Bonjour, 🙂
Je ne sais vraiment pas me décider à établir un circuit extension au Botswana après la Namibie car plusieurs questions me chiffonnent .
Nous serons mon mari et moi - en octobre -novembre 2010- en véhicule 4x4 (mais pas de tente sur le toit), arrivée à Windhoek, circuit "classique" jusqu'au bout de la bande de Caprivi (pour la seconde fois) + Kasane et environs et les Vicfalls- retour Windhoek.
- les campsites en existe-t-il avec des tentes + sanitaires ou faut-il obligatoirement venir avec sa tente ou son camping car ?
- est-ce possible de "s'enfoncer " dans le Chobe au-delà de Kasane et de trouver un hébergement (pas en tente de luxe !) à 1 ou 2 J de route, de piste pas trop risquée ( ensablement) ? 😊
- me conseillez-vous de faire un crochet de 2 à 4J depuis Mahango vers les Tsodillo hills jusque Etsha dans le Panhandel ou de pousser jusque Maun ou est-ce plus intéressant d'allonger le nombre de jours du côté de Kasane et du Chobe ? (intéressés par les animaux -srtt les éléphants mais les autres aussi 🙂 et les paysages).
Si vous avez des endroits, des hébergements (Chobe et Panhandle- Okavango) n'hésitez pas ... 😇
Un grand merci pour cette aide !
Bonjour Michelle,
La partie de l'Okavango la plus intéressante en 4x4 est du coté de la bande de Caprivi. Maun ne présente pas d'intérêt si ce n'est de prendre l'avion pour survoler le delta.ou un tour organisé pour aller dans la réserve de Moreni en fonction du niveau d'eau; je pense que vous pouvez y aller aussi avec votre 4x4 perso, mais n'en suis pas sure.
La route de Nata à Kasane est une immense ligne droite de 300km qui est vite défoncée et se transforme en piste Attention! énormes nids de poule!Et re-Attention! au Boswanan on ne cloture généralement pas le bord des routes : on y rencontre de très nombreux éléphants! ils traversent sans crier gare!Ces animaux sur ce secteur sont totalement libres: c'est certainement un des derniers plaisirs que nous avons de les voir aller ou bon leur semble!mais DANGER!ne roulez pas trop vite!Nous y étions en février et avons eu la chance de voir les jeunes et d'observer leur éducation!A Kasane, étendu à perte de vue de ....champs de maïs! Nous sommes allés au Chobé Safari lodge: tous les hébergements sont possibles, mais faut réserver!camping, tente de brousse, rondavels, chambres, lodge super luxe vous avez le choix! au bord de la rivière, vous pouvez observer la faune et l'avifaune, piscine, resto...c'est sympa et p)as très cher.Différentes sorties sont organisées dans le parc, mais vous pouvez y aller avec votre véhicule: attention! sable! plus intéressant de prendre un tour ou un guide car les guide savent ou il y a les "big five"!Pas de soucis tout est fait pour le touriste, quellesque soient ses exigences!Ne pas rater les balades de bon matin sur le fleuve!et pour le romantisme, la nuit...C'est un des parcs les plus riches que nous ayons vu, notamment en ce qui concerne bien sur les éléphants et l'avifaune! (nous avons passé 8mois en Afrique australe) Beaucoup de chose peuvent se réserver sur place, mais réservez pour le logement!
bon séjour! je repartirai bien😉
Bonjour Michelle
sans hésiter passe plus de temps dans le Chobe nord
Tu peux le visiter au départ de Kasane sans problème et sans difficulté majeure.
C'est le paradis des éléphants, et au niveau faune c'est un des parcs les plus riches que je connaisse, j'y ai vu lions ou léopard sans l'aide de guide.
Après si tu veux descendre plus bas style Savuti ou Moremi, il faut savoir que les camp site sont en autosuffisance donc il faut une tente, autrement il y a des lodges mais l'addition grimpe vite. Et il faut du temps bien sûr.
A Kasane ne loupe surtout pas la croisière sur la chobe river
Tu peux bien sûr faire un détour par le panhandle mais pas au détriment du Chobe.
Le panhandle peut te donner un aperçu du delta si tu ne passes pas par Maun.
En rentrant sur Windhoek tu passes par Maun ?
Je ne suis pas d'accord pour dire qu'à Maun il n'y a rien. Certes la ville ne présente aucun intérêt mais c'est le point de départ des visites du delta.
Tu peux programmer une excursion en mokoro dans le delta et faire le survol.
Et ça permet une coupure sur la longue route de retour.
Sortis de la région qui est autour de Kasane le long du fleuve, ce n'est pas très intéressant de "s'enfoncer" dans Chobe. En Octobre / Novembre, c'est la toute fin de la saison sèche, donc ultra sec. Donc la plupart des animaux sont remontés sur le fleuve, ou sont restés à Savuti.
