j'envisage un voyage d'un mois en Namibie en août prochain. J'hésite entre 2 formules: tout faire par moi-même (réservation depuis la France d'un 4x4 équipé pour le camping et de qq campings dans les parcs nationaux) ou passer par une agence basée à Windhoek. Cette dernière propose le plus souvent un itinéraire et s'occupe des réservations, et j'en ai trouvé deux sur le Web: Namikala (http://www.namikala-safaris.com/namibie/) et Tourmaline (http://www.planet-terre.com/). Quelqu'un est-il déjà par eux (ou une autre agence), et qu'en pensez-vous ?
Le 4x4 ne me parait pas obligatoire, à moins que tu ne veuilles aller au nord du pays. Nous avions choisi la toyota tazz de base, la moins chère des voitures de loc, et nous n'avons eu aucun problème. Même pas une crevaison! Ok, il faut rouler prudemment et éviter de le faire de nuit.
Sinon, pour les réservations, nous avions tout calé depuis la France (par le biais d'une agence, Aventuria) et on ne l'a pas regretté, notamment pour Etosha qui est très fréquenté en août. Nous n'avions pas amené de matériel de camping, on a tout fait en bungalow, sauf dans la Namib Rand Reserve où on a passé deux nuits inoubliables en plein désert, à la belle étoile, à la ferme Tok Tokkie. Si tu aimes faire de la randonnée, l'étape est incontournable et Mark, le propriétaire, un guide génial!
Un petit conseil: occupe toi de ton billet d'avion le plus vite possible, on a vraiment galéré pour trouver qlq chose de pas trop trop cher.
Pour la Namibie le 4/4 est en effet superfétatoire : cela va gréver votre budget pour un bénéfice finalement limité. Si vous partez à 4 ou 5 le combi WW est largement suffisant sinon une golf est parfaite pour 2 ou 3 voyageurs. En revanche, surveiller attentivement les pneus lors de la prise en main du véhicule : leur état est souvent affligeant. Bien sûr il faut rouler raisonnablement sur les pistes car cela "glisse" à la moindre courbe.
Pour l'hébergement pas de problème : vous définissez votre trajet et à partir de là vous demandez à un tout opérateur local de réserver pour votre compte.
je suis allée 3 fois en namibie, avec la formule 4x4 et tente sur le toit, je trouve ça mieux que tout, surtout ds ce pays, ça offre une immense liberté,
de s arréter nimporte où. Il existe des loueurs à Windhoek, pour le reste, pas besoin de passer par des agences, (très chères).si vous volulez d autres renseignements..;
Je découvre votre mail.
Nous partons du 14 août au 13 Septembre en Namibie à 2 véhicules 4x4. Nous partons du Cap, direction la Namibie, retour au Cap.
Actuellement, nous recherchons un coéquipier pour boucler notre projet.
A cette date avez-vous bouclez votre projet?
Voulez-vous vous joindre à nous?
Pour le mois d'aout si tu trouves un vol, tu auras de la chance.
Nous y sommes allés en mars 2003 et ça été un réel émerveillement. Un contact en permanence avec la nature et la faune. Pour nous ça été une ouverture sur l'afrique. De bien belles photos et films que nous prenons plaisir à revoir lorsque l'appel de l'afrique se fait trop sentir.
Nous étions passé par namikala ( Florence, tu peux lui dire que c'est de notre part, nous lui avions apporté du saucisson et du fromage, elle doit s'en rappeller ) pour la reservation du 4x4 avec tente de toit et équipement complet de camping. A part dans les parcs animaliers et reserve, pas besoin de reservation puisque la nature est à toi pour des bibouacs très sympas. Par contre il faut penser que tu seras en hiver austral et que parfois il gèle la nuit.
