je pars au kenya et je souhaite apporter avec moi, dans mes bagages, une petite aide..mais je ne suis pas vraiment au courant de ce qu'il manque las bas ( je vais aussi découvrir la tanzanie et zanzibar)
faut il plutot apporter des médicaments, ou au contraire des fournitures scolaires?
belle initiative, mais sais tu comment tu vas distribuer ça, tu devrais essayer de trouver une assocition sur place pour se charger de la distribution, sans aucune certitude que se ne soit pas vendu, les fourniture c'est sans doute plus simple, ou vas directement dans une école!
J'ai fais le Kenya, la tanzanie et zanzibar, il y 2 ans, je connaissais déjà l'Afrique de l'Ouest, et j'ai vu la différence. le kenya etTanzanie, c'est assez dur à faire à la mode routard, surtout quand tu es une nana! mais mon Dieu que la terre est belle, sans doute la région la plus belle qu'il m'a été donné de voir jusqu'à présent! A zanzibar, par contre l'ambiance est un peu plus détendue, j'ai trouvé, par contre j'ai peur qu'en 2 ans le paysage est un peu changé, quand j'y étais ça commençait à construire un peu partout de gros hotel, dommage.... mais moi qui suis originaire des caraïbes, je suis obligée de dire que les côtes de Zanzibar sont encore plus belles, une lumière et des couleurs extraordinaire, à faire absolument! Par contre attention au soleil, j'ai jamais cramé autant ( et je suis black!)
Lors de mon voyage de l'an dernier au Kenya j'ai super regretté d ne pas avoir amené ..;des chassures pour les enfants . Nous avions fait une petite halte près du lac Magadi, loin des sentiers touristiques . Il y avait des épines de près de 10 cm qui se plantaient dans nos semelles . Il fallait même faire attention qu'elle ne les traversent pas tant elle étaient grosses et dures. Hostile la nature ! 🏴☠️
Et les enfants du village n'avaient eux même pas de sandales ! ils avaient des morceaux de pneu accrochés à leur pied avec des ficelles !
Donc si tu as l'occasion d'amener des sandales pour enfants, je suis sûre qu'elle trouveront très vite preneurs ! Il suffit de faire un peu de prospection et je suis sûre qu'il y a plein de chaussures devenues trop petites qui ne demandent qu'à s'offrir une seconde vie bien utile.
En fait, tout manque dans ces coins reculés, donc tout est bien à amener ..;et si tu ne trouves pas à les donner directement, tu pouras toujours les confier à une association sur place. tu peux contacter "Indianafred " sur ce forum. Il pourra te renseigner sur des association la-bas.
Bien évidemment quelques bics et diverses fournitures scolaires tombent toujours à pic pour faire plaisir aux enfants que vous croiserez partout !
Si tu amènes des médicament, attention de ne pas les distribuer mais plutôt les remettre à un organisation.
Super ton initiative ..;si chacun amenait un petit quelque chose ....😏
C'est une tres tres bonne idée d'apporter des fournitures scolaires car beaucoup d'ecoles manquent de tout et les frais d'ecole(school fees) sont elevés pour beaucoup de parents(meme si le gouvernement kibaki a mis la gratuite pour les faris aux enfants des rues en principe).
J'habite une partie de l'année au kenya(apres nairobi, sur la route de Magadi😊)et il y a par exemple une ecole chargée de reeduquer les enfants des rues.C'est a Kiserian.C'est a dire que ces ecoles apportent nourriture et education à des enfants laisses dans la rue.Il y a une organistion qui bien sur d'en occuppe " MAJI MAZURI.ORG" et un site internet à ce nom existe expliquant le projet..Cela peut etre une bonne d'apporter directement à des ecoles sur la route mais il y beaucoup d'ecoles privées et effectivement comment savoir si les fournitures seront redistribuées aux enfants dans le besoin.
Votre demarche est bien ET BONNE VACANCE.
