Getting Visa for South Sudan

There are certain procedures that needs to be followed when applying for a Visa for Sudan when you reside in either, the UK, USA, Canada or Germany.

When in the U.S, a Visa Application at the Embassy or the Consulate General of the country in the United States is required prior to traveling to countries like Sudan. Business travelers would also require a formal invitation letter that is addressed to the Sudanese Embassy in the U.S that would explain the purpose of the visit. All visas to South Sudan are normally processed within 10 business days. Visitors from the U.S would need to pay a fee of $100 and complete an Entry Visa application form on arrival in South Sudan.

UK residents wishing to travel to Sudan need to consult with the Sudanese Embassy in London as they are the official representatives of Sudan within the United Kingdom as well at Northern Ireland. Business travelers to South Sudan coming from the UK must have a valid passport that is valid for at least 6 months. In addition, they need to complete the Sudanese business visa application form, supply passport type photographs, a current bank statement and proof of travel insurance coverage as well as a invitation letter from a Sudanese company, and finally proof of their airline reservation and South Sudan hotel reservation.

When applying for a Visa for South Sudan from Canada, you would need to visit the Sudanese Embassy and Consular Office in Ottawa as they are the only accredited South Sudanese Agencies that are allowed to issue South Sudan Visas. This should be done in advance before attempting to travel to South Sudan. Travelers to South Sudan should ensure that they have the right Visa that is in line with the purpose of their travel. You get South Sudanese tourist visas, business visas, transit visas, on-arrival visas, student visas, and South Sudanese temporary worker visas.

Applicants from Germany who requires a visa for South Sudan need to adhere to stringent requirements when completing their application at the Sudanese Embassy in Berlin, Germany. The visa applications for South Sudan has been updated in 2011 and would require applicants to state what the reason for their visit is, and the name of their contact in South Sudan as well as how long they intend staying there. Although, in general most visitors to South Sudan are only allowed to stay for 90 days.

Treat Yourself at Fast Food Restaurants in Juba, South Sudan

South Sudanese cuisine is generally simple and shows a lot of influence from Europe, Asia and its neighbors in the region. Flatbread known as ‘Kisra’ is the staple food of the country, and is usually eaten with grilled or stewed meat, like chicken or beef. Peanuts are used heavily in the local cuisine as a sauce or thickener, and this gives South Sudanese food a distinct flavor. While these dishes are delicious in their own right, visitors to South Sudan are sure to have cravings for their own respective cuisines. Especially in Juba, which has become host to several foreign diplomats and investors, there is a need for international restaurants in South Sudan. Fortunately, there are establishments in Juba that can provide visitors with a familiar taste of the food from back home.

Cuisines from various other parts of the African continent can be sampled in South Sudan, as it is a landlocked country. Ethiopian, Kenyan and Eritrean restaurants are the most prevalent, as there are many immigrants from these countries residing in Juba. Arabic and Mediterranean cuisine is also to be found in Juba; the ‘Shawarma’s and ‘Kebab’s are known to be truly scrumptious.

Indian food is very common in South Sudan, as it is similar to the local style of cooking. Rice and curry is served in all manner of establishments, from roadside shops to high-end restaurants, and the taste varies accordingly. Other common Indian food staples can also be found, such as ‘Roti’ and ‘Dosai’. Asian cuisines, like Chinese and Thai, are also popular in Juba, with many restaurants offering fried rice, noodles and other similar dishes.

Travelers hungering for Western cuisine and fast food in South Sudan will be relieved to know that cheeseburgers and submarines are sold commonly in Juba. Although the standard of quality varies from place to place, one does not have to travel far to sink your teeth into a juicy burger and some French fries. Hamburger purists may be disappointed that there are no Golden Arches to be found in South Sudan, but the food available can satisfy regular fast food fanatics.

Pastas and pizzas are also offered at Italian restaurants. Once again there are no major franchises operating in the country, but this is likely to be far from a visitor’s mind when digging into a cheesy pizza or enjoying some spaghetti. Italian cuisine is found a bit less frequently in South Sudan as many of the ingredients have to be imported, but the restaurants that do offer Italian food are of high quality.

