Après avoir fait plusieurs recherches, j'hésite entre deux itinéraire pour un voyage Namibie/Botswana ou Namibie seule. Les deux départs sont début avril. Est-ce un bon temps pour y aller? Les voici. Merci de votre aide.
1-
Jour 1 : Windhoek
Jour 2 : Windhoek - Onkonjima (route)
Jour 3 : Etosha
Jour 4 : Etosha
Jour 5 : Etosha - Ruacana (route)
Jour 6 : Ruacana
Jour 7 : Ruacana - Epupa Fallsa (route)
Jour 8 : Epupa Falls - Opuwo (route)
Jour 9 : Opuwo - Palmwag (route)
Jour 10 : Palmwag - Spitzkoppe (route)
Jour 11 : Spitzkoppe - Swakopmund
Jour 12 : Swakopmund - Sesriem (route)
Jour 13 : Sesriem
Jour 14 : Sesriem - Windhoek (route)
Jour 15 : Windhoek - Maun (avion)
Jour 16 : Moremi
Jour 17 : Moremi
Jour 18 : Moremi - Okavango (vol)
Jour 19 : Okavango
Jour 20 : Okavango - Victoria Falls (avion)
Jour 21 : Victoria Falls
Jour 22 : Départ via Johannesbourg (avion).
Jours 1 à 5
Arrivée à Windhoek, charmante capitale namibienne à l’architecture coloniale allemande. Arrêt dans une ferme consacrée à la conservation du guépard. Observation et discussion avec les fermiers. Direction nord : Etosha, synonyme de paysages de plaines et de savanes où pullulent les grands mammifères. C’est l’un des parcs les plus célébrés d’Afrique. Nous y ferons quelques safaris dont une impressionnante sortie nocturne au point d’eau d’Okaukuejo.
Jours 6 à 10
Baignade à la source chaude de Ongongo. Découverte des peuples Himba et Herero dans le Kaokoland et possibilité d’apercevoir des éléphants du désert. Observation d’animaux rares du désert dans la réserve de Palmwag. Traversée d’un spectaculaire récif montagneux et visite d’un site de peintures rupestres vieilles de 6 000 ans.
Jours 10 à 14
Étape à Swakopmund, station balnéaire à l’architecture coloniale allemande. Trajet vers les fabuleuses dunes de Sossusvlei (plus de 300 mètres de hauteur) en passant par le canyon de Kuiseb. Visite du canyon de Sesriem et retour à Windhoek.
Jours 15 à 19*
Après un premier vol vers Maun au Botswana puis un second au cœur du delta de l’Okavango, les journées seront consacrées à la découverte du delta, en makoro et à pied. Game run dans la réserve de Moremi et vol à destination de Kasane pour accéder aux chutes Victoria.
* La séquence des visites de cette partie de l’itinéraire peut varier selon les jours de vol.
Jours 20 à 22
Petite incursion au Zimbabwe afin d’admirer l’un des sites naturels les plus grandioses d’Afrique, les chutes Victoria. Possibilité de randonnées ou de rafting sur le Zambèze. Vol de retour via Johannesbourg.
2-
Jours 1 - Départ de Montréal Assistance aux formalités d’enregistrement et envol à destination de Windhoek, via Johannesburg. Repas et nuit dans l’avion.
Jour 2 - Windhoek
Dès notre arrivée à Windhoek, notre guide local nous accueillera et nous fera partager sa passion à travers un premier tour de ville de la capitale Namibienne. Installation, souper et nuit à l’hôtel.
Jour 3 - Windhoek / Okahandja / Otjiwarongo Déjeuner. En chemin vers Otjiwarongo, nous nous arrêterons au marché artisanal d’Okahandja, ancienne capitale du peuple Hereros. Dès notre arrivée à Otjiwarongo, nous nous installerons et déjeunerons au Lodge avant notre premier safari en 4x4 dans la réserve naturelle privée. Retour en fin d’après-midi. Souper et nuit au Lodge.
Jour 4 - Otjiwarongo / Parc National d'Etosha Déjeuner. Départ pour le Parc National d’Etosha, l’un des plus beaux parcs animaliers du monde, connu pour la grande richesse de sa faune et ses paysages savoureux. Installation au Lodge en fin de matinée. Dîner et temps libre avant notre première traversée du parc. Après une belle rencontre avec les girafes, antilopes, éléphants et lions de ce parc gigantesque, nous retournerons au Lodge pour le souper. Nuit au Lodge.
Jour 5 - Parc National d'Etosha Déjeuner. Nous profiterons d’une journée complète de safari en 4x4 à la recherche des nombreuses espèces animales du parc, mais aussi des curiosités naturelles impressionnantes, tels que les immenses lacs asséchés de la réserve. Retour au Lodge pour le dîner. Poursuite du safari. Souper et nuit au Lodge.
Jour 6 - Parc National d'Etosha / Outjo Déjeuner. C’est en traversant le parc en entier que nous réaliserons l’étendue et la grande diversité naturelle de ce dernier. Dîner au camp d’état Halali puis continuation de la traversée. Arrivée dans la région d’Outjo en fin d’après-midi. Installation, souper et nuit au Lodge.
