East and Southern Africa · South Africa

I'm looking for reviews on the 4x4 rental company Britz, as we're planning to rent a vehicle from them next October. Thanks for any feedback—good or bad! Or even recommendations for other rental companies you've dealt with...

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum. I’d love to know if any of you have hiked in the Drakensberg, as I’m thinking of signing up for a trekking trip there. I’ve heard about the "Sentinel Ladders" to reach the top plateau of the Amphitheatre. Has anyone here done it? Is it as impressive as it sounds (I sometimes get vertigo)? Otherwise, what are your impressions of this part of South Africa and Lesotho? Thanks in advance for your replies. Elisabeth

Hi everyone, we're planning a trip for August (Drakensberg, St Lucia, Blyde, Kruger, Marakele). There will be 4 adults and an 11-year-old child. That’s the intro!

Our issue is choosing the right vehicle. With luggage plus food for picnics and breakfasts, we need space. And since we’ll be driving for several hours, I’d prefer not to be squished with 3 in the back.

So, what would you recommend? An SUV? A van? And where should we rent from if you have any great tips—I’m all ears.

Thanks everyone

Hi everyone, I’m thinking of heading to Southern Africa next autumn for several months. I’d love some advice on my itinerary—I’m looking for authentic spots with cheap accommodation. I know Southern Africa is generally pricier than Asia or Latin America because of the lack of backpacker infrastructure (except maybe Cape Town). I’m planning to visit South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, and maybe Eswatini. My main goal in South Africa is to see the coexistence between white, mixed-race, and Black communities. I think I’ll skip Namibia and Botswana because of the cost of living. Thanks

Hi, we’re planning to take the scenic route back from Kruger Park (Orpen Gate) but we’ll have our two travel bags in the trunk. In some countries, there’s no rear shelf to hide the trunk. I don’t know how it works in SA—what do you think?

We have the same concern because we’d like to do the Leopard Trail, but we’ll have our stuff with us too. We’re wondering if leaving the car in the parking lot where the trail starts is somewhat monitored or not. Thanks for your feedback!

PS: Is the Kruger section starting from Orpen Gate any good? Thanks a bunch!

Hi there, We did a trip to South Africa in August 2023 and at the time, we regretted not being able to make the most of the Cape Town area because of the weather. So we’re thinking of going back during the right season in early 2026 for 2 weeks, but I’m struggling a bit to plan the itinerary. We’d like to spend a few days on safari, but options are somewhat limited in this (large) geographic area since it’s not the right season for KTP, and Addo Elephant Park doesn’t seem like the best choice. Are there any interesting private reserves in this area? Otherwise, we’re considering starting with a few days in Madikwe from Johannesburg, then about ten days from Cape Town. For those 10 days, do you have any suggestions that go beyond the classic Garden Route? We’ve heard good things about the Cederberg, but after that, I’m struggling to put together something coherent. Thanks for your suggestions! Jacques

Hi there, I made my bungalow reservations in Kruger Park through Sanparks. I’ve sent several emails but never gotten a response from them. It’s not possible to reach them via WhatsApp, and calling them costs an arm and a leg 😱. Have you had the same experience with Sanparks? Their website is pretty well done—they boast about giving the best care to questions people ask them, but when it comes to email responses... it’s a ghost town 😕

Hello, we’re starting this discussion to share our project and get a little help.

We’re French and passionate about Southern Africa. For over twenty years, we’ve taken several trips to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia, always traveling independently and on the move. In 2009, we took a sabbatical and spent eight months in Southern Africa. To do this, we bought a vehicle in South Africa, with the help of a Frenchman living there who guided us through the registration and insurance process. Unfortunately, he has since passed away.

Now, we’d like to spend several months a year in Southern Africa, mainly in Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia, but also in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

We’d like to buy a 4x4, either already equipped or to be outfitted, but we’re not sure where it’s best to buy it: South Africa, Namibia, or Botswana?

