10 Day 9 Night South Sudan Bird Watching Tour

South Sudan borders with Uganda to the south, in Uganda over 1000 different species of birds have been identified. Does this same number exist in South Sudan?

We think so. This 10-day 9-night South Sudan Bird Watching Tour will be the first of many tours to identify the birds of South Sudan. At the same time, you will visit the tribes of Mundari, Toposa, Jie, Lotuko, Larim, lopeti, and Dinka, and visit the great Sudd swamp the largest swamp. 

Itinerary of Summary of 10 Day 9 Night South Sudan  Bird Watching Tour

The 10-Day 9 Night South Sudan  Bird Watching Tour takes you to the state of Jonglei on the west bank of the Nile River (75 km north of Bor town – Jongolei state city) where you will spend two days birding.

During this photo trip, the focus is on the authentic tribes living in South Sudan. You will visit the South Sudan tribes like the Larim/Boya, Toposa, and Mundari.

Day 1 Arrival in Juba-

Arrival in Juba from Spain.

Change money and other necessary arrangements for the trip (necessary (Alien) registration stamps in passport and permits).Depending on arrival time lunch at the appropriate time.

Lunch, Dinner, and overnight in Either the Royal Palace Hotel Palm Africa Hotel, or Crown Hotel

Meal Plan; LD

Day 2. DOMESTIC FLIGHT FROM JUBA – KAPOETA

In the morning, after breakfast, transfer to the airport. Domestic flight to Kapoeta (2 hours flight), to the eastern part of the country. Kapoeta is an ideal base to explore Toposa tribal territory.

The Toposa are Turkana-speaking cattle-rearing people who 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.

They have a tradition of constant warfare, usually cattle raids, against their neighbors.
Depending on arrival time, we can visit the first Toposa tribal village.
Meal Plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Kileu Hotel

Day 3.  Explore Toposa tribe

We will spend the whole day visiting and photographing different and more isolated Toposa villages in the area where we will meet these people in their ‘boma’ – fenced village-.  Some magnificent singing and dancing should be arranged as a welcome ceremony.

In remote areas, Toposa women still dress in beaded skirts of great beauty and scarify their faces and bodies.

Overnight:  Kileu Hotel

Meal Plan; B LD

Day 4. Travel To Kimatong (Larim/Boya tribe)

Wake up early (5:30-6:00 am) and prepare a quick photoshoot of the early morning activities of the Toposa tribe. Have breakfast and drive to Kimatong in the Boya mountains (+/- 100 km), a tremendous granite enclave in the middle of the African savanna.

There we will visit different villages of the Larim (Boya) tribe. The young women of this tribe have impressive body scarifications, they also pierce their noses and lips. Widowed women wrap vegetable cords around their legs and head.

Dinner and overnight Mobile Tents/ Camping.

Meal Plan; B LD

Day 5. Explore  Kimatong/ Larim

Full day exploring the Larim Tribe in the mounatins, engaging in different activities.

Overnight in a Mobile Tent

Meal Plan; BLD

Day 6. Drive From Larim TO Juba

Wake up early (5:30-6:00 am) and prepare a quick photoshoot of the early morning activities of the Lotuko tribe. Have breakfast and drive to the Lopiti tribe (2-3 hours drive, a Sunset photo tour, and stay.

Overnight: Lunch, Dinner, and overnight in Either Royal Palace Hotel or Palm Africa Hotel or Crown Hotel

Meal Plan; BLD

Day 7. Drive To Terakeka (Mundari Cattle Camp)

After breakfast drive from Juba City to  Terakeka (81 km, max 3 hrs). We will just be on time to observe the Mundari evening activities as their cattle return to the sleeping grounds at the cattle camp in the evening.

Dinner and overnight Mobile Camping

Meal Plan; B LD

Day 8. Full-Day Exploring Mundari Cattle Camp

Full day with the Mundari, starting at 5 am. Observe their daily activities: milking, grazing, collecting dung, fetching wood, crossing the Nile based on the location of the cattle camp, covering their bodies with pink ash and body/face painting, young boys especially simulate the cows, showering using urine of the cows, see their instruments.

