East and Southern Africa

Hi everyone, I’m trying to finalize my 2-week itinerary for mid-February. We’ll have traveled from Port Elizabeth to George, stopping by Plettenberg and Knysna, and we’ll be around De Rust at the end. We want to take the return route to Port Elizabeth with an overnight stop since we don’t like driving for long hours. We’re torn between going through the Karoo with a stop in Steytlerville or taking the R62 via Joubertina and Kareedouw. Which option would you recommend, please? Just to clarify, we’ll have a compact car. Thanks for your help! Maeva

Hi everyone, I’m planning a two-week trip to Tanzania at the end of December and beginning of January, including 3 or 4 days in Zanzibar. But after reading some posts about the island, I’m wondering if it’s really worth it.

Are the beaches on the mainland just as idyllic as Zanzibar’s? I’ve also seen there are other islands, like Mafia Island, which is less touristy.

Another question: for my arrival, I don’t want to stay in Dar es Salaam, as big cities don’t really appeal to me. Would Bagamoyo be a good base, or would you recommend somewhere else?

To give you more details, I’m not traveling with a tour operator—I’m more of a backpacker and prefer local transport.

Thanks for your advice!

Following the post-election chaos this week, read carefully: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays-destination/tanzanie/ In particular: "For French travelers needing to take flights from Tanzanian airports, most international flights are canceled until further notice. It’s recommended to go to the airport only if your flight is confirmed by your airline. It’s advised to postpone any travel plans to Tanzania unless absolutely necessary."

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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, we’re planning a trip for two couples in October 2025—ideally to Tanzania and Zanzibar for a safari circuit and 2 to 3 nights in Zanzibar. If anyone has already traveled with Tanzanisa Specialist, Comptoir des Voyages, or another agency, we’d love to hear about your experience or any tips you might have.

Thanks everyone!

Hello,

After having to cancel our trip to Uganda in December 2020, we finally decided to go in December/January. We leave on December 28th and return on January 18th, which gives us 20 days and 20 nights there 🙂

The main goal of this trip is to meet primates, big and small. We won’t skip the birds and other mammals or the local culture and people, but we want to maximize our chances of meeting our monkey friends.

It’ll be a self-drive road trip with lodge stays. The 4x4 is booked, as are the chimpanzee and gorilla permits, and most of the accommodations.

I’m reaching out because I have a big question mark about my itinerary. Here’s what was originally planned (with the parts I’m unsure about in bold):

1 night in Entebbe on arrival day 1 night at Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch (rhino trek and shoebill trek) 2 nights at Murchison Falls NP (Murchison River Lodge) 2 nights at Lake Albert (Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve) 2 nights in Kibale (for the chimpanzee habituation day) 2 nights in Queen Elizabeth NP (chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge) 2 nights in Bwindi, Ruhija sector (gorilla trek) 2 nights at Lake Mutanda (gorilla trek in Mgahinga) 1 night in Kisoro (golden monkey trek in Mgahinga) 1 night at Lake Bunyonyi 2 nights in Lake Mburo NP 2 nights near Mabamba Swamps (for the shoebill and to relax before flying back)

My "issue": The lodge at Lake Albert only has availability for the first of the 2 nights. So I’m hesitating between a few options (if you have other ideas, I’m all ears!):

1- Add an extra night at MFNP and make a stop somewhere between MFNP and Kibale. But where? 2- Keep 1 night at Lake Albert and do 3 nights in Kibale (but is 3 days in Kibale too much?) 3- Do 3 nights at MFNP and 3 nights in Kibale, with a long drive between the two 4- 2 nights at Lake Albert but at another lodge not in Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve (is there enough to fill 2 days? Any lodge recommendations?)

A huge thank you for your help and advice 🙂 Have a wonderful sunny weekend, Pascale

I’m just starting to plan our trip for late August 2026, but I’ve read multiple times that campsite bookings need to be made *way* in advance if we want to secure a spot—especially in the parks. Before I get too far into my road book, I’d love to get a sense of what “way in advance” actually means.

That leads to another question: what’s the best *channel* for making these reservations? Can I find a list of campsites online?