Pour que ce soit intéressant, il faut descendre jusqu'à Savuti.
Ensuite, il y a évidemment Moremi et la zone de Xakanaxa. Mais c'est clair que sans tente, ce n'est pas possible ! Les lodges sont hors de prix : de l'ordre de 700 à 1200 $ par jour par personne, et ce n'est pas du genre à prendre des voyageurs à l'improviste qui n'auraient pas réservé !
Pour Tsodillo Hills, ça vaut le coup de pousser jusque là bas si vous avez le temps. Mais pas 2-4 jours. Le site en lui-même s'apprécie bien sur 1/2 journée et compter 1 bonne heure 1/2 pour y aller et encore une bonne heure 1/2 pour revenir.
Pour le panhandle, oui c'est bien. Mais faites le en venant d'Etosha et avant d'arriver à Caprivi. Après la sècheresse d'Etosha, le panhandle sera un vrai décalage. Après Caprivi, ça sera moins frappant.
De retour du Botswana ce lundi, voici mes impressions concernant Chobe, pistes ok (jamais fait de 4X4)nous avons vus pas mal d élèphants normal d'après un guide il y à plus de 60 000 élèphants dans le parc, un groupe de 200 élèphants ont même traverser devant nous juste à l'entrée de Kasane, nous avons dormis au toro lodge, hébergement ok mais resto à fuir.... sinon ballade sur la riviere chobé le soir, jolies rencontres animalières sauf que très touristiques des hordes d'Américains imbibés d'alcools sur leurs bateaux à étage m'a un peu gacher le plaisir, nous avons aussi fait un petit crocher sur Etshe 13 par contre là vrai 4x4 pistes très très sablonneuses magnfique camp site gumare camp (je ne sais pas s'il loue des tentes) notre 4x4 etait équipé.
Voilà si vous avez d'autres questions
Bonjour Dani,
Aussi vite rentrée , aussi vite ravie de donner des conseils sur ce merveilleux pays !😉
"sauf que très touristiques des hordes d'Américains imbibés d'alcools sur leurs bateaux à étage m'a un peu gacher le plaisir"
C'est justement par rapport à cette foule que je vais tenter de trouver Le meilleur lodge . 😛
J' ai lu un jour un message qui citait un camp où précisément lors des croisières il n'y avait pas cette foule que l'on voit habituellement sur les bateaux des autres camps. Mais je ne sais plus si j'ai noté la référence de cette discussion 😕 , si quelqu'un la connait ? ! 😉
Je reprendrai contact avec tous les "spécialistes" vers la fin octobre .
Il te reste la partie photos à trier etc.( et peut-être qlq unes à nous montrer !), de bons moments en perspective...
Merci beaucoup Dani (merci aussi à chevêche, vinnylove et voyageur08 ), à bientôt !🙂
Il y a une petite agence qui fait des cruises sur la Chobe river. Elle est située le long de la rivière entre Kasane centre et le Kubu Lodge si je me souviens bien (tu peux te renseigner au Kubu lodge). Elle t'emmene sur des petits bateaux moteur en alu de 8 personnes environ, c'est sympa et convivial, ils approchent d'assez près les crocos et hippo et rentrent aux pontons en dernier après le coucher de soleil. Il faut fuir les gros bateaux.
Pour dormir dans le parc de Chobe, il y a le fameux camp d'Ihaha (prise de tête pour réserver une place mais grand bonheur d'y passer une nuit) . 4x4 et tentes obligatoires. Je ne m'y serais pas risqué avec une tente au sol (bien que certain le font) car tous les habitants du parc peuvent se balader aux pied de ta guitoune (lions, hyènes, éléphants, buffles....) sans oubliers les Babouins qui tentent d'ouvrir la tente (n'est-ce pas Francky04😉)
Mais tu peux dormir en dehors du parc dans des campsites de lodge (comme au Kubu lodge) et passer la journée dans le parc (y a même des aires de pique nique, sans s'éloigner de sa voiture. .) sans trop t'éloigner de l'entrée (il faut compter du 15-20 km/h de moyenne). De toute façon la grande majorité du spectacle se fait en longeant la rivière.
Je sais pas ce que c'est que cette idée préconçue et rebattue sur le forum "il faut fuir les gros bateaux".
J'ai fait ce boat cruise sur un gros bateau et j'en suis ressorti ravi et plus en sécurité également que sur un petit quand on voit les charges des hippos à leur encontre.
les gros bateaux s'arrêtent aussi sur la berge et en plus t'es plus haut et c'est plus stable pour les photos.
maintenant sur un petit ça doit être bien aussi mais cette croisière est tellement merveilleuse que peu importe le bateau.
Après la différence se fait sur les passagers, ne pas faire une généralité d'une mauvaise expérience.