We’re looking for someone who can help us with the registration and insurance process (we’re not bilingual, on top of everything!). Do you have any contacts you could recommend? We’d appreciate any information or recommendations to help us with our project.

We’re also looking for a rental or guesthouse in Johannesburg for November 2025, run by French speakers or people who speak French.

Once we’re there, the question of the 90-day tourist visa will come up. Apparently, it’s no longer possible to leave the territory for a few days and re-enter. We’re considering applying for a Retired Person Visa. However, the process from France seems complicated: no response from the South African embassy in Paris or from Botswana… So, we’re thinking of looking into it directly once we’re there.

Thank you so much for your help. Pedro Lyon (France)

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 forum,

We’re a family of 4 adults (2 grown daughters) planning our first trip to South Africa for 3 weeks in August 2025, traveling independently. I’ve been drawing inspiration from several posts on the forum. I’d like to book our flight tickets and nights in Kruger Park as soon as possible since that’s the most urgent part to finalize, if I understood correctly.

Here’s a first draft of our itinerary (with lots of unknowns about what there’ll be to see/do in Eswatini, Lesotho, Durban, etc.—I feel like the Lesotho leg involves a lot of driving).

I’d really appreciate input from the experts to help us craft a great trip. Thanks in advance!

Day 1

Departure from Paris Day 2

Morning Early arrival in Johannesburg Pick up rental car Groceries Afternoon Sightseeing Night in AirBNB near Johannesburg (1/1) Day 3

Morning Drive to Blyde River Canyon (500 km - 6h30) Afternoon Visit the canyon Night in AirBNB near Blyde River Canyon (1/1) Day 4

Morning Drive to central Kruger (200 km - 3h30) Night in Rest Camp (1/2) Day 5

Night in Rest Camp (2/2) Day 6

Morning Drive to southern Kruger (150 km - 3h) Night in Rest Camp (1/3) Day 7

Night in Rest Camp (2/3) Day 8

Night in Rest Camp (3/3) Day 9

Morning Drive to Mbabane (Eswatini) (250 km - 4h) Night in AirBNB or other (1/1) Day 10

Morning Drive to Maputaland (300 km - 4h) Afternoon Swimming (hippos and crocs?) Night in AirBNB or other (1/1) Day 11

Morning Drive to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi (130 km - 2h) Night in Rest Camp (1/2) Day 12

Night in Rest Camp (2/2) Day 13

Morning Drive to Durban (250 km - 3h) Night in AirBNB (1/1) Day 14

Morning First half of drive to Lesotho (225 km - 4h) Night in AirBNB or other (1/1) Day 15

Morning Second half of drive to Lesotho (225 km - 4h) Night in AirBNB or other (1/1) Day 16

Morning First half of drive to Drakensberg (250 km - 4h) Night in AirBNB or other (1/1) Day 17

Morning Second half of drive to Drakensberg (250 km - 4h) Night in AirBNB or other (1/2) Day 18

Night in AirBNB or other (2/2) Day 19

Morning Drive to Johannesburg (300 km - 4h) Night in AirBNB (1/2) Day 20

Night in AirBNB (2/2) Day 21

Morning Departure in early afternoon Day 22

Arrival in Paris

hi, I’m planning to rent a satellite phone starting from Johannesburg for our three-week trip through South Africa and Mozambique. I’ve found two rental companies and was wondering if anyone has used them in South Africa for this kind of service?

They’re SAT 4 RENT and RENT A SAT. RENT A SAT is the cheaper option but only includes 10 minutes of satellite communication—after that, it’s $1.99 USD per additional minute.

Thanks for any feedback you can share!

Hi there, Everything’s in the title. For those who’ve already been to South Africa, I was wondering if our French type C plugs work with the sockets you’ve encountered in your accommodations there. Apparently, South Africa uses types D, M, and N, and type C plugs are only compatible with type N sockets. Do accommodations mostly have type N sockets? Or are they mostly D and M, which would mean buying an adapter? Thanks for your replies!