PS magadi est un coin super un peu chaud(si vous etes en voiture prevoyer de l'eau a donner en bidon pour les enfants Maasai qui attendent sur le bord de la route avec des bisons vides).
Si tu porte quelque chose ???? TOUJOURS POUR UNE ASSOCIATION !!!
Si tu donne par ci par là ?? TU VAS EN FAIRE DES MENDIANTS !!! C'est déjà le cas pour le Maroc, si tu ne donne rien!! c'est a coup de cailloux que tu est reçu !!!! c'est la rançon de la gloire de ceux qui sont passé avant pour donner, sans penser !! j'ai vue de mes yeux !! des poignées de bonbons jetés par la fenêtre d'un camping-car (Anglais) en roulant, a des enfants sur le bord de la route (au Maroc), et ces enfants n'avaient rien demandés !! c'est exactement le même comportement de celui qui jette des cacahuettes aux singes au zoo !!!!!! ou si ce que tu donne est monayable?? C'EST EN VENTE LE LENDEMAIN au 1er souk ou marché du secteur !! croyez moi!! ce n'est pas leur rendre service que de donner, quoi que se soit !! pour tous dans le monde !! c'est en travaillant que l'on a quelque chose, mais pas en tendant la main devant le touriste, pour un sourire !! ou pour rien !!!!!
Je ne suis pas tout a fait d'accord. Vous dites ça parce qu'ici on ne manque de rien mais dans certains pays d'afrique il n'y a rien de rien et je ne pense pas que ce soit un mal de vouloir apporter des chaussures qui de toutes façons finiront à la poubelle à ces enfants. En donnant directement dans les familles je ne suis pas sure qu'ils vont revendre ce qu'il leur manque cruellement. Je pense que s'il y avait plus d'entraide nous n'en serions pas là ou nous en sommes et qu'il n'y aurait justement pas autant d'ecart entre les peuples... ceci dit le Maroc est "plus riche" que bien des pays d'afrique noire. Un peu de coeur et de bonté que diable !
Decembre 2004 au MALI !! avec des amis (compagnons de voyages), dans un village de brousse où les habitants faisaient peine a voir !! nos amis, ont ouvert un petit cofre de toit de leur 4x4, où il y avait des chaussures usagés, pour en donner a quelques un, ça a été l'émeute !!!! 10 paires de chaussures pour un village ?? il en aurait falu 100 ou plus !! le 4x4 pris d'assault, des grappes d'enfants et d'adultes qui grimpent sur le toit !! ça ne c'est pas trop bien passé !!!! le reste a été donner dans une Mairie de village de brousse, où ont s'etait arreté pour y faire de l'eau !! et la, avec le Maire, ça c'est un peu mieux passé !!!!!!! ce n'est pas une question de coeur ou de bonté !! c'est ce faire plaisir !! en faisant du mal sans le savoir!!
c'est vrai que c'est parfois difficile à doser mais donner à une oeuvre il faut connaitre parce que eux effectivement qqfois revendent les dons. C'est dure de voire que nous pouvons avoir tellement que nous jettons beaucoup et que eux n'ont rien. Je pense que l'on peut donner et qu'il faut le faire mais en faisant effectivement attention aux conditions dans lesquelles on le fait. Mais par pitié ne dites pas que nous allons en faire des mendiants en agissant ainsi, j'ai déjà lu ça sur ce forum et je ne veux pas le croire !
Reste comme tu est !! dans ton petit monde imaginaire !! où il n'y a ni méchant ni gentil !! et continue a donner et ça fait toujours plaisir, ce n'est pas grave si en face ce n'est pas reçu comme tu le pense !! du moment où toi tu le crois !!!!!! déjà a l'époque de Christophe Colom, on donnaient des verroteries pour de l'eau ou de la viande, ça pour moi c'est du troc, donner pour un petit échange de 3 fois rien, qui restera toujours un souvenir a poser sur la cheminée !! Mais donner pour donner, pour le seul plaisir, on fait plus de mal que de bien !!!!!!
