Hobatere , ça me rappelle une nuitée passée au Camp il y a bientôt 1 an (20 avril) . Très peu fréquenté . Ce soir là nous avions des voisins (australiens je crois) , mais en consultant le cahier d' émargement j' avais vu que personne n' était passé depuis au moins 5 jours !...
Ce qui me stupéfiait dans ces cas là , c' était l' immense patience à supporter la solitude du jeune affecté à l' accueil et qui surgissait de nulle part quelle que soit notre heure d' arrivée . Même cas de figure à Ongongo Community Camp ( dans ce cas là une jeune fille qui se promenait avec des braises pour réactiver le "donkey system" ...) et au Waterberg .
Des expériences du temps et de l' espace très éloignées des nôtres habituellement ...
Le choix a été difficile ... J' ai régulièrement changé d' avis !
Mais depuis mercredi dernier j' ai acquis le Canon 70/200 f4/L USM ... je ne l' ai pas encore testé ...
J' ai bien conscience qu' un 200 mm risque d' être un peu juste pour ce voyage . Hors ce voyage, je n' utilise que trop rarement un grand grossissement, de plus, je ne privilégie pas la photo animalière ... le poids de l' objectif a également été déterminant ainsi que le prix bien évidemment !
Ce qui a arrêté mon choix, c' est également une connaissance s' étant rendu au Botswana en Octobre dernier et l' utilisant .
Je sais, je vais pleurer lorsque je ne pourrai pas zoomer autant que je ne le voudrai sur une lionne entourée de ses lionceaux ... Mais sur le long terme, je crois ne pas le regretter, cet achat a été mûrement réfléchi .
Pour vous, toujours Bornéo ?
"Beregond a dit" :
Sinon y'a l'option camping sauvage...
Je dis une bétise ?
Effectivement, je l' envisage si possibilités ... Je verrai sur place !
Le coin d'Hobatere ne se prête pas vraiment au camping sauvage. Tout est clôturé !
Ou alors, il faut s'arrêter avant de rejoindre la clôture d'Etosha. Mais les abords de cette route étaient réputés peu sûrs il y a quelques années. Alors bof…
j'ai été le voir ce bijou, il a l'air très très bien. Tu as fait un bon choix! As-tu vu, mais bien sûr cela rajoute encore au prix, que tu peux lui rajouter un doubleur de focale, très intéressant, et chez canon, ils sont réputés de bonne qualité.
Tu feras bien attention à la poussière qui est omniprésente, emmène avec toi des pinceaux, souflette éventuellement. Tu peux aussi mettre ton appareil à portée de main dans la voiture dans un sac avec zip, c'est assez efficace (en prévoir plusieurs). Bon enfin, je te raconte tout cela, mais si ça se trouve, tu le sais déjà!😊
Je rejoins l'avis de Pierre en ce qui concerne le camping sauvage n'importe où, bof, bof!
Concernant le choix de l'objectif, comme tu le dis, sur le long terme, je pense que c'est un bon choix que d'avoir choisi un 70-200, un "super téléobjectif" plus long ne t'aurait jamais servi hors photo animalière.
Par contre je trouve ça dommage de ne pas avoir fait l'effort de pousser jusqu'à un F2.8, avec un doubleur de focale, ca te faisait un 400mm F5.6 de bonne facture, pour un encombrement réduit.
Ceci dit l'option doubleur de focale est tout de même envisageable, mais avec un x2, tu n'ouvrira qu'à F8, c'est vraiment peu lumineux.
Il y a aussi des "doubleurs de focale" x1.4, pour un diaphragme de perdu.
Un élément plus que déterminant a été le prix alloué au matériel ...
C' est uniquement pour cela que je n' ai pas opté pour un F2.8 ou un objectif stabilisé .
Je m' en tiendrai donc au matériel acquis ... je n' envisage pas l' achat d' un doubleur de focale : mon porte-monnaie n' en possède pas ! 😉
Tu feras bien attention à la poussière qui est omniprésente
Effectivement , je peux en témoigner , car nous sommes revenus avec nos 2 appareils photos HS , dont 1 lors d' une tentative de désensablement à Sossusvlei ... 😕
Prendre beaucoup de précautions avec le sable et la poussière !