Pour les billet d'avions, nous étions passés par une agence de france à nice si je me souviens bien OTU.Tout par internet. si tu as besoin de plus de renseignement mon email est le suivant chantalcontesse@yahoo.fr
Après ce voyage en Namibie, nous avons pris la décision d'un voyage au long cours avec un 4x4 land rover defender 110 : départ prévu en 2006 le temps de preparation, de regler nos affaires courrantes ( vente de notre sté, mise en location de la maison et la fin des études des enfants, de préparer le land, l'ouverture d'un site internet pour reste e ncontact avec nos enfants, la famille et les amis)) et après un long périple de 4 à 5ans : le tour de l'afrique, puis l'australie, puis si notre santé le permet l'amérique du sud.
Encore une petite chose, pour l'utilisation d'un 4x4 en namibie, c'est sur que les pistes principales sont belles mais si tu veux faire une incursion dans le pays des himbas, il en faut un. Et si tu veux rêver encore plus sur cette tribu de namibie, tu peux lire un très beau livre : "pieds nus dans la terre rouge " de Solen Bardey. C'est unrécit d'une jeune fille de 19 ans qui a passer de tres longs mois avec cette tribu volontairement pour ces études d'ethonlogie. son récit est vivant et passionnant.
tout est fin prêt! On a tout préparé par nous-même, en suivant qq conseils de Jean-Louis Désert (cf. son très beau site namibie.nettementmieux.com), et désormais on compte les jours avant le grand départ.
Concernant les campings, on a juste réservé dans les parcs, histoire de pouvoir y séjourner tanquillement. En revanche, on se demandait justement si, pour les bivouhacs en pleine nature, il n'y a pas de "risques", compte tenu de la faune genre gros chats ?
Autre petite question: pas moyen d'obtenir une place dans le camp de Sesriem, y'a t-il une autre solution pour séjourner du côté du désert du Namibe ? Bivouhac ?
En vous souhaitant de bons préparartifs pour votre gand tour de 2006-2010,
Cordialement,
Patrick
Nous avons également prévu un voyage de 3 semaines fin Août avec A/R sur Johannesburg puis visite de la Namibie & Botswana.
Le billet d'avion est réservé mais nous sommes toujours en phase de finalisation des détails pratiques (locations 4X4, réservations, itinéraire définitif).
Auriez-vous des conseils à nous donner sachant que nous serons 6 à voyager ?
Mais en y allant sans reservation tu peux malgre tout trouver de la place.
Les emplacements sont délimités mais en haute saison, il parrait qu'ils te donnent la possibilité de rester dans le camp sur des emplacements moins confortables. information a vérifier quand même avant de partir. Pour le bivouac en pleine nature, il faut avoir à l'esprit que tout le long des pistes, les terrain qui la longent sont cloturés. il faut trouver un coin, mais je ne pense pas que ce soit difficile.
Pour les animaux "style gros chat", y'en a ça c'est sur, mais en ne laissant rien trainer dehors comme les poubelles, les gamelles, les chaussure et chaussettes ça limite les risques. Et puis s'endormir avec les rugissements des lions, le baissements des éléphans ça faut aussi parti du voyage. Il faut juste faire attention aux hyènes en ne laissant rien dehors.
En tout cas vous allez vous régaler. Profitez bien de tous les moments que ce pays merveilleux va vous offrir.
Bonjour. Depuis la France, tu peux passer par plusieurs agences (Aventuria, Makila...). Sur place, tu peux contacter Edna, qui parle très le bien le français, à Matiti Safaris (tél: (061) 259041). Sinon, voici le mail de la centrale de réservations qui apparaît sur le prospectus de Tok Tokkie: nfs@iafrica.com.na
ah ecvoute pour moi le choix est deja tout fait ne fait rien sur place tpeut perdre bcp de temps et ne pas avoir exactement ce que tu veut faire personnellement je regrette de ne pa s avoir reussis a joindre philippe frey il est indique ds le routard sur internet ecoute verifie et confirme bien ce que tu veux faire et reguarde bien les personnes qui seront avec toi que ils naient pas un tout a fait autre programmme et que il ne te mettte pas quelqun en plus comme suppleant ds lesurgros que tas payer et assure toi que ton guide est une personne de confiance de tout de maniere cest ton voyage et confirme le bien a la societe et demande quelqun de charmant moi jai eut la chance davoir un pretre comme guide mais je me suis fait bel et bien entuber sur la compagnie sur place autre chose confirme quelque chose de tres bien pour ton vol de retour et renseigne toi bien sur le pays avant bonne vacanceb n'hesite pas a faire un aller retour au zimbabwe en bus le voyage est tres tres fatiguant mais larriveee est epoustouflante darbrouka tchaw et bon voyagebbbhb
Pardon d'être un peu direct, mais je pense que cela le mérite ...