Hi everyone...

Must be around 5,000 photos to sort through!

Makes sense after 3 intense weeks in SA.

Anyway, to set the mood, here are a few photos... Well, yeah, they’re not amazing!

Suspense, suspense...

Hello,

In these post-COVID years, South Africa (SA) has drawn me back again... The long-time forum members will say I'm a bit obsessed (I've now surpassed 20 trips to this country, including 2 in Namibia)... But new readers can find my old travel journals and enjoy this new installment. So, three new trips... each lasting a month... always too short. I’ll try to be pragmatic.

Let’s start with the basics! You can plan your trip from your couch with complete peace of mind. Through any Booking site or directly (sometimes cheaper), I’ve never had any issues with my direct bookings—they’ve always matched what was promised. For national parks outside KwaZulu-Natal (where it’s KZN Wildlife), use the SANparks website, or Nature Reserve for that type of "accommodation." Air France, Lufthansa, or KLM... depending on the year and circumstances. Most flights are overnight, allowing you to arrive early in Joburg and... leave this city I don’t much like as quickly as possible. KLM offers a daytime flight to Cape Town... just arrange your first night’s stay. You drive on the left in SA (you knew that, right?)... you get used to it. Passport: must still be valid for 6 months with several blank pages... Car rental? A car is pretty much essential, whether for short or long trips. It’s safer too. Aside from the secure Gautrain in Joburg and Cape Town (CT from now on), I don’t take the train. Except for the red bus drop-off/pick-up in CT, I don’t take the bus. In this specific case, it’s practical because you can access all of CT’s spots—including the famous Lion’s Head—without worrying about parking or traffic. These past three years, I’ve chosen Around About Cars as my rental company. I’m very satisfied with them. What kind of car? It depends on what you’re doing and your budget. The vast majority of roads don’t require a special vehicle. In a park, the "high ground clearance" of SUVs lets you see animals better and helps avoid potholes (the SA version—ostrich-sized), speed bumps (our "sleeping policemen" with a big belly), and tackle the last few kilometers or 100 meters that can be a bit rough with complete peace of mind. Do your research. For me, it’s 4x2 or 4x4 depending on... South Africans drive fast... and I feel safer that way. International driver’s permit? Legally required! Never asked for by a rental company, only once by the police—but I stood my ground, confident, and it went smoothly. Road checks? Yes, often—at least two every time, but they’re relaxed... Note that if a police officer wants to give you a fine, it must be done at the police station—insist on going there... they’ll usually drop it. If they suggest paying on the spot in cash to "make things easier"... it’s just for their pocket. There’s a special "police alert" number—remind them of it! The rand is the South African currency. Nowadays, cards work in many places. But note: a car rental company will ask for a credit card, not a debit card. Be careful: cash is no longer accepted in SANparks camps and other places (entrances, etc.)! It’s card only! I always carry some cash. I order it from Yeschange (sounds dodgy, but it’s very reliable). Phew... What an introduction!

Hi everyone, has anyone been to Shingwezi Camp in the northern part of Kruger Park? I read on the SanParks website that the drive from Phalaborwa Gate to Shingwezi Camp takes 12 hours🤯. Can anyone confirm this? When I check Google Maps, it shows a 5-hour trip?? Thanks for your replies 😅

Hello, fellow bird lovers, big mammal enthusiasts, and Southern Africa fans!

The title of this second travel journal obviously references the one that came before it: Three months in Southern Africa in a Ford Figo 😉

That was back in spring 2016, and I was discovering this incredible region of the world with wide-eyed wonder. Though absolutely enchanted by my trip, I’ll admit: I didn’t think I’d be back so soon.