Je partirais un mois après que tu sois rentré, je compte sur toi pour un petit retour d'expérience, si jamais tu as de bons tuyaux/trucs à éviter, et pour quelques images aussi ! 😉
Un peu plus de deux mois avant notre départ !!!
Approcher ainsi les animaux sauvages dans leur propre environnement s' annonce renversant ... vivement !!!
Salut Jean-Fi!
Impressionante la série de photo. Sais-tu où et dans qu'elles conditions ont été prises ces clichés?
Lors de notre voyage l'été dernier, nous avons croisé un troupeau d'éléphants (pacifiques) à Chobe. Effectivement, sensations garanties!!
@+
FreD
Effectivement, merci pour le lien.
L'article précise (un peu) les circonstances:
copié-collé:
"L’histoire se déroule en Afrique du Sud dans le parc national de Pilansberg. Un automobiliste qui a eu la peur de sa vie a vu un éléphant prendre sa voiture en grippe.
Ce jeune mâle connu des autorités du parc se nomme Amarula. Cette confrontation entre l’homme et l’éléphant a débuté lorsqu’un Irlandais, John Somers, célébrait son 66e anniversaire de naissance en Afrique du Sud en conduisant à travers ce parc. En voyant l’éléphant il décide de ne pas tenir compte de sa présence et passer son chemin, très mauvaise idée. L’éléphant commence par se frotter au véhicule, comme s’il approchait une femelle. Par la suite, les hormones ont pris le dessus, l’animal est devenu agressif, a décidé de s’en prendre à la voiture et l’a renversée sur son toit. Inutile de dire que les deux occupants à bord ont cru leur dernière heure arrivée. Heureusement l’éléphant déçu de cette rencontre a repris son chemin par la suite. Prenez le temps de suivre la séquence des photos.
Je suis persuadé que John Somers ne verra plus jamais un éléphant du même œil. Les photos ont été prises par Riaan van Wyk qui assistait impuissant à l’événement cacher dans un buisson.
"
Il avait juste du oublié que l'éléphant était chez lui 🙂.
J'ai bu de l'Amarula l'été dernier. une sorte de boisson crémeuse, alcoolisée très douce. Rien à voir avec ce jeune éléphant mâle. 😉 Cette boisson est issue d'un fruit qui lorsqu'il tombe au sol fermente et monte à une vingtaine de degrés d'alcool rapidement. Les animaux en sont friants😎.
Patience ...
Cela fait 48 h que je suis rentré !
Pour faire patienter, je propose ces quelques images :
Dans la partie "Préparatifs" de notre site, j' ai d' ores et déjà renseigné la partie "Budget" et annoté le "Circuit envisagé" par les infos "post-voyage" ! Il me reste plus de 3 000 images à trier et commenter !!!
Merci Laurent pour ton intérêt ...
Bien sur, pose toi, excuse moi d'être impatient, je n'attendais pas que tu nous sorte un superbe carnet de voyage sitôt rentré, mais quelques impressions générales 😛
Je reviendrais dans quelques temps, avant mon départ, pour t’embêter avec quelques questions !
Salut à toi,
je n'ai pas encore tout lu, mais je suis allé directement voir ton récit éléphantesque de Purros.
Vraiment terrible et pour en rajouter un peu, toute la famille était vraiment sous le choc...
Je reviendrai quand j'aurai tout lu
a+
Merci Jean fi,
Je n'ai pas à faire le mien, ton récit reprend une bonne partie de notre circuit!!!!Nous sommes quasiment passés aux mêmes endroits!!
Encore bravo!!!
Merci, Merci !!!
Ces retours font vraiment plaisir, ils encouragent à poursuivre ...
ton récit reprend une bonne partie de notre circuit!
Je pense effectivement qu' il s' agit d' un circuit tout à fait classique que beaucoup ont fait, font, feront, et voire même referont ! Il passe par des endroits si féériques !!!
Un seul reproche : pourquoi tu mets des photos si petites ?
