Sudan, located in northeastern Africa, has remarkable natural diversity. Its expansive geography, spanning approximately 2.5 million square kilometers, supports diverse plant and animal life. Serving as a geographical bridge between distinct African regions, it influences its varied natural landscape. This diverse setting supports numerous species across its vast plains and plateaus.
Dominant Natural Features
The Nile River system is a defining feature of Sudan’s landscape. The White Nile, originating from the Great Lakes region, flows north through South Sudan before merging with the Blue Nile. The Blue Nile, which contributes approximately 80% of the Nile’s water and silt, begins in Ethiopia at Lake Tana and enters Sudan from the southeast. These two major tributaries converge at Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, forming the main Nile River flowing northward through predominantly desert terrain.
Vast desert regions characterize northern Sudan. The Nubian Desert, an eastern part of the Sahara, covers about 400,000 square kilometers in northeastern Sudan and northern Eritrea, situated between the Nile and the Red Sea. This arid landscape is rocky and rugged, featuring sand dunes and dry riverbeds (wadis) that do not reach the Nile. Annual rainfall in the Nubian Desert is typically less than 130 millimeters.
Beyond the deserts, Sudan’s terrain includes mountain ranges. The Red Sea Hills, an uplifted escarpment in northeastern Sudan, form rugged peaks reaching over 2,000 meters, with valleys (wadis) in between. Further west, the Marrah Mountains in the Darfur region are a volcanic chain that rises to over 3,000 meters, the highest peaks in Sudan. These mountains include the Deriba Caldera, which forms part of a small area with a temperate climate and permanent springs amidst the surrounding dry savanna.
Varied Ecosystems and Habitats
Sudan’s diverse climate and geography create diverse natural environments. Northern Sudan is dominated by hyper-arid desert conditions, with scarce vegetation primarily found near watercourses. Southward, these deserts transition into semi-arid grasslands and savanna, receiving slightly more precipitation. These areas support a mix of grasses and acacia scrub, including Acacia senegal, a tree known for producing gum arabic.
Further south, the landscape shifts to low- and high-rainfall savannas, characterized by rich grasses, thorny trees, and baobab trees. These savannas are interspersed with woodlands, becoming lusher with higher rainfall. The central clay plains, particularly the Gezira region between the Blue and White Niles, are agriculturally productive due to available water.
In the southern reaches of Sudan, extensive wetlands and swamps emerge, like the Sudd region. The Sudd, one of the world’s largest tropical wetland systems, is formed by the White Nile’s Bahr al-Jabal section. Its vegetation varies based on elevation and includes:
Open water
Submerged plant life
Floating fringes
Seasonally inundated grasslands (Toic)
Wooded grasslands
The Sudd’s size fluctuates, averaging over 30,000 square kilometers but expanding to over 130,000 square kilometers during the wet season.
Wildlife of Sudan
Sudan’s varied ecosystems support diverse animal species. It hosts approximately 287 mammal species, including large carnivores like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Herbivores such as elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses, and numerous antelope species, including the endangered Nubian ibex, are present. Various monkey species inhabit forested areas, while African buffalo and hippopotamuses inhabit suitable habitats.
Birdlife is abundant, with around 634 recorded species, including resident and migratory populations. Waterfowl and wading birds are common around the Nile and other water bodies. The Kordofan sparrow is unique to Sudan and South Sudan.
Reptiles thrive in Sudan’s diverse environments; crocodiles inhabit the Nile and other aquatic areas. Various lizard species, including the Nile monitor, are present, alongside snakes like the African rock python and Egyptian cobra. Amphibians are represented by about 19 genera, with some endemic frog species. Insect life is plentiful, including the tsetse fly in southern regions.
Preserving Sudan’s Biodiversity
Protecting Sudan’s natural heritage involves designated areas and ongoing efforts. Dinder National Park, established in 1935, is a protected zone in southeastern Sudan, bordering Ethiopia. This park spans approximately 10,290 square kilometers and was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 1979 and a Ramsar site in 2005 for its international importance. Positioned between the Sahel and Ethiopian Highlands ecoregions, it features riverine zones, woodlands, and oxbow lakes known as “mayas.”
The park provides refuge for wildlife, including 27 large mammal species and over 160 bird species, many migratory. It is important for species like lions and elephants, which find sanctuary there. Radom National Park in southwestern Sudan is another protected area contributing to biodiversity conservation. These protected zones safeguard ecosystems and the diverse plant and animal communities they support.