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.
THE YOUNG PIONEER PODCAST S2, E2: Mundari Cow Blowing & Urine Showers in South Sudan
Listen to YPT’s Justin talk about Mundari Cow Blowing and Urine Showers in South Sudan on this episode of the Pioneer Podcast.
Read MoreIs Sudan safe for female travellers? 5 tips for sole women tourists
Is Sudan safe for female travellers? In short, yes it is very safe for women to travel to Sudan touristically, Sudan is though a relatively conservative Muslim country, so there are still some cultural norms that need to be adhered to. To read about if …
Read MoreWhat is North Sudan? 2024 – 2025 Guide
With the proclamation of the Republic of South Sudan, does that now mean that there is a Republic of North Sudan? In Short, no the continuation state is known as the Republic of Sudan, but it does have a north and there is also a pretend state claiming …
Read MoreIs Khartoum safe to travel? 2024 Guide
Is Khartoum safe to travel to in 2024? In short yes it is, but as always there are a few caveats to this, particularly with regards to the ongoing political instability within the Republic of Sudan. To read about if it is safe to travel to Sudan click …
Read MoreMoney in Sudan – 2024 Guide
The Republic of Sudan uses the Sudanese Pound as its national currency, its use of the pond rather then the Dinar is a vestige of colonial times and is in line with Egypt and Syria who also use the pound. The currency code for the Sudanese fund is SDG. …
Read MoreUpdate on South Sudan Power-Sharing Government
Potential for Travel to the World’s Newest Nation You may be forgiven thinking that there’s been nothing in the news that is not related to covid-19 in recent months. But on the 22nd February 2020 one piece of positive news you might have missed was th …
Read MoreThe Mundari tribes of South Sudan
The Mundari Tribe of South Sudan is a fascinating people living in symbiosis with their cattle. Come and see them with Young Pioneer Tours.
Read MoreWhy it would be a shame to only visit Juba in South Sudan
With more and more people chasing the wonderful dream of visiting all the countries in the world (we’re trying to be there to help!), we see a number of trends developing. On many of our tours, discussions about countries are sure to come up amongst th …
Read MoreIs it safe to travel to South Sudan?
At YPT, our mission is to take you safely to places your mother would rather make sure you don’t go. We believe in what we do because through travel, you get to see for yourself different situations around the world without the filters of the med …
Read MoreWhat are the differences between Sudan and South Sudan
Sudan, which used to be Africa’s biggest country, was split in two after a civil war — from which emerged the world’s youngest country in 2011, South Sudan. As it used to be the same country, you might think there aren’t many differences b …
Read MoreHow to Get a Visa for South Sudan
As the world’s youngest nation and a developing country crippled after a nasty civil war, you might be surprised to learn that it is actually possible to visit South Sudan. It is most likely that you will need a visa to visit the country. While getti …
Read MoreTour Extensions
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
