Peter’s Journey with us to Burundi, Rwanda, CAR and South Sudan

Why did you choose these four countries?

‘It all started with a desire to visit eastern DRC. I initially crafted my itinerary around that,’ Peter explains. ‘But when the M23 rebel advance made DRC off-limits, I almost cancelled the trip. Then I looked closer at CultureRoad’s route along Lake Kivu, and the chimpanzee trek really sold me.” And so, a new adventure was born’.

What was your first impression and standout moment from each country?

Burundi, part of the East Africa group tour, was the first stop on Peter’s tour with CultureRoad.

• Standout moment: “The Gishora drummers at Gitega were a standout. I’ve seen many cultural shows around the world. But this was spellbinding. The incessant beat of the jungle drums and the action-filled, athletic dances were spine-tingling.”

Rwanda was the second stop on the East Africa group tour and Peter’s journey in Africa.

• First impressions: “Rwanda was every bit the modern country I first experienced in 2009, with Kigali being more westernized than then.”
• Standout moment: “The standout here was the chimpanzee trek. A stiff one-hour climb into the jungle, and we were there. The forest is dense and lush, and we were in the thick of it with no defined track. Early morning, and the chimps were high up in the canopy. Eventually, one shimmied down, and gradually the rest followed. We were treated to an up-close and personal experience with these beautiful primates before they moved on to other pastures. I spent a lot of time a meter away from one chimp sitting down, chewing leaves. I took a number of still photos and just watched, taking in the beauty of nature unfolding before me. One of my group suggested I take a video, which is not normally what I would do, but I went ahead. Serendipity took over as that one-minute clip started with the chimp eating leaves and then suddenly erupting into shrieks and climbing and crashing through the jungle. Priceless!”

After the East Africa group tour ended, Peter continued his journey with a private tour to the Central African Republic (CAR).

• First impressions: “In CAR, the overwhelming first impression was one of poverty, consistent with its standing as one of the three poorest countries on earth.”
• Standout moment: “I enjoyed the impressive Boali Falls the most.”

For the final part of Peter’s trip, he joined the South Sudan group tour.

• First impressions: “South Sudan’s capital, Juba, seemed a bit more ‘upmarket’ than CAR and Burundi.”
• Standout moment: “Camping with the Mundari tribe was a major highlight, not only of South Sudan but of the whole trip. I will go into more detail below.”

Which destination surprised you the most, and why?

‘South Sudan’ Peter explains. ‘I had low expectations for South Sudan. I found parts of Juba to have a pleasant, almost cosmopolitan vibe, especially along the banks of the White Nile. Then, just a relatively short distance out of town, we had the amazing experience with the Mundari people.”

What was the most unique cultural experience you had during this trip?

‘In South Sudan at the Mundari Camp. The sun hangs low in the sky, and in the distance, the herd is coming to camp. As they approach, dust clouds swirl, and the pounding of hooves becomes almost tactile. The Mundari bring their cattle back to camp each night. Tied to stakes, they lovingly tend to their herd, brushing them down with ash to prevent insect bites. As the sun sets behind the herd, I am the only one who has stayed, and there is a sense of intimacy to the experience. The next morning, we are up early to see the milking and the seemingly bizarre ritual of the tribe bathing in the cow’s urine and blowing into the vaginas of cows to enhance their milk flow. While this may sound bizarre and even grotesque, it is all spellbinding.’

Finally, do you have any advice for future travellers heading to these countries?

‘Africa can be tough to visit. Visas can be a nightmare. Tourist attractions are often off the beaten track, and local transport is basic and often nonexistent. Apart from Rwanda, the countries I visited on this tour are not easy to travel around as an independent tourist. While I prefer to travel independently, it is to destinations such as these that I turn to travel companies such as CultureRoad’.

Want to see Africa’s Hidden Treasures for yourself?

Join our Mundari South Sudan Group Tour and meet one of the most special tribes in Africa. Or plan ahead for our 2026 East Africa Group Tour, where you can visit countries like Burundi and Rwanda. You can also visit CAR on our Cameroon and CAR November Group tour. Don’t fancy a group tour? You can also choose a private tour to explore any of these palaces.