Hey everyone,

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?

Hi everyone, We’re seriously considering a two-week trip in August 2026 with our kids, who’ll be 11 and 10 years old. That’s where we’re torn on the destination. For those who’ve been to both, could you share the main differences? I get the impression that in Botswana, the landscapes are a bit samey everywhere, while Namibia offers more diversity? We’re looking for an "off-the-beaten-path" adventure: safaris, meeting local communities, etc., and not too many touristy spots. Thanks for your help! Olivia

Hi there, here’s the first draft of the itinerary I’m considering for Africa, leaving in late/mid-October 2025 for a duration of 5 months.

The idea is to cross Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. Just to clarify, I don’t have a driver’s license, but I’m used to traveling by hitchhiking, carpooling, or any other type of transport. My must-sees, which I really want to visit, are the Namib and Kalahari deserts, the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, and the sandbanks of Vilankulos.

So if anyone has already done this route, more or less, I’d love to hear all your practical tips, especially for getting around within these areas.

Travel style: no problem with big contrasts—whether it’s sleeping in a tent/hammock or a fancy hotel. Budget: flexible (I think).

Hello everyone, We came back enchanted from our first trip to Namibia and we're already thinking of going back. We did the classics: Etosha, Twyfelfontein, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei... Our guide suggests doing the Caprivi Strip over 10 days, alternating 2 nights in a lodge and 2 nights in a tent. Given that we love landscapes but especially wildlife observation, I wonder if after spending 4 nights in Etosha and having visited Botswana twice, Caprivi offers different animals to see and if the wildlife is generally abundant. The videos I've seen online don't really captivate me. It seems quite similar to the Okavango Delta. What do you think? Are there other circuits we should prioritize? Both in our seventies, we prefer staying mainly in lodges. Thanks in advance to those who can give us advice

Hi everyone, We’ve just returned from a 3-week trip to South Africa: 2 weeks in Kruger Park, Manyeleti, and White River 5 days in Vilankulo 1 day in Johannesburg If you have any questions or are planning your trip, don’t hesitate! 🙂

Hi everyone, We're heading out again for a little road trip through South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. Quick question: we're leaving from Midrand, taking the N14 to Vryburg, then heading toward the McCarthy's Border crossing. After that, we want to reach the Mabuasehube Gate. The question is, how long does it take to get from Midrand to the Mabuasehube Gate? We plan to make one stop near Vryburg to fill up on drinks and snacks. Thanks in advance for your replies, especially if anyone's done this route before! JP M

Hello everyone, I’m in the planning stages for a trip to Botswana in October 2025. This will be an extension of my trip to Namibia in January 2025. Of course, I have a lot of questions!

First one: For day trips visiting Botswana’s parks in a self-drive setup, do I need accommodation *inside* the parks? Is it possible to visit them on a day-trip basis, like in Kruger Park or Etosha?

Thanks in advance for your answers! Have a great day!

Hi there, We’re planning a trip to Namibia in the summer of 2026 and want to rent a 4x4 with a roof-top tent. After reading a lot of posts on the topic, I’m still not sure which rental companies are truly reliable these days... We found a vehicle at a reasonable price from Africa Camper, but the online reviews are mixed. Has anyone had a good or bad experience with this company? Thanks so much! Martine

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.

Thanks for your help

Yiiihiiiiii😎

Hey everyone, and warm greetings to all you Southern African wanderers exploring the eastern lands of this African forum!

Four years later, I can finally create a new thread about my next trip—and not just any trip: Uganda! 🙂 A destination that’s been making me dream more and more over the past few years. Originally planned for 2019 but swapped for Tanzania, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. Then pushed aside for another well-known African destination, Namibia, with 6 friends in 2021 (but ultimately done with just 2 because of Covid). 2022 was supposed to be the year of our Canada trip (initially planned for 2020 and canceled two years in a row for the same health reasons). The 2021 safari with friends finally happened in South Africa in 2023—a classic loop that didn’t require much planning and let me start dreaming about my next African destination while devouring all the Uganda travel journals, frustrated I couldn’t reply or comment. Uganda was then reconsidered for 2024 as a follow-up to a 6-week road trip in Finland and Norway, starting from Paris to save time, money, and the ecological footprint of a transatlantic round trip—but ultimately canceled due to budget constraints, the start of my freelance work (no more paid leave), the high cost of 6 weeks in Scandinavia, and no desire to cheapen our first Uganda trip.