Also, visit their huts and meet ‘women in red’ (natural paint). Try to see the beaded corsets for women as well as for men. If possible also arrange a quick wrestling match and dance and then drive back to Juba.

Overnight: Camping

Meal Plan; BLD

Day 9. Travel Back TO Juba From Mundari

Half a day with Mundari and travel back to Juba, have lunch at a hotel in Juba, thereafter go for evening juba city tour, visit the top Juba cities tourist sites, like local markets, and religious sites, thereafter you will be transferred to hotel dinner overnight stay.

Overnight: Either Royal Palace Hotel Palm Africa Hotel or Crown Hotel

Meal Plan; BLD

Day 10. Departure-

Based on your international flight schedule you will be transferred to the Airport for your flight back home, hence calling it the end of your South Sudan trip.

Meal Plan; BL

Please Note:

This is a pioneering trip traveling to remote regions, which rarely, if ever, see tourists. Infrastructure for much of the trip will be non-existent and a great degree of flexibility is needed to deal with any local conditions, that may present themselves, In case of any land border crossing difficulties or challenges, you will be advised to fly to access both countries  "KEY FEATURES: Best season: November - April" 

While on this birding tour, you discover the virgin territory of Mundari cattle herders, the tallest people on Earth, who still live in the Stone Age on the banks of the mighty White Nile river in full unity with their livestock. They are famous for their numerous cowherds, kept with Kalashnikov guns, and elaborative vernacular architecture.

Explore Toposa tribal villages – the most authentic tribes of the "Karamojong cluster", which also includes the Karamojong people of Uganda, the Nyangatom people in southwestern Ethiopia, and the Turkana people of Kenya.

Larim tribe populated the Boya Hills area – one of South Sudan's most traditional groups, who still practice nose and lip piercing.

The mountain kingdom of Ilieu is ruled by a priest-king, and the Lotuko tribe in the mountainous region with Imatong Mountain, the highest mountain in South Sudan.
Living in the cattle herders’ camp following nomads in the swamps of the White Nile River.

This is the southern edge of the great Sudd swamp. A-List 62 Birds in South Sudan that have been identified to date-  A-List 62 Birds in South Sudan that have been identified to date

• Rubus Chatterer
• White-rumped Babbler
• Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird
• Rock Pratincoles
• African white-backed Vultures
• Long-crested Eagle
• Marabou Stork
• Wahlberg’s Eagle
• Hooded Vulture
• Abyssinian Roller
• Hoopoe
• Black-breasted Barbet
• Greyish Eagle-Owl
• European Honey Buzzard
• White-winged terns
• Senegal thick-knees
• Rock pratincoles
• Abdim’s Stork
• Yellow-billed Stork
• Goliath Heron
• African Fish Eagle
• Golden Pipit
• Hemprich’s Hornbill
• Ostrich
• Abyssinian Schmitarbill
• Shoebill
• Boran Cisticola
• Fulvous Whistling-Duck
• White-faced Whistling-Duck
• Spur-winged Goose
• African Openbill
• Ermin’s Strike
• Piapiac
• Purple Glossy-starling
• Bronze-tailed Glossy-Starling
• White-fronted Black Chat
• Bush Petronia
• Black-bellied Fire Finch
• Black-rumped Waxbill
• White Stork
• Saddle-billed Stork
• African Sacred Ibis.
• Glossy Ibis
• Cattle Egret
• Squacco Heron
• Sun Lark
• Red-pate Cisticola
• Foxy Cisticola
• Red-winged Grey Warbler
• Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver
• Cinnamon Weaver
• Red-winged Pytilia
• Goliath Heron
• Purple Heron
• Great White Egret
• Great White Pelican
• Pink-back Pelican
• Long-tailed Cormorant
• Fox Kestral
• Black Crowned-Crane
• Red-throated Bee-Eater

Here is a list of top South Sudan tours, South Sudan safari tours, South Sudan holiday vacation safari tours, South Sudan Cultural-tribal photography safari tours, and South Sudan photography trips from here.

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