Now that the Kruger part is (almost) wrapped up, I’m looking at the "Cape region" section.
The idea of spending 2 days (well, more like 2 nights and 1.5 days) in the Cederberg is really tempting 😎.
I’ve reread the posts about it—more or less (actually, more less than more)—and I still have quite a few questions:
- Where’s the best area to stay? Initially, I was looking at Kagga Kama, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the cost (or the trip, for that matter), or maybe Mount Ceder? Or somewhere else (without driving 6 or 8 hours from CT 😉)?
The plan is to get there in a sedan (if possible), see some beautiful landscapes, and do one or two hikes (nothing too tough 😛).
- I read that you need a permit to hike there... where do you buy it? (At the entrance, like in Kruger? 🤪)
- Is October a good time for the weather (theoretically...)?
Hi there,
We’re heading to Zanzibar in early January and I was wondering if it’s really safe given the post-election events that happened earlier this month. We heard there was severe repression during the protests (that’s putting it mildly) and that the internet was shut down. How’s the situation now? What’s the vibe like in Zanzibar? Is it safe to travel there?
If any of you are currently there, I’d really appreciate hearing your firsthand experience.
Have a great day,
Lazurite
I was thinking of continuing the questions from my first post, but since the title was changed... I’m starting a new thread
The plane should land on Saturday around 11 AM. After collecting luggage and the car, I think we’ll leave the airport between 1 and 2 PM.
Question #1: Where should we stop along the way, allowing some buffer time so we don’t end up driving at night if the flight is delayed? (The idea isn’t to sightsee but just to take a break while making progress toward Kruger.)
We’ll spend part of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (a little over 4 days) in Kruger.
Questions #2 and beyond: What route should we take?
I’ve considered two options: either enter from the south (Malelane Gate?) and head north up to the Olifants area to exit at Orpen Gate. How many accommodations should we book in this case, and where?
Or enter at Orpen Gate and exit near Hazyview (or the other way around, and near Hazyview, should it be Paul Kruger Gate or Phabeni?). In this case, it would allow us to spend 2 nights in one place and 2 in another, but we’d skip the south (or is it possible to visit it in a day?)
Well, for accommodations (accessible by sedan), all suggestions are welcome… but I’ve checked October availability, and there aren’t many left 😕
I plan to spend Thursday in the park and exit before it closes to sleep outside, which would save time the next day for the drive to the airport. I was thinking of Hazyview (again, no sightseeing since we already visited the area in 2009), but do you have another/better idea?
For clarity, here’s a summary of the Kruger part:
Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg and drive to ?
Day 2: Enter Kruger (likely late morning or early afternoon)
Days 3, 4, and 5: Kruger with exit at the end of Day 5
Day 6: Drive to the airport for the Cape Town and surrounds portion
Regarding Kruger bookings, it seems (I lost my old notes when my hard drive crashed—I backed up work documents but not vacation ones, what a mess!) that you can monitor reservations, and if a preferred accommodation becomes available, you can book it and cancel the old one. Is that still the case? (And is it easy to do?)
Thanks in advance for your answers.
I’m off to reread travel journals about Cape Town and will probably be back with more questions (the accommodation availability issue seems less urgent there, so less of a priority).
Alright, this time it's definite—I'm heading to South Africa next October! 😎
Two weeks for a Kruger-Cape Town combo is short... but better than nothing 😉
Before booking the flight tickets, two quick preliminary questions (more will definitely follow):
Is there a preferred direction (Kruger first or Cape Town first)?
Is it better to go during the first half of October, the second half (or the middle 😏), or does the current unpredictable weather make it all pretty much the same in the end?
Hi there,
I’m heading to Kenya in July 2026. I’d like to travel from Nairobi to Mombasa in 5/6 days, passing through Amboseli, Tsavo West and East, and Taita Hills. Unfortunately, I can’t find any group tours for this itinerary—only private options, which makes the prices skyrocket for camping accommodations. I’m realizing it might actually be cheaper to rent an SUV from Hertz and stay in much more luxurious lodges on my own!
My partner drove for a month from Cape Town to Johannesburg, so left-hand driving doesn’t scare him, but I’ve seen a lot of warnings about chaotic traffic... Has anyone tried this? And what about safety (fake police checks, carjacking, etc.)?
Alternatively, should I take the train and book directly with the lodges? But I’m worried about wasting too much time.
Thanks for your help! Gaëlle
Good evening,
I’m drawn to the siren call of Voy.. priv... offering a lovely Namibia itinerary, but I won’t hide that our last trip with this same "organization" left a bitter taste... though to be fair, the destination had lost all its charm—or maybe it was just too much so: Bali!
