THE GOOD ROAD has partnered with award winning journalist Autumn Phillips and UNTAMED BORDERS to create a once in a lifetime trip to South Sudan.
South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation. It contains a fascinating tapestry of tribal communities and a range of landscapes, with areas of tropical savannah, vast dry plains, mountains, the Sudd swampland, and the Nile River running through its center. The Sudd is one of the world’s largest wetlands, home to the world’s largest annual mammal migrations and large bird migrations.
This mix makes it a remarkable place to visit.
After decades of conflict, the region saw few visitors, but after its independence, the country is finding its feet in relative stability, making South Sudan largely untapped by tourism and a truly special place to visit for adventurous travelers.
On this seven-day adventure, immerse yourself into the rarely visited tribal communities who call South Sudan home and be treated to many local customs and celebrations. We begin in the capital Juba and head to the nearby Toposa tribe villages, a community famous for their piercings and bodily scarification rituals. Next, we’ll meet the Larim tribe, at the foot of the stunning Boya Mountains, who are magnificent architects. We will visit the Mundari tribal region, whose people are famed for their relationship with their cattle.
This is a unique opportunity to meet and be immersed in tribal communities who come into contact with few international visitors.
We will be offering a very bespoke add on to this trip for a limited number of people – to see the world’s largest mammal migration by air. This three-day add on includes a chartered 10-seat Cessna plane to see the migration, The Sudd, and Sarah, the “Bucket Wheel” used to form the Jonglei Canal. (Learn more about how to join the chartered flight here)
What makes this trip different
This trip is for people looking for a new way to travel. Autumn Phillips will teach travelers how to use writing to have a deeper experience – to see details that might have gone unnoticed, to tap into all the senses by trying to describe the way something smells or sounds and to find meaning.
Good traveling and good writing are the same. Writing is a way of seeing.
It’s also a great way to connect with other travelers. No one will be made to read their writing, but all will be welcome. Hear someone else describe something you saw from a different point of view.
Autumn Phillips will begin each morning with a creative talk to set the theme for the day. And each day will come with a writing prompt and some time to write.
This is not a class. There are no expectations or requirements. Participate as much as you like to absorb this new approach to travel.
Autumn Phillips bio
Autumn Phillips is an adventure traveler, newspaper editor and writing coach. She recently was named Journalist of the Year for her travel writing by the North American Travel Journalist Association for her stories on Sudan, Lebanon and Finnish Lapland.
She enjoys asking big questions and creating transformative social experiences.
Phillips found that writing adds depth during the journey. It lets her relive it when she gets home and examines the details and ideas one sentence at a time. And it allows her to connect to new people when the story publishes.
She is a beekeeper, kayaker and native of Wyoming. She has an MFA in creative writing from Goddard College. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
Autumn Phillips bio
Autumn Phillips is an adventure traveler, newspaper editor and writing coach. She recently was named Journalist of the Year for her travel writing by the North American Travel Journalist Association for her stories on Sudan, Lebanon and Finnish Lapland.
She enjoys asking big questions and creating transformative social experiences.
Phillips found that writing adds depth during the journey. It lets her relive it when she gets home and examines the details and ideas one sentence at a time. And it allows her to connect to new people when the story publishes.
She is a beekeeper, kayaker and native of Wyoming. She has an MFA in creative writing from Goddard College. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
14 MArch – 21 March, 2026
Start point – Juba, South Sudan
End point – Juba, South Sudan
Number of people: max 16
Day 1 – Saturday, 14 March – Juba – Arrive
Day 2 – Sunday, 15 March – Juba – Kapoeta – Toposa villages
Day 3 – Monday, 16 March – Kapoeta – Boya
Day 4 – Tuesday, 17 March – Boya – Lotuko Mountains
Day 5 – Wednesday, 18 March – Lotuko Mountains – Juba – Terekeka
Day 6 – Thursday, 19 March – Mundari Livestock camp
Day 7 – Friday, 20 March – Mundari – Juba
Day 8 – Saturday, 21 March – Juba – End
Inclusions & Exclusions
The trip includes:
- All accommodation (as listed)
- All transport and transfers. 4X4 vehicle when out of Juba
- Travel permits
- English speaking local guide
- All meals outside of Juba
- 1 domestic flight (Juba – Kapoeta)
- Visa support
The trip does not include:
-
Camera Permit
-
Insurance
-
International flights
-
Meals in Juba
-
Visa (US$100- US$150 depending on nationality)
-
Tips
-
Other drinks
Cost:
- Package: $4,550 Per Person
- Single Supplement: $300 Per Single Supplement
To reserve a place on this trip we need a deposit of US$400 per person
General Information
Flights:
We do not directly arrange international flights to South Sudan. However, we can suggest routes and operators.
Visas:
You will require a South Sudan visa for this trip. We will provide visa support and you must apply for an e-Visa.
Food:
We provide all meals when outside of Juba. Juba has more options, so we leave the choice and cost to you.
Accommodation:
We do not and cannot offer a uniform accommodation standard on our itineraries. Even if we wanted to, the reality is that standards in Juba cannot be compared to a tent camp stay in the interior of South Sudan. We consider comfort, location, design, character, historical interest and whether the money we spend will go into the pockets of the local community when we make our choices of where to stay. The accommodation will be based on you sharing a twin room/tent.
Transport:
When we choose our vehicles and drivers we take into consideration the road conditions, the length of journey and the competence of the man behind the wheel. Your comfort, enjoyment and safety of the journey is the top priority.
Guides:
On this trip you will be accompanied by an experienced English-speaking local guide.
Security:
Travel in South Sudan poses many risks, and the country is inherently politically unstable. Our client’s safety is our primary concern. We must state that the guide has the final word with regards to changes in the itinerary for safety reasons. Whilst the route we have chosen passes through areas that we consider stable, things can change and we may have to alter the route or cancel sections of the trip at short notice.
If you have any questions about this trip or about Jordan in general, please contact us.