Sorry, ce n'est pas parce que tu as vécu cette expérience difficile que d'office cela va se passer comme cela pour les autres. En tout cas, moi, je n'ai pas du tout vécu les choses comme cela. Nous avons donné ce que nous avions ( trop peu évidémment) dans un village et tout s'est très bien passé et la population ne s'est absolument pas comportée comme des voyous ou des mendiants. nous avons simplement partagé avec eux ce que nous avions. Cela nous paru naturel.
Et ils nous ont clairement demandé si nous repassions d'essayer d'apporter des chaussures d'enfant .
J'ai aussi conseiller de contacter "Indianafred" car il est bien au courant des besoins et peut concrètement donner le nom d'associations.
Et j'espere bien ne pas changer et rester comme je suis ! je crois que le privilege de l'age n'est pas toujours la generosite ! pourquoi toujours chercher à savoir si de petits gestes qui ne coutes rien sont bien ou mal ? Je trouve que vous avez l'esprit bien torturé...
Et j'espere bien ne pas changer et rester comme je suis ! je crois que le privilege de l'age n'est pas toujours la generosite ! pourquoi toujours chercher à savoir si de petits gestes qui ne coutes rien sont bien ou mal ? Je trouve que vous avez l'esprit bien torturé...
Pour apporter un peu d'eau au moulin d'HJ61 et au tien Sandrine, donner est un geste noble mais qui parfois est lourd de conséquences - nous apportons parfois (souvent avec nous) du superflu à des peuples dont la culture ancestrale les ammènent a survivre en recherchant uniquement l'essentiel.
Pour le pb des "bonbons" une poignée à chaque passage de voiture et cela fait des kilos de BB que les enfants ingurgitent - qui pense dans ce geste que le premier dentiste est parfois à des centaines de km et que de toute façon le dispensaire n'aura que peu de moyen pour soigner les caries...
donnes des biscuits..
Donne en ciblant (association, dispensaire, chef de clan etc...) c'est vrai que tout "don" est bienvenu en Afrique même des vieilles paires de lunettes....
Et surtout donne si tu peux en échangeant, une parole, un bonjour (à la place d'un sweety ou dollar ou money) un renseignement, un achat...
En fait, quand tu donnes, tu te fais plaisir à toi-même, tu satisfais ainsi ta conscience à bon compte. Sans reflechir à ce que ces comportements engendrent (la mendicité, surtout chez les enfants).
J'ai remarqué que les touristes qui donnent, qui prévoient des stock de cadeaux, qui veulent absolument être généreux, sont souvent en fait condescendants et irrespectueux envers les populations qu'ils visitent, comme si le fait de distribuer largement leurs rebus les exemptait de se comporter dignement. C'est d'autant plus mesquin que ce qu'ils donnent, vieux habits ou chaussures, bonbons et bic, ne représentent que quelques centimes d'euros !
Je ne dis pas qu'il ne faut jamais donner, notamment si tu noues des relations particulières avec quelqu'un.
Un echantillon de parfum français, une carte postale de ta ville ou un coup à boire feront toujours plaisir à des gens qui t'on rendu un petit service.
Si tu veux vraiment donner, donnes de l'argent à une association, qui connait le terrain et fera des choses utiles.
En fait, quand tu donnes, tu te fais plaisir à toi-même, tu satisfais ainsi ta conscience à bon compte. Sans reflechir à ce que ces comportements engendrent (la mendicité, surtout chez les enfants).
Si tu veux vraiment donner, donnes de l'argent à une association, qui connait le terrain et fera des choses utiles.
Il y a du vrai dans ce que tu dis. En même temps, je ne pense pas spécialement avoir soulagé ma conscience en donnant certaines choses. pas plus que quand je fais un cadeau à un ami.
Je crois surtout qu'il faut éviter les généralisations et traiter chaque situation dans l'ici et maintenant.
