Here’s a recap of our self-drive trip in Tanzania.
Tanzania is a stunning country, but it’s changing fast, which means that any self-drive info you gather in advance might be outdated by the time you travel.
Still, here’s some info for future self-drivers.
The vehicle:
After lots of research, thinking, and calculations, we had our 4x4 with roof tents shipped from South Africa through our rental company of two years, Safari4x4Hire. The price for 31 days came to $247.00 per day. That’s cheaper than some Tanzanian rental companies (Shawsafaris: $380.00 per day, total with 18% tax) and just a little more expensive than others (Tanzanian Pionners), but with the guarantee of having a well-maintained and reliable vehicle. You can check out the discussion I started: here
Traffic:
The speed limit is 80 km/h on roads and 50 km/h in villages. Watch out—there are lots of police checks at village entrances (speed radar). In villages and towns, also be careful with minibuses, which are everywhere and stop and start without signaling. As for paved roads, most are in good condition, and many tracks are brand new or being renovated (the Chinese are in the area!).
Campsites:
It’s very easy to find a spot in Tanzanian campsites (few self-drivers), so no need to book in advance (we were often alone in campsites outside the parks). Inside the parks, it’s easy to book public campsites at the gates. With roof tents, the downside is that sites are usually designed for travelers with ground tents, but we always found space for our vehicle. Another downside is making a fire—it’s nearly impossible to find wood (Tanzanians don’t usually make fires for cooking or ambiance). Campsite prices outside the parks range from $5.00 to $15.00 (price with 18% tax). I’ll list the prices for campsites inside the parks below.
Food:
There are very few supermarkets in Tanzania, and prices can be steep if you’re not careful (European brands). For fruits and vegetables, you can easily find roadside vendors. For other groceries, you can shop at supermarkets (Dar es Salaam, Arusha). In Arusha, there’s a brand-new Shoppers Supermarket—clean and well-stocked—and for meat, don’t hesitate to visit the Meat King butcher. It’s also often possible to eat well at campsites with restaurants for around $10.00 (price with 18% tax).
Some other info:
1. At gas stations, you almost always pay in cash, usually in Tanzanian shillings.
2. Park entries, campsites, and Ngorongoro are paid with a card (Visa, etc.) directly at the gates. Exception: Selous, where you need a permit in advance (we didn’t have one when we arrived at the north gate, but we were still able to enter thanks to the kindness of the gate attendant).
3. Watch out—some regions outside the parks have a tax: the Wildlife Management Fee. Payment is a bit unclear:
- For Lake Chala, we paid at the gate in cash.
- For Lake Natron, you can’t pay at the gate—we had to arrange it with the campsite.
- For the area between Tarangire Gate and Lake Burungi (to reach a campsite), you can’t pass the gate without paying in Arusha first.
4. For divers, you can do amazing dives in Pangani with Kasa Divers.
Park entry and campsite prices in July/August 2018:
Saadani National Park:
Park entry per person: $30 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Park entry for vehicle (under 2000 kg): $40 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Night at Public Campsite per person: $30 + 18%
Arusha National Park:
Park entry per person: $45 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Park entry for vehicle (under 2000 kg): $40 + 18% (for 24 hours)
We slept outside the park.
Serengeti National Park:
Park entry per person: $60 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Park entry for vehicle (under 2000 kg): $40 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Night at Public Campsite per person: $30 + 18%
We couldn’t get a night in a Special Campsite.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area:
Park entry per person: $60 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Park entry for vehicle (under 2000 kg): $40 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Night at Public Campsite per person: $30 + 18%
Night at Special Campsite per person: $60 + 18%
Descent into the crater for vehicle: $250 + 18% (you don’t need a guide to go into the crater).
Tarangire National Park:
Park entry per person: $45 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Park entry for vehicle (under 2000 kg): $40 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Night at Public Campsite per person: $30 + 18%
Ruaha National Park:
Park entry per person: $30 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Park entry for vehicle (under 2000 kg): $40 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Night at Public Campsite per person: $30 + 18%
Selous Game Reserve:
Park entry per person: $75 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Park entry for vehicle (under 2000 kg): $50 + 18% (for 24 hours)
Night at public campsite per person: $30 + 18%
(You don’t need a guide to visit Selous, but a GPS with the Tracks4Africa map is essential—there are lots of tracks).
Conclusion:
We loved the northern parks, but they’re really crowded, especially with safari vehicles (though that does make it easier to spot wildlife—just follow the cars). Still, we preferred the southern parks—they’re wilder, less crowded, and almost no safari vehicles. In the campsites, you can often find yourself alone (just how we like it 😏!). But both north and south have amazing wildlife and friendly people!
If you’re interested in more info about Tanzania, I’d be happy to help.
Yes, August is an excellent time in Tanzania for wildlife viewing, especially for tracking the Great Migration. The trails are dry and as passable as possible, and the wildlife is concentrated around the few remaining water sources. The weather is great—no rain—and the temperatures during the austral winter (July-August-September) are cooler than in summer (January-February-March). The only downside for birdwatchers is that January-February might be better due to the presence of migratory birds from the Western Palearctic.
The only downside is the crowds—it’s the busiest time of the year. But there are nearly deserted parks like Mkomazi in the north or Katavi in the south. And in massive parks like Ruaha (over 20,000 km²) or Serengeti (nearly 15,000 km²), a good driver should still be able to find you some peaceful spots.
I don’t know much about Botswana and Zimbabwe, where we only did a safari. And I’ve never been to Namibia with its stunning landscapes or Uganda with its legendary shoebills and incredible gorillas.
But I can still tell you that Tanzania can offer you what you’ve never had/seen anywhere else: the Great Migration on the endless plains of the Serengeti, the fine sandy beaches of Lake Tanganyika with its perfect water temperature and a multitude of colorful fish, Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, the crocodiles of Katavi in their dens and the hippos piled up in their wallows, the baobabs of Ruaha and Tarangire, the 300 km² of the Ngorongoro Crater with its unmatched wildlife density, the islands of Zanzibar. And, last but not least, more bird species—1,134 (and more endemics with 53)—than in any other African country.
