Overview
This 8 days hiking tour to Mount. Kinyeti is a test of durance and adventure as you maneuver through the various ecological systems to conquer its peak. Capture the incredible scenic views of the landscape while at the highest peak in South Sudan. This entire hike is an experience worth the adrenaline, given the exclusive features of flora and fauna you encounter, such as the various birds, plants, and waterfalls. Below is a detailed plan for your 8 days tour.
Day 1: Arrival at Juba Airport – transfer to Hotel Royal Palace / Pyramid Continental Hotel.
You will arrive at Juba International Airport, where you will meet our city tour guide to receive a warm welcome to the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan. Your first impression is meeting the tallest people on earth. The rest of the day is dedicated to exploring, relaxing, and preparing briefs for the next programs.
Day 2: Have breakfast & drive 5 hours to Torit – Katire.
On this day, you will wake up for breakfast at 6.00 am, and after that, the team will load your bags into cars and then take off to the Eastern part of the country through the Kenya-South Sudan highway. Arrive in 3 hours at Torit town, capital of Eastern Equatoria, where you will have your lunch at Hotel Torit, while the guide clears up permits with the state Authorities.
Thereafter, you are en route to Katire through the Imatong ranges, enjoying one of the beautiful scenic views in the region. You will always be stopping to take pictures of the beautiful view of the mountain ranges. This is a beautiful moment to explore the flora and fauna of this amazing region. It is one of the most beautiful areas in the country, giving bird lovers and nature lovers an amazing impression, since you will be coming across a variety of bird species.
Arrive at Katire, explore the communities around, and slope for swimming at River Kinyeti, with a view of its small waterfall. While at River Kinyeti, you will visit the colonial building where the queen and king of London camped during the Second World War.
Day 3. Have breakfast and then start hiking.
After your early breakfast by 6:00 am, you will arrange your necessary items for the helpers to carry while you set off on your hike through the zigzag, steep road paved by the British colonialists. You will be trekking through the communities living up on these mountain slopes. Our chef will move ahead to the Gilo lumbering site to prepare meals, such that when you arrive, you have lunch and fresh fruits. This time, you should have covered 1087 metres above sea level.
You will arrive at the Gilo plateau, where you will meet many communities practicing subsistence farming and those practicing lumbering activities in the vast forest planted by the British. If time allows, you will walk to visit the house of the queen with one of its biggest Avocado trees planted during World War 2. You will therefore continue with your trek, depending on your energy, you will set camp where you get tired for the night. In this case, the chef and other helpers will always be ahead to prepare meals and set up the camp at the usual points of camping points.
Day 4. Have breakfast & continue with the hike.
You will have breakfast, and after that, continue with the trek to the peak of Kinyeti. This will take you a bout 3-4 hours to arrive at the highest point, depending on the distance from where you last camped. If you arrive at the peak early before sunset, you will therefore spend time relaxing, exploring the two flat peaks, beautiful scenery views. At the peak, you will experience cold winds covered with clouds, clearing and covering every minute.
Therefore, we advise you to have rain jackets with you. You will also explore the beautiful vegetation, coreopsis flowers covering the flat rocks on top. The first European botanist to discover the flowers was Thomas Ford. You will spend time exploring and learning the history of the region till sunset, then slope back and trek till you get tired and set camp for the night.
Day 5. Breakfast from the camp & continue sloping back.
After your breakfast, you will continue with your trek back, either you arrive at Katire Centre or camp with communities in Gilo. Arrive and relax with coffee and snacks while waiting for dinner to be prepared by our senior chef.
This evening, the team will organise with you a farewell party to celebrate the great milestone in reaching the peak of South Sudan. Set a campfire to enjoy storytelling with highlights of the adventure. This is if you manage to slope back to Katire centre!
Day 6. Relax in Katire Centre or drive to relax in Torit town to relax.
You will have your breakfast from where you camped, and after drive for 3 hours to Torit town or take a rest in Katire centre.
Day 7. Drive back to Juba.
After breakfast, you will drive back to Juba. Arrive and check in at Hotel Royal Palace / Pyramid Continental. The rest of the day is to refresh, explore Juba city for sightseeing of historical sites, then take a boat for a Nile cruise if interested. You will have your dinner at the Riverside Hotel Afex. Thereafter, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 8. Breakfast and transfer to Juba Airport for your flight back home.
You will have your breakfast, and after our city guide will transfer you to Juba airport for your flight back to your next destination.