Je pars au Rwanda au mois d'août et j'aurais aimé savoir quel est le moyen le plus partique pour aller visiter la forêt de Nyungwe en solo?
Faut-il prendre les transports locaux et se débrouiller ensuite auprès du bureau de l'ORTPN ou est il préférable de passer par une agence au départ de Kigali???
Quelqu'un a t-il une idée du prix que peut coûter une excursion sur 2 ou 3 jours en paasnt par une agence?
Je sais tout d'abord que les villes de Butare et de Cyangugu sont les 2 points de départs possibles (les + proches) pour une excursion en forêt de Nyungwe.
Après, il doit aussi être possible de passer la nuit dans un village plus proche de la forêt...
Les droits d'entrée dans le parc National (la forêt) se règlent directement à l'ORTPN à l'entrée de la forêt.
tiens, voila ce que je viens de trouver:
Information sur la visite de la foret de Nyungwe Les Droits de visite Visite aux primates :- Chimpanzés : à partir de 6h00 à 6h30
Autres primates (Colobes, Mangabey, singes argentés) à partir de 9h00 à 15h00. Etrangers : Résidents ou Non-Résidents : $20 US ou équivalent par personne
$15 US pour un groupe organisé de 10 personnes ou plus. Rwandais : FRW 1000 par personne. Enfants de moin de 12 ans et étudiant Rwandais : Gratuit. Visite dans la forêt (sur les pistes uniquement avec guide) Etrangers : Résidents ou Non-Résidents : $10 US ou équivalent par personne. Rwandais : FRW 1000 par personne. Enfants de moins de 12 ans et étudiant Rwandais : Gratuit. Camping Adultes Résidents et Non-Résidents :$10 US ou équivalent par personne.
(le tarif porte seulment l'usage des pistes dans la foret) Rwandais : FRW 1000 par personne. Enfants de moins de 12 ans et étudiant Rwandais : Gratuit. Les Facilités Sécurité : le site touristique de UWINKA et sa zone de camping est situé dans la forêt de Nyungwe à 90 km de Butare. Il se trouve à l'est de l'usine à thé de Gisakura à environ 18 km (Côté Ouest de la forêt). Quatre quides PCFN/ORTPN se trouvent en permanence audit site. Eau : Il est prévu de disponibilser l'eau au site de UWINKA. Pour l'instant il est conseillé aux visiteurs de prendre avec eux une certaine provision estimée à 10 - 15 litres par personne/par jour pour boire, faire la cuisine ou laver. On peut trouver de l'eau dans la forêt à quelque distance du campe de UWINKA, mais il est recommandé de la bouillir avant usage. Le personnel PCFN/ORTPN pourra vous conduire à la source la plus proche accessible par voiture. Les limonades (fanta, coca-cola) les eaux minérales et les bières sont disponibles à UWINKA. Climat : Le site touristique et de camping de UWINKA se trouve 2500 m d'altitude. La température moyenne varie entre 23oC (75oF) et 8oC (46oF) et il arrive qu'il fasse très froid quand il y a du vent. Pendant la saison de pluie (d'Octobre à Janvier) il pleut assez bien sur quelques jours. En début de saison de pluie (Octobre à Janvier) il plet assez régulièrement et entre le mois de Février et le mois de Mai il pleut pratiquement tous les jours. Il est recommandé de porter les bottes, des pantalons, chapeaux, sac à dos contenant une bouteille d'eau (1 litre minimum), vêtement de pluie, camera et pellicules (200 - 400 ASA), jumelles et un repas de midi en cas d'excursion d'une journée, des vêtements chauds, pantalons longues, sac de couchage (ou plusieurs couverture) pour la nuit. Hébergement : Le guest house de Gisakura (18 km à l'Ouest du centre touristique de UWINKA) offre les commodités nécessaires aux visiteurs de la forêt de Nyungwe. Une chambre coûte 3000 FRW par lit. Les repas sont servis sur commande. Les hôtels sont disponibles au Chef lieu de Préfecture de Cyangugu (à 40 minutes à l'Ouest de la forêt):
Hôtel du Lac, Hôtel des Chutes, Home St François, Peace Guest House etc. Sur la route Butare-Gikongoro-Cyangugu il existe une gamme de possibilités de logements : Butare : Hôtel Ibis, Hôtel Faucon, Hôtel Beaux Art, Gikongoro : Guest-House de Gikongoro, Centre Pastoral de Gikongoro. N.B. Pour les personnes souhaitant faire les visites durant les week-ends, les réservations des visites aux primates, sont faites au service d'accueil de l'ORTPN avant le Vendredi du week-end au cours duquel la visite est prévue. Suivant l'addresse ci-après :
Addresse : Réserve Naturelle de Nyungwe Tel : +250 08527543
C/O Fax ORINFOR : +250 61403, +250 537215
Pour ce qui est des agences, je ne suis pas du tout renseigné et je ne compte le faire.
voilou yumi !