Yes, August is a great time to explore Tanzania: this year, temperatures ranged between 30/35°C during the day. The nights aren’t as cold as in Namibia or Botswana, except at Ngorongoro. We still had some rain at the end of July and beginning of August, which gave us stunning colors for photos. The tracks were a bit wet but passable.
Tanzania is also lucky to have such varied landscapes. You can relax under palm trees and snorkel with a multitude of small fish in Pangani. Venture into the virgin forest and spot Colobus monkeys in Arusha Park. Discover magnificent volcanoes like Kilimanjaro with its eternal snows (in July/August it’s completely white), Mount Meru overlooking the city and Arusha Park, the Lake Natron region with its many volcanoes, its salt lake, and its sand tornadoes (a very photogenic area). And of course, Ngorongoro with its high concentration of animals, not to mention Empakaai and its alkaline lake, and Lake Chala. The vast plains of the Serengeti for its predators (easy to find—just follow the lodge vehicles), its huge herds of buffalo, and for the Great Migration. August isn’t the best time for that, though—most of the big herds were already in the Mara for us, but we still managed to see a few stragglers near the Grumeti. There are also the baobabs and elephants of Tarangire Park with its high concentration of animals. And of course, the wilder southern parks like Ruaha with its baobabs, its campsites by the river, and its stunning sunsets, not to mention its large number of animals. Finally, the beautiful landscapes of Selous with its lakes, palm trees, green plains, huge crocodiles, hippos, and of course its wild dogs. The scenery along the roads is also very varied—mountains, plains, small villages, etc. Well, I haven’t been to Uganda, so I don’t know if it’s similar to Tanzania!
Cheers!
PS: I think our rental company in South Africa, Safari4x4Hire, now has a depot and cars in Dar es Salaam. A lot of people thought our way of traveling was awesome and took photos of our car. I’ll be able to ask for a discount on our next rental with all this free advertising! 😛
Yes, August is a good time to explore Tanzania: this year, temperatures ranged between 30/35°C during the day. The nights aren’t as cold as in Namibia or Botswana, except at Ngorongoro. We still had some rain at the end of July and beginning of August, which gave us magnificent colors for photos. The tracks were a bit wet but passable.
It was particularly hot for the season—30-35°C is above the seasonal norm, especially for the northern parks, which are 1,000 meters above sea level. No doubt the infernal El Niño/La Niña duo is still causing trouble. You were lucky with the sky for photos; you often have to go later in the season to get those gorgeous stormy skies with *yum* lighting!
Tanzania also has the advantage of offering very diverse landscapes. You can relax under palm trees and snorkel with a multitude of small fish in Pangani. Venture into the virgin forest and spot Colobus monkeys in Arusha National Park. Discover magnificent volcanoes like Kilimanjaro and its eternal snows (in July/August, it’s completely white), Mount Meru overlooking the city and Arusha Park, the Lake Natron region with its many volcanoes, its salt lake, and sand tornadoes (a very photogenic area), and of course, Ngorongoro with its high concentration of animals—don’t forget Empakaai and its alkaline lake, and Lake Chala. The vast plains of the Serengeti for its predators (easy to find, just follow the lodge vehicles), its huge herds of buffalo, though for the Great Migration, August isn’t the best time. For us, the big herds were already in the Mara, but we still managed to see a few stragglers near the Grumeti. There are also the baobabs and elephants of Tarangire National Park with its high concentration of animals. And of course, the wilder southern parks like Ruaha with its baobabs, riverside campsites, and stunning sunsets—plus its large wildlife population. And to finish, the magnificent landscapes of Selous with its lakes, palm trees, green plains, big crocodiles, hippos, and of course, its African wild dogs. The scenery along the roads is also very varied—mountains, plains, small villages, etc.
You really know how to make our mouths water—what a tease! I’m probably not the only one eagerly waiting for your travel journal. Self-drive accounts for Tanzania are so rare. So, dare I say, "go for it"? Come on, I’ll take the plunge 😉!
Have a great day (and go for it again 🙂)
BL
PS: For the Great Migration in August, the classic advice is to head to the northern Lobo area, northeast of the Serengeti, near the Mara River rather than the Western Corridor and Grumeti, which are better suited for late autumn (austral)-early winter, say from late May to July. And according to HerdTracker, that seemed to be the case this year. But the migration’s location, which depends heavily on rainfall, is far from an exact science. With nearly two million wildebeest-zebra-antelope, it doesn’t all pass through in one or two weeks, and there are always stragglers. Plus, some herds even backtrack—we saw a good part of a wildebeest herd recross the Mara just after an initial crossing where they’d lost a few, if you’ll pardon the expression...
Except it doesn’t add much compared to what I’ve already seen :/
I have less experience than you in Southern Africa and only a short trip to Tanzania, but in terms of animal density (herbivores—wildebeest migration—and big cats), I’ve never seen anything like it (and I didn’t even witness the Great Migration in Kenya/Tanzania!)
Muriel
Si tu diffères de moi, mon frère, loin de me léser, tu m'enrichis (Saint Exupéry)
PS: For the great migration in August, the classic advice is to head to the northern part of Lobo, in the northeast of the Serengeti, along the Mara River rather than the Western Corridor and the Grumeti, which are more suitable in late autumn (austral) to early winter, say from late May to July. And according to herdtracker, that seemed to be the case this year. But the location of the migration, which depends heavily on rainfall, is far from an exact science—especially since you can always count on stragglers. With nearly two million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes, it doesn’t all pass through in one or two weeks. Plus, there are always changes of heart, herds that briefly move against the current. We even saw a large part of a wildebeest herd cross back over the Mara just after an initial crossing where they’d lost a few, if you’ll pardon the expression...
