South Sudan - Land of the Cattle Herders

South Sudan - Land of the Cattle Herders 1880 , 8 Days

No doubt that South Sudan is one of the most challenging destinations for the intrepid traveler. This is worlds newest nation, founded in 2011 and probably Africa's least visited country. In South Sudan you will not find traditional “sights”. In fact, for most of the country, you will not find "traditional roads" either. What you will find though is ancient cultural rituals, a myriad of colorful local tribes and raw natural beauty.

During this tour we will explore the growing capital of Juba and the Sudd – Africa’s largest wetland. The highlight of the tour, however, is the time spent with the local Dinka and Mundari people – the legendary cattle herders of South Sudan. They are known for their outstanding pastoral lifestyle and the special bond they have with their cattle. We will spend a few days with them and see firsthand how this bond is expressed in their everyday life, in the culture, the language and even their gestures. Another thing that Mundari are taking very seriously is wrestling. They pride themselves in being excellent wrestlers and if we are lucky, we might witness their daily competitions.

Tour highlights:

Juba - capital and largest city in South Sudan
♦ The Sudd - Africa's largest wetland
♦ The unique culture of the Dinka, Toposi and Jiye people


Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in Juba and transfer to Panorama Portico Hotel for overnight. -/-/-

Day 2: Juba – Bor
Today we head to te North along the Nile reaching Bor in the afternoon. Bor is located on the site of a fishing village on the White Nile (Bahr al Jabal River), where an ivory-and-slave trading depot was established in the 1860s. It is the administrative centre if the Dinka tribes. The Dinka are pastoralists, moving their herds of cattle to riverine pastures during the dry season (December to April) and back to permanent settlements in savanna forest during the rains, when their food crops, principally millet, are grown. A large number of Dinka people have converted to Christianity and are learning how to adapt or reject ancient religious practices and rituals to match Christian teachings. Overnight in Panorama Palace Hotel in Bor. B/-/-

Day 3: Bor and the Sudd
A full day spent in Bor. We take a boat trip in the Sudd. The Sudd (as-Sudd or al-Sudd) is a vast swamp, formed by the White Nile's Baḥr al-Jabal section. The Arabic word sudd is derived from sadd (سد), meaning "barrier" or "obstruction".The area which the swamp covers is one of the world's largest wetlands and the largest freshwater wetland in the Nile basin. Its size is highly variable, averaging over 30,000 square kilometres (12,000 sq mi) . During the wet season it may extend to over 130,000 square kilometers. Overnight Panorama Palace Hotel. B/-/-

Day 4: Bor - Juba
Drive back to Juba. Overnight Panorama Portico Hotel B/-/-

Day 5: Juba - Torit
Today we head 150 km east through the East Equatoria State to Torit, the main town of Torit County, close to the border with Uganda. Overnight hotel Torit B/-/-

Day 6: Torit - Jiye, Toposa and Didinga Tribes
The tribes we will visit from Tori as a base are Jiye, Toposa and Didinga. Jiye people are related to the Toposa people but they differ in dressing code, they have more scarification and piercings (Nose and lips) and their villages are some of the biggest in Africa. Overnight hotel Torit. B/-/-

Day 7. Torit - Juba
Back to Juba. City tour in Juba. The city is situated on the east side of the White Nile (Bahr al Jabal River) at the southern extent of the Sudd, South Sudan's vast central wetlands. Panorama Portico Hotel B/-/-

Day 8. Departure
Transfer to airport for departure B/-/-

 ► Visa: Citizens from almost all countries need a visa to visit Sudan. Please, contact the local Embassy in your country for visa application procedure and price. We will provide visa invitation.
► The official currency
is the South Sudanese pound (SSP). US dollars are widely acceptable as well. It is recommended to carry cash as credit cars are not acceptable in most of the country.
For the most recent COVID- related restrictions and requirements, our advice is always to keep yourself updated through the local authorities. For general information check here.

