Badingilo National Park: one of Earth's great migrations

The migration

Aerial surveys have counted antelope in the millions across this landscape, putting the movement in the same league as the famous migration of the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, or bigger. White-eared kob, a graceful antelope with a dark coat and white face markings, make up most of the herds, alongside tiang and Mongalla gazelle. The animals move with the rains and the grazing, spreading across a landscape that also includes Boma National Park further east and the Sudd, one of the world's largest wetlands.

Beyond the herds, Badingilo holds elephants, giraffe, buffalo, lions and a huge variety of birds, although many populations are still recovering from decades of conflict and poaching.

Conservation

In 2022, the government of South Sudan signed an agreement with the conservation organisation African Parks to manage Badingilo and Boma national parks. Work focuses on ranger teams, community partnerships, law enforcement and building the foundations for conservation tourism. This is a long-term project, and visitor facilities are still very limited.

Can you visit?

Possibly, but not casually. Badingilo is not a drive-in park with lodges and game drives. Any visit needs approval and close coordination with the park management and wildlife authorities, and often involves charter flights or long, rough drives with experienced support. Check African Parks' current information and speak to a specialist operator before planning around the migration. Timing is critical, because the herds' position changes week by week.

When to go

The dry season, roughly December to March, is the only realistic time. In the rains, from around April or May, the plains flood, tracks become impassable and the herds disperse.

Practical tips

• Travel only with an operator who has worked with the park authorities.
• Expect to be self-sufficient: camping, water, fuel and communications.
• Take malaria prevention, sun protection and insect repellent seriously.
• Ask about fees, permits and photography rules in advance, and confirm everything in writing.

Respect and safety

Communities around the park depend on cattle and the land, and relations between people, herds and wildlife are delicate. Follow rangers' instructions, keep your distance from animals and ask before photographing anyone. Government advice covers this region, so check the latest guidance before committing to a trip.

Combining Badingilo with Boma

Boma National Park, further east near the Ethiopian border, is part of the same migration landscape and is also managed with African Parks. It is even more remote, with vast grasslands, the Boma plateau and herds of white-eared kob and tiang. A trip combining both would almost certainly involve charter flights and a great deal of planning, and is best treated as an expedition rather than a holiday.

What to pack

Bring neutral clothing for game viewing, long sleeves and trousers against insects and sun, a warm layer for early mornings, sturdy boots, a wide-brimmed hat and good binoculars. A camera with a longer lens helps with distant herds. Pack a basic medical kit, rehydration salts, a head torch, power banks or a solar charger, and copies of your passport, visa and permits. Confirm luggage limits early if light aircraft are involved, as soft bags and strict weight limits are common on small planes. Keep clean US dollars for any fees agreed in advance.