Yes, that’s what the staff at Klein's Gate told us too—it takes about 3 to 4 hours of driving to reach the Mara. Since there’s no public camping in the area, we’d have had around 7 hours of driving round-trip without any guarantee of seeing a crossing. So we gave up! Well, we knew it wasn’t the ideal time, so we’re not disappointed.
We were lucky enough to see 4 wildebeest and zebra crossings on the Mara in the northeast of the Serengeti in late August 2017 after a big storm. We even saw elephants crossing, which our guide told us was very rare.
Best regards
Elephants crossing the Mara—I can well believe that’s pretty rare. On the other hand, in the Selous Game Reserve, it can be a daily spectacle at certain times of year on the Rufiji River.
I just wanted to add a few details.
For our part, we never felt unsafe in Tanzania, even in the villages. However, it was impossible to stop without being surrounded by lots of kids who all gathered around the car.
On the other hand, we found the access tracks to the parks quite rough and tiring because they were quite long—especially Ruaha and the track from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti, which was under construction with big rocks, gravel, and only one lane to drive on (I don’t think the repairs made much of an improvement). In the Serengeti, the “tracks” were more like ruts we followed, and they were very uneven, making the car tilt dangerously—but the reward was worth it!
The paved roads are in better condition in the north than in the south because the edges are deeply eroded, creating huge curbs, not to mention the massive potholes.
We stayed 2 days in Ruaha when I had planned for more, but it was impossible to find fuel inside the park (reserved for lodge guests).
As for whether to visit Ngorongoro or not—we hesitated for a long time but ultimately didn’t regret going. We didn’t see tons of animals, but I thought the setting was magical. We traveled from September 12 to October 10 and didn’t encounter many people—just a few 4x4s.
Regarding wildlife, we saw lots of lionesses and lions up close in the Serengeti, a zebra chase in Mikumi, and a few in Ngorongoro.
As for cheetahs, tourists didn’t see any more than we did—the guides told us they’re very hard to spot. We saw on local TV that some people were arrested for possessing cheetah skins.
At the end of the trip, we took a fantastic break near Pangani—clean, warm ocean, in short, pure bliss.
Well, the adventure is finally starting here: voyageforum.com/...n-tanzanie-d9225696/ or on our site for the full text and photos: www.girardinphoto.net/...eVoyage/Accueil.html
Hi there,
I saw that you did Tanzania as a self-drive trip, which I’m planning to do next September.
What itinerary did you take and how long was your trip?
Thanks for your reply!
Have a great day,
Nathalie
We left from September 12 to October 10, 2018. It was very hot, and we really struggled with the heat because the air conditioning in our "African" car wasn’t working.
We started our trip in the south, Mikumi and Ruaha, then headed north to visit the usual parks. If we’d had a better car (we broke a wheel in the Serengeti), we would’ve added Gombe National Park, but it was a long detour, and with the heat, we decided to skip it...
In any case, it’s an amazing trip—don’t hesitate to go!
Happy planning.
We didn’t really “choose,” since there aren’t many rental companies, so we ended up with Sam’s Car Rental in Dar (we’d initially seen that AVIS was in DAR, but it was impossible to book with them—no cars available every time we tried...). Based on other travelers’ feedback, I knew their cars were junk, but our tickets were already booked... so we made do.
Thanks for your reply!
I’ve requested quotes for 4x4s with roof tents:
Fortes: $220/day (Land Rover or Land Cruiser)
Shaw Safaris: $300/day (Land Rover Defender), apparently fully equipped with insurance included.
I’ve also asked for quotes for non-camping-equipped 4x4s:
4x4 Hire: $147 for a Toyota Land Cruiser PRADO GX
driver: $65/day
Waiting for more quotes...
I’m wondering if, in the end, a 4x4 with a roof tent is worth it price-wise, especially since lodges are expensive—maybe there’s a way to find more affordable ones?
We rented a car without camping gear, and we had a small ground tent just in case we couldn’t find a room to sleep in—and especially to be inside the parks. But you should know that the campsites in the parks aren’t really designed for equipped vehicles; it’s just a simple parking lot that fills up quickly with 4x4s.
Hello,
Thanks for your reply.
About the camps inside the parks—do they still have toilets, showers, and places to eat?
In September, do you think we should book ahead or just show up at the entrance gate hoping there’s space left? I’m not sure how busy it gets that time of year.
Have a great day,
Nathalie
It depends on the camps, but the facilities aren’t great in general—you shouldn’t be too picky, especially given the price you pay! Often, you’ll have to forget about taking a nice shower after a day of safari...
There are always spots for picnics that are pretty well set up and even nice, where you can buy drinks, sandwiches, and other food at a steep price, of course.
For campsites inside the parks, you pay for the number of nights along with the park entry fee. I don’t think there’s a system to count the number of campers—at least, we were never turned away.
We didn’t book anything so we could stay flexible with our route.
I can’t really compare, but in September, there are tourists, sure, but it’s not crowded. Never more than 2 or 3 cars stopped at the key spots (more people in the north, sometimes alone in the world in the north). For the crater, we didn’t find it as much of a zoo as other travelers described. In short, no long lines of 4x4s.
On the other hand, the small parking lots at campsites in the parks fill up quickly in the evening, which can be tricky if you have a fitted 4x4.
Happy to help with any other questions—I’m currently planning Iceland for February... not the same temperatures at all!
Actually, it was mainly in the Serengeti—we stayed 5 nights, and every time our car was blocked by other 4x4s, so we worked it out with the drivers (who were really friendly, by the way) to decide who left first (I’m talking about public camps with no reservation).
We had a ground tent, so no problem for us.
But elsewhere, there was no issue with space at all.
Happy travels to everyone
We also had the Lonely Planet, the Petit Futé, and the Bradt guide, which I think is more comprehensive, but it’s in English. But the most important thing is to have a GPS with Tracks4Africa.
You can also order online—or find them on-site—the maps of the northern parks and the two books (in English): *The Tourist Travel & Field Guide of the Serengeti National Park* and *The Tourist Travel & Field Guide of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area*.