Check out our blog post about the best things to do in South Sudan here.


Price Includes:
7 nights standard hotels in rooms with private facilities
breakfast
local English-speaking guide
all ground transport and and airport transfers
Penguin tour leader (at min. 8)
registration fee and entrance fees

Not Included:
tips
personal expenses
photo permit 200 USD (to be paid on the spot)
visa fees


Gallery


South Sudan - Land of the Cattle Herders (Rated 4.87 / 5 Based on 65 Reviews.)
Price
1880 EUR
Duration
8 Days
Single Supplement
280 EUR
Status
Open for booking

Currency fluctuations might cause correction of price at any time.

Group Size
6-12
Reservation System Code
SSRUND
Rila-Pirin Mountain Trek (Bulgaria), guaranteed departures 590 , 8 Days

Rila-Pirin Mountain Trek (Bulgaria), guaranteed departures

A unique mountain hike above the clouds in the highest mountains on The Balkan Peninsula. During...
Best of Bulgaria Roundtrip 650 , 8 Days

Best of Bulgaria Roundtrip

Situated on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is still one of the least explored countries in Europe....
The 5 Stan-s - Follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan 1980 , 21 Days

The 5 Stan-s - Follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan

Follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan as you delve into the vast deserts, rolling steppe, fertile...

View all» What people say about us

Gunnar Svensson

Tour: Caucasus Explorer
★★★★★
Interesting trip in a different part of the world. with a possibility to learn a lot. Visit to spectacular churches and monastries, museums, wine producers, nature and beautiful cities. This tour is recommended.


Haley

Tour: Saudi Arabia
★★★★★
Fantastic trip with Penguin Travel! Loved all the sights we got to see in Saudi Arabia. Abdulaziz and Lyuben were very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend for solo and group travelers, especially those wanting an "off the beaten path" experience. Can't wait to travel with Penguin again!


Milosh Kitchovitch

Tour: Balkan Kaleidoscope
★★★★★
Amazing tour! A great overview of eight Balkan countries with the perfect balance of organized activities and free time. Our guide Anton was the best - organized, calm and has great sense of humor. I highly recommend it. This was my first tour with Penguin and I will definitely be booking more tours with Penguin.


View all»

Blog

24.03.2023 19:16

Stans Country: Exploring the Region, Countries, and Culture

Are you curious about the region of Stans Country and its unique countries? The Stans, also known as the Central Asian countries, include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries, which share historical and cultural ties, have a lot to offer, from stunning landscapes to diverse ethnic traditions. What region are the Stans? The Stans are located in...


19.03.2023 10:17

Cape Coast: A city of history, life and magnificent beaches

Cape Coast, a city that lies on the shimmering shores of the Gulf of Guinea, is a land of rich culture, ancient history, and breathtaking beauty. A place tantalizes the senses and awakens the spirit with its vibrant arts scene, sumptuous cuisine, and fascinating heritage. This city, once the capital of the Gold Coast, exudes an air of mystery and enchantment. Its ancient Cape Coast Castle stands...


23.02.2023 13:24

Discovering the Best Time to Visit Iceland: Weather, Northern Lights, Outdoor Activities and Crowds

Iceland is a unique and stunning country, known for its otherworldly landscapes, hot springs, and Northern Lights. However, due to its location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland's weather can be unpredictable and change rapidly. Therefore, it is essential to know the best time to visit Iceland to make the most of your trip. In this article, we will discuss the best time to visit Iceland based...


10.12.2022 15:21

Saudi Arabia - the birthplace of Islam (tips for visiting the country)

It took really long for Saudi Arabia to decide to open for tourists, but now it is finally a fact and Penguin Travel immediately put the destination on its belt. The Kingdom – known as the spiritual birthplace of Islam, now has a new approach to attract visitors and that's why the visa requirements are changed. The changes are so big, compared to the past that they look almost like a...