From what I’ve gathered, there aren’t any fenced campsites—is wild camping allowed?

I’ll admit, I’m short on time, and reading a few threads here has shown me how quick and helpful the experts are 😉.

We’re a group of 4 and plan to rent a 4x4. Rooftop tents seem like the better option given the wildlife (and, well, *people* roaming freely), especially compared to Namibia (which we visited in 2018).

Thanks in advance to everyone!

Hello, I went on a safari from Arusha 20 years ago organized by a local agency called Sirocco, I think. It was fabulous (8 tourists, 2 4x4 vehicles, 1 driver, 1 guide, and a cook). I’d love to find those same safari conditions again (immersion in simple conditions within the Serengeti, notably), but I’m struggling to find that kind of offer (lodges, tent camps, etc.). Do you have any contacts? Thanks

Hi there, I’m a resident of La Réunion and I’m heading to Johannesburg in May 2026. I’d like to visit a few places in Zimbabwe (Great Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park, and Matobo Hills) from Bulawayo over a week. Is this doable? Can I do it solo or should I go through a local agency? And if so, could you recommend one? Thanks for all your tips! Fred

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.

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 there,

Seen in various media outlets, a new tax on flight tickets was introduced on Nov. 1 by the Tanzanian government. A tax related to security... !!!??

Amount: around $90 per round-trip flight ticket.....

...

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, We're considering the following route: - Cape Town - West Coast National Park - Lambert's Bay - Springbok - Upington - KTP That’s about 1,250 km in total. We’ve already visited the West Coast National Park. Is covering such a distance to reach KTP (the main goal of our trip) really worth it—does it offer enough to justify the detour? Thanks for your input!

Hi there. We’ll be in South Africa at the end of February ’26 with a rental car—not a 4x4. What’s the best route between Kosy Bay and the southern part of Kruger Park? Is the Mozambique route via Maputo a good option? What are the formalities for crossing into Mozambique? Is the Kosy Bay area worth a detour? We’ll be entering Kruger from the south for 4 days. Any recommendations for routes/campsites? Lower Sabie, Satara? Do we really need to book accommodations in Kruger in February? And what about safaris? Thanks for your input! Franz

Hi everyone!

I’m planning to go to Kenya next year for a safari trip across a few parks. I’ll be traveling solo!

I’m having trouble understanding how lodges and safaris work! My first questions are:

1-Do I need to find an agency that handles lodges and safaris? Or 2-Should I book lodges through Expedia or similar and then reserve activities (safaris or others) that these lodges offer?

This will help me figure out how to organize everything and whether I should focus on an agency or the lodges themselves.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a Tanzania trip combined with Zanzibar for 15 days (8+6 days). The setup: a private trip for two, in July or August.

We’re heading to Tanzania primarily for the safari experience—the animals, photography, and stunning landscapes. The classic Northern Circuit for beginners is Arusha / Tarangire / Ngorongoro / Serengeti.

But that’s a lot of driving if we do the full loop... and I’ve read it’s better to take your time in the parks rather than spend all day in transfers (saw that in Lonely Planet).

So, beginner’s question... Do you think Arusha / Tarangire / Ngorongoro is a good alternative? We’d skip the legendary Serengeti but could spend more time in the parks and avoid long stretches of rough roads (prioritizing paved routes instead)... Maybe adding Lake Manyara to the mix.

For context, we did Kruger about ten years ago (5 days self-drive).

Hi there, We’re planning a trip to Ethiopia in the summer of 2026 with our two kids (17 and 19). We’d love to hear recent firsthand accounts from travelers about how safe they felt. We’ve checked the French government’s travel advisories, but we’d prefer more concrete feedback. We’d also be grateful for insights from locals on which regions are recommended—or not—so we can travel with peace of mind. We prefer backpacking, using public transport, and avoiding agencies. That said, we’re wondering if a guide might be necessary for this trip. Thanks in advance for your input!

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, I’m looking for a safe place to stay in Camp’s Bay or the surrounding area—do you have any recommendations? The guest house in Camp Bay we used to go to no longer exists. Thanks for your help!