The Lonely Planet guide plus GPS on your phone with Maps.me and HERE WeGo (download maps before you leave) and then you don’t need internet.
In the parks, some are well laid out with signs, but for others you have to trust your instincts... we used a compass and my husband’s nose for direction...
I also think you absolutely need a SIM card with a Tanzanian network—it can be useful even if you don’t get coverage everywhere...
GPS is pretty handy, but I seriously doubt I’d be able to navigate the Tanzanian tracks 😉
I also think you absolutely need a SIM card with a Tanzanian network—it can be useful even if you don’t get coverage everywhere...
The GPS is pretty good, but I seriously doubt I’d be able to navigate the Tanzanian tracks 😉
It’s often when you get lost that you make the best encounters 🤗 !
Hi,
Your story really makes me want to go.
A few questions if you don’t mind.
We’re not very adventurous and we’re hesitant to organize everything ourselves. Do you know of a local agency that could arrange this trip for us?
I didn’t see Kilimanjaro in your itinerary. Is there a reason?
What budget should we plan for a month there?
Thanks for your tips.
Hello,
Your story is really inspiring.
A few questions if you don’t mind.
We’re not very adventurous and hesitate to organize everything ourselves. Do you know of a local agency that could arrange this trip for us?
Sorry, we don’t know any local agencies, but I saw in another discussion that the member https://voyageforum.com/membres/celinerou/ might have a small local agency. Otherwise, self-drive travel really isn’t that difficult.
I didn’t see Kilimanjaro in your itinerary. Is there a reason?
For us, our only hope was to photograph Kilimanjaro (not climb it), and we were lucky enough to see it from two spots on our route: Lake Chala and Kahawa Shambani Campsite in Moshi.
Check out the photos here: http://www.girardinphoto.net/piwigo/index.php?/category/1
What budget should we plan for 1 month there?
We spent around $19,000 for 4 people for 32 days, excluding flights and diving. That includes: the car, accommodations, food, park entry fees, tours, gas, taxes, visas, souvenirs, fines, and miscellaneous expenses. Just to clarify, this was our trip for our two 50th birthdays, so we didn’t really watch our budget 😊! But I’d say the price is pretty standard given all the park visits we did, like Selous and the descent into Ngorongoro, which are quite expensive.
Hey there Nathalie, I’ve finally caught up with the latest Tanzania discussion I hadn’t been following yet! 😇
I’m looking at the national park prices and, how can I put this... Wow! 😮
Thanks for sharing this valuable info, though—it’s really helpful, even if I guess these rates will keep going up year after year as visitor numbers increase.
Basically, 72 hours in the Serengeti cost as much as a year’s Wild Card in South Africa. 😄😄
What a difference!
I also notice there isn’t much of a price gap between the "southern" parks and the more popular northern ones.
Too bad! 😊
Though I guess that’s what helps prevent overcrowding and better preserve these natural parks.
Still, I’m curious: do Tanzanians have to pay the same prices to visit their own parks???? 😮
Public campgrounds aren’t cheap either.
Do you know if there are any budget-friendly camping options outside the parks to help lighten the load on the wallet? 🙂
Yes, Tanzania’s national parks are expensive, and the reserves are even pricier, but some are definitely worth it.
Entry fees for the southern parks are usually cheaper, but the cost for the vehicle and campsites is the same. Watch out—the Selous isn’t a national park but a reserve, so they charge whatever they want.
I think Tanzanians pay less for entry, but I didn’t see many visiting the parks except for the drivers!
As for campsites, you can find some between $5.00 and $15.00 outside certain parks, but the vibe isn’t the same. For the Serengeti, you’ll have to stay inside the park.
A few campsites we tried outside the parks:
- Meru Mbega Campsite, 500m from the entrance of Arusha National Park. A nice campsite (see Day_8 of the travel journal).
- Fanaka Campsites (Mto wa Mbu), just a few meters from the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park. A really cool campsite with a small pool.
- Zion Camp, a few meters from the entrance of Tarangire National Park. An average campsite.
- Chogela Campsite, about 25 km from the entrance of Ruaha National Park. A great campsite, but watch out for the road to Ruaha.
There are also campsites at the main entrance of the Selous Game Reserve. There are probably some before the entrance of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area too.
So, here's my plan and my questions.
I'm looking to head to Tanzania in mid-August with Qatar Airways for 2 or 3 weeks—I haven’t finalized everything yet.
I want to arrive in Dar Es Salaam, rent a 4x4, and hit the road for a road trip.
I did a simulation on a site, and for 17 days, it’s around 900 € for a Rav4 rental.
Would this vehicle be enough for what I want to do?
I’d like to be as free as possible and avoid guides, but it seems they’re mandatory for some parks.
The prices are sky-high, and the vehicle’s mileage is limited to 120 km per day.
My plan is to leave from Dar Es Salaam, head north, spend at least 2 days in the Serengeti, then tackle Kilimanjaro.
After that, I’d go down to visit the main parks, including the Crater, and finish with a few days in Zanzibar.
I have a few questions:
Do I *have* to have a guide? If so, for which parks?
What exactly am I paying for with the guide? Do I also cover their hotel nights?
What’s the base rate for a guide?
Do I have to take their vehicle, or can I keep mine?
I’d really like to save as much as possible on this part because, honestly, it’s more of a hassle for me—I love being free and going wherever I feel like at the last minute.
Thanks in advance for any tips or advice—I’ve read the 3 pages but I’m still struggling to wrap my head around it all.
We were in Tanzania in January–February this year, self-driving with our own car. We know southern African countries well, so Tanzania was a real discovery for us.
It was absolutely fantastic. But for a trip like yours, if you're not very experienced, I’d recommend a local agency in ARUSHA or MOSHI with a Parks + Zanzibar package. Two weeks for the northern parks and Kilimanjaro, and a week in ZANZIBAR. Right now, prices should be good, and agencies will know what’s open or closed due to COVID.