Jour 7 - Outjo / Kamanjab / Palmwag Après le déjeuner, nous nous rendrons dans un village Himba. Cette tribu, hors du temps et fière de ses traditions, résiste à l’influence du monde extérieur depuis des siècles : une rencontre inoubliable ! Dîner à Kamanjab. Route en direction de la région de Palmwag. Installation au Lodge et temps libre dans l’après-midi. Souper et nuit au Lodge.
Jour 8 - Palmwag Déjeuner. Aujourd’hui, nous profiterons de la réserve privée du Lodge et découvrirons la faune sauvage et les différents points de vues panoramiques de la région. Dîner au Lodge. Poursuite du safari en 4x4. Souper et nuit au Lodge. Jour 9 - Palmwag / Forêt Pétrifiée / Twifelfontein Déjeuner. Départ pour l’un des mystères de la nature : la Forêt Pétrifiée. Une gigantesque coulée de boue et d’immenses troncs d’arbres se sont fossilisés avec le temps dans les terres du désert et réapparaissent aujourd’hui pour nous… Dîner au Lodge de Twifelfontein. Dans l’après-midi, départ pour voir les peintures et gravures rupestres vieilles de plus de 6000 ans ! Souper et nuit au Lodge.
Jour 10 - Twifelfontein / Brandberg Déjeuner. Départ en 4x4 dans le lit asséché de la rivière Huab : un spectacle étonnant ! Retour au Lodge pour le dîner. Route pour le Mont Brandberg, véritable bloc de granit qui culmine à près de 2600 m d’altitude. Dans l’après-midi, nous arriverons au camp monté, spécialement installé pour nous aux pieds de la plus haute montagne de Namibie : un moment inoubliable ! Souper et soirée près du feu. Nuit au camp. Jour 11 - Brandberg / Cape Cross / Swakopmund
Déjeuner. Route en direction de la petite ville balnéaire de Swakopmund située aux portes du désert de Namib. En chemin, nous ferons un arrêt à Cape Cross, connu pour sa colonie d’otaries à fourrure. Les mâles, déjà installés sur la rive, défendent leur territoire et s’engraissent le plus possible en vue de leur future conquête. Dîner au Lodge de Cape Cross puis poursuite vers Swakopmund. Arrivée en début d’après-midi et installation à l’hôtel. Temps libre pour magasiner. Possibilité de survoler le désert du Namib (en option), réputé pour être l’un des plus beaux au monde ! Souper et nuit à l’hôtel. Jour 12 - Walvis Bay / Swakopmund Déjeuner. Départ vers Walvis Bay, principal port de Namibie connu pour ses nombreux flamants d’Afrique Australe et d’innombrables espèces d’oiseaux. Il s’agira, pour nous, de notre point d’embarquement pour une belle croisière le long de la côte désertique, où nous aurons la chance de voir de façon privilégiée : otaries, cormorans du cap, goélands et dauphins. Dîner sur la plage et retour à l’hôtel. Temps libre et départ pour une belle excursion en 4 roues à travers les dunes du Namib. Souper en bord de mer. Nuit à l’hôtel.
Jour 13 - Swakopmund / Désert du Namib / Sossusvlei
Déjeuner. Ce matin nous prendrons la route vers les paysages lunaires de Moon Valley et découvrirons la plante ancestrale du désert : la Welwitchia Mirabilis. En chemin vers Rostock Ritz, nous ferons escale à la rivière du Kuiseb qui marque la limite de progression des dunes vers le nord. Dîner à Rostock Ritz puis continuation vers Sossusvlei. Installation au Lodge dans l’après-midi. Souper et nuit au Lodge.
Jour 14 - Sossusvlei (Désert du Namib) Déjeuner. Départ aux aurores en direction des dunes rouges du plus ancien désert du monde. Nous terminerons la traversée du parc en 4x4 afin d’atteindre la plus belle zone du désert. Nous prendrons le temps d’admirer ce spectacle naturel par de nombreuses possibilités de marche. Retour au Lodge pour le dîner. Visite du canyon de Sesriem qui, d’une profondeur de 40 mètres, nous révèle l’histoire géologique de la région. Souper et nuit au Lodge.
Jour 15 - Sossusvlei / Windhoek Déjeuner. Départ pour Windhoek, capitale et ville prospère de la Namibie. Dîner au restaurant et temps libre dans le centre-ville. Installation à l’hôtel. En soirée, départ pour le souper d’adieu dans un restaurant animé de la ville. Retour et nuit à l’hôtel.
Jour 16 - Windhoek / Montréal Déjeuner. Selon horaire du vol, transfert à l’aéroport de Windhoek. Vol de retour vers Montréal.
En fait les 2 voyages sont bien, complets, la forêt pétrifiée n'est pas forcément ce qu'il y a de mieux. Dans le 1er voyage, si la saison des pluies est importante, voir les chutes de Ruacana sera 1 très beau spectacle, et après tu enchaîneras sur Epupa, très bien de voir les 2. Dans le second tu ne vois pas ces 2 endroits, c'est 1 peu dommage. Mais la vraie question c'est que comme tu viens de Montréal, c'est pas tout près, c'est 1 long voyage, tout dépend si tu auras l'occasion de revenir dans la région ou pas, si la réponse est non il peut être intéressant d'aller faire 1 saut au Botswana. Si la saison des pluies est très importante, il reste d'y avoir beaucoup, beaucoup d'eau aux chutes Victoria et là on voit moins bien ! On est trempé !