Hello everyone, My husband and I are planning our honeymoon in Tanzania, hoping to go on a safari and spend a few days in Zanzibar, or even on Mafia Island. We’d like to work with a local agency, both for financial reasons and because we usually travel backpacker-style, adapting activities as we go. Apparently, for safaris, it’s better to plan a bit ahead. We’re thinking of going in September–October 2026. My mother has health issues that could worsen, so I’d like to have a backup plan in case I need to cancel at the last minute. Do you know if credit card insurance covers trips booked with local agencies? Or is there another way to insure it? Have any of you had to cancel a trip last-minute for personal reasons? Thanks in advance for your feedback, Sandra

Hi there,

I'm looking for a reliable agency for a safari in Tanzania starting from Arusha.

I was considering Sumbi Extra Miles Safari. Has anyone got any feedback on them? Thanks in advance! Arnaud

hi everyone, we’re itching to see the Namib Desert again, and looking at the Tracks4Africa map I notice there’s a track that reaches Saddle Hill Ghost Town and seems to be allowed. Has anyone done it? We’re used to dunes—on our first visit we went from Walvis Bay to Sandwich Harbour with our rental 4x4 but followed a licensed guide. Thanks for your replies! Brigitte

Hi there, for a 15-day trip to Zanzibar, I’d love all your tips and help (where to go, accommodation, etc.). Thanks in advance!

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 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 there,

I’d like to book a few nights at the Ramabanta Trading Post in November, but I’m running into a lot of issues. They don’t work with the usual booking platforms. Their website is flagged as unsafe, but I took the risk and accessed it anyway—after each visit, our server was massively attacked... I’ve sent them several emails and received a response with prices, but no reply or confirmation once I specified my choices. My English isn’t great, so I’m not keen on calling (plus, I prefer having a written record of my bookings). Has anyone been in the area recently and have any info on what’s going on and how to book?

Thanks in advance for your help and tips!

Fabienne

Hi everyone, I’m in the middle of planning our trip/safari to Kruger in October: - 2 nights in the Manyeleti private reserve (Honeyguide Montobeni) - 2 nights in Kruger for a self-drive safari (which reserve, or where to stay?) - 1 night at Blyde River Canyon (where?) - 2 nights in the Balule private reserve (Imagine Africa Luxury) Then heading to CAPE TOWN. So as you’ve probably guessed, I’m not sure: - where to stay for the BRC and need lodge names - coming from Manyeleti and heading to the BRC, which strategic spot in greater Kruger to choose (I was thinking Satara, not too far) but couldn’t find any available places for October on Sandparc - and which domestic flight destination for Manyeleti from JNB (Hoedspruit?) to arrive at Orpen Gate, - And same question for which airport to fly out to Cape Town after Balule. Thanks for your quick help—I’m already behind schedule!!! Dan

Hi there, We’ll have about 7 hours (11:30 AM to 6 PM) to do the Panorama Route with an overnight stay near Graskop. My question is: - Is that a bit tight, and would it be better to head back up toward Hoedspruit to do the route in the opposite direction before our flight, maybe revisiting some spots we might’ve rushed through? - Or is it smarter to take a route we haven’t done yet, like heading down to Nelspruit via Hazyview? But here’s the thing—are there things to see or new landscapes on that road, considering we’ll have already done Kruger, Blyde (Ballule), and Manyeleti? Thanks for your help—I can’t decide since I don’t know what’s worth seeing there... Have a great day, and thanks for any quick replies—we need to book our flight tickets soon! Dan

Hi there, I’m heading to Kruger Park for 4 days in May 2026. Departing from Paris → Skukuza via JNB on Air France. Here’s what’s worrying me: my flight lands (in theory) at JNB at 8:30 AM (Terminal A), then I’ve got a JNB → Skukuza departure at 10:05 AM (Terminal B). That leaves me with 1 hour and 35 minutes to make the connection and clear customs. I don’t have any checked luggage—just carry-on. I called Air France, and they said it’s doable (in theory) with a minimum connection time of 1 hour 30 minutes (which is why they sold the ticket), but I’ll need to move quickly. From your experience, is this realistic in practice? Can I ask customs officers to let me through as a priority? (I’ve got my flight ticket to show.) Thanks for your insights! Serge