Fortunately, circumstances had other plans. For their 70th birthdays, my parents had the wonderful idea of inviting the whole family—my sister, my brother-in-law, my three nieces, and me—for two weeks in the Cape Town area and Namibia. The only one missing was my godson (the eldest), who was tied up in Switzerland for his air traffic controller training.

Of course, I wasn’t going to settle for just this (delicious) taste of adventure… so, as an appetizer, main course, and dessert, I added two and a half months of travels through South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe (the last two being new to me). What can I say? I’m a travel glutton! 😛

Here’s the general outline of my itinerary, with details to come as I share the story:

With family (March 29 to April 13, 2018)

South Africa (5 days) Namibia (9 days)

Solo (April 13 to June 30, 2018)

Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls (5 days) South Africa and Lesotho (26 days) Mozambique (21 days) Zimbabwe (10 days) South Africa (15 days)

And since I need a cliché to illustrate this journal... ... it’ll be the famous lilac-breasted roller (lilac-breasted roller), one of my little favorites (I might even make it my profile picture, actually)!

I have to say, in 2016, exploring Southern Africa multiplied my interest (already strong, but mostly limited to vultures and raptors) in avian wildlife. 🙂

Happy reading!

P.S. Beyond sharing, I’m also counting on this journal to motivate me to finally sort through the roughly 10,000 photos that have been sitting on a hard drive for four months. 🤪😏

For several years now, increased aggression has been observed in Cape fur seals. At least 70 unprovoked attacks on humans. It was recently confirmed that this is due to rabies. The suspected origin is contamination in Namibia by jackals. The contagion seems to be spreading. Preventive vaccination (of the animals) is being considered. Just a reminder: Rabies affects all mammals. Once symptoms appear—sometimes weeks or even months later—death is inevitable. It’s the bite that transmits the disease. There are so-called "furious" forms with aggression, but also forms without aggression. In case of a bite, in addition to standard wound care, tetanus prevention… rabies prevention is essential. Stay careful out there… Seeing seals from a boat along the coast isn’t rare in these parts…

Hi! In March, we’ll be spending two weeks in the Drakensberg region and Golden Highlands National Park (Clarens). From what I understand, you have to pay to hike if you're in a national park. I can’t find the rates or info on whether there are multi-day passes if we hike for several days. Could you help me out, please? Thanks

My partner and I are planning a 21-day self-drive trip from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, flying from Montreal to Victoria Falls and renting a 4x4. I’d love to hear members’ thoughts on our itinerary and its feasibility, along with your recommendations for must-see spots, essential parks, lodges, etc.

Our ideal is to start our stay at the falls and head south to South Africa, finishing in Cape Town by the sea for two days of relaxation before returning to Canada. We’re big on photography, not so much on cities, and we usually book accommodations where we can prepare our own dinner. Is this itinerary too ambitious? I’ve read a lot of travel journals and sometimes it seems very doable, other times completely the opposite...

Proposed itinerary: 17 October: Montreal-Livingstone, Zambia (Z) 18-19 Oct.: Victoria Falls, Z 20 Oct.: Kasane, Botswana (BO) 21-22 Oct.: Chobe Park, BO 23 Oct.: Francistown, BO 24 Oct.: Khama Rhino Sanctuary, BO 25 Oct.: Palapye, BO 26 Oct.: Polokwane, South Africa (SA) 27 Oct.: Phalaborwa, SA 28-29 Oct.: Kruger Park, SA 30 Oct.: Malelane Gate, SA 31 Oct.: Winburg, SA 1 November: Bloemfontein, SA 2 November: Beaufort West, SA 3-5 November: Cape Town, SA

Hi there, We’re heading to South Africa for 17 days at the end of July/beginning of August with our two kids. We’re planning 4 days in the Drakensberg: 2 days at Royal Natal and two more to do the Sani Pass (but going through a local agency at Sani Lodge). We’ve rented a Toyota Corolla. Is that enough? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodations in the area? Or other ideas for those 4 days? Thanks so much for your tips! Happy holidays! !