Ce "reproche" m' a déjà été fait, il va falloir que j' y travaille effectivement . Mais c' est un peu la configuration de mon hébergeur qui m' y oblige, et puis les agrandir prendrait beaucoup plus de place, et mon récit est déjà long ! Certainement dans ce cas faudrait-il en placer moins, et çà j' avoue avoir un peu de mal à sélectionner, j' en aurais déjà placées plus encore si je m' étais écouté ! A noter qu' il est tout à fait possible d' agrandir les images que l' on souhaite mieux visionner : il suffit de cliquer sur celles-ci !
De très belles photos !
Un beau texte qu'il me reste a lire entièrement.
Je vois que vous avait apprécié comme nous, a sa juste valeur, le Salambala campsite !
Nous avons eu le même vécu que vous quelques années auparavant, content que ça perdure.
Je viens aussi de dévorer ton récit.... une mine de renseignements et de vraiment bien belles et nombreuses photos...
J'ai adoré... ça donne très envie de découvrir cette région du monde.
Merci de nous avoir embarqués à vos côtés pour ces qq longs instants d'évasion (ben.. oui... j'ai pris le temps de savourer qd même🙂)
Concernant Sesriem: qu'elle est le niveau "d'étanchéité" de la barrière fermant le parc ?. Peut-on par exemple loger à l'intérieur et aller manger au Sossusvlei Lodge ou loger à l'extérieur et aller faire un tour à Elim dune après l'heure de fermeture ? 😉
" Elle me semble totalement infranchissable en dehors des heures d' ouverture de celle-ci . "
Tu veux dire... même à pied??
Je veux dire que si on a 2 voitures... et qu'on laisse la 1ère à l'extérieur du parc (de l'autre côté de la barrière)... peut-on après avoir monté les tentes de la 2ème voiture campée ds le camping du parc , repasser à pied la barrière (qui sera fermée) , pour pouvoir prendre la 1ère voiture et aller manger au Sossusvlei Lodge qui se trouve à l'extérieur du parc ?
Je l' ignore !
Mais il me semble qu' il est tout à fait possible de manger au Sossusvlei Lodge tout en résidant au camping de Sesriem, il me semble bien l' avoir lu, d' autres confirmeront peut-être ?!
Pour moi, si tu dors au Camping de Sesriem, tu peux aller manger au Sossuvlei Lodge, c'est 500 m à pied me semble-t-il. Nous l'avons loupé en arrivant dans l'après midi et donc on ne l'a pas trouvé le soir. C'est seulement en repartant qu'on a vu que c'était possible de faire ceci.
Par contre en étant à l'extérieur aller à la dune Elim quand il fait nuit: NON, pas possible
a+
Sinon ton carnet me fait toujours douté tente au sol ou sur le 4x4, madame se sent plus rassurée sur le toit de la voiture, mais tente au sol nous permet de garder notre mobilité ... difficile dilemme 😮
Pas encore eu le temps de lire, Jean-Fi… 😊
Mais ça devrait venir ! 😉
Bah, c' est pas vraiment très grave ... Tu n' y as pas grand chose à apprendre : tu as "quasi" dicté mon circuit, pointant du doigt les points d' intérêts et ceux qui ne méritaient pas qu' on s' y attarde 😉
Merci ... C' était parfait !
Bah, c' est pas vraiment très grave ... Tu n' y as pas grand chose à apprendre : tu as "quasi" dicté mon circuit, pointant du doigt les points d' intérêts et ceux qui ne méritaient pas qu' on s' y attarde
C'est toujours intéressant de voir le ressenti de chacun dans des coins qu'on connaît déjà.
Mais je ne m'y suis toujours pas mis. 😊
Bah moi, j' ai relu pas mal des récits de voyage que j' avais consultés avant mon départ (dont les tiens Pierre) .
On les aborde alors totalement différemment, compte tenu que l' on connaisse les lieux qui y sont évoqués ... C' est intéressant !
Me relisant, je m' aperçois que c' est exactement ce que tu viens de dire 😉
Salut,
ça y est j'ai tout lu.
La dernière partie de ton séjour, après Etosha m'a vraiment plu. C'est normal, puisqu'en fait j'ai envie de retourner dans ce coin...
En tout cas bravo pour ton carnet et tes photos
a+
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
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!
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!
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
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
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