Début avril c'est sympa
Voilà mon avis
A+
Nous avons fait un voyage un peu similaire au 1er couvrant Namibie centrale, Botswana et Victoria Falls il y a un an et demi (voyage de noces) et c'était vraiment très très beau.
Le point frustrant dans ces voyages couvrant trop de pays, c'est qu'on n'en visite aucun correctement. Bilan des courses, nous savons qu'il nous faudra revenir dans ces trois pays (en Namibie, nous n'avons pas vu Etosha; compensé par Chobé au Botswana; au Botswana, en si peu de temps, tu n'as pas le temps de remonter le delta de l'Okavango, a priori plus spectaculaire même si prendre l'avion à Maun est une expérience à ne rater sous aucun prétexte).
De toute manière, vue la beauté des sites proposés, quelque soit votre choix, ce sera le bon :-)
PS: notre carnet de voyage en Afrique australe illustré de photos et de vidéos.
Les voyages, ça sert surtout à embêter les autres une fois qu'on est revenu
(Sacha Guitry)
Les 2 circuits sont bien, et passent par les principaux points intéressants de Namibie et Botswana. Pour le 2ème circuit, la forêt pétrifiée peut effectivement être facultative ! Par contre, Walvis Bay, c'est super (ballade dans le désert du Namib jusqu'à Sandwich Harbour + croisière pour voir les dauphins et baleines) !
Vu que la différence essentielle porte sur le Botswana, tout dépend si tu es fan des safaris / animaux. Le Botswana est en effet un pays 100% animaux. Si tu aimes cela, va au Botswana. C'est un pays extraordinaire. Si tu n'es pas spécialement branchée par les safaris, tu préfèreras la Namibie, quitte à y prendre un peu plus ton temps.
http://voyageur.over-blog.com
Je ne connais que la Namibie, il m'est donc difficile de vraiment te conseiller entre les 2 options, par contre, ce que je peux te dire c'est que pour la durée que tu as, il y a déjà beaucoup à voir en Namibie seule !
Tu trouveras des infos qui pourront t'intéresser dans mon carnet de voyage de fin 2006 :
http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=895952;#895952
bons préparatifs !
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Afrique de l'Est et Australe › Namibie · 8 replies
Me voila parti dans les preparatifs de notre prochain voyage et voila que je m embourbe (deja) un peu. ma premiere idee d itineraire est la suivante mais j ai…
March or May 2027.
Around 15 days in the Western Cape,
then 15 days in the southern KNP.
Arrival either in PE or George.
The pros know I’m somewhat familiar with the area... that I don’t camp... that my accommodations can be simple and remote, self-catering but with basic comforts... that I’m looking for spots that are a bit off the beaten path... in a relaxed mode...
From George:
Late arrival... need some rest... Herolds Bay from George to the N1.
Tsitsikamma is catching my eye (Storms River)... with or without a stop in Knysna.
Question:
What’s the current condition of the pass from Knysna to Uniondale? R339.
And while I’m at it, the condition of the R340.
Tsitsikamma, Knysna, and my questions still apply if arriving in PE.
Is the Swartberg still closed?
Any recommendations for accommodation in Prince Albert?
If I cross the escarpment, I’ll continue via Anysberg NR, Touwsrivier... any thoughts?
From there... Tankwa Karoo or Mount Cedar (or both).
Then heading back down to the coast... the highlands of Hermanus or Kogelberg NR (any opinions on the latter?).
Or,
A more classic route along the coast...
If I arrive (fairly late) in PE... any ideas for accommodation in that little area?
Given that Nyathi Camp is winking at me...
(For context... a while back, I stayed at Riverbend (same Addo sector, private concession)... and I visited the ruins of that abandoned lodge at the time, which has clearly been renovated since... located in a very quiet part of Addo...).
Any feedback from the pros?
Well, that’s about it...
I’m open to any other tips or advice!
I’m reaching out with a question about which park to choose for a 3-day safari in Kenya.
After 20 days in Uganda, I’m meeting up with my dad for a 3-day safari (that works for him). We’ll be meeting in Nairobi and have a full day to travel to a park (preferably the farthest from Nairobi to avoid crowds?) and spend 4 nights there before heading back to the capital for our flight to France.
I’d love to hear your recommendations since I’ve read so many great tips on this forum.
Hi there,
I’m considering camping in Nyungwe Park with my family (2 adults, 2 kids) at Uwinka campsite. Problem: the park rents the tent but without any gear (mattresses, blankets). We don’t have a car. Is it possible to rent or buy mattresses and blankets near the park, please?
Thanks for your help
Hi, I'm looking for information on the road conditions in Moremi. We're leaving in 15 days, and from what I've heard, the roads are pretty tough to drive on. Any advice?
Thanks
I’m planning a potential trip to Namibia for a classic circuit in April 2027.
I’m surprised by how expensive the accommodations inside the parks are—really steep! Is it possible to stay outside the parks but still close enough to enjoy the game drives?
Do you have any recommendations for more reasonably priced lodging? I’m okay with spending 200 to 250 € per night.