Uganda will be the absolute priority for 2025! 😉 And I plan to use this time to prepare for the trip properly. I also hope to use this period to get back to writing our travel journals. By absolute priority, I mean minimal restrictions and compromises on budget and travel time. 🙂

So, we’re planning to spend a month in Uganda next summer (2025). The exact month will be decided in the coming weeks. Why a month? To explore a good part of the country (really want to go up to Kidepo), enjoy the stops, and avoid putting ourselves at risk on the roads. Also, several rental companies offered me 4x4 quotes with a 10% discount for 30+ days of rental...

Here’s my humble draft itinerary:

Day 1: Late arrival in Entebbe around 11 PM. Day 2: Pick up 4x4 vehicle. Night in Jinja.

Day 3: Drive and night in Sipi Falls. Day 4: Night in Sipi Falls. Day 5: Night in Moroto. Day 6: Night in Moroto. Day 7: Drive to Kidepo NP. Day 8: Safari in Kidepo NP. Day 9: Safari in Kidepo NP. Day 10: Full day drive to Murchison Falls. Day 11: Safari in Murchison Falls. Day 12: Safari in Murchison Falls. Day 13: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Day 14: Lake Albert. Day 15: Full day drive to Kibale Forest. Day 16: Kibale Forest NP. Day 17: Drive to Kilembe (Rwenzori NP). Day 18: Hike in southern Rwenzori region. OR start Weismann’s Peak trek (Day 1). Day 19: Weismann’s Peak trek (Day 2). Day 20: Weismann’s Peak trek (Day 3). Day 21: Weismann’s Peak trek (Day 4). Day 22: Weismann’s Peak trek (Day 5), night in QENP. Day 23: QENP. Day 24: Visit Ishasha and drive to Lake Bunyonyi. Day 25: Drive to Ruhija. Day 26: Ruhija, Bwindi NP, gorilla tracking. Day 27: Mgahinga Gorilla NP... Day 28: Morning trek (gorillas or golden monkeys). Drive and night in Mburo NP.

Day 31: Visit Mburo NP and drive to Entebbe. Mabamba Swamp if we haven’t seen shoebills yet? Return 4x4 (30 days rental). Day 32: Departure from Entebbe (flight at 7:30 PM direct to Johannesburg with Uganda Airlines).

It’s not easy to visualize such a long itinerary. In terms of nights, it would look like this:

● Entebbe (1 night)

● Jinja (1 night)

● Sipi Falls (2 nights) ● Moroto (2 nights) ● Kidepo NP (3 nights) ● Murchison Falls (3 nights)

● Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (1 night)

● Lake Albert (1 night) ● Kibale Forest (2 nights)

● Rwenzori NP (5 nights) ● QENP (2 nights)

● Lake Bunyonyi (1 night)

● Ruhija (2 nights)

● Mgahinga Gorilla NP (1 night?)

● Mburo NP (2 nights)

● Entebbe (1 night)

Obviously, I already have a lot of questions .

A question I really like: Where would you add extra nights? Keeping the 5 days in Rwenzori, we still have at least 2 nights to add to this itinerary.

Also, I don’t really have a clear idea about the loop’s direction. Instinctively, I thought of doing the gorillas last to end on a high note, but given the state of rental vehicles and traveler feedback, it seems we might not even make it to the end of the trip . Is there a meteorologically better direction? Given we’re likely leaving from early August to early September.