I loved it in 2001, but when I went back in 2023, I hated it. Still, we let ourselves be convinced by an enticing price...
But that’s not the point.
Now, we want to take this dream trip to Namibia.
There are so many options, from the simplest to the most sophisticated:
tourist buses, self-drive 4x4s, or private guides.
Each has its pros and cons.
The bus: I hated Bali *because* of this—too many people, too touristy... On the other hand, you just let yourself be guided. No stress about driving.
4x4: Waking up in the middle of nature must be incredible—being self-sufficient with a travel journal, knowing every day is full of surprises. The downside? Only my partner drives. A former sales rep, he’s logged so many kilometers it’s wrecked his back...
With a guide: That’d be the dream... but we don’t have the budget.
So, I’m looking for a solution—contacts, advice—to make this trip match our tastes *and* our budget. For early April, of course!
Happy New Year 2026!
We’re planning a trip to Botswana.
Thanks in advance for your tips on getting from Maun to Kasane (or the other way around) by road (taxi or rental car) or by air.
Is it possible by road? If so, which route is best?
And by air, what do you think of Air Botswana? Mackair seems really expensive to us.
Best regards
Hi there,
In two months, I’m heading off for 4 weeks with three backpacker friends to South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini.
We’ve got our round-trip flight tickets from France to Johannesburg and plan to drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town and back to Johannesburg in an SUV or 4x4.
For other city trips, we’ll use local transport or Uber.
That’s the plan for our transportation.
For the car rental, I’d like to know which company to book with.
Can anyone give me some tips on renting a vehicle and crossing into Lesotho and Eswatini?
Next, I’ve put together a rough itinerary that seems good to me, but could you share your experiences and maybe point out any mistakes I’ve made?
Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg
Day 2: Johannesburg (city tour)
Day 3: Johannesburg to Cape Town (old town)
Day 4: Cape Town (Table Mountain)
Day 5: Cape Town (Robben Island + port)
Day 6: Cape Town (peninsula: Boulders Beach, Cape of Good Hope)
Day 7: Cape Town to Stellenbosch to Franschhoek
Day 8: Franschhoek to Greyton to Genadendal to Montagu
Day 9: Montagu to Swellendam
Day 10: Swellendam to Overberg
Day 11: Overberg
Day 12: Overberg to George (Garden Route) to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Day 13: Gqeberha to Queenstown to Aliwal North
Day 14: Aliwal North to Lesotho (Maseru)
Day 15: Lesotho
Day 16: Lesotho to Drakensberg
Day 17: Drakensberg
Day 18: Drakensberg to Durban to St. Lucia
Day 19: St. Lucia
Day 20: St. Lucia to Eswatini
Day 21: Eswatini
Day 22: Eswatini to Kruger
Day 23: Kruger
Day 24: Kruger
Day 25: Kruger to Blyde Canyon
Day 26: Blyde Canyon to Johannesburg
Day 27: Johannesburg
Day 28: Johannesburg to France
That’s the plan.
Of course, it’d be perfect, but some spots probably deserve more time, while others might be less interesting.
I hope you can help me fine-tune this route.
Thanks in advance for your patience and great advice.
hi,
after a 13-day trek between Drakensberg, Lesotho, and the Wild Coast that’ll end in Durban, I’d love to extend the fun for a few more days (4 or 5) by heading to a reserve.
Ideally, it’d offer not just the usual daytime 4x4 safaris but also "morning walks."
I’ve already explored the coast up to St Lucia and done Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, iSimangaliso… so I’d prefer to head south or west instead.
It’d also need to include pickup and drop-off at Durban airport—I don’t feel like renting a car that’ll just sit unused for days.
I’ve done some research and narrowed it down, and Springbok Lodge (Nambiti Game Reserve) caught my eye.
=> Anyone familiar with it—what do you think?
=> Any other suggestions?
I’d like to avoid Phezulu—it feels more like an amusement park—and Shongweni Nature Reserve seems more focused on family-friendly activities.
Hi there,
For our trip in a month, we’ll have a long wait at OR Tambo. Our flight from Port Elizabeth lands at 2 p.m. and our return flight doesn’t leave until 11:45 p.m.
I’m looking for either a nearby spot to kill time or a quiet corner in the airport to catch some sleep and relax.
Any ideas, please?
Thanks
It's official—I've got our flight tickets for next October!
Two weeks with my 16-year-old son, aiming to see plenty of big animals and birds.
Thanks to all of you for the wealth of information on this site.
After going through a good chunk of the forum and travel journals about South Africa, I think my itinerary is ready...
I’ve planned 2 days with long drives to minimize time spent outside the parks.