Hi there, we're traveling in April with our 4-year-old child. We'll be spending a few days in Clarens and would then like to visit Hluhluwe. We don’t want to drive more than 3–4 hours a day, and the driving time is estimated at nearly 7 hours. Do you have any suggestions for a stopover and an Airbnb or guest house (safe town, nature) between Clarens and Hluhluwe where we could spend the afternoon and leave the next day, as well as a safe route? Thanks so much!

Hi everyone, I’m reaching out today to gather some great tips for the second part of our trip to South Africa, which will take place from 03/21 to 04/11. We don’t want to rush too much either. We’ll start in Cape Town (tickets already booked) since it seems like a good time to visit this region—except for the whales in Hermanus, which we won’t be seeing. Oh, and I almost forgot, we’re renting a car for both legs of the trip for more freedom.

The first part is planned like this:

- 03/21: Arrival in Cape Town, staying until 03/24 - 03/25: Visit to the Cape, including a stop in Simon’s Town - 2 nights in Stellenbosch from 03/26 to 03/28 - 3 nights in Knysna to explore the area from 03/28 to 03/31 - 03/31: Flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban, where we’ll spend one night in Umhlanga

After that, I’m a bit lost 🙂. Next, I was thinking of doing:

2 nights in St. Lucia 2 nights in Eswatini 4 nights in Kruger Park (2 nights in Skukuza and 2 nights in Balule to visit a private reserve) 1 night at Blyde Canyon 1 night somewhere to get closer to Johannesburg (Graskop?) since we’ll need to return the car by around 11:00 AM on 04/11.

So, does the second part make sense or not? I’ve done quite a bit of research, but I’m still a little lost . We can’t wait to be there, and your valuable advice would be very welcome. Thanks so much in advance, and have a great day! Luis

Hi everyone, My partner, our 6-year-old daughter, and I are heading to South Africa in early July. I’d love your thoughts and insights on our planned itinerary: Day 1: Arrival in Joburg in the early afternoon / Overnight near the airport Day 2: Morning flight to Cape Town / Pick up rental car / Explore the city Day 3: Cape Peninsula (Boulders Beach to see the penguins) Day 4: If the weather allows: whale-watching excursion from Hermanus Day 5: Early morning flight to Kruger (Mpumalanga Airport) - Pick up rental car and head to the Blyde River Canyon Panoramic Route (stops at Mac Mac Falls, Lisbon or Berlin Falls, and Three Rondavels) / Overnight on Orpen Road as close as possible to Orpen Gate Day 6: Enter Kruger National Park via Orpen Gate for a self-drive safari / Overnight to be decided? Day 7: Kruger National Park / Overnight at Letaba Rest Camp (the only night we’ve managed to book in the park so far) Day 8: Self-drive safari from Letaba Rest Camp to Manyeleti Game Reserve (overnight booked at Honeyguide Khoka Moya lodge) Day 9: Morning guided safari in the private reserve, then return to Joburg Day 10: Return flight in the late afternoon from Joburg Airport What do you think? Do you think Day 5 is doable? Does the Panoramic Route in half a day from the airport seem realistic to you? It’s tough to find availability in the rest camps. Any suggestions for a place to stay between Orpen Gate and Letaba (Day 6)? On the way back (Day 9), we’re considering stopping overnight between Kruger Park and Joburg. What do you think? Any towns or stops you’d recommend? Thanks so much for your help!

Hello, My husband and I are traveling to South Africa in April on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Paris, which means a layover in Ethiopia! Unless I'm mistaken, I just saw that Ethiopia is one of the countries affected by yellow fever. My husband is turning 60, and I also read that the yellow fever vaccine isn't recommended after 60! I was wondering if any of you have taken the risk of doing the layover without being vaccinated for yellow fever, or if you've been vaccinated after 60? Thanks so much for all your replies

Hello,

Happy 2025, filled with wonderful travels! 🙂

We’re traveling as a family to South Africa for the first time in July (two parents and our four young adult children). We’ve planned a loop starting from Port Elizabeth for 13 days, followed by another loop from Johannesburg with 2 days at Blyde River Canyon and 5 days in Kruger NP.