No camping—the friend I’m traveling with absolutely refuses 😉, but maybe upgraded tents would work.
Hello,
We’re planning a route from Maun to Kazane and Victoria Falls for May 2027 in a Toyota Hilux 4x4, staying in lodges (no camping). Here’s the rough outline:
- Maun: Arrival likely from Johannesburg, 2 nights
- Khwai: 2 nights
- Return to Maun
- Need to decide on a stop between Maun and Sepopa?
- Sepopa: 2 nights
- Cross into Namibia: Bagani, 2 nights
- Kongola: 2 nights
- Katima Mulilo: 2 nights
- Kasane: 3 or 4 nights
- Victoria Falls: 1 or 2 nights
- Return to France from Kasane or Victoria Falls
What’s the road condition like between Maun and Khwai? The stop names are approximate based on accommodations.
Thanks for any feedback on this plan!
Ailleurs 64
At the end of July, we’re heading to Namibia with a group of five for a three-week road trip and visit to the national parks.
We’ve read conflicting info about buying entry tickets—either online (where?) or at the gate when we arrive?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the agencies you used to plan your trip to Uganda.
There’s the whole issue of gorilla permits, which need to be booked in advance and involve a significant financial commitment. That’s where I’m at with my trip planning. Between checking lutb.go.ug/ and reading online reviews, it’s hard to move forward with confidence.
I contacted the French Embassy, but they don’t provide any recommendations. I almost booked with an agency that had a really bad review from February specifically about the permit process.
How did you go about choosing your agency? Given the large sum involved, I’m this close to booking through a travel agency in France for this part.
From what I understand, no matter which agency books the permit, you’re ultimately guided by professionals trained for gorilla trekking based on the permit itself? I’m assuming that’s how it works.
Thanks for your feedback, and I’m really happy to see the forum’s new energy—it’s been super helpful to me in the past.
We’re heading to Uganda next summer for three weeks with our two kids, who’ll be 7 and 9 years old.
We’ve been to Southern Africa before but not East Africa, and after a trip to South Africa two years ago, the kids wanted to return to Africa, while we wanted to explore a new region while staying independent... Uganda’s been catching our eye for a while, and with Rwandair offering relatively attractive prices, we’re going for it!
We’ll be traveling in a 4x4 (self-drive) with roof tents. I don’t have any 4x4 driving experience, so it’ll be a first for me, but we’ll manage 😉 No great apes for us—kids need to be 15, and we don’t want to do that experience without them.
I don’t usually ask the forum much for trip planning, but this time, I’d love your thoughts and advice!
First question: Karamoja or not? At first glance, if we want to add it to a "classic" loop in the southwest, it doesn’t seem realistic—too packed, too much driving. We could consider doing the full loop via Kidepo and then heading down to Murchison, but I’m worried the trip might feel less varied and less kid-friendly. That said, the region looks stunning, and I’m struggling to accept not going at all... What do you think?
If we skip Karamoja, we’d do a loop: Murchison/Fort Portal/QENP/Bunyonyi/Mburo, which seems pretty comprehensive and would let us take our time, which is nice. A few random questions:
- How much time should we plan for the Fort Portal area? I was thinking at least 3 days to visit Bigodi Swamp, walk around the craters, and maybe do a community walk (any thoughts on that?).
- Between Murchison Falls and the Fort Portal area, is it worth breaking up the drive? I spotted Lake Albert Safari Lodge on the shores of Lake Albert—it’s not too expensive and looks nice.
- I’d love to do some easy walks/hikes at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, ideally without a guide, but it doesn’t seem straightforward. Do you know if it’s possible to do nice walks independently? I’ve read about hikes in the hills near Kilembe but nothing very specific. Maybe staying somewhere at the foot of the mountains, like Ruboni Community Camp, would allow that.
- Lake Mutanda looks really cool, and so does Lake Bunyonyi... Ideally, I’d like to see both, but won’t that feel repetitive? Is Lake Mutanda worth the detour?
Last practical question, since we don’t have experience with this: for the car with kids, would you recommend two tents (a bit more space) or a four-person tent?
I’ll stop here—already a lot of questions...
Thanks in advance for your feedback, and looking forward to exchanging ideas!
Gabriel
We’re planning our second trip to South Africa in July 2026. In 2023, we did a loop from Joburg, Golden Gate, Drakensberg, Hluhluwe, St Lucia, Eswatini, Kruger, Blyde River Canyon, and back to Joburg.
This time, we’d like to go to Cape Town and do a road trip to Port Elizabeth, then fly back to Joburg to return to Kruger. At this stage of my planning, here’s what it could look like:
D1 to D4: Cape Town and Cape of Good Hope (Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, Boulders, Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak Drive). I’ve spotted a few places to stay between Camps Bay and Hout Bay (3 nights).
D5 and D6: Either Karoo NP or Hermanus and De Hoop. Any opinions to tip the scales? I’ll admit I’m already leaning toward Karoo (the "wild" vibe of the landscapes and wildlife encounters appeal to me much more than the seaside, which feels less exotic). If we go for Karoo, where should we stay? Inside the park or in Beaufort West? I’ve seen good reviews for Ko-ka Tsara Bush Camp, but maybe it’s better to stay in the Sanparks cottages to make the most of the park? (2 nights)
Option B is to do Stellenbosch (though vineyards aren’t great in winter) and/or the Whale Route—Betty’s Bay, Hermanus, De Hoop (2 nights near Gansbaai).