Je reviens de Namibie, qui est vraiment un superbe pays sauvage et très propre ... car la population namibienne fait très attention à le préserver tel quel. Il est notamment strictement interdit de s'arrêter n'importe où pour dormir, même avec une tente sur le toit. Ce pays regorge de magnifiques endroits sauvages où heureusement, il est interdit de dormir. Et vu l'énorme choix de campings où de lodges acceptant votre tente ou votre voiture, ce serait dommage de ne pas le faire ...
Il est formellement interdit de faire du camping sauvage en Namibie !
Même dans les régions les plus reculée du pays, vous trouverez toujours un camping d'une communauté locale.
Ne commencez pas a ravager ce pays ou la nature doit deja suffisament se battre pour survivre dans des conditions desertiques. La ou vos roues de 4x4 rouleront, plus rien ne poussera dans les quarantes années a venir minimum. "Desert du Namib, desert vivant", ça vous dit quelquechose ?
Desolé d'être un "peu rude" mais ce pays se donne un mal fou pour preserver sa vie sauvage, que ce soit la faune ou la flore, alors s'il vous plait, soyez respectueux. De plus, j'ai vecu pendant 5 ans en Namibie et compte y retourner l'année prochaine pour reprendre une ferme dans le desert et je souhaite trouver le pays comme je l'ai laissé !
Je suis vraiment désolée de vous avoir froissé avec mon idée de bivouac en namibie. Nous y sommes allés malheureusement que 15 jours et j'ai vu pas mal de personnes faire du camping sauvage.
Pour notre part, nous avons toujours eu recours aux campings, jamais de camping sauvage, nous sommes bien trop respectueux de la nature pour l'abimer, nous ne laissons jamais le moindre petit bout de papier ( même le pk est ramassé ). Nous avons l'habitude de faire du camping, qu'il soit sauvage ou en camping, quand il est sauvage c'est toujours dans le respect de la nature eten demandant aux fermiers sur leurs terres.
Voilà une petite mise au point de faite. Encore désolée si je me suis mal exprimée.
Je rentre ce matin du nord de la namibie et du botswana, il n'y a aucune interdiction pour pratiquer du camping "sauvage" dans ces zones reculées (bushland ou kaokoland). Le mot sauvage est inadapté pour ce style de bivouac. Et les règles élémentaires applicables à tous bivouac doivent être respecté (déchet, respect de la végétation ......). le camping est réglementé dans les parcs et sur les terrains privés. Dans le bushland, l'accord du village San proche est souhaitable. On doit s'appliquer la charte de bonne conduite du voyageur
Obligations du visiteur
Respect du droit local en matière pénale et de circulation. Non-ingérance dans les affaires locales. Respect des croyances et de l'intimité des personnes. Respect des équilibres économiques et sociaux locaux. Eviter toute attitude grossière ou condescendante, rester digne et respectable. Respecter les règles locales de courtoisie en toute circonstance. Ne rien détruire inutilement. Traiter ses déchets.