We’re wondering about the Port Elizabeth loop. Here’s our initial idea: Day 1: Early arrival in Port Elizabeth, morning walk in Tsitsikamma NP, night at Storm River Rest Camp. Day 2: Continue visiting Tsitsikamma NP early in the morning, then Robberg Nature Reserve, night at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp. Day 3: Visit the Wilderness area, night at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp. Day 4: Drive to Hermanus. Several options: Bontebok NP or The Hoop and Cape Agulhas; night in Hermanus. Day 5: Coastal trail, boat trip (?), night in Cape Town. Day 6: Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, Waterfront; night in Cape Town. Day 7: Cape Peninsula, night in Cape Town. Day 8: Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, Matjiesfontein; night in the area. Day 9: AM: Karoo NP; night in Beaufort West. Day 10: Karoo NP; night in Beaufort West. Day 11: AM: Camdeboo NP; night in Graaff-Reinet. Day 12: Morning: Camdeboo NP; drive to Addo Elephant NP; visit depending on arrival time; night at Addo Elephant Rest Camp. Day 13: Addo Elephant NP; night in Port Elizabeth. Day 14: Early flight.

Does this seem balanced and suitable for July? It’s quite packed, but we’ve already had to skip quite a bit. Initially, would it be better to spend 2 nights in Tsitsikamma and just one in Wilderness? Or just one night at each to free up a day for something else?

For the car, is a minivan enough, or should we plan at least an SUV for the parks given the season?

Thanks in advance for your feedback. Have a great evening

So, on these rainy days, I’m finally getting around to writing a little travel journal about the Drakensberg.

The Dragon Mountains, known as uKhahlamba in Zulu and Maluti in Sotho or Tswana.

Roughly speaking, we can break it down into: * The far north in the Free State at Golden Gate NP (managed by Sanparks, while the rest is run by KZN Wildlife). * Royal Natal National Park with the Amphitheatre, Sentinel Peak, and its famous "hike" (which I won’t talk about since I’ve never been there—it’s still on my to-do list!). * Cathedral Peak and Didima * Monk's Cowl * Giant's Castle * Hihghmoor and Kamberg * Sani Pass (which I haven’t visited in ages and won’t cover here).

Highlands Mountain Retreat is the place to stay in Golden Gate if you can snag it. When the weather’s nice, the view is absolutely incredible—probably the most beautiful I’ve ever seen in South Africa!

Just a heads-up: it’s stunning but high up and cold, even *very* cold. The bungalows are cozy, and the little road leading there is charming. The park offers hikes ranging from easy to tough, but be warned—the maps are... not very clear or reliable, and we ended up on an endless, exhausting trek. There are plenty of animals (mostly antelopes, so not super diverse in terms of wildlife), hikes as mentioned... game drives on a paved road, and various walks. You feel remote but aren’t *that* far from civilization.

Hi there,

I’ve got a bit of time to share my latest Cape Town – Cape Town trip... A fairly short itinerary, but it was just before heading to Kruger for an extension. In May... Honestly, I’d usually recommend a different time to visit CT—I’ve been there in August, September, and October before. But as they say, "Do as I say, not as I do" or "Only fools never change their minds." Why? Whale season peaks from August to October... and seeing whales right by the shore or breaching out of the water is absolutely spectacular. The end-of-year holiday period—take this year, for example—can get absolutely packed, with beaches closed due to overcrowding, etc. June and July are freezing (for me)... early August isn’t always great either. That said, 2024 saw a September-October with rain, cold, and fog like never before. The Postberg section of West Coast National Park (WCNP) is only open in August and September. Flower season is roughly from mid-August to mid-September.