D7 and D8: Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn. Staying at De Cango Guest Farm (2 nights).
D9 and D10: Knysna, Robberg Nature Reserve, Tsitsikamma (2 nights in Plettenberg Bay and 1 night in PE).
D11: Flight from Port Elizabeth to Joburg at 7 AM and drive to Marloth Park.
For Kruger, I’ve booked 2 nights in Marloth Park, 1 night in Skukuza, 2 nights in Satara, and 1 night in Talamati, which we loved. I’ll book the last night in Graskop later since we want to revisit the Blyde Canyon area.
I’d love all the feedback you can give on my itinerary, especially for days 5 and 6.
If you have recommendations for accommodations for 4 people, I’d appreciate those too.
Thanks! 🙂
We’re a family of four (two daughters aged 18 and 21) and we’re planning a three-week trip to Tanzania. Zanzibar would be our main base, but we’d also like to do a safari on the mainland.
Could you share any tips on:
- the ideal length for such a safari, the best place to go during this period (and easily accessible by flight from Zanzibar)
- your recommendations for the most suitable type of stay for a family like ours
- reliable local agencies with reasonable prices that could help us with this plan
Hi everyone, I’m here to get some advice on visiting KRUGER Park.
From what I’ve gathered through my reading, I understand there are two ways to visit the park:
- Independently with your own vehicle
=> Do you drive all day?
- By booking with a professional
=> Safari early in the morning and late in the afternoon. But what do you do in between?
When it comes to accommodations, the options are:
- Booking in one of the park’s camps, where the lodging is basic but functional
- Booking in a private reserve, which is more comfortable but prohibitively expensive
- Booking outside the park, which means entering the park every morning. But if you want to stay for 3 days, that doesn’t seem practical to me.
Do you have any advice for accommodations?
To be honest, I’m really struggling to understand how it all works...
Thanks to everyone for your help.
Bidule 27
Hey everyone!
Heading to Namibia in a few days and I just read that the entry fees for all parks in Namibia have skyrocketed. Increases between 86 and 100%, and this has been in effect since April 1st (no joke). Have any of you heard about this, and if so, do you know if it’s actually being enforced?
For example, the fee for Etosha has gone from 150 NAD to 280 NAD per day per person.
Thanks in advance!
I’m really interested in traveling to South Africa in September 2020. My question is whether I should go on an organized tour or plan my own itinerary. Organized trips are pretty expensive $$$$, but the security aspect reassures me. I’d love to hear your thoughts on safety in South Africa and whether it’s easy to arrange activities like visiting vineyards, Cape Town, and going on a safari on our own. Which is better in terms of cost—booking an organized trip or doing it ourselves? It’s definitely less exciting to follow a group for 10 days. We’re a couple in our 50s who love nature.
😊🦁
We’re heading out in April 2027 with our 4x4 to explore part of Southern Africa. Right now we’re researching all these beautiful countries and deciding where to ship our vehicle. We’re from Le Havre—has anyone here already shipped from that port to South Africa or East Africa?
As for all these countries, is wild camping allowed, tolerated, easy, or difficult?
We’ve already visited a few, but you can read just about anything online, so getting tips from real independent travelers is way better :)
We’re all ears for any hacks, experiences, or spots you’d recommend.
See you on the road with Doddy
Hi,
I’m starting to plan a great trip for the last three weeks of January 2027 (my first time in South Africa).
After spending a few hours (!) browsing this forum, here’s a rough first draft of my itinerary:
D0 Arrival at JNB
D1, D2 Blyde River Canyon
D3, D4, D5, D6, D7: Kruger
D8, D9, D10: St Lucia and surrounding area
D11, D12, D13, D14: Drakensberg + Lesotho
D15 A very long driving day to the south (hope the AC doesn’t break down!)
D16, D17, D18, D19 southwest coast (so far I’ve noted Oudtshoorn, Robberg Nature Reserve, Wilderness NP, De Hoop Reserve, and a bit of the wine route)
D20, D21 Cape Town (peninsula and a bit of the city) + domestic flight and return flight (departure from JNB at 11 PM)
A few questions before refining this:
- Do you see any major issues with this itinerary?
- We don’t have a choice on dates, and personally, I prefer green landscapes to desert ones anyway, but do you really see far fewer animals in January than in the dry season? Five days in Kruger should give us enough time to spot plenty of different animals despite the tall grass, right? As for the heat, we’re from Réunion, so we’re relatively used to it, even though I know it’s not the same type of heat.
- Can I trust the distances and driving times given by Google Maps?
- Picking up the vehicle in Johannesburg and dropping it off in Cape Town: how much might that cost us? I’m thinking it probably won’t be worse (in terms of time or money, since there are five of us—2 adults + 3 kids) than going back to Joburg after Lesotho, taking a flight to Cape Town, and renting another vehicle... but maybe I’m wrong.
- Finally, wouldn’t it be better to focus on just one of the two regions (either the northeast or Cape Town and the south coast)? If it were up to me, I’d stick to the first part and extend a few stops... but not everyone agrees! And we’re thinking that since it’ll be really hot, a second part of the trip that’s a bit """cooler""" would be welcome.
