Badigeru Swamp
Encyclopedia
The Badigeru swamp swamp lies in South Sudan, in the Central Equatoria
and Eastern Equatoria states between Terekeka
and Lafon
.
Badigeru is a valley swamp with papyrus along the river and typical grasses for the region in the floodplain.
Although not protected, it is relatively undisturbed by human activity.
The swamps are fed by the Kinyeti River
and others that drain the northern slopes of the Imatong Mountains
.
These swamps, running in a SSW-NNE direction for 100 kilometres (62.1 mi), are discontinous. They may be as wide as 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) in the rainy season, but average 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) in width.
The swamps in turn may drain westward into the Bahr el Jebel section of the White Nile
or eastward into the Veveno River
.
Lt. Colonel P. Molloy visited the swamp in the dry season between 23 and 25 February 1950, possibly the first European to reach the area. Starting from Mongalla
, he traveled eastward across dry, open grassland for between 20 miles (32.2 km) and 25 miles (40.2 km) to a pool on the Khor Son, the name given to the Kinyeti River near the swamp. According to the local people, the Badigeru was the only reliable source of water between Mongalla and Lafon. Molloy's observations of wildlife tended to confirm that the water, which he found drinkable, remained year round. When Molloy visited, the Khor Son was between 150 and 200 yards wide, winding across a flat plain between a series of shallow depressions. In the winter, the 10 miles (16.1 km) wide plain would be flooded to form the swamp.
Molloy described rich wildlife in and around the swamp. He observed large numbers of pelicans, open-billed storks, wood ibis, sacred ibis, marabout, saddleback and hammerheaded storks, fishing eagles, lily-trotters, grey herons, spurwing geese, comb duck, whistling teal and common teal. In the burnt grassland around the swamp he saw zebra, hartebeeste, tiang, reedbuck and Mongalla Gazelle
. He also saw giraffe, ostrich, elephant and lion.
Central Equatoria
-Government:Executive*Governor - Maj. Gen. Clement Wani Konga*Deputy Governor and Minister of Education, Science and Technology - Mr. Manase Lomole Waya *Minister of Education - Lokulenge Lole Lokule...
and Eastern Equatoria states between Terekeka
Terekeka
Terekeka is a community in Central Equatoria state, South Sudan. It is the headquarters of Terekeka County.Terekeka town lies on the western bank of the Nile, 53 miles north of Juba town....
and Lafon
Lafon, South Sudan
Lafon is a community in Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan, the headquarters of Lafon County.The people belong to the Pari ethnic group.Lafon Hill is a small, rocky elevation that rises abruptly from the surrounding plain....
.
Badigeru is a valley swamp with papyrus along the river and typical grasses for the region in the floodplain.
Although not protected, it is relatively undisturbed by human activity.
The swamps are fed by the Kinyeti River
Kinyeti River
The Kinyeti River flows northward from the Imatong Mountains in the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan, eventually dispersing into the Badigeru swamp.-Location:...
and others that drain the northern slopes of the Imatong Mountains
Imatong Mountains
The Imatong Mountains are located in the southeast of South Sudan in the state of Eastern Equatoria, and extend into Uganda. Mount Kinyeti is the highest mountain of the range at , and the highest in the whole of South Sudan....
.
These swamps, running in a SSW-NNE direction for 100 kilometres (62.1 mi), are discontinous. They may be as wide as 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) in the rainy season, but average 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) in width.
The swamps in turn may drain westward into the Bahr el Jebel section of the White Nile
White Nile
The White Nile is a river of Africa, one of the two main tributaries of the Nile from Egypt, the other being the Blue Nile. In the strict meaning, "White Nile" refers to the river formed at Lake No at the confluence of the Bahr al Jabal and Bahr el Ghazal rivers...
or eastward into the Veveno River
Veveno River
The Veveno River is a river in eastern South Sudan. It is a tributary of the Lotilla River, which it joins southwest of Pibor.-External links:*...
.
Lt. Colonel P. Molloy visited the swamp in the dry season between 23 and 25 February 1950, possibly the first European to reach the area. Starting from Mongalla
Mongalla, South Sudan
Mongalla or Mangalla is a community in Central Equatoria state in South Sudan, on the east side of the Bahr al Jebel or White Nile river. It lies about by road northeast of Juba. The towns of Terekeka and Bor lie downstream, north of Mongalla....
, he traveled eastward across dry, open grassland for between 20 miles (32.2 km) and 25 miles (40.2 km) to a pool on the Khor Son, the name given to the Kinyeti River near the swamp. According to the local people, the Badigeru was the only reliable source of water between Mongalla and Lafon. Molloy's observations of wildlife tended to confirm that the water, which he found drinkable, remained year round. When Molloy visited, the Khor Son was between 150 and 200 yards wide, winding across a flat plain between a series of shallow depressions. In the winter, the 10 miles (16.1 km) wide plain would be flooded to form the swamp.
Molloy described rich wildlife in and around the swamp. He observed large numbers of pelicans, open-billed storks, wood ibis, sacred ibis, marabout, saddleback and hammerheaded storks, fishing eagles, lily-trotters, grey herons, spurwing geese, comb duck, whistling teal and common teal. In the burnt grassland around the swamp he saw zebra, hartebeeste, tiang, reedbuck and Mongalla Gazelle
Mongalla Gazelle
The Mongalla Gazelle is a species of gazelle found in the floodplain and savanna of southeastern Sudan. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of the well-known Thomson's Gazelle...
. He also saw giraffe, ostrich, elephant and lion.