We’ve debated a lot about renting a vehicle with or without a guide, RAV4 or a proper 4x4, rooftop tent or not... In the end, after testing the guided experience in Tanzania and noting the relatively reasonable prices of hard lodgings (compared to Tanzania, Namibia, or Botswana, for example), the high cost of equipped 4x4s, and their unpredictable condition... We’re currently leaning toward a non-equipped 4x4, opting for the newest and most reliable vehicle possible to minimize breakdowns and missed stops. Any agencies/vehicles you’d recommend? Any recent feedback from the past few years?

Where’s the best place to see golden monkeys? I read that the southern part of QENP is no longer accessible. Can’t we go to Ishasha anymore? I’ve seen a lot of disappointed reviews about QENP, but it still seems like a good place to spot leopards and hyenas. If we stick with hard lodgings, which lodge is worth it in QENP, and how many nights should we plan? Are there night drives in Uganda to observe nocturnal wildlife? Initially, I thought of doing two gorilla treks—one in Bwindi (Ruhija) and another in Mgahinga Gorilla NP. But I got excited about Rwenzori (especially with the option to extend the stay a bit) and now I’m considering a trek there instead. However, the trek to Margherita Peak’s summit takes at least 7 days at 1580 $/person (plus extra rental days...), so I’m leaning toward the 5-day Weismann’s Peak trek. Has anyone done the Weissman’s Peak trek? If we skip the gorilla trek, is Mgahinga Gorilla NP still worth visiting?

Thanks in advance for all your comments, answers, feedback, favorite spots, and tips! 🙂

Looking forward to chatting with you all on this forum again! 😉

Pierre & Alison

Hi there, We’d like to do a fly-in safari in February or March 2026 in Southern Tanzania’s parks (Nyerere—formerly Selous—and Ruaha...). Why this choice? Because we’ve already been lucky enough to visit the northern parks in Tanzania. Why this time of year? Because it’ll be my birthday (a big one!).

Now, some agencies are strongly advising against this February-March period. Has anyone had experience with a safari during this time?

Otherwise, where should we go for a safari in February-March? Just a heads-up—we already have "quite a bit of experience" in East and Southern Africa and love trying new things. https://www.youtube.com/@lolodetoul54

Thanks, fellow Africa fans!

Hi there! 🙂

Once again, I’m back looking for advice

So, here’s the thing: in September, I’m planning a trip to Africa. There’ll be four of us—my husband, my 24-year-old daughter, my 20-year-old son, and me.

I’ve had this idea in my head for a while, but now it’s starting to feel real. The tricky part is that I’m on team "I organize my trip without an agency and handle things on the spot." But here’s the catch—my husband, who’s usually up for anything, doesn’t want to hear about a do-it-yourself trip. From what I’ve gathered, only Namibia allows that if I’m not mistaken. But if it’s possible in Tanzania (or maybe Kenya), I think I could convince him.

Anyway, here’s my first double question—more will probably follow! Can you travel without an agency in Tanzania? If not, which agency would you recommend, given that I live in Belgium?

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Hello, We’re a family from Réunion with three kids, used to active holidays: biking, camping, hitchhiking, and finding last-minute accommodations.

This time, we’d like to visit a country in Southern or East Africa (since it’s close to our island—flights to Johannesburg aren’t too expensive). The kids dream of seeing animals, but we don’t want to spend our whole holiday in a 4x4!

My husband and I know West Africa well (we’ve lived for months in Burkina, Benin, and Madagascar), where it’s easy to get around by public transport, get unexpectedly invited into villages, and find food in roadside eateries... But we’re not sure if we can find that same vibe in "safari" countries.

More specific criteria:

- See animals and varied landscapes, but without ending up with 25 4x4s around one elephant... - Not spend 5 hours a day in the car every day - Do some travel by public transport - A holiday focused not just on nature but also on taking time to meet locals - Be able to hike (or even bike, canoe...) - Camp for all or part of the trip

Given all this, which destination would you recommend? South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe? Or Kenya, Tanzania? Or somewhere else?