I imagine many of you have been captivated by the Masai Mara park and/or your safari experience with Tony Crocetta/Melting Pot Safari. Still, I’d like to share my perspective.
First, I’m an avid traveler, especially in love with Africa, which my partner and I have explored a bit (Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia...).
That said, I want to express my deep disappointment with both the Masai Mara and Tony Crocetta’s camp, Melting Pot Safari, where we stayed last year.
First, about the park: it’s stunning, no doubt. But what a highly touristy place! I can’t find the words to describe the horror of being among 30 4x4 vehicles lined up in front of a lioness hunt, let alone encircling her right after her kill while her prey is still alive in her jaws... no respect for wildlife. The same goes for surrounding a young leopard playing with its small prey, a moment when I counted over 50 vehicles, most with their engines running... sickening. I turned away, both my gaze and my camera. What a disaster to see this natural wonder of Africa turned into a tourist hotspot.
Yes, I loved this place on Earth, but no, I won’t "promote" it anywhere or to anyone.
Next, I also wanted to share my dissatisfaction with Tony Crocetta’s famous camp, Melting Pot Safari: where to begin? We booked a private vehicle for four with two friends, and I have no complaints about the vehicle itself (though it obviously came at a cost). The windows and the vehicle weren’t very photo-friendly, but let’s move on.
The trip between the sisters’ guesthouse (which was fine) and the camp went smoothly, except we arrived a bit too late. Result: "We’ll leave for the safari an hour later today because the driver has to respect his rest hours." Perfect—with park formalities, we only spent about an hour in the park that evening. The safari got off to a great start...
During our 12-day stay, we saw some amazing things. Tony wasn’t at the camp—I don’t know what the atmosphere is like when he’s there, but it was rather cold during our trip. Sylvie, his wife, barely looked at us, never asking how our day, night, or game drive went (I think she spoke to us once during the stay, plus the day we arrived, of course). We felt invisible... (if I were mean, I’d say the money had already been deposited into Melting Pot’s bank account.)
The evening meals, if I may say so, were a joke: not enough dessert (aside from fruit, but the few elaborate desserts—like 10 for 18 guests) for everyone, barely enough meat or sides. If you were unlucky like us and ended up with a group of 15 people who decided to skip the starter, you’d better hurry to get your main course, or there might not be any left—and no refills... We always ate our fill, but sometimes we had to serve ourselves in advance.
Finally, I want to correct something about the quality of the meals: seriously, this buffet was really mediocre and far from the culinary standards I’d read about in my pre-trip research (see their Facebook page).
Anyway, let’s move past the food—after all, the avocados were sublime, and we’re not there primarily to eat.
About the tent: the river views were beautiful, and the beds were very comfortable. No running water, individual showers outside the tent, and dry toilets—but it’s Africa, so we weren’t shocked. However, I’m disappointed that for this "modest" price, I wasn’t warned there’d be no soap (and no, I don’t travel with my own soap—and for the price, a little bar in the tent wouldn’t be a luxury). But let’s move on—the hippo views were fantastic. Oh, and to preserve the Masai Mara’s water (which makes sense) and for hygiene reasons, underwear isn’t washed by the camp staff—fair enough. But then what’s that little sign next to the bed? Oh right, for a hefty sum, underwear suddenly becomes "washable"...
Finally, my biggest gripe is about the essential part: the game drives. In France, they sell you a dream with a "photo safari" (what’s the difference, really? A room with a few more electrical outlets?). They promise guides especially suited for photography (not a given, sorry) and vehicles that can get close to animals and go off-road... but here’s the catch: the guides are bound by park laws and hounded by rangers looking to fine rule-breakers. Result: as soon as a white ranger vehicle is spotted, we have to abandon our spot for a wild chase through the grass. Fun once... The next day, we learned that another group’s guide got caught and had to pay $100 for breaking the rules—a sum he casually asked the travelers in his vehicle to cover... because of course, Melting Pot lures tourists with dreams, the poor rangers try to get close, all while breaking park laws... and they break those laws for Crocetta’s company, which, of course, won’t dip into its profits to pay the fines. Basically, it’s "keep the clients happy, but don’t get fined—or the fines are on you or you’ll have to ask the clients directly." Nice boss! Anyway, there were long discussions about this last year, especially among the guests in the fined vehicle. My partner and I found these practices unacceptable, and we were deeply disappointed by this attitude.
I know many people adore this park and/or this company—maybe you were luckier... or maybe you’re less demanding than we are when it comes to respecting rules, nature, and clients. But after traveling through much of southern Africa, I can tell you we personally came back frustrated from this experience and aren’t eager to return... You’ve been warned.
Here’s my feedback after a recent trip to Ethiopia, organized with a local guide.
Despite a signed quote, months of prep exchanges (over eight months!), and phone calls right up to departure day, the guide didn’t honor the commitments we’d agreed on.
Haile Haftu FANUAILE, manager of the agency www.charmethiopiantours.com—who we’d organized everything with—didn’t meet us as promised when we arrived in Addis Ababa. Without any warning, he sent a different guide to accompany us for the entire trip (with a flimsy excuse).