Hotel Asante’s Aroma Restaurant is specialized at catering to a variety of tastes, including Indian, Chinese and Western cuisine. This fast-food centre provides a unique service with dishes prepared by internationally trained chefs. Visit Aroma Restaurant and give your senses a treat!

Boma National Park in South Sudan

South Sudan is home to a highly diverse selection of wildlife, with sanctuaries like the Boma-Jonglei ecosystem, the Sudd wetlands and the Southern National Park. The Bome-Jonglei region plays host to the seasonal migration of approximately 1.3 million antelopes, which is one of the greatest mammal migrations in the world. Thanks to this, the Boma National Park accounts for the largest concentration of wildlife in South Sudan.

Established in 1986, before the division of North and South Sudan, the Boma National Park covers over 2.25 million hectares of floodplains and pastures. It is the largest wildlife reserve in the region, with very few roads or ranger outposts. Several species of antelope reside in the park, such as the white-eared Kob (Kobus Kob Leucotis), the Mongalla gazelle (Eudorcas Albonotata) and the Tiang (Damaliscus Korrigum Korrigum). Grazing alongside them can be found other mammal species like the zebra, buffalo, oryx, and giraffe, while prowlers like the cheetah and the leopard hunt among them. Around 8000 majestic African elephants also inhabit the Boma-Jonglei region, with most of them concentrated in the Boma National Park. These are only a few of the animal species in the area, and the ecosystem here is comparable to the plains of the famous Serengeti.

Climate in Boma National Park goes through the typical wet-dry cycle that is common in the equatorial belt. During the peak of the rainy season from March-June, animals migrate into the park as the plains begin flooding and watering holes become abundant. This movement is then reversed during the dry season from November-January, as the drought forces the colonies of animals to find new sources of nourishment and shelter.

The events in the surrounding regions have taken their toll on the wildlife in the park.  Although vast herds remained essentially intact despite the harsh years of civil war in the country, it is notable that the zebra population of Boma National Park has reduced considerably in size. Hunting is also a common method of gathering food among much of the South Sudanese population, and the World Conservation Society, among other agencies, has tried to promote sustainable farming to balance the needs of the indigenous people and the wildlife.

Boma National Park is also situated in the oil deposit-rich area of South Sudan, which means that landscapes are at risk of being lost to industrialization. As oil is currently Sudan’s primary source of foreign trade, it fuels the development of infrastructure throughout the country and is therefore vital to the growth of the country. However, in a country that is represented in the media largely through the Darfur conflict and stories of death and starvation, it may be important to conserve the natural environment to promote a different side of South Sudan. Also, with the ongoing disputes over oil revenues between North and South Sudan, oil dependence can be reduced by promoting eco-tourism to boost foreign visitors.

While the infrastructure to support such ventures is yet to be fully established, South Sudan has the potential to use its wildlife reserves to market its largely untapped tourism industry, and Boma National Park’s natural abundance will play a key role in this process.

Why choose Hotel Asante when staying in Juba?

 

Planning a trip to South Sudan? When it comes to choosing accommodation, it is important to pick a place that offers the right balance of comfort and security. This is where Hotel Asante outshines its competition. Being pioneers in the tourism industry of South Sudan, Hotel Asante often sets the standards for how other hotels in the area operate.

Located relatively close to the Juba airport, Hotel Asante has become the premier hotel for business travelers in Juba. It not only provides transport to and from the airport, but also offers vehicle rental for visitors who need to travel about the city. Thanks to the convenient location of the hotel, a large portion of South Sudan is accessible without much hassle.

Transportation is only one of the services Hotel Asante offers to facilitate visitors on business trips. Other services they offer include a conference facility for meetings, high speed internet for video-conferencing, and an event organizing team, facilitating business ventures in Juba, which happens to be undergoing rapid development. These features ensure full productivity during a business trip in Sudan.

Hotel Asante does not solely cater to business clients either. With a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and spa, it is well-equipped to give travelers a chance to relax and enjoy their stay. To allow guests some physical exercise, there is a fully-equipped gym, which is surprisingly uncommon among hotels in Juba. Three restaurants are available in the hotel to cater to a variety of tastes, ranging from fine dining to fast-food. Like the rest of the facilities at Hotel Asante, these are maintained at high standards of hygiene and hospitality.

