South Sudan opens first community tourism camp in Maruwa Hills  

South Sudan has opened its first community-focused tourist camp in the Maruwa Hills, a step aimed at drawing visitors to the country’s national parks and supporting local livelihoods tied to conservation. 

The Maruwa Hills Tourist Camp, located in Boma County within the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, was inaugurated on Thursday by the Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism in partnership with African Parks. Officials say the project marks an early but important move to position tourism as a viable part of the economy. 

In a statement, the ministry described the camp as the first phase of a broader plan built around community-led tourism. The goal is to protect wildlife, create jobs and introduce visitors to an area known for hosting the world’s largest land mammal migration.

First tourism project marks National milestone

Speaking at the opening, Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism Minister Denay Jock Chagor said the project offers a starting point for visitors while placing local communities at the center of conservation efforts. 

Set within the Great Nile Migration Landscape, the site gives travelers access to one of Africa’s least disturbed ecosystems. At the same time, officials say it is designed to reflect local culture and traditions rather than replace them. 

The government’s partnership with African Parks dates back to 2022, when both sides agreed on a 10-year plan to manage the Boma-Badingilo migratory landscape, which spans Jonglei, Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria states. 

Chagor called the opening a “proud moment” for the country, noting that it is the first tourism project of its kind in South Sudan. “This place will welcome visitors from across the country and beyond,” he said. “Communities once asked what they would gain. Today, we are beginning to see the answer in jobs, income and new opportunities.” 

He added that tourism can only grow if communities help maintain peace and security, describing the site as a place that now represents South Sudan to the outside world.

Greater Pibor officials celebrate eco-camp

Local officials say the project reflects what can happen when national and community interests align. 

Gola Boyoi Gola, Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, said the camp fulfills a long-held belief that the region’s natural beauty could support development. 

“When I first came here, I believed this place could attract visitors,” he said. “What we are seeing today shows what cooperation can achieve.” 

He urged the country to look beyond oil and consider tourism as a steady source of income that can benefit local communities over time. 

For those involved in building the camp, the project has been as much about relationships as infrastructure. 

Jan Fourie, park manager for Boma National Park, said the idea moved from paper to reality in just over a year, thanks largely to the involvement of local residents. 

“This was not built from the top down,” he said. “The community carried it forward with commitment and hard work.” 

Fourie added that protecting wildlife and restoring ecosystems will be key to the camp’s long-term success.

Maruwa Hills centers local communities

Philip Winter, chair of the African Parks South Sudan board, described the opening as a defining moment for conservation efforts in the country. 

He said the project shows what is possible when government, partners and communities share a clear plan and stay committed to it. 

“The Maruwa Hills initiative sets the groundwork for tourism that benefits local people first,” Winter said. “It ensures that those who live here remain central to how this landscape is managed and shared.” 

Officials say the camp is expected to serve as a model for future projects, as South Sudan works to open more of its natural areas to visitors while keeping conservation and community needs in balance.