Several parts of the signed quote weren’t respected:
– Services included in the quote but not provided on-site (meals, water),
– Hotels we’d chosen, booked, and paid for were swapped for lower-category places,
– Visits were canceled because the timing wasn’t calculated properly,
– One stop on the itinerary was dropped without any reason or explanation.
We’d paid a deposit for domestic flights, with a promise to refund any overpayment. A month after returning, 150 € per person (there were three of us) still hasn’t been refunded.
I’m sharing this to warn fellow travelers about the importance of solid guarantees to ensure contracts are actually honored. Double-check everything before committing!
Wishing everyone safe and smooth travel prep—Ethiopia is an incredible country!
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Hello,
Feedback following a recent trip to Ethiopia, organized with a local guide.
Despite a signed quote, numerous preparatory exchanges over eight months, and phone calls right up until the day of departure, the guide did not fulfill his commitments.
Haile Haftu FANUAILE, manager of the agency www.charmethiopiantours.com with whom we had organized everything, did not meet us as agreed upon our arrival in Addis Ababa; without warning us, he sent another guide in his place to accompany us throughout the trip (with a bogus excuse).
Several points in the signed quote were not honored:
– services included in the quote but not provided on site (meals, water),
– hotels chosen, booked, and paid for, replaced by lower-category establishments,
– visits canceled due to lack of time, which had not been calculated correctly,
– one stop on the itinerary canceled without reason or explanation.
A deposit had been paid for the booking of domestic flights, with a commitment to refund the overpayment.
To date, one month after our return, 150 € per person (there were three of us) has still not been refunded.
This testimony is intended to alert travelers to the importance of solid guarantees for contracts that are actually honored, so that everyone can be extra vigilant before committing.
Good luck with your travel preparations, everyone.
Ethiopia is an extraordinary country!
Hello,
With so many agencies out there, we're feeling a bit lost. Could you please share your experience—like recommending your agency if you were happy with them—and tell us why, and if possible, what budget we should expect? Feel free to send it in a private message :)
We’re just the two of us, and ideally, we’d like to go in a 4x4 alone or with another couple, or in a very small group.
Hi there,
I’ve reached out to a few agencies for a week-long family safari next summer before heading to Zanzibar.
So far, the itinerary looks like this:
Day 1: Late arrival at JRO and overnight in Arusha
Day 2: Drive to Tarangire, park visit, and overnight in Tarangire
Day 3: Tarangire, drive to and overnight in Karatu
Day 4: Ngorongoro and overnight in Ngorongoro
Day 5: Drive to Serengeti and safari in Seronera
Day 6: Serengeti and overnight near Lobo
Day 7: Serengeti and overnight in Seronera
Day 8: Flight from Seronera to Zanzibar
On paper, it covers "everything," but maybe there’s a bit too much time lost on the road... Any alternatives?
To simplify (and cut costs), I was thinking:
Day 1: Late arrival at JRO and overnight in Arusha
Day 2: Arusha National Park with a walking safari and meeting the Maasai (?)
Day 3: Drive to Tarangire, park visit, and overnight in Tarangire
Day 4: Full day in Tarangire
Day 5: Tarangire, drive to and overnight in Karatu
Day 6: Ngorongoro and overnight in Ngorongoro
Day 7: Morning in Manyara or Natron and drive to JRO
Day 8: Flight to Zanzibar
Your thoughts and recommendations are welcome...
Thanks
We have the opportunity to spend about ten days somewhere for Christmas, and I’m really tempted by Zanzibar. I’ve been dreaming for a long time about the Spice Island, Stone Town, diving...
Which hotels could you recommend? Not a big "resort"—we’re more into "boutique hotels" or even an Airbnb house. Somewhere quiet (we’re not party animals).
I’m thinking of staying the first few nights in Stone Town and then moving to a beach, preferably one where we can swim regardless of the tides, without ending up in seaweed and mud at low tide.
I’m a bit lost with all the beaches because apparently, the north is very crowded, the south is very windy, and the east has some good and some not-so-good spots, with big tides or not... HELP! 🤪
I’d like to limit myself to a maximum of 2 different places to stay over the 10 days.
I’m reaching out because I don’t understand how Volcanoes National Park works.
I looked at booking for the gorillas, but there’s just the price listed, and the same goes for the Diane Fossey tomb.
So I contacted a hotel in Kinigi, and they told me that for the gorillas, you need a car to get to the park headquarters, and then once you know your group, you need to get from the headquarters to the trekking start point?? Do you confirm this? Is that really how it works? They say the hotel has a driver and it would cost 100 DOLLARS!!
I just found out that on top of the permit, there are other fees??? Uhh…
Are there other options, knowing I don’t want to rent a 4x4 since I’m traveling alone?
And if I don’t get the gorilla permit but just want to visit the Diane Fossey tomb, is it the same issue? From Kinigi, do you need a 4x4? How far is the tomb from the headquarters? Is it a hike you can do alone OR DO YOU NEED A GUIDE, ON FOOT? By car??
If someone could explain everything to me… and is the DF Foundation different??
If I decide to go through an agency, is it possible in Musanze (which would save me trips) or is it mandatory to go through Kigali?
Thanks so much for your help…
Best regards
I’m in the middle of planning a road trip in Southern Africa, and I’m specifically working on the itinerary—especially the distances.