Si tu te chopes 6 américains braillards et imbibés puisque c'est l'exemple sur un bateau de 8 places ta croisière sera tout aussi dérangée voir même plus.
Ca m'est arrivé au Canada sur une sortie baleine et je dirai même que la plus grande proximité accroît le malaise.
Voilà pour répondre à Rivière fox, te prends pas la tête avec ça, prend n'importe lequel et tu en ressortira plus que ravie😉
Pas de panique Vinny...ce n'est que mon opinion.
Mais ce jour là, dans mon petit bateau, j'ai pu constater :
- Qu'il pouvait s'échouer sur les bords plats, à deux trois mètres des crocos.
- Que de se retrouver à 2 couples plus le capitaine était très convivial;
- Que tu pouvais demander à ce même capitaine de se rapprocher d'un point ou d'un autre, ou de rester un peu longtemps sur un point.
- Que ce même capitaine (toujours lui 😉), un peu austère au début certes, mais très sympa une fois que la glace fut brisée (peut être a t il eu à faire trop souvent à des "touristes pas sympas") nous a fait un extraordaire cadeau (cf mon carnet de voyage) et est rentré à la base bien après les gros bateaux.
Alors oui, même si une Cruise sur un gros bateau peut très bien se dérouler et être très agréable, je persiste et signe en encourageant lorsque cela est possible, à choisir un ch'ti bateau...
Salut Eric,
pas de souci, ton expérience a sûrement été très bonne, la seule chose qui me gêne c'est le fait de faire des généralités d'une expérience personnelle.
Tu sais très bien que ce que tu as vécu ne se passe pas toujours comme ça
Loin de moi l'idée d'entamer un débat sur ce point mais on voit trop souvent ce "problème" revenir sur le forum
- surtout ne prenez pas cette compagnie, ils ont perdu mes bagages
- ne louez surtout pas votre 4x4 chez untel parce que j'ai eu des problèmes mécaniques
- ne faites pas le survol de l'okavango, c'est nul parce que j'ai été malade
- ne prenez surtout pas un gros bateau parce que moi je suis tombé sur un groupe de braillards qui m'a gâché mon plaisir
et des exemples j'en ai à la pelle
quelques lignes plus haut " pas besoin de 4x4 dans le Chobe parce que j'en ai pas eu l'utilité"
alors partageons nos expériences, donnons des conseils mais laissons aux gens leur libre arbitre, ce qui est vrai pour l'un ne le sera pas forcément pour un autre
Enfin voilà mon avis il n'est peut-être pas partagé par tout le monde
Vive le partage d’expériences diverses ! A vous lire tous les deux, moi qui était sur un bateau moyen 😉 , je me dis que plus on parcourt de comptes-rendus, plus on dispose d’éléments pour choisir la meilleure solution pour soi. Voici donc pour ceux qui nous lisent ma petite contribution.
Nous sommes tous d’accord pour dire que ce safari nautique nous a laissé des souvenirs merveilleux. Embarqués avec une dizaine de personnes, sur une barque plate, sans étage (voir notre mini-expérience) , j’ai tout d’abord pensé que nous aurions été plus au cœur du sujet sur une embarcation au raz de l’eau. Mais à la réflexion, lorsque j’ai vu tous ces hippos sortir de l’eau de manière si soudaine, j’étais rassurée d’être sur un bâtiment plus imposant. Par ailleurs, comme il y a parfois de l’animation partout en même temps, on peut plus facilement passer d’un côté à l’autre et aussi s'asseoir ou se lever à volonté.
Cette expérience à peine derrière nous j’avais envie de la renouveler. Je regrette d’ailleurs un peu de ne pas être repartie sur la rivière une seconde fois, car le safari terrestre m’a moins enthousiasmée, même si nous avons vu les mêmes animaux depuis la terre ferme et d’autres aussi.
Si la vie me conduit une nouvelle fois dans la région je retournerai sur la rivière Chobe, sur le bateau et avec le barreur qui se présentera. Et s’il s’en trouve un qui est partant pour une petite escapade individuelle, en toute sécurité, je n’hésiterai pas.
Faites tous de beaux projets pour l’Afrique ou ailleurs, et réalisez les au plus près de vos rêves.
Nous y allons mi janvier...ainsi qu'en Zambie et bien sûr en Afrique du Sud , j'aimerais savoir si c'est une période à moustiques ? et s'il faut prendre des précautions particulières .
Bonjour,
De l'aide, avec les fanas de v.f. on en trouve toujours !😉
Pour les Tsodilo Hills, nous n'avons pas encore arrêté notre parcours définitif (mis un peu en veilleuse pour prépa + voyage de 15 J au Maroc!).
Pourquoi, connais-tu le coin, aurais-tu des infos pour moi ? 🙂
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