Sinon, dans cette forêt, il y a les mythiques sources du nil.... Ca fait réver ...
à bientôt !
Tiens moi au courant si tu as des infos simpas sur Rwanda et Ouganda.
Je suis notament toujours à la recherche de contacts en Ouganda, à Kibuye et dans l'Est au Rwanda.
As tu des infos pour une éventuelle visite du parc de l'Akagera? Je suis un pti étudiant sans gros moyens et je pense qu'intégrer un groupe déja formé serai le moyen le plus économique.
Pour les gorilles, je pense que ca me sera impossible...
Et pourtant, mon envie de voir les derniers gorilles des montagnes du monde est immense...
Question de moyens, j'essaye de me faire à l'idée que c'est destiné à une clientèle aisée (350 usd /j) (et finallement quelque part c'est pas plus mal ...).
bon courage pour la préparation du voyage,
pour moi, ca approche rapidement...
J'ai été au Rwanda en mai et j'ai été seule visiter la foret de Nyungwe... c'est difficile car le tourisme n'est encore pas organisé au rwanda ( à part la visite des gorilles)...
Ce parc se trouve sur la route entre Butare et Cyangugu donc loin de Kigali... les transports locaux sont pas si desepérants que ça si tu as deja voyagé en amérique du sud ou autre pays afrique... tu peux faire Kigali - Butare (compter 3 ou 4h) et Butare-Cyangugu et demander à t'arreter au centre de la foret.
Il faut savoir que l'entrée du parc où se trouvent les guides et les départs des ballades se trouve au centre de la foret et à 18km par la route de l'emplacement de l'hotel (en lodge). Si on n'est pas en tente (camping possible avec reservation), c'est le seul endroit pour dormir sur place (dans les guides ou pages web, ils indiquent comme lieu de séjour Butare ou Cyangugu mais ça fait trop loin car les singes ne sont visibles que le matin..). Je n'avais pas de voiture et ça a été un cirque pas possible et en fait je n'ai rien pu faire de ce que je voulais.. en effet, je voulais voir les chimpanzés mais il faut etre à l'entrée du parc à 6h du matin.. or j'étais à l'hotel à 18 km de là et pas possible de faire du stop si tot le matin car cette route n'est pas très fréquentée... Ensuite, comme les singes se déplacent beaucoup, en une journée (vu que ce ne sont que des randonnées pédestres), il est souvent impossible de les trouver...
Partir avec une agence risque de couter cher vu que deja : une entrée (pour mettre un pied dans le parc)=20$ et que chaque rando (meme si c'est 3 km) coute 30$... la visite des chimpanzés= 50 $... et une chambre en lodge coute 15000 F rwandais (22 € environ)
Si tu veux voir les chimpanzés : ce que je te conseille, c'est de téléphoner ou passer à l'office de tourisme de Kigali pour avoir le numéro de téléphone de la foret de Nyungwe (demander à parler au responsable des visites car sinon ils te passent les lodges), de demander quand est ce qu'ils ont des groupes de prévus comme ça tu peux te joindre à eux (en aout, il y a beaucoup de monde donc ça doit etre facile)
Si tu dois te deplacer par les transports locaux, le mieux, c'est de dormir en tente si tu peux t'en procurer une : comme ça tu es sur place, en plus c'est protégé et en période de vacances, il y a plein de monde donc aucun risque et pour finir, il fera beau car c'est en saison seche...
voili voilou,
Si tu veux plus d'infos, n'hésite pas.
Oui, je l'ai visité car j'ai séjourné auprès d'une amie qui réside à Butare, donc j'y suis restée pas mal de temps.
Je l'ai trouvé très bien fait, et j'y ai fait de très belles découvertes (par exemple que les rwandais arrivaient à faire des habits avec des matériaux issus des arbres ..).
Je trouve que c'est un musée à voir et comme en plus c'est le seul musée du Rwanda, si on passe pas loin, il faut s'y arreter.