The north isn’t really set up for self-drivers—well, that’s just our feeling. If you *really* want to go solo, I can definitely give you some tips.
I’m a bit surprised you found self-driving more difficult in the Northern Tanzanian parks than in the Southern Tanzanian parks. What gave you that impression?
I would’ve thought the better condition of the Arusha-NCA road, the shorter distances between the northern parks, their smaller size (Serengeti aside), and the ease of following the main tracks in parks like Arusha, Tarangire, and Manyara, as well as the Ngorongoro Crater (the only time a guide is—at least in theory—mandatory), would make them more manageable than the southern parks, which are vast and far apart (except for the Mikumi-Nyerere pair). Plus, *last but not least*, while the North is busier, that also means help is never far away if something goes wrong—unlike in Katavi, where you can drive all day without seeing another 4x4. And, if it’s any consolation (though maybe not…), wildlife spotting is easier—if not always more pleasant—thanks to the clusters of 4x4s around a perched leopard or a snoozing pride of lions...
Just to clarify, I’ve never done a self-drive in Tanzania, so your experience is obviously way more valuable than my few guided 4x4 safaris.
Good evening Bernard,
I see your point, and I probably didn’t express myself clearly. Actually, our feeling is that the north is really made for organized safaris, and compared to Botswana, for example, the connection with nature is much stronger there. But you're right—there’s something for every taste. Three lions napping in the crater with three or four safari trucks full of tourists around? That’s just not our thing. And often, the guides and truck drivers aren’t very courteous to self-drivers. In short, we’re just getting in the way of their clients. Plus, the campsites are really dirty and poorly maintained for an exorbitant price compared to Namibia, Botswana, or Zambia. Of course, in a lodge or a luxury campsite, it must be amazing... but that’s not possible for a long, slow trip like ours.
Have a good evening
So sorry for my late reply...
I totally get it now—5/5! If I haven’t run into the same issues as you, it’s because I haven’t experienced the joys (and struggles) of self-driving in Tanzania.
Do you find that the campsites in the South are better maintained (because they’re less crowded?)?
That said, it *is* possible to avoid the crowds and other 4x4s in some of the northern parks—I’m thinking of Arusha NP, which has the advantage of being right near Arusha and KIA, Mkomazi NP (didn’t see a single car in 4 days of safari back in October 2010), and Rubondo Island NP, though that one’s off-limits for self-drive since, as the name suggests, it’s a (small) island.
Afrique de l'Est et Australe › Tanzanie · 2 replies
Nous avons trouvé 1 location de voiture sans chauffeur du 1er au 11 septembre sur Zanzibar, pouvez-vous me dire si trouver des postes d'essence est facile et…
Afrique de l'Est et Australe › Tanzanie · 2 replies
J'envisage d'aller en Tanzanie prochainement. Mais j'aimerai y faire un self drive. La Tanzanie est un pays cher. Je suis donc en train de calculer le budget…
Après avoir fait la Namibie puis Namibie - Botswana et Zimbabwe en self drive, nous (ma copine et moi) aimerions faire la Tanzanie de la même manière, mais le…
Mars ou Mai 2027.
du genre 15 j dans le Western Cape
puis 15 j dans le KNP sud.
Arrivée soit à PE soit à Georges.
Les pros savent que je connais un peu le coin...que je ne campe pas...que mes logements peuvent être simples et paumés, en self catering mais que le basique + est requis...que je cherche des coins plutôt hors des sentiers battus...sur un mode soft...
De Georges:
Arrivée tardive... repos nécessaire... Herolds bay à partir de Georges pour N1
Tsitsikamma me fait de l'oeil (Storms river)... avec ou sans stop à Knysna
question:
quel est l'état actuel de la pass de Knyskna à Uniondale ? R339
Et tant que j'y suis l'état de la R340
Tsitsi, Knysna et mes questions restent valables si c'est arrivée à PE.
La Swartberg semble encore coupée ?
Une idée de logement à Prince Albert ?
Si je franchis l'escarpement je continue via Anysberg NR, Touwsrivier... des opinions ?
De là... Tankwa Karoo ou Mount Cedar (ou les deux)
Puis redescente vers la mer... les hauts de Hermanus ou Kogelberg NR (des opinions sur celle ci ?)...
ou
Plus classique le long de la côte...
Si j'arrive (assez tard à PE)... des idées sur un logement dans ce petit coin ?
Sachant que le Nyathi camp me fait un clin d'oeil...
(pour l'histoire... il y a un peu longtemps j'ai séjourné au Riverbend (même secteur d'Addo, concession privée)... et j'ai visité les ruines de ce lodge abandonné à l'époque et visiblement refait depuis... qui se situe dans une partie très peu visitée d'Addo...).
Un pro aurait-il des retours ?
Bon ben voilà...
Evidemment je suis preneur de tout autre avis ou conseil !
Hi there,
I’m considering camping in Nyungwe Park with my family (2 adults, 2 kids) at Uwinka campsite. Problem: the park rents the tent but without any gear (mattresses, blankets). We don’t have a car. Is it possible to rent or buy mattresses and blankets near the park, please?
Thanks for your help
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
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.
Hello,
We’re planning a route from Maun to Kazane and Victoria Falls for May 2027 in a Toyota Hilux 4x4, staying in lodges (no camping). Here’s the rough outline:
- Maun: Arrival likely from Johannesburg, 2 nights
- Khwai: 2 nights
- Return to Maun
- Need to decide on a stop between Maun and Sepopa?
- Sepopa: 2 nights
- Cross into Namibia: Bagani, 2 nights
- Kongola: 2 nights
- Katima Mulilo: 2 nights
- Kasane: 3 or 4 nights
- Victoria Falls: 1 or 2 nights
- Return to France from Kasane or Victoria Falls
What’s the road condition like between Maun and Khwai? The stop names are approximate based on accommodations.
Thanks for any feedback on this plan!
Ailleurs 64
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
Hi,
I’m starting to plan a great trip for the last three weeks of January 2027 (my first time in South Africa).