I’ve read tons of websites and forums but I’m still confused!

This would be for about 3 weeks next July-August.

Thanks for your help!

Hi everyone,

As I mentioned a few days ago in the comments on ArXplorateur’s post (https://voyageforum.com/forum/deux-semaines-en-ouganda-en-solo-en-transports-d10553168/) —which was the first to reopen the forum’s Africa section—I wanted to share our feedback on our three weeks in Uganda. We recently traveled between late August and mid-September with the Mpolampola agency, which many of you know, run by Paul. I’m editing a one-hour film about this trip, which I’ll be uploading soon to our travel-focused YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lolodetoul54

It’s almost finished and ready to be uploaded.

We planned an ambitious itinerary (maybe *too* ambitious?).

Here’s the breakdown of our packed schedule:

D0 Saturday 24/08: Departure from Paris to Uganda via Kigali with Rwandair D1 Sunday 25/08: Arrival in Entebbe Sunday morning. Departure for Lake Mburo National Park. Night at Rwakobo Lodge D2 Monday 26/08: Lake Mburo National Park. Walking safari and boat tour of the lake. Night at Rwakobo Lodge D3 Tuesday 27/08: Departure for Lake Bunyonyi. Night at Birdnest Overseas D4 Wednesday 28/08: Boat and walking tour of the lake, then drive to Lake Mutanda Lodge D5 Thursday 29/08: Hike to see the golden monkeys, then departure for Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge D6 Friday 30/08: Hike to see the gorillas. Night again at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge D7 Saturday 31/08: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Night at Twin Lakes Safari Lodge D8 Sunday 01/09: Vehicle safari and boat tour on the Kazinga Channel. Night at Twin Lakes Safari Lodge D9 Monday 02/09: Drive to Kibale Forest and walk around Crater Lake. Night at Isunga Lodge D10 Tuesday 03/09: Chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest and walk in Bigodi Swamp. Night at Isunga Lodge D11 Wednesday 04/09: On the road to Murchison Falls National Park. Walking tour with rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Night at Murchison River Lodge D12 Thursday 05/09: Vehicle safari in Murchison Falls National Park and boat ride to the falls. Night at Murchison River Lodge D13 Friday 06/09: Drive to Chobe Lodge by the Nile D14 Saturday 07/09: Long road trip to Kidepo Valley National Park. Night at Adere Lodge D15 & D16: Safari in Kidepo Valley National Park. Nights at Adere Lodge D17 Tuesday 10/09: Very long drive to Sipi Falls (Mount Elgon). Night at Lacam Lodge D18 Wednesday 11/09: Visit to the falls, then drive to Jinja (source of the Nile). Night at Haven Lodge D19 Thursday 12/09: Drive to Kampala. Night at Latitude 0. D20 Friday 13/09: Discovering shoebills in Mabamba Swamp. Evening flight back to France via Kigali, Rwanda.

That’s the teaser done! I’ll be back with more details soon. Looking forward to sharing! Loïc

Hi there, From Windhoek to Namaqualand, is it possible to take a route further east than the B1 national road, and are there any points of interest along that way? Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, Before entering Kruger Park, we’re planning a stop in Graskop on the way from Johannesburg, then spending two nights at Hippomoon Lodge. I’ve mapped out the following route for a single day between Graskop and Hippomoon Lodge, but I’m wondering if it’s a bit too packed?😐 Visit the Blyde River Canyon in a full day – approx. 180 km / 2h40 drive, leaving Graskop at 8:30 AM: - Graskop Gorge Lift on the R533 towards Hazyview - The Pinnacle Rock - Lisbon / God’s Window / Berlin Falls - Lunch at The Chubby Pig - Treur River - Bourkes Luck, Farm, Moramelo, Uitspanning (33 km from Graskop Gorge Lift) - Bourke’s Luck Potholes - Three Rondavels viewpoint - ???Hike starting from Blyde Canyon: A Forever Resort / the guinea fowl trail / Lower viewpoint - Entry to Swadini for a Boat Cruise on the Blyde River (boat excursion in the Blyde Canyon) - Blyde Dam boat cruise - Drive to Hippomoon Lodge to arrive around 5:00 PM Thanks in advance for your feedback and experiences!😎

