South Sudan - Land of the Cattle Herders

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

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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.

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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

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

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Gallery

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