Rooms at Hotel Asante provide a cozy atmosphere for guests, with a host of complimentary facilities. These include Wi-Fi internet, satellite television and a mini-safe for storage of valuables. All rooms are air-conditioned, a definite source of respite for visitors who are unused to the hot Sudanese sun. A massage service is also available for guests, which is especially handy after time spent traveling the Sudanese roads.

Another key aspect of Hotel Asante is the security it provides its guests. Certified by United Nations Security and Safety Standards, the hotel goes to every length to ensure the safety of its guests. Even though the conflict in South Sudan has been on the decline, the hotel provides 24-hour armed security as a method of defense in addition to features such as shatter-proof glass and fire alarms.

Such an extensive host of features provided by Hotel Asante make it the obvious choice for accommodation during a trip to Juba, whether on business or leisure, guaranteeing a safe, comfortable and productive journey.

Cheap Flights to Juba, South Sudan

Sudan, famous for their hospitable natives and wealthy culture, is seen to be one of the biggest countries in Northern Africa. You can imagine that people from around the world would be curious to see what the capital city of South Sudan, Juba, has to offer them. Which is why they will be looking for cheap flights to Juba.

It is not as difficult as it may seem at first. For flights that are inexpensive to Juba, you would only need to travel to Khartoum via a direct flight from the US, if that is where you are flying from, and then from thereon you can travel by plane to JUBA. Best of all, there is no need to fear for you life as all is safe both in Khartoum and in the South of Sudan, Juba.

You can simply book your flight that is cheap to Juba through Sudan Airways who has up to 3 flights a week going to Juba. Another airline you can avail of is Al Gharb Airlines who has 2 flights a week from Khartoum to Juba. Yet another option would be make use of a small jet which is not cheap, and would cost you in the region of US$5000, obtainable from the civil aviation authorities.

Why Cheap Flights to Juba is Such an Attraction

For what reason would people from different parts of the world want to fly to Juba using cheap flights? First of all, they want to revel in the city’s fabulous attractions. Then, they want to go on and meet people from other countries and get to experience various cultural differences. After all, Sudanese are known to be among the most responsive and sociable people on our planet. This in spite of their poverty. It is not uncommon to experience a spirit of giving among the people of Juba, and other parts of Sudan.

Gateway to Juba, South Sudan

Even though, Sudan is serviced by several airports, there are only a few international flights that operate, whereas the majority of cheap flights to Juba are being offered through domestic flights within the country itself. Khartoum international airport is the biggest gateway to cheaper flights going to Juba, South Sudan. If you happen to come from the UK to Sudan, then you could make use of KLM, Qatar Airways, and Lufthansa.

Besides Khartoum, there are two more airports that accommodate international flights, which includes Port Sudan and Juba Airport. These airports offer indirect flights operating from the UK to Sudan. Due to the numerous ways of gaining access to Juba, it is clear to see why many people across the globe opt for cheaper flights to Juba.

Hotel Asanté for Business Travellers

South Sudan, though it has not yet been recognised as a holiday destination, the tremendous growth that is predicted for the country makes it an attractive country for investments and new venture initiation. As a result of increasing investments in South Sudan, the demand for decent accommodation in South Sudan also has been hiked. Being a country that is recovering from various political as well as social setbacks, South Sudan is yet to reach the international accommodation standards. However we at Hotel Asantéin South Sudan,are leveraging our maximum efforts to reach such global standards while achieving a significant success in accommodating our guests.

We are conveniently located in the capital city of South Sudan, Juba. Also our location itself is one of the prime answers for the question,‘where to stay in South Sudan?’ The Business Travellers and Delegates who visit South Sudan undoubtedly require a peaceful accommodation in the capital city to fulfil all their responsibilities. Long travelling and distracting atmosphere would definitely influence their productivity adversely which in turn affect the fulfilment of their responsibilities. Hence choosing the best accommodation in Juba has a significant impact on business travel to South Sudan.

Understanding this thoroughly we have designed our amenities and accommodation features that help our guests to relax and prepare for their tasks. In addition to the spacious and comfortable accommodation, we also provide numerous facilities such as Pool, Steam and Sauna, Jacuzzi, Fully air-conditioned Gym and Spa that ensure our guests are enjoying every aspect of fine hospitality while they are working or relaxing.