Hello everyone! We’re heading to South Africa this summer (August 11 to September 1) and I’m finalizing our itinerary. I’d love to get your thoughts on our route and specifically on two points: - The time spent at each stop: does any seem too short or too long? - The domestic flights: do you think they’re a good choice? (Flight from Kruger to Durban + Durban to Port Elizabeth) We’ll rent a car each time we land. Or is it better to do the whole trip by car? Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to take a look! Have a great day! !

Alright, this time it's definite—I'm heading to South Africa next October! 😎

Two weeks for a Kruger-Cape Town combo is short... but better than nothing 😉 Before booking the flight tickets, two quick preliminary questions (more will definitely follow): Is there a preferred direction (Kruger first or Cape Town first)? Is it better to go during the first half of October, the second half (or the middle 😏), or does the current unpredictable weather make it all pretty much the same in the end?

Hi everyone,

It's official—I've got our flight tickets for next October! Two weeks with my 16-year-old son, aiming to see plenty of big animals and birds.

Thanks to all of you for the wealth of information on this site.

After going through a good chunk of the forum and travel journals about South Africa, I think my itinerary is ready...

I’ve planned 2 days with long drives to minimize time spent outside the parks. These are Sunday the 18th: Johannesburg Airport to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve, and Friday the 23rd: St. Lucia to Nelspruit (staying in South Africa) or as close as possible to visit the Canyon the next day.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the itinerary, especially these 2 days—are they doable or not? Should I book in advance, or will there be places to sleep along the way if we don’t make it to our planned destination? What’s the crowd level in South Africa in October?

As for Kruger, I’ve chosen campsites with camping facilities, prioritizing the "satellite" camps, at least in the northern part!! I’ve planned to change camps almost every day to combine travel and wildlife spotting, but is this the right choice?

The itinerary:

Sunday 18th Arrival at 8:50 AM in Johannesburg Drive to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve 530 km, 7h20 1 night (18th–19th) at the northern gate

Monday 19th Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve 1h30, 50 km 2nd night (19th–20th) southeast of the reserve

Tuesday 20th Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve 3rd night (20th–21st) southeast of the reserve or Mpila

Wednesday 21st Reserve and drive to St. Lucia Drive to St. Lucia: 1h, 50 km Crocodile and hippo boat tour at 3 PM 4th night (21st–22nd) in St. Lucia Sugarloaf Campsites

Thursday 22nd Whale-watching tour 7–9 AM (or the next day) Cap Vidal, day trip: 70 km round trip 5th night (22nd–23rd) in St. Lucia Sugarloaf Campsites

Friday 23rd Drive to Nelspruit 541 km, 7h Night in Nelspruit 6th night (23rd–24th) in Graskop

Saturday 24th Blyde River Canyon 150 km, 2h + stops 7th night (24th–25th) at Blyde Canyon Forever Resort

Sunday 25th (Kruger Day 1) Leopard Trail hike: 3h Drive to Kruger, Phalaborwa Gate 136 km, 2h to the park entrance 75 km, 3h to Mopani - Tzende 8th night (25th–26th) Kruger 1: Tsendze

Monday 26th (Kruger Day 2) Drive to Balule: 84 km, 3h20 9th night (26th–27th) Kruger 2: Balule

Tuesday 27th (Kruger Day 3) Drive to Satara: 160 km, 6h25 10th night (27th–28th) Kruger 3: Satara

Wednesday 28th (Kruger Day 4) Kruger 11th night (28th–29th) Kruger 4: Satara

Thursday 29th (Kruger Day 5) Kruger 12th night (29th–30th) Kruger 5: Skukuza

Friday 30th (Kruger Day 6) Kruger 13th night (30th–31st) Kruger 6: Lower Sabi

Saturday 31st (Kruger Day 7) Kruger 14th night (31st–1st) Kruger 7: Berg-en-Dal

Sunday 31st Departure: flight at 9:15 PM (must be at the airport by 6 PM max) Morning in Kruger, then drive 400 km, 5h30—departure by 11 AM max

Thanks in advance for your feedback! Claude

Hi there,

We’re back from our 3-week trip to South Africa in July. It was a family trip with our four grown-up kids (ages 18 to 25).

