Sudan Desert Tours

Day 1

Upon arrival at Juba imternational airport, you will be met by the African Encounters representative who will transfer you to the hotel for check in and briefing. The rest of the day is free for relaxation or exploring depending on arrival time. No cameras to be used in Juba, smartphones can be used with utmost caution. Accommodation: Pyramid Continental Hotel Meal plan – Lunch (if needed), Dinner

Day 2

After breakfast, you will drive to the Mundari tribal territory. Reaching Terekeka, the regional capital, walk around the market to meet the first Mundari tribal people. After having checked with the local authorities, drive to a cattle camp to spend the night. Mundari are a small ethnic group related to the Nilotic people. Mundari together with neighboring Dinka people are sometimes noted for their height. With the Tutsi of Rwanda, they are believed to be the tallest people in Africa. The traditional Mundari tribal lands are located roughly 75 kilometers North of Juba, the capital of South Sudan and are centered on the town of Terekeka in the state of Central Equatoria. The land like much of South Sudan is predominantly flat and marked by occasional isolated large hills. The low – lying contains many rivers and lakes and provides fertile basis in support of cattle grazing. Accommodation: Tents Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

You will have breakfast, bid farewell to the Mundari and have the last glance of their beautiful landscapes as you drive to Torit for an overnight. Accommodation: Torit hotel Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

After breakfast, you will drive to Boya Hills to meet the Larim (Boya) tribal minority. The Larim speak Murle and are excellent architects. They also pierce their nose and lips and scarify their bodies. Larim keep cattle and grow seasonal crops such as sorghum, maize and beans. Widowed women wrap vegetable cords around their legs and head. Larim is considered one of South Sudan’s most traditional groups. Accommodation: Tents Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

You will have breakfast and then spend the rest of day in the different Boya communities enjoying their intense welcome dances and watching their daily life activities. Accommodation: Tents Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

In the morning after breakfast, you will have final moments with the Larim people and then later drive to Kapoeta for an overnight. Accommodation: Kuleu Hotel Meal plans – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

You will have breakfast and then drive to the Toposa communities. The Toposa are Turkana speaking cattle rearing people that have resisted western influence to this date. Toposa have traditionally lived by herding cattle, sheep and goats, and in the past were involved in the ivory trade. The Toposa belong to what has been called the “Karamojong cluster”, which also includes the Karamojong people of Uganda, the Ntangatom people in South Western Ethiopia and the Turkana people of Kenya. The Toposa economy and social life revolves around herding livestock including cattle, camels, donkeys, goats and sheep. Boys are first given goats and sheep to care for, then they later graduate to looking after cattle when they come of age. Possession of cattle, along with possession of a loaded gun are the main measures of status and wealth. Cattle are central to Toposa culture. The Toposa have always competed for water and pasturage with their neighbors and have always engaged in cattle rustling. The Toposa also pan for gold and other precious minerals in the stream beds and dress in their traditional clothes (leather – beaded skirts) and pierce their lips and scarify their arms, chests and faces. Each scarification is a work of art. Visit different communities and enjoy the intense welcome dances Accommodation: Tents Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Breakfast and then drive to the Lotuko people. The Lotuko (sometimes "Otuko") have built their villages on the slopes of the mountains for their defense. Traditionally other tribes attacked the Lotuko to kidnap children and use them as slaves. Every year the beginning of the cultivation takes place (January / February) a rain dance. The Lotuko actually call themselves Otuko, however the name Lotuko has been bestowed by their neighbors. There are approximately 80,000 people spread over 16 traditional villages and in the city of Torit. They are agro-pastoralists of cows, sheep, goats as the main animals and sorghum, peanuts, sesame, and yams are their main crops. They hunt for fresh meat, since the number of domestic animals is a sign of wealth and prestige. Agriculture is communal. Their belief system is based on ancestor worship. Folklore and poems are transmitted verbally. There are many ceremonies: the rain dance once a year, every 16 years a fire is made for the ceremony, funerals, marriages. Every town has a magician. In marriage they practice exogamy, in which they must marry outside their clan. There is a price for the bride that has to be paid to the girl's father. In the past, war was what marked the lives of men. Elaborate shields and helmets were created. A man was not considered as such, until he killed another in battle and could not marry until then. The Lotuko are famous for their dance and each town has an area created just for dancing. More and more the Lotuko are renouncing their traditional forms of dress and adornment for western clothing. But overall, its economy, religion, and house building remain traditional. Accommodation: Tents Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Breakfast, last moments with the Toposa and then drive back to Juba for an overnight. Accommodation: Pyramid Continental Hotel Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

You will after breakfast head to Juba international airport for your flight back home. Passengers are advised to be at the airport for check in 3 hours to their departure time. This will bring your amazing South Sudan cultural expedition to an end.