After spending a few hours (!) browsing this forum, here’s a rough first draft of my itinerary:
D0 Arrival at JNB
D1, D2 Blyde River Canyon
D3, D4, D5, D6, D7: Kruger
D8, D9, D10: St Lucia and surrounding area
D11, D12, D13, D14: Drakensberg + Lesotho
D15 A very long driving day to the south (hope the AC doesn’t break down!)
D16, D17, D18, D19 southwest coast (so far I’ve noted Oudtshoorn, Robberg Nature Reserve, Wilderness NP, De Hoop Reserve, and a bit of the wine route)
D20, D21 Cape Town (peninsula and a bit of the city) + domestic flight and return flight (departure from JNB at 11 PM)
A few questions before refining this:
- Do you see any major issues with this itinerary?
- We don’t have a choice on dates, and personally, I prefer green landscapes to desert ones anyway, but do you really see far fewer animals in January than in the dry season? Five days in Kruger should give us enough time to spot plenty of different animals despite the tall grass, right? As for the heat, we’re from Réunion, so we’re relatively used to it, even though I know it’s not the same type of heat.
- Can I trust the distances and driving times given by Google Maps?
- Picking up the vehicle in Johannesburg and dropping it off in Cape Town: how much might that cost us? I’m thinking it probably won’t be worse (in terms of time or money, since there are five of us—2 adults + 3 kids) than going back to Joburg after Lesotho, taking a flight to Cape Town, and renting another vehicle... but maybe I’m wrong.
- Finally, wouldn’t it be better to focus on just one of the two regions (either the northeast or Cape Town and the south coast)? If it were up to me, I’d stick to the first part and extend a few stops... but not everyone agrees! And we’re thinking that since it’ll be really hot, a second part of the trip that’s a bit """cooler""" would be welcome.
I imagine many of you have been captivated by the Masai Mara park and/or your safari experience with Tony Crocetta/Melting Pot Safari. Still, I’d like to share my perspective.
First, I’m an avid traveler, especially in love with Africa, which my partner and I have explored a bit (Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia...).
That said, I want to express my deep disappointment with both the Masai Mara and Tony Crocetta’s camp, Melting Pot Safari, where we stayed last year.
First, about the park: it’s stunning, no doubt. But what a highly touristy place! I can’t find the words to describe the horror of being among 30 4x4 vehicles lined up in front of a lioness hunt, let alone encircling her right after her kill while her prey is still alive in her jaws... no respect for wildlife. The same goes for surrounding a young leopard playing with its small prey, a moment when I counted over 50 vehicles, most with their engines running... sickening. I turned away, both my gaze and my camera. What a disaster to see this natural wonder of Africa turned into a tourist hotspot.
Yes, I loved this place on Earth, but no, I won’t "promote" it anywhere or to anyone.
Next, I also wanted to share my dissatisfaction with Tony Crocetta’s famous camp, Melting Pot Safari: where to begin? We booked a private vehicle for four with two friends, and I have no complaints about the vehicle itself (though it obviously came at a cost). The windows and the vehicle weren’t very photo-friendly, but let’s move on.
The trip between the sisters’ guesthouse (which was fine) and the camp went smoothly, except we arrived a bit too late. Result: "We’ll leave for the safari an hour later today because the driver has to respect his rest hours." Perfect—with park formalities, we only spent about an hour in the park that evening. The safari got off to a great start...
During our 12-day stay, we saw some amazing things. Tony wasn’t at the camp—I don’t know what the atmosphere is like when he’s there, but it was rather cold during our trip. Sylvie, his wife, barely looked at us, never asking how our day, night, or game drive went (I think she spoke to us once during the stay, plus the day we arrived, of course). We felt invisible... (if I were mean, I’d say the money had already been deposited into Melting Pot’s bank account.)
The evening meals, if I may say so, were a joke: not enough dessert (aside from fruit, but the few elaborate desserts—like 10 for 18 guests) for everyone, barely enough meat or sides. If you were unlucky like us and ended up with a group of 15 people who decided to skip the starter, you’d better hurry to get your main course, or there might not be any left—and no refills... We always ate our fill, but sometimes we had to serve ourselves in advance.
Finally, I want to correct something about the quality of the meals: seriously, this buffet was really mediocre and far from the culinary standards I’d read about in my pre-trip research (see their Facebook page).
Anyway, let’s move past the food—after all, the avocados were sublime, and we’re not there primarily to eat.
About the tent: the river views were beautiful, and the beds were very comfortable. No running water, individual showers outside the tent, and dry toilets—but it’s Africa, so we weren’t shocked. However, I’m disappointed that for this "modest" price, I wasn’t warned there’d be no soap (and no, I don’t travel with my own soap—and for the price, a little bar in the tent wouldn’t be a luxury). But let’s move on—the hippo views were fantastic. Oh, and to preserve the Masai Mara’s water (which makes sense) and for hygiene reasons, underwear isn’t washed by the camp staff—fair enough. But then what’s that little sign next to the bed? Oh right, for a hefty sum, underwear suddenly becomes "washable"...
Finally, my biggest gripe is about the essential part: the game drives. In France, they sell you a dream with a "photo safari" (what’s the difference, really? A room with a few more electrical outlets?). They promise guides especially suited for photography (not a given, sorry) and vehicles that can get close to animals and go off-road... but here’s the catch: the guides are bound by park laws and hounded by rangers looking to fine rule-breakers. Result: as soon as a white ranger vehicle is spotted, we have to abandon our spot for a wild chase through the grass. Fun once... The next day, we learned that another group’s guide got caught and had to pay $100 for breaking the rules—a sum he casually asked the travelers in his vehicle to cover... because of course, Melting Pot lures tourists with dreams, the poor rangers try to get close, all while breaking park laws... and they break those laws for Crocetta’s company, which, of course, won’t dip into its profits to pay the fines. Basically, it’s "keep the clients happy, but don’t get fined—or the fines are on you or you’ll have to ask the clients directly." Nice boss! Anyway, there were long discussions about this last year, especially among the guests in the fined vehicle. My partner and I found these practices unacceptable, and we were deeply disappointed by this attitude.