Par exemple, nous avons pris des photos des Massaïs du village ou nous sommes passés avec leur accord mais leur avons promis de leur envoyer les photos comme ils le demandaient ce que nous avons fait dès notre retour. Nous leur avons donnés queqlues petite choses que nous avions, notamment des fruits, de l'eau et quelques petites choses et tout s'est passé très cool. Nous n'avons pas donné aux enfants mais aux mamans . Les habitants de ce village nous ont d'ailleurs aussi rendu un petit service sur lesquel je ne vais pas m'étaler. Mais quand même de voir courir ces enfants pieds nus ou mal chaussés, j'étais bien triste de ne pas avoir pensé à amener des sandales d'enfants, je n'aurais pas trouvé mesquins de leur donner des chaussures même usagées ( je ne dis pas foutues ! )
Concernant les dons aux associations : l'un n'empêche pas l'autre. Nous avons effectivement aussi aidé une petite association humanitaire sur place et continuons à nous informer de la suite de ce petit projet que nous soutenons.
Bonjour, et merci pour cette réponse. Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec vous sur le fait de ne pas donner n'importe quoi et de cibler l'essentiel. Je ne suis pas du tout une utopiste naïve et ça me fait tres plaisir de constater que tout le monde n'a pas une attitude egoïse et que vous faite preuve d'un peu de savoir vivre. Je suis un peu révolter lorsque je lis des choses comme j'ai pu le lire... et effectivement, je dis les choses comme je les pense.Je suis déjà allée au Sénégal et je n'avais absoluement aucune idée du peu qu'ils avaient et j'ai donné (chaussures, casquette, tee shirt ...) parmis mes affaires que j'avais apportées avec moi. Ma tante y est allée cette année et je lui ai donné un baluchon de vetements trop petits de mon dernier fiston. Elle l'a donné à une personne chargé de distribué ce genre de chose et elle m'a dit que les familles etaient super contente... c'est vrai que ça me fait plaisir de donner, mais ce n'est pas egoïste parce que ce qui me fait surtout plaisir c'est le reel bonheur de ces gens alors que pour nous ce n'est pas grand chose. En tous cas, merci de votre petit message de soutien.
Avant que vous partiez un petit site (bien fait)d'un ethnologue americain sur les peuples du Kenya, leurs histoires, coutumes, musiques...bien, car permettant de mieux connaitre ceux que l'on va rencontrer.
D'accord avec Papy ; Le petit espace de sac à dos te permettra peut etre d'enmener des "cadeaux" mais ne les donnes pas si on te le demande. ton "cadeau" bic, sandalles, tee-shirt... prendra d'autant plus de valeur que tu sauras a qui tu L'OFFRES Les Toubabs ne sont pas des Pères Noêls avec des jouets par milliers. Tu te rendras compte que les Kenyans, comme d'autres Africains pauvres ne sont pas heureux de voir toute une frange des leurs mendier et perdre une certaine dignité
Pour ma part j’ai vécu quelques mois dans différents petits villages africains. Les jeunes (dizaine d’année) avec qui je jouais souvent au ballon interrompaient le jeu quand ils savaient qu’un bus de touristes allaient arriver, enfilaient des haillons, certains se mettaient de la poussière sur le corps et les cheveux et aller tendre la main. Ils commençaient par bien sûr demander une pièce et puis tout ce qui touche à l’école, ils sont loin d’être bêtes et ont vite compris que « école » est un mot magique pour recevoir et savent le dire en beaucoup de langues, même en japonais ! Ecole que la plupart ne fréquentent pas et quand je leur disais que c’était important il me demandaient pourquoi, ils n’avaient pas de problèmes d’avenir (alentours de 10 ans OK ? Après ça change.), n’avaient pas envie de changer leur situation et leur parents encore moins. Beaucoup gagne plus que leur père pêcheur ou commerçant.
