Young Pioneer Tours
South Sudan Budget Tour
South Sudan gained its independence in 2011 earning the title of the world’s newest country and capturing attention from all travellers around the world. We’ve designed our South Sudan Budget tour aligned with our ethos of making off the beaten path’ destinations affordable and accessible to you.
Your journey starts in Juba, the capital of the young nation, where you’ll visit the Presidential Palace, explore the Jubek Tomb, meet the students of Juba University, wander the largest market in the country where you’ll encounter many different traditional dresses, tattoos and body scarifications and overnight to experience what the nightlife has to offer.
South Sudan may have one of Africa’s most horrible road conditions we’ve ever experienced but nothing that’ll stop our 4WDs. We’ll begin our road trip to a rural settlement of the Mundari people – a fascinating tribe that have safeguarded their unique way of life. The locals here are incredibly welcoming and aren’t shy to invite you to join them. If you’ve seen photos of the Mundaris, you’ll probably know how photogenic, dreamy and intense the atmosphere of their cattle camp can be. One of YPT’s favourite highlights in all of Africa.
Thursday 20th March – Juba, South Sudan
Morning
- Arrive at your convenience into Juba – the capital city of South Sudan which have flights connected from a few countries within Africa and Dubai (airport transfer included)
- Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of the hotel at 5:00pm to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
- Dinner and drinks by the Nile at the AFEX camp
- Overnight at the hotel
Friday 21st March – Juba – Mundari Camp
Morning
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Explore Konyo Konyo – South Sudan’s largest market. It is an incredible place where the immense ethnic diversity of South Sudan mix.
- Visit Juba University – founded in 1975 in response to the need for higher education in southern areas of Sudan. Here is a great chance to meet South Sudan’s sharpest students.
- Jubek Tomb – Jubek is one of the most important figure of the Bari people and his history is linked to lots of underlying tensions. Jubek is highly regarded in the country hence the capital being named after him.
Afternoon
- Afternoon departure to Mundari camp – the driving time differs, as the Mundari always move around with their camp. It can be anywhere between 15 min to a 3 hour drive! There are military checkpoints along the way that can cause delays to our drive.
- On the way stopping at small villages or for photo opportunities
- Continue onwards to a Mundari settlement where you will be introduced to the village chief so that he personally grant you further access to the local tribe.
- Trip highlight – By sunset, the herders will return to the village with their livestock in masses and start preparing them for the evening stay. The mist created by the smoke the Mundari prepare to repel mosquitoes will create a unique atmosphere.
- Dinner prepared by our very own cook
- Evening of games with the Mundari people
- Overnight camping
Saturday 22nd March – Mundari Camp – Juba
Morning
- We recommend waking up early to watch or partake the herders preparing their cattle for the day ahead. The morning is always the busiest time of the day for the locals. Feel free to assist with any chores.
Afternoon
- Early lunch at the camp before we return to Juba.
- Check-in to your hotel room and freshen up
- Drive by the Presidential Palace – the residence of South Sudan’s leader, easily recognised with his distinctive cowboy hat, Salva Kiir Mayardit.
- John Garang Mausoleum – John Garang lead the revolution as well as promoting the concept of Sudanism, an ideology that all Sudanese should go beyond the divisions of the people (Animists, Christianity, Islamic, Arabs, Blacks) and embrace all cultures of South Sudan and unify under one Sudanese.
- Head to Jebel Kujur and hike 30 minutes up to the highest point overlooking the capital city
- Finish up the day by exploring Juba’s Craft Market where you can purchase fried magnets, South Sudan shirts/caps, and other souvenirs
- Farewell dinner with our local guides and group members
- Explore Juba’s nightlife – we’ll take you to our favourites where local celebrities and politicians openly mingle and drink
- Overnight at the Hotel
Sunday 23rd March – Juba
Morning
- Breakfast at hotel
- Tour concludes with airport drop-off arranged according to your flight details – YPT is also able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for flights.
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