I know many people adore this park and/or this company—maybe you were luckier... or maybe you’re less demanding than we are when it comes to respecting rules, nature, and clients. But after traveling through much of southern Africa, I can tell you we personally came back frustrated from this experience and aren’t eager to return... You’ve been warned.
Here’s my feedback after a recent trip to Ethiopia, organized with a local guide.
Despite a signed quote, months of prep exchanges (over eight months!), and phone calls right up to departure day, the guide didn’t honor the commitments we’d agreed on.
Haile Haftu FANUAILE, manager of the agency www.charmethiopiantours.com—who we’d organized everything with—didn’t meet us as promised when we arrived in Addis Ababa. Without any warning, he sent a different guide to accompany us for the entire trip (with a flimsy excuse).
Several parts of the signed quote weren’t respected:
– Services included in the quote but not provided on-site (meals, water),
– Hotels we’d chosen, booked, and paid for were swapped for lower-category places,
– Visits were canceled because the timing wasn’t calculated properly,
– One stop on the itinerary was dropped without any reason or explanation.
We’d paid a deposit for domestic flights, with a promise to refund any overpayment. A month after returning, 150 € per person (there were three of us) still hasn’t been refunded.
I’m sharing this to warn fellow travelers about the importance of solid guarantees to ensure contracts are actually honored. Double-check everything before committing!
Wishing everyone safe and smooth travel prep—Ethiopia is an incredible country!
---
Hello,
Feedback following a recent trip to Ethiopia, organized with a local guide.
Despite a signed quote, numerous preparatory exchanges over eight months, and phone calls right up until the day of departure, the guide did not fulfill his commitments.
Haile Haftu FANUAILE, manager of the agency www.charmethiopiantours.com with whom we had organized everything, did not meet us as agreed upon our arrival in Addis Ababa; without warning us, he sent another guide in his place to accompany us throughout the trip (with a bogus excuse).
Several points in the signed quote were not honored:
– services included in the quote but not provided on site (meals, water),
– hotels chosen, booked, and paid for, replaced by lower-category establishments,
– visits canceled due to lack of time, which had not been calculated correctly,
– one stop on the itinerary canceled without reason or explanation.
A deposit had been paid for the booking of domestic flights, with a commitment to refund the overpayment.
To date, one month after our return, 150 € per person (there were three of us) has still not been refunded.
This testimony is intended to alert travelers to the importance of solid guarantees for contracts that are actually honored, so that everyone can be extra vigilant before committing.
Good luck with your travel preparations, everyone.
Ethiopia is an extraordinary country!
Hello,
With so many agencies out there, we're feeling a bit lost. Could you please share your experience—like recommending your agency if you were happy with them—and tell us why, and if possible, what budget we should expect? Feel free to send it in a private message :)
We’re just the two of us, and ideally, we’d like to go in a 4x4 alone or with another couple, or in a very small group.
Hi there,
I’ve reached out to a few agencies for a week-long family safari next summer before heading to Zanzibar.
So far, the itinerary looks like this:
Day 1: Late arrival at JRO and overnight in Arusha
Day 2: Drive to Tarangire, park visit, and overnight in Tarangire
Day 3: Tarangire, drive to and overnight in Karatu
Day 4: Ngorongoro and overnight in Ngorongoro
Day 5: Drive to Serengeti and safari in Seronera
Day 6: Serengeti and overnight near Lobo
Day 7: Serengeti and overnight in Seronera
Day 8: Flight from Seronera to Zanzibar
On paper, it covers "everything," but maybe there’s a bit too much time lost on the road... Any alternatives?
To simplify (and cut costs), I was thinking:
Day 1: Late arrival at JRO and overnight in Arusha
Day 2: Arusha National Park with a walking safari and meeting the Maasai (?)
Day 3: Drive to Tarangire, park visit, and overnight in Tarangire
Day 4: Full day in Tarangire
Day 5: Tarangire, drive to and overnight in Karatu
Day 6: Ngorongoro and overnight in Ngorongoro
Day 7: Morning in Manyara or Natron and drive to JRO
Day 8: Flight to Zanzibar
Your thoughts and recommendations are welcome...
Thanks
We have the opportunity to spend about ten days somewhere for Christmas, and I’m really tempted by Zanzibar. I’ve been dreaming for a long time about the Spice Island, Stone Town, diving...
Which hotels could you recommend? Not a big "resort"—we’re more into "boutique hotels" or even an Airbnb house. Somewhere quiet (we’re not party animals).
I’m thinking of staying the first few nights in Stone Town and then moving to a beach, preferably one where we can swim regardless of the tides, without ending up in seaweed and mud at low tide.
I’m a bit lost with all the beaches because apparently, the north is very crowded, the south is very windy, and the east has some good and some not-so-good spots, with big tides or not... HELP! 🤪
I’d like to limit myself to a maximum of 2 different places to stay over the 10 days.
I’m reaching out because I don’t understand how Volcanoes National Park works.
I looked at booking for the gorillas, but there’s just the price listed, and the same goes for the Diane Fossey tomb.
So I contacted a hotel in Kinigi, and they told me that for the gorillas, you need a car to get to the park headquarters, and then once you know your group, you need to get from the headquarters to the trekking start point?? Do you confirm this? Is that really how it works? They say the hotel has a driver and it would cost 100 DOLLARS!!
I just found out that on top of the permit, there are other fees??? Uhh…
Are there other options, knowing I don’t want to rent a 4x4 since I’m traveling alone?
And if I don’t get the gorilla permit but just want to visit the Diane Fossey tomb, is it the same issue? From Kinigi, do you need a 4x4? How far is the tomb from the headquarters? Is it a hike you can do alone OR DO YOU NEED A GUIDE, ON FOOT? By car??