Je sais que dans leur cas je ferai comme eux mais bon, je donne plutôt à des associations. Le plus souvent aux missions qu’elles soient catho, musulmanes, protestantes où autre qui ont l’avantage généralement d’être présentes partout et qui font beaucoup au niveau de la santé, de l’éducation et puis m’applique surtout à faire marcher leurs petits commerces.
Si il y a un « échange », un « service rendu » OK bien sûr, mais donner comme ça, non.
Pour ce qui est de ces cochonneries de bonbons Himba (j’en viens de chez les Himbas qui se débrouillent pas mal avec leur artisanat, ça fait plaisir et puis les chutes d’Epupa, waow !) a tout à fait raison. MSF ont de sérieux problèmes avec les caries chez les enfants, un fléau actuellement en Ethiopie et sud de l’Angola où les touristes namibiens et sud africains distribues énormément, comme nous dans les années 80 en Afrique de l’Ouest, une catastrophe.
Et puis surtout, pour en finir avec un cas extrême, de savoir que depuis pas mal de temps maintenant en Inde des mères mutilent leurs enfants pour qu’il leur soit plus facile de mendier à de quoi faire réfléchir sur la chose. Plus proche de nous il n’y a pas si longtemps tout le monde a entendue parler de ces mères d’Europe de l’Est qui mendiaient en Europe de l’Ouest avec un enfant dans les bras munies d’une aiguille affin de le piquer pour qu’il pleure au passage des gens qui ainsi donnaient plus facilement ! Oui, le genre humain est ainsi fait. Des mafias se sont organisées et envoient des mendiants dans la rue ! Particulièrement vrai pour le Cameroun et l’Inde dont je connais les cas. Il parait que ce n’est pas mieux en Amérique latine.
Bien sûr dans le lot il y en a qui sont honnêtes, à qui de petits quelque choses amèneraient un plus dans leur existence mais c’est lequel ? Dans les gamins que je côtoie souvent je peux vous dire que certains pourraient être acteur de cinéma... Ils sont adorables et très fort ! Ils visent plus précisément les mamies ! Vraiment pas bêtes mais les aidons-nous ? MA vérité (certainement pas LA vérité bien sûr), ce que j’ai vécu et sais me fait dire que non. Certains pouvaient se faire taper (une minorité dans les cas que j’ai rencontré mais bon, c’est toujours trop) s’ils ne ramenaient pas des sous à la maison pour l’alcool du vieux et ça aussi c’est triste. On est responsable de ce genre de chose et ça commence toujours par le petit village tout là bas ou l’on pense être le seul à passer, tu penses... Si vous pensez être le premier à passer par ce petit village alors s’il vous plait, ne soyez pas le premier à donner sans raison car le suivant devra donner également et c’est parti...
Bon voyage, tu vas te régaler, tu peux dans cette partie de la planète passer de la plage à la montagne, de la savane et sa faune au désert, vraiment sympa.
Superbe réponse sur ce sujet !! mais c'est a "ST" qu'il fallait envoyer ce méssage !! car moi le "PAPY" je me suis fait remballer par ST pour avoir tennue des propos semblables aux tiens !!!!
Salut Papy,
J'aurais pu prendre le pseudo de "BJ 75" pour ma part, du costaud ça...😉
J'ai envoye le message en fait a Karomystic qui est jeune pour essayer de limiter les degats et la persuader, Ainch Allah, de donner tout ce qu'elle voudra a une oeuvre et la encore en faisant bien attention et c'est pourquoi j'ai cite les missions religieuses.
A+
Bruno.
Sujet délicat en effet.
[...]
Plus proche de nous il n’y a pas si longtemps tout le monde a entendue parler de ces mères d’Europe de l’Est qui mendiaient en Europe de l’Ouest avec un enfant dans les bras munies d’une aiguille affin de le piquer pour qu’il pleure au passage des gens qui ainsi donnaient plus facilement ! Oui, le genre humain est ainsi fait. Des mafias se sont organisées et envoient des mendiants dans la rue !
[...]