Je trouve vôtre réponse trés agressive et certainement pas fondée suite au post de LaSavoyarde.Vôtre façon de dire " Ne commencez pas a ravager ce pays ou la nature doit deja suffisament se battre pour survivre dans des conditions desertiques." doit trés certainement avoir une origine qui serait trés bon de nous expliquer.Au moins nous pourrions peut être comprendre cette réaction et dites vous bien que vous n'êtes pas la seule personne qui aimerait retrouver un lieu dans l'état où elle l'a laissé.J'aime ce beau pays qu'est la Namibie mais je doute que les wagons qui servent à traîner les touristes allemands ne laissent pas d'empreintes ni de déchets sur leurs passages🙁.Alors avant de condamner comme vous le faites, essayez de lire entre les lignes des posts et je suis sûr que LaSavoyarde respecte l'environnement et doit aimer retrouver les montagnes propres elle aussi 🙂, comme moi d'ailleurs .
Renseignez vous auprés du ministère de l'envirronnement et du tourisme namibien (www.met.gov.na) sur les sites de camping authorisés dans le Kaokoland et Bushmanland... Les structures mises en place par les communautées dans ces regions ne sont pas uniquement a but lucratif, cela repond egalement a un besoin urgent de canaliser les lieux de bivouac ;si vous preferez ce terme. Tout comme il est interdit de sortir des pistes, il est egalement interdit de bivouaquer a des endroits non prevu a cette effet. Le Kaokoland, entre autre, ne doit pas devenir le dernier terrain de jeu grand ouvert ou tout est permis pour les aventuriers du 4x4. Je ne remet pas en cause votre respect des régles les plus elementaires du campeur "propre" mais sans reglementation dans ces regions c'est la porte ouverte a tout type de debordement.
Pour repondre a "Vilcanota", desolé si le ton employé parait agressif. Quant aux "wagons" d'allemand, français, italiens et autres qui deboulent en Namibie, ces gens le font encadrés par des guides professionels et sont bien trop frileux pour s'aventurer en dehors des chemins balisés. Le problème ne se trouve pas a ce niveau. Ce tourisme de masse est, depuis plusieurs années maintenant, suffisament confiner a des sites classiques ou le reglement est simple a faire appliquer pour qu'il ne soit plus le danger.
Pour ce qui est d'un cours de botanisme en mileu desertique, ce serait avec plaisir mais là je n'en aurais pas le temps dans l'immediat. En attendant vous pouvez toujours faire l'experience de planter une graine dans un pot, de mettre ce pot sous les rayons du soleil toute l'année, et ne lui donner qu'un maximum de 100mm d'eau sur une année compléte.
Excusez le ton qui a pu parraitre agressif a certains d'entre vous, Mme LaSavoyarde en premier lieu, mais n'oubliez pas : Ne faite pas de bivouac en dehors des sites prevus a cette effet. Ou alors faite appel a des professionnels ayant ce droit. Si vous le souhaitez je peux vous donner le contact de compagnies trés serieuses a ce sujet.
Sans polémique en effet il est extrement souhaitable et recommandable que les gens bivouac dans les lieux gerer par les communautés. Maintenant dire que c'est interdit n'est pas juste. A ma connaissance et selon des responsables aucune loi n'interdit le bivouac libre hors des zones règlementées. On peut bivouaquer en dehors des camp site quand il n'y a pas de camp site dans la zone visitée (avec l'accord de la communauté concernée uniquement si nous sommes dans une zone habitée).Il est en effet interdit de faire du hors piste Celà est confirmé dans tous les contrats de location véhicule (même en full cover) Toute personne qui s'aventure hors piste perd toutes ses garanties contractuelles. D'ailleurs celà ne présente aucun intérêt pour découvrir ces régions.
@+
Je n'ai jamais voulu créer une polémique autour du bivouac dit "sauvage" en nambie, je voulais répondre gentiemment à qqu'un qui avait envie de découvrir ce pays.
