Wild Life in Sudan

Stretching from the desert in the north to the Sudano-Guinean savanna in the south and from dense tropical forests in the extreme southwest to the mountainous regions in the east, Sudan is a natural host to an exceptional diversity of wildlife. At least 34 species of antelopes alone have been identified, spread across and reflecting the great variety of habitat. Certain species are confined to specific localized habitats. Others cross great distances, migrating from one area to another each season. Certain regions of the country, such as the vast flood plains of the Nile and the marshlands of the south, are practically inaccessible throughout the year or during a large part of it. It is in these ecosystems that certain species find ideal

refuge from man and thrive in great numbers.

Sudan is probably the country in the world with the greatest variety of big mammals living on land. It should be noted that animal husbandry and stock breeding are very developed and widespread in Sudan, and can alone ensure the supply of animal proteins both for national consumption and export needs. Sudan could, therefore, generate significant revenue from its varied wildlife resources, especially from certain abundant species, through sightseeing tourism and sport hunting. In effect, before the outbreak of the civil war in the south, Sudan had a prominent reputation among African countries as the region with the most abundant game and thriving wildlife tourism.

It is also worth noting that Sudan was one of the first countries in Africa to designate wildlife protection areas as early as 1930s. Geographically, we can divide the different species of animals that are found in Sudan into:

Sudano-Sahelian and Sudano-Guinean zones

Among the species that do not remain attached to a particular habitat, but are generally found in the Sudano-Sahelian through Sudano-Guinean zones, are the following: Hippopotamus, Elephant, Warthog, Hartebeest, Buffalo, Ostrich, Lion, Giraffe, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Wild Dog, Cheetah, Black Rhinoceros, Ant Bear, White Rhinoceros. Desert zone

Addax can be found in the desert and arid zones of northern and north- western Sudan. Numbers of the Oryx species have been seen in Sudan for the last 25 years, but it is likely that during certain seasons some of them migrate from Chad, where recent information reports their presence.

Southern Sudan

Addra Gazelle and Dorcas Gazelle are found in the south of Sudan, east and west of the Equator, as well as in the regions of Bahr El Ghazal, Ei Buheyrat, Jonglei and Upper Nile. The highest concentration of the country's antelopes is found in the zones where they have been protected by the inaccessibility of the region. Also Zebras, Elano, Kob and Black Rhinoceros inhabit these parts. The Red Flanked Duiker remains confined in its habitat in the savanna woodlands of the Southwest. Flooded annually over an area of

over 100,000 km2, the vast plains of the South shelter great numbers of antelopes that migrate from one area to another. The most numerous single species is the White-Eared Kob, numbering almost one million. During its annual migration, it joins with thousands of new arrivals from the Serenguiti-Mara ecosystem in Tanzania and Kenya. Large populations of Sitatunga, Nile Lechwe and Buffalo inhabit the marshlands of the

South, one of the most extensive swamp networks in Africa.

The bush region in the southeast of Sudan has the same habitat as northern Kenya, the northeast of Uganda and the lowlands of southern Ethiopia. In this region hosts the Lesser Kudu Grant Gazelles and Klipspringer Dik Dik.

Jebel Mara, a mountainous region in the extreme northwest of the grassland savanna, shelters the Greater Kudu Gazelle.

The rivers and swamps in the central and southern parts are home to the Hippopotamus and the Nile Crocodile.

The dense and humid forest zone on the Zairian border, with an area of about it 4,600 km2, shelters a high concentration of Bongos, Yellow Backed Duikers, Blue Duikers, Sitatungas, Giant Forest Hogs and Chimpanzees. The relatively small forest-covered area of the lmatong Mountains (960 km2) on the border with Uganda is inhabited by the Blue Duiker and Weyns Duiker, as well as by a species of the Giant Bush Bucks.

The Red Sea Hills

Nubbian Ibex, Eritrean Gazelles and Klipspringers are found in the Red Sea Hills. The Barbary Sheep find home in the desert hills of northern Sudan.