Ils visent plus précisément les mamies !
[...]
Une petite anecdote familiale, à 2 sous, chez nous, sur le même sujet.
Une énergique mamie (qui fait de l'action sociale) voit une femme mendier avec un enfant en haillons dans une ville de l'Est (de la France), l'hiver qui plus est je crois.
Pas dupe sur l'usage de l'argent, elle entre dans une boutique de vêtements, achète de quoi vêtir le petit, donne le tout à la mère qui l'habille et s'en va.
Le lendemain, elle repasse dans la même rue ... et retrouve mère et enfant au même endroit, l'enfant portant les haillons de la veille.
C'est aussi vrai à la place de Himba j'aurai aussi pu choisir un pseu "HZ78" lui aussi a fait ces preuves ...;et c'est vrai que personne n'est parfait.
De tout ces échanges sur les dons et la façon de donner, j'y voie surgir l'énorme différence entre la forme d'inconscience superficielle du touriste et la conscience de ceux qui cherche à voyager.
Je ne vais pas ajouter sur ce que je viens de lire. J'habite au Sénégal, un des pays ou il y a les plus grand nombre de mendiants, malheureusement. Je voudrai juste dire à karomystic, qu'au lieu d'apporter avec toi, dans tes bagages, essayes de trouver au kenya même, ds des boutiques, ce que tu as envie de donner. ça coutera moins cher, donc tu pourras en donner à plusieurs personnes. A toi de voir ceux dont ont besoin les gens que tu croiseras.
bon séjour
dexxa
On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. Saint Exupéry
Photographie et vidéo en voyage › Kenya / Tanzanie · 18 replies
Comme mon titre le dit, je part le 13 Aout 2019 pour un safari en Tanzanie. Je part de Montréal, Canada avec Air France, avec un escale à Paris, direction…
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VOILI VOILOU JE DOIS ME RENDRE AU KENYA DANS UN MOIS POUR UN TI SEJOUR!! J AIMERAI BEAUCOUP ME RENDRE DANS UNE ECOLE AFIN D APPORTER QUELQUES FOURNITURES!!!…
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nous (mon chum et moi) penssons partir au Kenya et en Tanzanie pour 2 peut-être 3 semaines en décembre 2007. Nous n'avons pas un super gros budjet, puisque en…
Just returned from a three-week family trip to Kenya (with three kids aged 10, 12, and 15), and I wanted to share my experience. Forums were super helpful in planning this trip, especially if you want to get a bit off the beaten path.
First off, Kenya is an amazing destination with incredibly friendly and welcoming locals. It was easy to travel around because you can always find someone to give you directions or help you out.
For practical tips—though you’ve probably read this elsewhere—get a Safaricom SIM card when you arrive at the airport so you can pay via M-Pesa (you can top it up with a credit card using the Wise app) and chat with people on WhatsApp. It’ll make your life *so* much easier (booking trains, buses, park entries, etc.) and save you from carrying too much cash or hunting for ATMs.
Also, we went during the first three weeks of July, which wasn’t peak tourist season.
One thing to note: even if you’re using public transport and budget accommodations, Kenya can still be pricey because tourist attractions add up fast—often more expensive than in France. But honestly, it’s usually worth it!
We started our trip with a 5-day homestay. We were welcomed by a really lovely family in Loitokitok with a view of Kilimanjaro right from their garden entrance (just a heads-up: in July, it’s often shrouded in mist!). To find them, search for Greenfield Homestay in Loitokitok. It was a fantastic experience, especially with kids! On top of transfers, they organized several outings with locals: a hike to the Tanzanian border, a motorcycle ride on the foothills of Kilimanjaro, and a day safari in Amboseli. You can book with them eyes closed! For the safari, Anthony (who’s English-speaking) took us around—he’s from the area and knows the park like the back of his hand. Highly recommend him!