Alors puisque vous m'agrésser, Monsieur, je vais vous répondre. j'ai visité la namibie en 2003 et j'ai adoré ce pays et sa population. Ca été un rêve pendant 15 jours. J'ai toujours respecté la nature, venant de nos belles alpes françaises, je peux vous dire que je connait bien le problème d'écologie. Et je suis scandalisée par les tonnes de déchets laissés par le alpinistes au sommet du mont blanc. je ne comprend pas que ces personnes soit disant amoureuses de la montagne puissent laisser des tas d'imondices là haut.
Mais en namibie, nous n'avons pas rencontreé ce genre de problème, les personnes que nous avons rencontrées, etaient conscientes du problème.
J'ai été très attiré par la population noire et originaire de la namibie, mais alors pas vraiment par la population blanche de ce pays qui " profite" de son statut. Cette population n'est pas accueillante, même pas un bonjour quand on rentre dans un magasin. Alors, Monsieur, si il y a qq chose à faire dans ce pays c'est bien, mais il faut respecter et arrêter de prendre ces gens pour des imbéciles. Ils manquent cruellement d'instruction, de structure pour leur donner le savoir.
J'en dirait pas plus, je ne suis pas là pour refaire le monde mais le comprendre. Je vous signal simplement qu'en 2006, je pars faire le tour de l'afrique pour justement connaitre d'autres peuples et d'autres horizons. J'aime énormément cette Afrique et j'ai envie de la découvrir plus longuement, plus profondément, sans artifice des agences de voyages.
Quel débat houleux ! Je ne peux m'empêcher de revenir sur ce que j'ai écrit il y a qques temps, puis sur ce que certains ont noté :
Personne ne prend des gens pour des "cons" en demandant à chacun d'entre NOUS (et non pas à VOUS seulement) de respecter ce très beau pays. Peut-être est-il autorisé de camper sur les terrains n'appartenant à personne ... mais la quasi totalité de la Namibie est composée de grandes terres appartenant à leurs propriétaires privés ! Vu le nombre de campings en excellent état et avec peu de monde (hormis ds qques endroits reculé comme le Kaokoland sans infrastructure, je l'accorde), pourquoi ne pas y aller ? Le fait que vous ayiez vu quelques "imbéciles" faire du camping sauvage ne vous excuse pas ... J'ai tjrs expliqué à mes enfants que ce n'est pas parce que les autres font des bêtises que l'on doit en faire aussi ! Même si vous avez l'habitude de faire du camping sauvage et ne laissez rien derrière vous, je pense qu'il ne faut pas en faire en Namibie ... sinon les futurs touristes en feront de + en + puisqu'ils vous ont vu en faire. D'ailleurs, certains d'entre vous - qui bien sûr font très attention à leurs déchets - disent ne pas hésiter à en faire car ils en ont vu d'autres le faire aussi, cf ma remarque ci-dessus ... !
Sachons respecter la nature autour de nous ... et donner l'exmple aux touristes qui nous entourent, si l'on veut continuer encore longtemps à profiter de ce beau pays.
Relisez bien son mail, et vous vourrez qu'il ne vous a pas du tout agressé. Il a juste eu le courage de dire "tout haut" mais avec tact ce qu'il pense au fond de lui-même concernant ce très beau pays et le camping sauvage. Et je suis de son avis, cf mon précédent message ... !
Sans vouloir être l'avocat du diable, il me semble tout de même que le ton employé est sans équivoque, je cite """"Ne commencez pas a ravager ce pays ou la nature doit deja suffisament se battre pour survivre dans des conditions desertiques""""
Nous en sommes tous conscient et savourons de trouver des endroits propres et sains, mais bon, LaSavoyarde ne méritait pas une telle agression par post .
Voila c'est tout, et vive la Namibie et ses habitants de souche 🙂
bonjour
je souhaiterai me rendre en namibie et voir le paysage de la TOK TOKKIE TRAIL
suis je obligee de prendre un guide pour voir ces paysages ou peut on y acceder sans faire de trail?
Afrique de l'Est et Australe › Namibie · 2 replies
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Afrique de l'Est et Australe › Namibie · 5 replies
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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!