Another important fact that makes Hotel Asanté the best accommodation in Juba is its location near the Juba International Airport. We are located just 5 minutes’ drive away from the airport. We also offer free pick-ups and drops to the airport. This has influenced many Business Travellers, Governmental Officials and Delegates to stay at Hotel Asanté.

Thoughtfully, the fine knot that we have tied with our Business Travellers and Corporate Guests, we ensure smooth business affairs in-house as well as externally. Internally we provide facilities such as printing, typing, scanning, faxing, emailing, IDD call facilities, binding, laminating, documenting etc. We also provide external business support services that include communication services, transportation arrangements and event organizing services.

Getting in Juba – How to Get There

As a one of the fastest growing cities in the South of Sudan, Juba as the capital city has a lot to offer. But how does one get there?

• Getting There By Plane

You can fly directly from Nairobi to Juba using a commercial airline. Even though it is not cheap, as you need fork out around US$500 for a round trip, it is still the safest way to enter the city.

Another way is to make use of charter flights from Lokichokio, or through the Ethiopian airlines, who offer two flight per day. On the other hand, Egypt Air offers a direct daily flight from Cairo.

In addition, you can make use of several direct flights from Khartoum at a much lower rate of only US$200 one way.

• Getting to Juba by Bus

Busses run on a daily basis from Kampala. You can enjoy a fairly comfortable ride if the roads are dry which will take you around 12 hours to complete.

You are presented with two choices. You could either go with a bus from Kampala where you get to overnight in Yumbe, or go with Sudanese owned bus that runs through Atiak and Gulu with no overnight stop.

• Getting to Juba by Car

Wiltins Transporters have drivers onboard who are very experienced and even able to take you through muddy roads using 4-Wheel drives.

Once you are in Juba, you could either avail of the services of car rental companies, or you could simply walk through in a matter of a few days. As long as you are aware that the town itself is quite spread out and divided into 3 main areas, the Nile Camps, Juba town, and the Government ministries. Prepare yourself for a long dusty walk, should you choose to make use of this option.

On the other hand, if you came to Juba to live and work here, you may want to make use of an air conditioned vehicle in order to cope with the heat.

Your best option is still to hire a car that comes with a driver due to reports going around that foreign drivers get stopped to obtain money from them. Should you choose to drive yourself around, it would be best to ensure your doors are always locked in case of any incidents to score money from you. The good news though is that the road are constantly getting upgraded, and you can get yourself a road map of Juba town from Jit Supermarket, or even use Google maps to help find your way around Juba.

There is simply no excuse now for finding your way to Juba and see for yourself what this city has to offer.

The New Republic of South Sudan is on its way to Success

Visiting a newly reborn country that has just started to expand its affairs with rest of the world will be a distinct experience for any traveller.

Since 09^th July 2011, a new nation emerged in the heart of the African continent, named as the Republic of South Sudan with Juba, its largest city as its capital. It was an exciting moment for the locals to gain a new name for their nation, a new tri coloured flag consisting a blue equilateral triangle with a golden star on to its right side, a new national anthem “South Sudan Oyee!” that urges the nationals to “stand up in silence and respect by saluting at the martyrs whose blood was cemented for the national foundation” and more importantly the feeling of freedom.

The 40 years of struggle have come to an end and the southerners finally got a country that is free from any terrorism and civil unrests. Citizens are now geared to witness the motherland’s transition and march towards literal development.

This country cannot be highlighted as a marvellous tourism destination or as a country where travellers can experience and engage in recreational activities. However, the country could be highlighted as an emerging tourism destination in the near future. One of the gifts that Mother Nature has given to South Sudan is the White Nile which is the main tributary of the world’s longest river Nile which passes through the country. Moreover South Sudan is a country that is located close to the equator. This is also an added benefit towards building the country’s tourism interfaces. As one of the indicators of South Sudan’s tourism development, the accommodation and hospitality industry have started to emerge.