Anthony then drove us to Isiolo, a town in the north that’s just starting to open up to tourism. We wanted to see the Monday livestock market, where different ethnic groups gather to buy and sell goats, sheep, and cows (according to Lonely Planet). We were a bit disappointed and wouldn’t recommend it. We also visited Ngare Ndare Forest, which has a stunning waterfall, an interesting walk with an armed ranger (elephants are common), and a suspension bridge for admiring the canopy. Just make sure to let them know you’re coming at least three days in advance to guarantee a ranger will be available. We also did a second safari day in Samburu—it’s a great complement to Amboseli and totally worth it!
Next, we headed to Naivasha (still with Anthony). We found a place on Airbnb (Jasmine House) at Fischerman’s Camp, a campsite we really loved! You’ll spot hippos, monkeys, and beautiful birds there. We organized several activities: a boat ride on the lake to see birds, zebras, and giraffes; a bike safari in Hell’s Gate Park (the campsite is right by the entrance and rents bikes); and a hike to Crater Lake (departing by boat from the campsite), where you walk among zebras, giraffes, and different gazelles. Naivasha is way more touristy than Loitokitok or Isiolo, but there’s no shortage of things to do.
Finally, we spent our last week in Watamu on the coast. To get there, we took an overnight ENA Coach bus from Naivasha to Mombasa, booked via https://www.travler.africa/. It was comfortable and fast, but you’ll need to call the driver to arrange a pickup spot—the restaurant staff at the campsite helped us out with that! Then we took an Uber to Watamu since we had a lot of luggage (we skipped the matatu).
Watamu is nicknamed "Little Italy" because of all the Italian tourists. When we were there (third week of July), it wasn’t peak season yet, so the beaches weren’t cleaned. But we loved the laid-back vibe and how easy it was to get around. We *highly* recommend the marine turtle rescue center—it’s fascinating (especially with kids) and supports a great cause! We were a bit disappointed by the marine park, though—maybe because of the season? There weren’t many fish, and jellyfish kinda ruined the snorkeling. The mangrove tour is also a must-do.
For the trip back to Nairobi, we took the express train from Mombasa. We booked our tickets when we first arrived in Kenya (since payment is only via M-Pesa). The train is reliable and comfortable, and we saw lots of elephants along the way. Just a heads-up: there are *a lot* of security checks, and we almost weren’t allowed to board with our Opinel knife…
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
All in all, we had an amazing trip—so much variety, great encounters, and the magic of safaris!
My trip to South Africa is getting closer (still 2 months to go 😏), and I’m diving back into my itinerary: from Saturday to the following Sunday around Cape Town, then from Sunday to the following Saturday in Kruger.
For Cape Town, the plan was to avoid changing accommodation every day (we’ll do enough of that in the second part) but still see different landscapes.
I know, I’m missing out on a lot, but you’ve got to make choices, and after all this time, I know what I like—and especially what I don’t (or like less) 😉
Here’s the breakdown:
Arrival Saturday at 11 AM: heading to Hermanus (2 nights). The idea is to stroll along the cliff path in the afternoon, and possibly drive to the Klein River Lagoon. Sunday: Stony Point, then depending on time and weather, a hike in Kogelberg Nature Reserve or Fernkloof Nature Reserve (which seems less scenic but has shorter walks).
Monday: drive to Franschhoek (1 night). If everything lines up, a hike in Jonkershoek NR and a visit to a wine estate.
Tuesday: drive to Mountceder Lodge in the Cederberg (2 nights). I’m thinking of visiting the Stadsaal Caves and the elephant paintings, and maybe one of the hikes listed on the lodge’s site or Maltese Cross.
Thursday: heading to Hout Bay for 3 nights. In no particular order: a classic day trip around the peninsula, half a day at Kirstenbosch Gardens, and half a day at Lion’s Head.
Sunday: flight to Johannesburg.
My questions are mostly about (short) hikes:
Has anyone here done hikes in Kogelberg, Fernkloof, or Jonkershoek?
