustling capital city of South Sudan, is a boom town filled with government officials, business people, refugees, oil men, NGO workers and South Sudanese recently returned from exile abroad. There are few conventional tourist sites in town aside from the grave of John Garang, the former leader of the South Sudan independence movement.