I’ve got the time, but I’m struggling with the transfer days (so much driving just to end up spending the whole day on the road). That’s why I’m trying to analyze travel times, even if it means adding extra stops.
My highlights in Zimbabwe would be:
- Hwange
- Victoria Falls (and maybe Matusadona)
- Mana Pools
- Harare
- Gonarezhou
- Great Zimbabwe
But the distances and travel times seem huge (over 4 hours each time), and I don’t see how to make the drives more chill or shorten them—even if it means adding stops (but which ones?) between each leg.
Would anyone be able to estimate the travel time between these highlights and maybe suggest some nice stops to take breaks?
I’ve been to Rwanda twice before, in November 1991 and December 1993, mostly for solidarity work.
I’m looking into going back this November or December for three weeks, but I’m a bit hesitant when I see the tourist offerings—it’s so far from how I like to travel...
I travel solo using public transport and stay in places like guesthouses (GH), or accommodations run by cooperatives, associations, or religious groups. I love villages, markets, hikes, and local crafts.
So far, my searches for these kinds of lodging options haven’t turned up much.
For now, I’m considering visiting (in no particular order):
Butare: Kibeho, Bisesero, Nyanza
Ngenda
Akagera, Kibungo, Lake Muazi
Dian Fossey’s tomb (with the possibility of seeing gorillas)
Kibuye??? Is the political situation stable there? Or Cyangugu?
So here are my first questions:
-Is French still widely spoken?
-Are there lists of the types of accommodations I mentioned above, or places to find that info?
-Is what I’m planning doable using public transport? From the towns, are moto-taxis still available to get to villages, sites, and—most importantly—back?
-Is it possible to go hiking solo?
-Which are the best markets and what days are they held?
I know that’s a lot of questions already, and I really appreciate any relevant answers you can share.
Looking forward to exchanging more!
I’m planning my next trip in September, and after two self-drive trips to Botswana last year, I’d love to explore Kruger. Since I’m used to camping, I’m thinking of renting an equipped van from Kitted Africa (a small Suzuki van—thanks Safari Expert!) to sleep in a tent and occasionally in a hut.
Here’s my provisional itinerary, and I’d love to hear your thoughts if you don’t mind.
I’ve got 13 nights to plan in Kruger. The rental company is based in Nelspruit.
Entering from the south:
14-15-16.09: 3 nights at Crocodile Bridge or Lower Sabie
17-18-19.09: 3 nights at Skukuza
20-21.09: 2 nights at Satara
22-23-24.09: 3 nights at Olifants
25-26.09: 2 nights at Tamboti or Talamati
Exiting the park on 27.09 via Orpen Gate, then heading to Blyde River Canyon for a night in a hotel or elsewhere.
28.09: Return to Nelspruit, drop off the van, and stay in a hotel.
29.09 (midday): Airlink flight to Johannesburg, then an evening return flight to GVA.
What do you think? Too many nights here, not enough there?
I’ll be traveling solo, I love driving, and I enjoy settling in the middle of nature to listen, observe, and take photos (Botswana was perfect for that).
Thanks in advance!
Nicole
Photo: Baines Baobab, Botswana, April 2025
I’d like to return to Africa and stay in a lodge where I can see animals—not necessarily the Big Five—without needing any transport once I arrive at the lodge, and at a price under $250 per day for two people with full board. The week-long stay is planned for late June into early July. I’m looking for suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Hi, I’d like to travel to Ethiopia as a solo 60-year-old woman, backpacking style, between December 2025 and January 2026.
I’m wondering about the current state of the country: unrest, safety concerns, etc.
Government websites advise against going, saying it’s too dangerous.
But I’m skeptical—they tend to be overly cautious.
So I’m looking for reliable information, though I’m not sure where to find it.
Thanks in advance!
Hello,
We’re a group of four seventy-something retirees and we’re planning a 4-week trip to South Africa. We’re seasoned "adventurers" used to multi-week stays (we’ve been to India seven times, Mexico, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Australia, etc.).
For South Africa, we’re thinking of covering most of the trip in a private vehicle and taking flights for inter-state transfers.
We’re interested in meeting people, learning about the country’s evolution, exploring major cities, visiting traditional villages, and seeing wildlife.
Here’s the itinerary we’re considering:
Johannesburg – 2 days (we’ll pass through again later)
Pretoria – 2 days
Blyde River Canyon and Graskop – 1 day
Acornhoek – 1 day
Letaba – 2 days
Lobamba – 2 days
Johannesburg – 1 day
Flight to Cape Town
Cape Town – 3 days
Cape of Good Hope – 1 day
Stellenbosch – 1 day
Hermanus – 1 day
Mossel Bay – 2 days
Oudtshoorn
Wilderness – 2 days
Knysna
Port Elizabeth – 2 days
Addo Elephant Park
Flight back to Johannesburg
Johannesburg – 1 day
Return to Paris
Could you share your thoughts on this itinerary? We’ll be renting a vehicle to explore both regions.
We can easily add 4–5 more days to the trip if needed.
We’re looking at traveling either between April and May 2026 or in October/November 2026.
I’ll follow up later to discuss the best safari options and get a rough budget estimate.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this and share their thoughts!