The hotels in South Sudan and especially the accommodation in Juba have started to move towards the industry benchmarks and star class standards from merely being a place to stay. Most of these hotels in Juba have realised the importance of providing star class amenities for their guests while serving them with excellent customer care and value added services. Most of the hospitality industry players are currently targeting business travellers and delegates who stay in South Sudan to explore investment opportunities in South Sudan, for business tours and official government purposes. The occupancy rates of these hotels in Juba and South Sudan is on rise and the main contribution is recorded by non-residential expatriates visiting South Sudan. This is an indication of the country’s healthy development and expansion towards a prosperous economic development and social well being.

Investing in South Sudan

It is an economic rule that compared to a developed country developing countries are more attractive for investors who expect reasonable ROI for lesser investments. Developed countries are more attractive for big investors who are stable enough to take high risks where they also receive high returns. However small to medium level investors may not be capable enough to bear such huge risks and they always seek quicker returns for their investments. In such cases, for international small and medium investors, developing economies are ideal options. Especially a country that is emerging after experiencing huge negative economic and social conditions and is currently in the process of developing almost every sector that is available in the country.

South Sudan, being an independent country since 2011 has started to attract many investors around the globe. Investment opportunities in South Sudan have taken many spheres that include investment in its infrastructure development, agribusiness, oil and gas mining, manufacturing and services.

In addition to these sectors which are directly attractive for international investors, there is an indirect sector that is becoming more attractive, which is the hospitality industry of South Sudan. Due to the fact that the country is geared for investment opportunities, it brings many expats and investors into the country. Especially the capital city Juba needs to cater more and more towards international business travellers and delegates from various countries. This indirectly increases the demand for accommodation in Juba. It is also vital that the hotels in Juba uplift their standards to match the international visitors’ expectations. For example hotels in Juba with swimming pool, gym, Jacuzzi, spas etc. may attract more guests than other ordinary hotels in Juba.

The needs that a business traveller looks for is different from a holiday maker’s. A hotel in South Sudan should understand these diverse requirements and serve its guests accordingly. For example high speed internet or Wi Fi facilities for the guests may not be a decision making factor in terms of a holiday maker visiting South Sudan.  However it is a fundamental amenity that a hotel should provide for a business traveller whose connectivity to the rest of the world is highly important.

Moreover the hotels in Juba and South Sudan, by understanding the high potential in attracting business travellers who are visiting the country could augment its packages by adding some specific features. For example arranging conferences, meetings, press releases, transportation facilities to reach proposed investment sites etc. could be a few options for hotels in South Sudan.

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Juba, International Airport

One of the newest nations South Sudan, who broke off from Sudan by gaining independence on 09th July, 2011 has since been struggling with a real weak economy. Due to continued civil war it remains undeveloped. The country had to close down its oil production which otherwise contributed to about 98% of the state revenue adding to its financial woes. You will witness it the moment you land at the Juba, International Airport. You will see chaos all around. For many it would be difficult to comprehend the chaos as most of them would have come from developed countries having experienced excellent facilities at their airports.

Juba being the capital city of South Sudan, the Juba Airport manages almost all national and international traffic including cargo traffic and chartered commercial air traffic. The airport makes up a convenient base for military air operations and relief flights by United Nations. The airport at Juba though is more developed in comparison to other airports in the country such as Malakal. Juba airport has only one runway as of now and is located at a height of 1513 feet above sea level. The entire area measures up to an area of 7874 feet by 148 feet. The Juba airport provide suitable connections to most of African hubs like Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Entebbe, Cairo and Khartoum.

Though all facilities like baggage sorting, arrival hall, customs and immigrations are there, it’s just that these are all made available using cramped space. The current terminal has just two halls with space for airlines that operates without any computers or proper facilities for weighing baggage. The security check carried out is also minimal as a lot depends upon continued power supply which is a pertinent issue. It still needs to go a long way to achieve international standards. Looking at the economical and political situations it remains a tough task for the current government.

South Sudan has been trying to get the airport renovated since it acquired the status of new nation. However, due to lack of funds, lack of technical know how’s and proper planning it could not take off due to renovation plans. China, though has come forward with a loan amount of $158 million to help the poor nation. After the likely renovations it will have much needed car parks with quality lighting systems. It is believed that on completion of the renovation work the airport will be able to function 24 hours a day. The latest development with air traffic is that South Sudan will soon have a national carrier.