South Sudan is the newest country in Africa and remains undiscovered by tourists. We will take you to the untouched lands of the Mundari cattle herders, known as the tallest people on the planet, who live in a traditional way on the shores of the mighty White Nile River in harmony with their livestock.
They are famous for their large cattle herds, guarded by Kalashnikov guns, and their rich cultural traditions.
We will also explore four other tribal villages hidden in the mountains of East Equatoria State: Toposa, Jiye, Larim, and Lotuko.
The Toposa people are the most traditional group in South Sudan, known for their nose and lip piercings.
The Lotuko people live in the mountains near Imatong, the highest mountain in South Sudan.
During this journey, you will experience life in a cattle herders’ camp, follow nomads in the swamps of the White Nile River, take small canoes across the river, and explore the surrounding islands.
Discover the world’s newest country in its fullest beauty.
Day 1
Arrive by air in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, the youngest country on Earth. A guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the Royal Palace Hotel.
Your travel permit will be arranged, including a stamp in your passport. Enjoy free time to relax or explore the city.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Royal Palace.
Day 2
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a two-hour domestic flight to Capoeta, located in the eastern part of the country. This is the ideal base for visiting the Toposa tribal area.
The Toposa people speak Turkana and are cattle herders who have resisted Western influence. They traditionally herd cattle, sheep, and goats and were historically involved in the ivory trade.
They have a history of frequent conflicts, mainly involving cattle raids with their neighbors.
Depending on the time of arrival, we will visit the first Toposa tribal villages. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight at Mango Camp.
Days 3, 4 & 5
Spend three full days visiting the villages of the Toposa and Jiye tribes. These tribes belong to the “Karamojong Cluster,” which includes people from southwestern Ethiopia and the Turkana tribe of Kenya.
The economy and social life of the Toposa revolve around herding cattle, camels, donkeys, goats, and sheep. Boys first learn to look after goats and sheep before taking care of cattle as they grow older. Wealth and status are measured by the number of cattle and ownership of firearms. Due to limited water and pasture, the Toposa have historically engaged in cattle raids against neighboring tribes.
The Toposa also search for gold and other precious minerals in riverbeds. Both the Toposa and Jiye people continue to wear their traditional attire, including leather-beaded skirts, and practice body scarification. Visit different communities and enjoy their welcoming dances. Afterward, spend the night in tents at Mango Camp.
Day 6
After breakfast, take a two-hour drive to the Boya Hills to meet the Larim (Boya) people, a tribal minority. They speak the Murle language and are known for their impressive architectural skills. They also have nose and lip piercings and practice body scarification.
The Larim keep cattle and grow seasonal crops such as sorghum, corn, and beans. Widowed women wear vegetable cords around their legs and heads. This tribe is considered one of the most traditional groups in South Sudan.
Day 7
After breakfast, take a four-hour drive to the mountain kingdom of Ilieu, where a priest-king rules. Visit the 14th-century stone walls and explore the village.
Meet the Lotuko people, an ethnic group of Nilotic origin who live in the mountain ranges, including the Imatong Mountains, the highest in South Sudan. Their religion is deeply rooted in nature and ancestral worship. They keep large herds of cattle, sheep, and goats, and supplement their income with farming, hunting, and fishing. Land ownership is communal, with gardens allocated through a group decision. Accommodation will be in tents.
Day 8
After exploring the village, say goodbye to the mountain kingdom and take a two-hour drive to Torit town. Observe local life along the way. Check-in at the Torit Hotel and later dine at a Northern Sudanese restaurant on the main street.
Day 9
After breakfast, embark on an eight-hour drive to Juba. Stop in the town of Uch as Liria along the way. Upon arrival in Juba, check in at the Royal Palace Hotel. Later, enjoy dinner at Da Vinci Restaurant with a beautiful view of the Nile. Visit the river and the old metal bridge, the only location in Juba where you can take photos of the Nile.
Day 10
Start the day with breakfast, then take a four-hour 4×4 drive into the South Sudanese bush to reach the Mundari tribal territory.
In Terakeka, the regional capital, walk around the market and meet the first Mundari people. After checking in with local authorities, drive to a cattle camp where you will spend the night. Spend the day learning about the Mundari way of life.
The Mundari are a small Nilotic ethnic group related to the Dinka. They are known as some of the tallest people in Africa. Their lands, located about 75 kilometers north of Juba, are mostly flat but have fertile land ideal for cattle grazing. Accommodation will be in tents.
Day 11, 12 & 13
Spend three full days with the Mundari tribe. Our camp will be set up along the White Nile River. We will use small canoes to cross the river and visit the surrounding islands, following the nomads and their cattle.
We will visit Mundari villages, where facial and body scarification is still practiced. Their villages are unique due to their vernacular architecture, including huts, black and white totems, and beautifully built granaries.
Like other Nilotic tribes, the Mundari are deeply cattle-oriented. Cattle serve as food, currency, and a status symbol. Marriages involve the groom offering cattle to the bride’s family, and a man may marry multiple wives if he can support them.
During the dry season, the Mundari engage in cattle raiding with the neighboring Dinka. Mundari men take weapons at night to protect their livestock. Unlike the Dinka, the Mundari have preserved their traditional animistic religion.
They also practice ritual scarification as a rite of passage into adulthood. The Mundari scar pattern consists of two sets of three parallel lines on either side of the forehead, descending downward but not connecting in the middle. Accommodation and meals will be in tents.
Day 14
Start your day with breakfast and say goodbye to Mundari Land. Take one last look at the landscape, forests, savannahs, and the mighty White Nile River. Drive to Terakeka and then continue to Juba, where you will spend the rest of the day at your hotel or on a city tour.
Day 15
Your final safari driver-guide will transfer you to the airport at the agreed time for your scheduled departure. This marks the end of your South Sudan safari.