If someone could explain everything to me… and is the DF Foundation different??
If I decide to go through an agency, is it possible in Musanze (which would save me trips) or is it mandatory to go through Kigali?
Thanks so much for your help…
Best regards
I’m in the middle of planning a road trip in Southern Africa, and I’m specifically working on the itinerary—especially the distances.
I’ve got the time, but I’m struggling with the transfer days (so much driving just to end up spending the whole day on the road). That’s why I’m trying to analyze travel times, even if it means adding extra stops.
My highlights in Zimbabwe would be:
- Hwange
- Victoria Falls (and maybe Matusadona)
- Mana Pools
- Harare
- Gonarezhou
- Great Zimbabwe
But the distances and travel times seem huge (over 4 hours each time), and I don’t see how to make the drives more chill or shorten them—even if it means adding stops (but which ones?) between each leg.
Would anyone be able to estimate the travel time between these highlights and maybe suggest some nice stops to take breaks?
I’ve been to Rwanda twice before, in November 1991 and December 1993, mostly for solidarity work.
I’m looking into going back this November or December for three weeks, but I’m a bit hesitant when I see the tourist offerings—it’s so far from how I like to travel...
I travel solo using public transport and stay in places like guesthouses (GH), or accommodations run by cooperatives, associations, or religious groups. I love villages, markets, hikes, and local crafts.
So far, my searches for these kinds of lodging options haven’t turned up much.
For now, I’m considering visiting (in no particular order):
Butare: Kibeho, Bisesero, Nyanza
Ngenda
Akagera, Kibungo, Lake Muazi
Dian Fossey’s tomb (with the possibility of seeing gorillas)
Kibuye??? Is the political situation stable there? Or Cyangugu?
So here are my first questions:
-Is French still widely spoken?
-Are there lists of the types of accommodations I mentioned above, or places to find that info?
-Is what I’m planning doable using public transport? From the towns, are moto-taxis still available to get to villages, sites, and—most importantly—back?
-Is it possible to go hiking solo?
-Which are the best markets and what days are they held?
I know that’s a lot of questions already, and I really appreciate any relevant answers you can share.
Looking forward to exchanging more!
I’m planning my next trip in September, and after two self-drive trips to Botswana last year, I’d love to explore Kruger. Since I’m used to camping, I’m thinking of renting an equipped van from Kitted Africa (a small Suzuki van—thanks Safari Expert!) to sleep in a tent and occasionally in a hut.
Here’s my provisional itinerary, and I’d love to hear your thoughts if you don’t mind.
I’ve got 13 nights to plan in Kruger. The rental company is based in Nelspruit.
Entering from the south:
14-15-16.09: 3 nights at Crocodile Bridge or Lower Sabie
17-18-19.09: 3 nights at Skukuza
20-21.09: 2 nights at Satara
22-23-24.09: 3 nights at Olifants
25-26.09: 2 nights at Tamboti or Talamati
Exiting the park on 27.09 via Orpen Gate, then heading to Blyde River Canyon for a night in a hotel or elsewhere.
28.09: Return to Nelspruit, drop off the van, and stay in a hotel.
29.09 (midday): Airlink flight to Johannesburg, then an evening return flight to GVA.
What do you think? Too many nights here, not enough there?
I’ll be traveling solo, I love driving, and I enjoy settling in the middle of nature to listen, observe, and take photos (Botswana was perfect for that).
Thanks in advance!
Nicole
Photo: Baines Baobab, Botswana, April 2025
I’d like to return to Africa and stay in a lodge where I can see animals—not necessarily the Big Five—without needing any transport once I arrive at the lodge, and at a price under $250 per day for two people with full board. The week-long stay is planned for late June into early July. I’m looking for suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Hi, I’d like to travel to Ethiopia as a solo 60-year-old woman, backpacking style, between December 2025 and January 2026.
I’m wondering about the current state of the country: unrest, safety concerns, etc.
Government websites advise against going, saying it’s too dangerous.
But I’m skeptical—they tend to be overly cautious.
So I’m looking for reliable information, though I’m not sure where to find it.
Thanks in advance!
Hello,
We’re a group of four seventy-something retirees and we’re planning a 4-week trip to South Africa. We’re seasoned "adventurers" used to multi-week stays (we’ve been to India seven times, Mexico, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Australia, etc.).
For South Africa, we’re thinking of covering most of the trip in a private vehicle and taking flights for inter-state transfers.
We’re interested in meeting people, learning about the country’s evolution, exploring major cities, visiting traditional villages, and seeing wildlife.
Here’s the itinerary we’re considering:
Johannesburg – 2 days (we’ll pass through again later)
Pretoria – 2 days
Blyde River Canyon and Graskop – 1 day
Acornhoek – 1 day
Letaba – 2 days
Lobamba – 2 days
Johannesburg – 1 day
Flight to Cape Town
Cape Town – 3 days
Cape of Good Hope – 1 day
Stellenbosch – 1 day
Hermanus – 1 day
Mossel Bay – 2 days
Oudtshoorn
Wilderness – 2 days
Knysna
Port Elizabeth – 2 days
Addo Elephant Park
Flight back to Johannesburg
Johannesburg – 1 day
Return to Paris
Could you share your thoughts on this itinerary? We’ll be renting a vehicle to explore both regions.
We can easily add 4–5 more days to the trip if needed.
We’re looking at traveling either between April and May 2026 or in October/November 2026.
I’ll follow up later to discuss the best safari options and get a rough budget estimate.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this and share their thoughts!
Hi,
I’m heading to Angola for two weeks starting mid-April and I’d like to rent a car to explore the country, but not a 4x4 to keep my budget in check. I plan to mostly stay in the western part and go as far as the Namibian border. Is it possible to drive in Iona Park without a 4x4, or to get to Kalendula or Piedra Negras? Also, is the Lubango–Huambo–Kuito–Malanje route doable in a city car? Lastly, do gas stations accept Visa?
Thanks for your feedback and tips!