At Mountceder Lodge (Michel, if you’re reading this… 😉), has anyone tried the hikes (guided or not) offered by the lodge?
There’s still half a day to fill when we’re in Hout Bay—any ideas (not necessarily hikes)?
Lastly, regarding safety: the French foreign ministry (always alarmist, but still) recommends hiking in groups. Is it really risky in broad daylight? (I’m not sure a group of two women counts as a "group"…)
Thanks in advance for your answers, ideas, and comments!
Question: we’re doing a 3-week trip in Namibia, including 5 days for Victoria Falls.
I’ve booked one night in Brandberg, and then I have some questions.
I was thinking of spending 2 nights in Palmwag, then heading to Etosha for one night in Okaukuejo and then 2 nights in Halali.
Alternatively, from Brandberg, I could book a night near Galton Gate and then enter Etosha.
I’m not really sure about the distances, especially with a 4x4.
Same for the return trip: Halali to Windhoek seems long. Maybe it’d be smart to break it up on the way back? (We have 2 days to get back if needed.) If so, where?
Jambo! I organized my trip through this kind of group, so I thought I’d share my experience here. We traveled as a group of four, including two kids aged 9 and 11. After requesting around twenty quotes, I decided to book the safari portion with MAKING MEMORIES IN AFRICA. Ally responded quickly and listened to all my requests—unlike other agencies—such as having a French-speaking guide, the order of park visits (Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, then Ngorongoro), and a mix of budget hotels and camping to keep costs down. There were still four agencies in the running, and price was the deciding factor. Even though they were the cheapest, I felt better taken care of than with others. For example, all meals were prepared by a Maasai chef, Louis, who accompanied us throughout the trip, while some others ate meals out of cardboard boxes. Samuel, our guide, explained so many things and answered all our questions. José drove us safely the whole way. Everything was done with great cheer!
At the end of the stay, Ally came to meet us and gave us t-shirts with the agency’s logo—we loved that they took the time to hear our feedback in person. In short, I highly recommend them +++, especially since it’s a local agency that also supports a charity for women and children.
For Zanzibar, I organized everything myself. I hesitated for a long time but eventually booked all four nights at the same place. We don’t like crowds, so I initially considered Jambiani but ended up choosing EVERGREEN BUNGALOWS in Bwejuu. We took their first airport-to-hotel transfer since we arrived at night, and it felt safer. Great value for money, in our opinion. Just be aware that it’s quite isolated—perfect for relaxing and going on excursions. There were very few beach vendors, unlike what I’d read about Zanzibar. We lived with our feet in the sand from morning to night, with a small basin of water outside our room to rinse off. Such a lovely spot!
I had asked for some excursion prices before leaving but ended up booking on-site. Not at our hotel, but at a nearby restaurant that was cheaper. After some thought, since we were based in Bwejuu, I wanted to do Blue Lagoon and Pungume (both departing from the south of Zanzibar).
Blue Lagoon: About 3 hours total, with snorkeling on a small reef full of fish (coral wasn’t great) and a stop at a spot with tons of starfish, plus local snacks, fruit, and drinks.
Pungume: An amazing day with a 50% chance of seeing dolphins (we missed them), a visit to the mangroves, then snorkeling at a spot with some nice coral and, of course, fish. We ended with a fantastic grill (tuna, shrimp, squid, lobster, and fries) on a sandbank in the shade.
Finally, before heading to Stone Town, we visited Paje Cave, which is much less known than Maalum. It’s smaller, but we saw bats, went for a swim, and fed the chickens and rabbits (great for the kids). To finish, we explored Stone Town on our own and had dinner at Forodhani Market.
For flights, we flew with Turkish Airlines from Barcelona to Kilimanjaro and back from Zanzibar—no issues there. However, I don’t recommend the Kilimanjaro-Zanzibar leg with Precision Air. Our luggage didn’t arrive, and according to the hotel, this happens often. We only got it back a day and a half later.
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.
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, 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
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!
---
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!
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