Reading suggestions · East and Southern Africa

Africa has been calling me, so a year ago, with our usual travel companions, we decided to return to the continent we love so much. Where to go? Uganda quickly caught our attention—wildlife we’re used to, plus gorillas and the shoebill we missed in Zambia. We got in touch with Paul, who’s been mentioned several times on the forum in September, booked our flight tickets, secured the gorilla permits, and by early October, the most important parts were done.

No wild adventures, no risks, no sleeping under the stars, no self-drive, no venturing off the beaten path, no incidents, and not even any delays in the pre-planned itinerary...

But don’t think we’re disappointed! The whole family (there were six of us) came home with big smiles and memories of some really great moments spent together.

My girlfriend Christelle and I have chosen South Africa for our first trip to Southern Africa, focusing on safaris. We hesitated for a long time between this and a Cape Town/Kruger combo.

Here we go, the big day has finally arrived. A trip eagerly awaited by the whole family (my two kids, my husband, and me). To keep it short, we left Nice and arrived in Namibia on June 25, 2025, then left again on the 21st—so four weeks later.

Hello everyone,

Previously, I shared a trip report/safari in southern Tanzania in June 2024, in the Mikumi and Selous reserves. This time, still in southern Tanzania, I invite you to join us in the Ruaha Reserve.

After sharing some safari photos from southern Tanzania, I’d love to show you the ones from our latest safari in Kenya in October 2025.

Continuing the trip!

From Waterberg to Mapungubwe.

The roads in this area aren’t great. I should’ve taken the N1 and gone through Musina... Thunderstorm on the road... 60 km to go, hazard lights on...

Last year, I accidentally discovered a "nature reserve" in the Waterberg by sheer chance. Just one night, but I was so thrilled that I went back this year for 3 nights. It was perfect for breaking up the trip between Marakele and Mapungubwe.

I’ve noticed more and more people planning their trips down to the last detail, mapping out day-by-day what they’re going to do and asking for technical advice for their 4x4 routes. That’s not my style of traveling at all—I mostly rely on the unpredictability of public transport (and the weather) and the people I meet along the way... The tips I share below come from real-time experiences, the kind of chance encounters that make unplanned trips special, and the strong connections you build when you take your time without knowing what tomorrow will bring.

So on the agenda today: Marakele.

Back in 2009, I spent a day there, and since then... I’ve tried several times to go back.

The park isn’t very big—nowhere near as lush as Kruger—but it has a lot going for it.

As mentioned in the title, a travel journal focused on St. Lucia and iSimangaliso ("this place is miraculous" = Zulu translation) over various stays spanning about twenty years.

Back in the "travel journal" section to share our 15-day discovery of Kenya in November 2024. It was pretty much our first time in East Africa (since Zanzibar doesn’t really count 😅).

Hello everyone,

I’d like to invite you to discover Kenya with us again.

Back in 2010, my husband Ben and I fell in love with Kenya, and we’ve been traveling there regularly ever since. This new safari in 2025 marked the first weeks of a major milestone in my life: retirement.

Hi everyone,

I’m a newbie to this forum, passionate about wildlife, the landscapes of East Africa, and Tanzania in particular. This June 2024 trip/safari is our 7th visit to Tanzania, and our 5th in the south, which has drawn us more than the north ever since we discovered it.

I remember that before leaving, I was a bit afraid I wouldn’t feel that same sense of wonder I had 2 years earlier in Botswana (see my travel journal). That fear was unfounded... the magic worked its charm once again!

So, on these rainy days, I’m starting to write a little travel journal about the Drakensberg. The Dragon Mountains, uKhahlamba in Zulu and Maluti in Sotho or Tswana...

After returning to South Africa with my family in July 2019, this trip, planned for September 2019, will be all about discovery and a few firsts—first trip with friends, first trek, first time in East Africa.

Ready to join us on a safari to see some animals?

In these post-COVID years, South Africa has drawn me back again... The veterans on the forum might say I’m a bit obsessed (I’ve now made over twenty trips to the country, including two to Namibia)...