J'ai fait aussi la réserve nationale d'Akagera à l'est : très belle réserve sauvage où j'ia pu voir antilopes, zèbres, girafes et éléphants gambader en toute quiétude. Par contre il faut y aller en pick up et si possible avec un chauffeur (possible de louer pour 30 000 à 50 000 francs rwandais soit 300 à 500 de nos anciens francs le tout pour la journée à Kigali (ne pas hésiter à négocier)). En plus, l'entrée et la visite avec un guide coute seulement 20 ou 30$... le mieux est d'arriver à l'ouverture de la réserve (genre 7h max) et franchement, ça vaut le coup car c'est une vraie savane africaine, on voit plein d'animaux meme de près et c'est magnifique!
Sinon, ce que je conseille c'est d'aller se ballader aux environs de Kibuye, sur le lac Kivu.. il y a plein de ballades et il est possible de dormir pour pas trop cher dans une église presbitérienne (Béthani).
Je n'ai pas été voir les gorilles car j'ai trouvé le prix excessif mais ça doit etre vraiment un truc à voir, surtout qu'il n'y en aura bientot plus... si tu en as l'occasion, à mon avis c'est un truc a faire et apparemment (j'ai eu pas mal d'échos sur cete visite) c'est la mieux organisée des expéditions au Rwanda... bon, après c'est sur que le prix peut freiner..
j'ai adoré ce musée. L'un des plus beaux que j'ai vu en Afrique (avec le musée nubien d'Aswan). Très bien présenté, avec beaucoup de choses sur la culture de ce pays
j'ai mis des photos et des commentaires sur Butare sur mon blog, si tu es intéressé
Et bien merci beaucoup pour cette mine d'infos!!!
Je vois que visiter Nyungwe n'a pas l'air si évident, c'est bien ce qui me semblait..
Je m'étais déjà un peu renseignée auprès d'une personne sur place et elle m'avait dit la même chose que toi : lodge éloigné, route peu fréquentée etc....
Bref, je ne sais pas encore comment m'organiser et le prix a l'air assez élévé au bout du compte!
Je me demandais s'il n'était pas possible éventuellement de louer une voiture avec chauffeur pour être tranquille mais j'ai peur que ça soit également très cher...
Bref, je vais réfléchir à la question.
J'en profite pour te demander également ce qu'il en est au niveau sécurité (le pays a l'air assez sûr..) en tant que femme seule (je profite de ton expèrience)
Y a t-il d'autres endroits sympas à visiter, des villes ou villages intéressants??
J'ai déjà prévu ma visite aux gorilles et un peu de repos à kibuye mais je me demandais s'il y avait justement beaucoup de balades à faire autour de Kibuye?
Y a t-il des endroits que tu n'as pas aimé, que tu déconseilles?
Où étais tu logée à Kigali?
Je commence à préparer sérieusement mon séjour mais je n'aurai qu'une semaine sur place donc il faut que je fasse des choix...
Si j'ai d'autres questions, je te recontacterai..
J'aimerais moi aussi faire du camping dans la forêt de Nyungwe vers le mois d'août,
je suis résidente et je paierais par conséquent moins cher, he he he
Pour visiter la forêt, si on a pas de voiture mieux vaut en effet y passer la nuit car les
autres hotels sont un peu loin.
Pour y arriver il faut prendre un bus kigali-cyangugu et descendre à mi chemin, l'aller c'est facile mais le retour c'est un peu difficile parce que les bus provenant de Cyangugu sont plein dans ce cas on est obligé la plupart du temps d'aller à cyangugu pour revenir à kigali.
Enfin, en Afrique il faut se débrouiller, lol...
Un peu tard, mais je vais vous faire part du moyen que j'ai utilisé.
De Kigali a Cyangugu, départ 6h30 à la gare routière de Muhima (Atraco, Volcano, Stella, ...)
Durée environ 5h, prix 3000 Frw
Cyangugu, vous passez la nuit. Il ya de petits hotels à 5000 Frw et moins (tout dépend du confort dont vous avez besoin) (valable aussi avec le transport d'ailleur)
Le soir, j'ai reservé au centre, les Mini Bus "Omega Car" font Cyangugu-Kigali.
Reservation d'un départ à 6h30 et d'un autre à 14h.
Je précise que le Bus de 14h devra me prendre au centre de l'ORTPN à Nyunwe.
Le matin je paye 6000 Frw.
départ 6h30 pile.
Arrivée à Nyungwe 8h.
5-6 heures de marches dans la foret avec un guide pour observer les primates et tout le reste....
prix 30 000 Frw.
Après à 15 h, tu te met sur le bord de la route et le bus te prend.
Au pire, il y a d'autres bus parfois pas pleins, tout est question de patience...
Je ne me sens pas d'élant lyrique pour parler de Nyungwe et de cette expérience fabuleuse mais si vous avez des questions, je suis dispo.