So, May... The weather? Gorgeous (lucky me!). The route... Not super original (I’ve done it before, though it’s been a while). I didn’t go too far from CT because I prefer slow travel. Cape Town – Langebaan (for WCNP, again) – Cederberg (at Mountain Ceder, again) – Bontebok NP (new to me, and on the way) – De Hoop NR (at De Hoop) – Agulhas NP – Boulders (for Boulders Beach and the peninsula, again and again).

The trip started off badly due to storms in Frankfurt... My overnight flight was delayed until the next day, but via Amsterdam, so a daytime flight instead. A bit stressful, but Lufthansa and KLM handled it well. Now it was my turn to sort things out... "Well, I need you to keep the car for me... I’m arriving tonight!" (aroundaboutcars, a Chinese Haval, blue and 4x4—though I didn’t actually need the 4x4... which waited for me).



"Well, I need you to keep my room for me... I’m arriving *very* late tonight." A hotel perfectly located by the lagoon, right by the gates of WCNP, but still close to Langebaan and its restaurants. I spotted it myself and booked it during Black Friday...





Yep, what was normally a short 1.5-hour drive *in daylight* from the Mother City to Langebaan... was now *at night*. And here I am, usually the one telling people, "Don’t drive at night, folks!" Well, I know the route, and Google won’t let me get lost... until Langebaan, that is. The last few kilometers were rough—"Don’t they put up signs? Don’t they have streetlights?"

Alright, it’s late, the day’s been long—time for bed! !

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip to South Africa / Zimbabwe this summer—4x4 with camping gear... After some reading, I’ve put together this first draft of an itinerary:

D0 Johannesburg - arrive around 11 AM + visit Soweto? D1 Vic Falls - arrive around noon D2 Vic Falls D3 4x4 familiarization + Hwange NP D4 Hwange NP D5 Hwange NP D6 Bulawayo D7 Bulawayo / Matobo NP D8 Mapungubwe D9 Mapungubwe D10 Waterberg D11 Waterval Boven D12 Golden Gate Highlands NP D13 Sentinel Peak D14 Tugela Falls or another hike D15 Additional hike to be determined D16 Return to Johannesburg + drop off 4x4 - flight at 5 PM

Any thoughts on this itinerary? Ideas for improving it?

One alternative would be to visit Gonarezhou Park, which really appeals to me... But that would take more time and change the rest of the route: probably going back through Kruger. And I’m not sure I’d have enough time for the Drakensberg.

I still have other questions... But I’d rather finalize the general itinerary first to sort out the 4x4 rental...

Big thanks to the travel community 😉

Hi everyone, I’m planning my trip to South Africa for February. I’m a woman traveling solo. I have a flight to Nelspruit where I plan to rent a car to visit Kruger Park, then drive the Panoramic Route (starting from Hoedspruit and returning to Nelspruit to drop off the car). The issue is, this will be my first time renting a car, and it’s stressing me out! I travel alone a lot but always manage with public transport. This time, I don’t really have a choice but to rent, but I’m uneasy about driving a car that isn’t mine—especially since it’s left-hand drive... I figure driving in Kruger Park should be manageable since speeds are limited. But I’m worried about the Panorama Road, the mountain pass, etc. Is the road very winding and dangerous? I’m afraid of ending up on narrow, rough roads with the void (Blyde Canyon) right next to me... I know I need to watch out for potholes. But do you think it’s manageable, or is it really too risky for someone who isn’t very comfortable behind the wheel?

And regarding safety (crime), do you know if there are any issues on this route? Thanks for your advice!

Hi there, we're planning a trip to Southern Africa with a tour operator next January, and during this journey, we'll have two free half-days in Cape Town. Would anyone have the contact details for a French-speaking guide who could show us around during these free times? Thanks so much for your suggestions. Have a great day. Christine