First off, I’d like to thank everyone on this forum for their great tips—they really helped us plan this trip!

The trip: We spent 15 days between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, then a week around Kruger (including Blyde River Canyon). We found South Africans to be welcoming and always ready to help. We never felt unsafe (just followed basic safety rules). The police are very visible, especially on the roads.

Logistics: We’d booked our accommodations in advance but made a few changes on the spot based on how we felt at the time. We rented two vehicles from Firefly (Hertz). No complaints—recent cars, quick returns, and the deposit wasn’t charged. We’d gotten our international driver’s permits... which stayed in France! Luckily, no one asked for them. Driving on the left wasn’t an issue (it wasn’t our first time). The roads we took were in good, even great, condition. Only a few tracks to lodges or parks were rough and required extra caution. Lots of pedestrians on the sides of roads, even highways. And plenty of very slow trucks. But they pull over to let you pass. It’s also common for cars to cross into the opposite lane to overtake, even with white lines. We took two domestic flights: one early in the morning (Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth) and one in the late afternoon (Cape Town to Johannesburg) to save time.

We had some highlights and a few disappointments—all part of the journey! More details coming soon.

Hi there,

I know this question has been discussed many times before, but I’d love to hear recent opinions (post-COVID crisis) about tourist safety in South Africa. My husband is offering me the chance to take a self-drive trip in South Africa in July 2025. It’s a dream of mine—we’ve never been to Africa before, but we’ve regularly driven on the left side of the road before ;-) I’ve already booked the hotels and a rental car for a 3-week family trip (my husband and our 19-year-old son). But after talking to some acquaintances, I’ve been warned about the risks of carjacking, theft, scams by fake police, and even kidnapping… basically, a pretty apocalyptic picture of the region!!! I’ve already carefully read the recommendations from embassies and foreign affairs offices. Our itinerary would start at Johannesburg Airport with a rental car, sticking to main roads and avoiding night driving. First stop: Blyde River Canyon (exploring the area), then heading to Kruger National Park (one week), entering through the Numbi or Phabeni Gate and exiting via Crocodile Bridge to reach Eswatini (stopping at Mlilwane Sanctuary) before continuing to St. Lucia (a few days there). From St. Lucia, we’ll go to Durban to catch a flight to Cape Town. There, we’ll spend a few days with a rental car in the Camps Bay area. What do you think? I know there’s no such thing as zero risk (you could even fall out of bed!), but I don’t want to spend the whole trip on edge, constantly worried about being attacked or putting my family in danger. During vacations, we take a lot of photos—I know we shouldn’t flaunt valuables, but photography is a big part of our trips… Should we postpone this trip to a "quieter" time? If you can shed some light, I’d really appreciate it—I’m feeling a bit lost…

Hi there,

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.

Thanks in advance, and have a great evening! !

Hi everyone, I’m planning to do the Sesriem–Etosha trip via Windhoek in a single day. I know... it’s really long... I plan to leave early in the morning... before 8 a.m. at any rate... I know the Sesriem–Windhoek stretch via Solitaire is entirely on dirt roads... What do you think? Have a great day

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!

I'm looking for a local guide to visit a Himba village near Opuwo in a respectful way. There’ll be two of us (my wife and I) with a car starting from Opuwo. If anyone has a contact—or even better, several contacts—for local guides to arrange this visit, thanks a million! Bernard

Hello, Namibia in April for 11 days from the 10th to the 21st with 2 adults and 3 (our son from the 16th to the 21st). We’re looking to combine 2 short circuits for this brief stay. Should we book a vehicle and accommodation through an agency?