National Parks

Sudan has 6 national parks covering a total area of 60,370sq. km. and 19 game reserves with a total area of 35,500 sq. km. Thus, a total area of around 1 00,000sq. km. are designated for wild life protection areas.

Sudan enjoys a wide spectrum of climatic and environmental conditions that are manifested in the existence of a great wealth of animal and bird species. The best hunting grounds of Sudan are concentrated in three distinct geographical regions:

The Red Sea Hills and the Nubian Desert

This region stretches between the mountain range that runs along the Red Sea coast from Egypt to Ethiopia through the desert up to the Nile. The Nubian Ibex and Barbary Sheep are the prizes of this area, in addition to the Eritrean Gazelle, Salt's Dikdik, Klipspringer, Sommering Gazelle and Baboon. The hunting season is October through February.

The Western Desert

This region lies in northwestern Sudan. Here, Addax, Barbary Sheep, Dama, Red Fronted Dorcas, Leder's Gazelle and Ostrich can be found. The White Oryx, once very common in this area, is now rarely seen. Safaris to the Western Desert commence from El Fasher, the best season being September through February.

Southern Sudan

Currently closed. Hunting is not possible at this time.

Bird Hunting Areas

Ducks The best hunting area lies to the west of White Nile State, about 430 miles from Khartoum State. The hunting season is October through April.

Bustards These are abundant in the states Northern, Kassala, Nile and Blue Nile, North and South Darfur, North and South Kordofan. The hunting season is October through January.

Guinea Fowl These are hunted year-round in the following states: Northern, Kassala, Nile and Blue Nile, North and South Darfur, North Kordofan and all the southern states.

Dove Found in Khartoum, White Nile and Nile States, doves are hunted from November through February.

Professional Hunters

Safari companies that organize trips to these areas will do all what is possible to provide their clients with excellent hunting opportunities and the best possible selection of game. Safari companies employ professional hunters, some with over 20 years of hunting experience. With these experts ready to put their wide knowledge of the bush at your disposal, you may be certain that your hunting trip will be the most exciting and successful ever.

Safari Schedules

Safaris usually take off and end at the following locations: " Gazelle Safaris: Khartoum. " Red Sea and Nubian Desert Safaris: Port Sudan. " Western Desert Safaris: El Fasher. " Duck Hunting Safaris Khartoum.

Arms and Ammunition

Rifles Permits

Sportsmen are advised to bring their own firearms, following the regulations for temporary export of firearms from their countries. Permits are not required in Sudan. However, 10 days prior to the safari, a form supplied by the Safari Company must be filled and submitted, indicating the caliber, make and serial number of the rifle. The authorities will check the caliber and quantity of ammunition on your arrival. Safari' companies usually take care of these formalities.

Rifles

A 7 mm 300 Magnum or similar, with telescopic sight 8x30 for big game and all species in general, is recommended. For elephant and buffalo, caliber 375 (456-460-600) is preferable, but telescopic sight is prohibited. For birds, a shotgun 22 is advised. Automatic guns are prohibited.

Ammunition

For each rifle, a hunter may bring the following ammunition: 30 rounds of 400 caliber and over. 60 rounds of smaller caliber. 200 rounds of 22 caliber. 200 shotgun cartridges. Trophies The Safari Company is responsible for the proper handling of trophies in the field.

If there was also an agreement to pack your trophies, it will ensure that all of the required official documents are obtained to accompany the trophies for export. The company's responsibility ceases once the airline accepts the trophies for shipment.

CITES Documentation

Hunters should be in possession of relevant CITES (Certificate of the International Treaty for the Endangered Species) permits issued by their country of final destination before the trophies can be exported from Sudan. This permit should cover all trophies collected by the hunter on safari. The safari companies are not responsible for obtaining the relevant CITES and other import permits for the hunters' final destination. Hunters are strongly advised to ship trophies directly to their taxidermist in the country of final destination. Your local taxidermist, department of wild life, environmental or agricultural agency, will be able to advise you on your destination's particular CITES and importation regulations. Finally, sportsmen should contact the hunting safari companies in Sudan well in advance to allow ample time for the issuance of the necessary permits and the arrangements for the trip to be made.

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