Une petite question en particulier á Luckycoco: je compte visiter le Rwanda l'année prochaine, j'y serais sans doute vers mai ou juin, et je suis un peu inquiet au niveau de la météo. Pleut il vraiment tous les jours? Longues pluies, ou courtes? Est ce trés génant quand on se proméne? Est ce que ça pose un probléme pour les transports (routes secondaires impraticables)?
Merci beaucoup d'avance, ça m'aiderais bcp d'avoir des infos lá dessus.
Oui ta méthode est celle qu'on m'avait conseillé mais disposant de peu de temps, j'ai opté pour la location de voiture avec chauffeur (bien + chère évidemment mais qui permet aussi de s'arrêter partout)
Nyungwe est un endroit magnifique mais hélas, j'ai vu davantage de singes sur le bord de la route qu'en effectuant la balade de 2h30 dans la forêt!!
Mais c'est une belle expérience malgré tout et la région est très belle également.
Hi everyone!
I’m still planning my Cape Town to Johannesburg trip in January 2027.
I saw a documentary about the San people in Namibia, and the same day, I stumbled upon the Lonely Planet page about !Kwah Ttu.
I checked out their website to learn more, including Michel’s travel journal about it. I’m really keen to go.
So, I’m thinking of dedicating:
- either 1 day out of the 4.5 I have in Cape Town...
- or making a detour to !Kwah Ttu on the day I leave Cape Town for Montagu, instead of visiting Franschhoek and its Saturday market...
To the VFers who’ve already been: is it really worth spending a day there?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Malijp
Hello everyone!
It's been a year since I've been longing for South Africa. Our first trip in August 2025 amazed us, and—rarely—it was a unanimous hit with our little family! We were touched to the core, and from the moment we got home, we couldn’t stop talking about going back. 😄
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who gave me advice on the itinerary for that first trip (Johannesburg loop: Blyde, Kruger, Eswatini, St. Lucia, Durban, Drakensberg)! Thanks to you, our trip went like a dream!
Since then, I haven’t stopped reading articles and discussions on VoyageForum to keep my head in South Africa a little longer!
So, we finally caved and just booked our tickets for January 2027 (from the 3rd to the 26th), with a plan to do a road trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg in about 3 weeks.
I’ve got a rough itinerary that seems great based on what I’ve read on various forums, but there are still some uncertain points, and that’s where I could use your advice.
3/01: Arrival in Johannesburg at 11:45 PM
4/01: Flight to Cape Town, pick up rental car. Afternoon sightseeing
5,6,7/01: Cape Town to visit the big classics in the area (any tips for finding accommodation: which neighborhood, a specific place?)
8/01: Overnight stop before Oudtshoorn—but where??? (Is it essential, or is the CT-Oudtshoorn drive manageable? If so, I’d gain a day in Oudtshoorn. Google Maps shows over 5 hours of driving...)
9,10/01: Oudtshoorn (or would 3 nights be better to really enjoy the area?)
11,12/01: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay (to have time for hiking—if you’ve got hiking tips, I’m all ears!)
13,14/01: Tsitsikamma (still to have time for hiking—who knows the must-do hikes in the area? But maybe 4 nights in the Knysna-Tsitsikamma area is too much—I’m not sure)
16,17/01: Addo Elephant (I’m torn between 3 nights at Addo or 3 nights at Mountain Zebra. Based on travel journals, especially Michel’s on MZ, I’ve scheduled 3 nights at MZ 😄...)
18,19,20/01: Mountain Zebra NP
21/01: Camdeboo NP (because it looks so beautiful!)
22/01: Overnight stop (where?) before wrapping up the trip with either 2 or 3 nights at Golden Gate NP or the Lesotho option, which appeals to me, but I don’t know if it’s doable in 3 days to be back in Johannesburg by the afternoon of the 26th.
That’s my trip idea for now...
I’m eagerly waiting for your advice, ideas, and comments...
Can’t wait to be back there again!
We're heading to South Africa for a month with 5 adults.
We'd like to rent a vehicle that can accommodate 5 people and all our luggage.
We're starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg.
What vehicle would you recommend?
EDITH
In Nov./Dec. 2022, I went on a safari in the region and we suffered from the extreme temperatures caused by the "El Niño" phenomenon in the Indian Ocean at that time. On top of the extreme heat, there can be torrential rains, flooding, etc., which have led to disasters with casualties.
Hi there,
I’m planning a gorilla trek in Bwindi, Uganda. I’m torn between the classic option (1 hour with the gorillas) and the habituation trek (4 hours with the gorillas but a more expensive permit). Has anyone done the habituation trek? Both? If so, I’d love to hear your feedback (including on the difficulty).