We’re used to traveling independently, but we’re hesitant about Namibia! Any recommendations for vehicle rental sites? And agencies?

We’re planning two short circuits—partly with accommodation and partly with camping. Thanks for sharing your experience!

We’re flying from Cape Town to Windhoek on the 10th and returning on the 21st or 22nd. Marie

Hi there, I’m finalizing the itinerary for my trip to Namibia in October and would love to get it validated by you, the experts. I’ll be traveling by 4x4 with a rooftop tent.

Here’s the itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek Night in REHOBOTH or nearby

Day 2: Rehoboth to Stampriet

Day 3: Road to Sesriem

Day 4: Head to Sossusvlei/Sesriem Canyon

Day 5: Road to Walvis Bay

Day 6: Day in Walvis Bay

Day 7: Head to Spitzkoppe

Day 8: Direction Cape Cross then Brandberg

Day 9: Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Palmwag

Day 10: Palmwag

Day 11: Head to Etosha Day 12: Etosha

Day 13: Head to Waterberg after morning safari

Day 14: Full day at Waterberg

Day 15: Return to Windhoek for flight at 8:30 PM

What do you think? I’m open to all suggestions!

Thanks

Hi there, I’m sharing my itinerary for your expert eyes and feedback. Quick question: Is it worth cutting a few nights to visit Epupa Falls? Would it be interesting to stop by Aus before Sesriem? Thanks everyone!

Day 1: Windhoek Day 2: Mariental Day 3: Sesriem Day 4: Sesriem Day 5: Gecko Camp Day 6: Walvis Bay / Swakopmund Day 7: Walvis Bay / Swakopmund Day 8: Spitzkoppe Day 9: Twyfelfontein Day 10: Twyfelfontein Day 11: Grootberg Day 12: Grootberg Day 13: Etosha West Day 14: Etosha West Day 15: Etosha East Day 16: Etosha East Day 17: Weaver’s Rock Guest Farm (CCF & Waterberg, rhinos) Day 18: Weaver’s Rock Guest Farm Day 19: Okonjima Day 20: Windhoek – evening departure

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Namibia for the first time at the end of January 2026 for 12 nights as a couple, with a 4x4 rental (no tent). We’re planning to stay in lodges, hotels, or similar. Our goal is to explore Namibia and see as many animals as possible.

We were thinking of following this route:

Windhoek to Sesriem – 2 nights

Sesriem to Omaruru – 2 nights

Omaruru to Ongava (ETOSHA) – 2 nights

Ongava to Onguma (ETOSHA) – 2 nights

Onguma to Okonjima – 2 nights

Okonjima to Windhoek – 2 nights (these last two nights near Windhoek at a lodge like Our Habitas)

What do you think of this plan?

I know we’ll miss a lot of must-see spots, but we only have 12 nights, and the distances between the points of interest we’ve chosen are pretty long.

Also, since January/February is the "rainy season," do you think this itinerary is suitable?

Don’t hesitate to tell me if we’re completely off track or if you’d recommend something totally different—we’re open to any suggestions.

Thanks so much for your time and advice!

Joris

Hi there, I’m planning a trip with my three teens in a 4x4 with rooftop tents in July 2025 and would love your thoughts on my itinerary (still a draft). Day 1: Windhoek Day 2: Keetmanshoop Day 3-5: Fish River Canyon Day 6: FRC stop in Mariental Day 7: Mariental to Sesriem Day 8-10: Sesriem, then depart for Swakopmund Day 11-12: Swakopmund Day 13-14: Spitzkoppe Day 15-16: Twyfelfontein Day 17: Stop in Outjo Day 18-20: Etosha Day 21: Waterberg Day 22: Waterberg to Windhoek Day 23: Afternoon flight

Thanks so much for your help! Anne Claire