Thanks
Thirty years ago, I traveled to Zanzibar (Tanzania) with my children. Since I’ve since started a new family, I took the opportunity of a trip to Kenya to bring my new family along: my wife, who’s Kenyan, and my 10-year-old daughter.
Zanzibar has really changed in 30 years.
It’s become the island of taxes.
It all starts upon arrival: I think it’s the only country in the world, besides the visa, where Zanzibar insurance (and no other) is mandatory—it costs 40 €. If you didn’t purchase it before arriving, good luck getting it: the IT systems are unreliable. With a bit of luck, it’ll take at least an hour to process! And of course, this insurance is useless—if you get sick, it’s recommended to use your home country’s insurance because if you use Zanzibar’s, your national insurance won’t cover you anymore.
I wanted to show my daughter the red colobus monkey, which is endemic to Zanzibar. I paid for a tour that was supposed to be all-inclusive. First, we visited a spice farm, where a farm guide took charge of us—meaning commissions were involved, of course! The tour was very good and informative, though. When we arrived at Jenzhi Park (the colobus park), the guide told us he "forgot" there was an entrance fee (50$).
Aware of the system, I decided to book an Ocean Blue tour through the Zanzibar Tourism Office. After two hours of driving, we stopped at a beach—and were left there. No boat was ready to take us. Since my wife speaks Swahili (the language in Zanzibar), after an hour, a captain with his own boat agreed to take us along with his family.
Another attempt. The main attraction in Zanzibar (besides the city) is Changuu, the Prison Island. You have to take a motorboat and pay the captain, which is normal.
But in Zanzibar, to even get on a boat, you first have to pay a tax! Once we arrived at the island, it started all over again! Thirty years ago, access was free, and the entire island (about 1 km²) was open. Today, there’s a small office, and you have to pay a hefty fee to enter. But enter where? A paved path leads to about 15% of the island—the rest is off-limits. In total, I paid 100 € for my wife, daughter, and myself just to visit a tiny portion of the island! Avoid this!
For the rest of our stay, we stayed at a 5-star hotel with golf, horseback riding, tennis courts, evening concerts, etc.—undeniably high-level comfort. One last thing: if you want to rent a car, it’s affordable and useful for exploring the island’s diverse landscapes, but there are speed cameras at every corner on the main roads. The fine is supposedly 100 $, and it’s hard not to get one!
I told you: Zanzibar, the land of taxes. I used to think my country, Belgium, was the tax champion—I’ve found something even better!
I’ve read some travel journals here but I still have a question.
We’re heading to Uganda next February. The gorilla permits are booked, and the flight tickets are sorted too.
My question is about the chimpanzee trek. I’d love to know whether it’s better to book the habituation experience (4 hours) or the standard trek (1 hour).
The price difference isn’t huge, but I keep wondering and I’d hate to miss out on a great experience.
Hi everyone,
We’re revising our travel plans for January 2027. Originally, we were considering Uganda for about 14/15 days, but given the current health situation and the restrictions that might affect my partner, who’s American, we’ve decided to switch to Tanzania instead.
I’m used to traveling in South Africa and organizing my trips myself, but I get the impression that planning a safari in Tanzania is quite different.
I know self-drive isn’t really an option in Tanzania. So my main question is: can you organize your own itinerary and book lodges directly, then hire a local driver-guide? Or is it better to go through a local agency that handles the entire safari?
For the itinerary, which parks would you recommend for a first-time visit in January? Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Manyara, Ruaha, Arusha, Selous…
We’d also like to include Zanzibar to end the trip with a few days at the beach. Over 14/15 days, does that sound realistic or too ambitious?
Finally, for flights, is it better to arrive at Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR) based on the itinerary we’re considering?
Thanks in advance for your feedback, especially on the best way to organize the safari and which parks to prioritize in January!
We're now just 5 weeks away from our trip to South Africa 🙂 and *so* excited to explore (just a tiny bit of) this amazing country.
I need to buy some binoculars but have no idea which model to choose. I don’t really know what to look for (and I don’t want to spend too much).
Thanks in advance to anyone who can give me some tips!
We just got back from ten days in Tanzania. We were lucky enough to be guided by Gishaman. Always in a great mood, a good driver, and an excellent guide. Thanks to him, we not only saw the Big Five in one day but also loads of other animals. He works for the local agency Blit Safaris, which provided excellent support throughout our trip. Highly recommended!
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.
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
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.
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.
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