These are Sunday the 18th: Johannesburg Airport to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve,
and Friday the 23rd: St. Lucia to Nelspruit (staying in South Africa) or as close as possible to visit the Canyon the next day.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the itinerary, especially these 2 days—are they doable or not? Should I book in advance, or will there be places to sleep along the way if we don’t make it to our planned destination?
What’s the crowd level in South Africa in October?
As for Kruger, I’ve chosen campsites with camping facilities, prioritizing the "satellite" camps, at least in the northern part!! I’ve planned to change camps almost every day to combine travel and wildlife spotting, but is this the right choice?
The itinerary:
Sunday 18th
Arrival at 8:50 AM in Johannesburg
Drive to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve
530 km, 7h20
1 night (18th–19th) at the northern gate
Monday 19th
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve
1h30, 50 km
2nd night (19th–20th) southeast of the reserve
Tuesday 20th
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve
3rd night (20th–21st) southeast of the reserve
or Mpila
Wednesday 21st
Reserve and drive to St. Lucia
Drive to St. Lucia: 1h, 50 km
Crocodile and hippo boat tour at 3 PM
4th night (21st–22nd) in St. Lucia
Sugarloaf Campsites
Thursday 22nd
Whale-watching tour 7–9 AM (or the next day)
Cap Vidal, day trip: 70 km round trip
5th night (22nd–23rd) in St. Lucia
Sugarloaf Campsites
Friday 23rd
Drive to Nelspruit
541 km, 7h
Night in Nelspruit
6th night (23rd–24th) in Graskop
Saturday 24th
Blyde River Canyon
150 km, 2h + stops
7th night (24th–25th) at Blyde Canyon Forever Resort
Sunday 25th (Kruger Day 1)
Leopard Trail hike: 3h
Drive to Kruger, Phalaborwa Gate
136 km, 2h to the park entrance
75 km, 3h to Mopani - Tzende
8th night (25th–26th) Kruger 1: Tsendze
Monday 26th (Kruger Day 2)
Drive to Balule: 84 km, 3h20
9th night (26th–27th) Kruger 2: Balule
Tuesday 27th (Kruger Day 3)
Drive to Satara: 160 km, 6h25
10th night (27th–28th) Kruger 3: Satara
Wednesday 28th (Kruger Day 4)
Kruger
11th night (28th–29th) Kruger 4: Satara
Thursday 29th (Kruger Day 5)
Kruger
12th night (29th–30th) Kruger 5: Skukuza
Friday 30th (Kruger Day 6)
Kruger
13th night (30th–31st) Kruger 6: Lower Sabi
Saturday 31st (Kruger Day 7)
Kruger
14th night (31st–1st) Kruger 7: Berg-en-Dal
Sunday 31st
Departure: flight at 9:15 PM (must be at the airport by 6 PM max)
Morning in Kruger, then drive
400 km, 5h30—departure by 11 AM max
hi,
We’re thinking of traveling to Tanzania in June (more specifically the first half) and would love to hear about your experiences, especially regarding the Serengeti safari. Is it a good time to see the animals? Would it be better to go later? For those who’ve been there during this period, do you recommend it?
thanks in advance
Hello and happy New Year to everyone,
A friend and I are interested in going to South Africa (or Kenya) for about two weeks (last quarter of 2026) but without renting a car.
Generally, I don’t like organized trips for the entire duration of a trip, and what’s more, this destination is very expensive.
So, I was wondering if it would be a good idea to spend, for example, a week in Cape Town independently and take day trips with a local agency, then do a week-long circuit for a safari in a park, which would leave a bit of freedom to book flights and maybe get advice from local agencies.
Is this a good idea? Is it doable or not?
What do you think? Have any travelers done this kind of trip?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Dominique
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip to South Africa and thinking of renting a car. Is it straightforward, and are there any companies to avoid or others you’d recommend?
We just realized our international driving permit has expired, and the French administration says it’ll take 5 months to get a new one. Is it possible to rent a car without this famous international permit?
The Tanzanian government has recently implemented a new regulation banning the use of foreign currencies for domestic transactions. The Bank of Tanzania issued a notice requiring all local payments to be made exclusively in Tanzanian shillings (TZS).
Hi everyone,
I’m trying to finalize my 2-week itinerary for mid-February.
We’ll have traveled from Port Elizabeth to George, stopping by Plettenberg and Knysna, and we’ll be around De Rust at the end.
We want to take the return route to Port Elizabeth with an overnight stop since we don’t like driving for long hours.
We’re torn between going through the Karoo with a stop in Steytlerville or taking the R62 via Joubertina and Kareedouw.
Which option would you recommend, please?
Just to clarify, we’ll have a compact car.
Thanks for your help!
Maeva
Hi everyone, I’m planning a two-week trip to Tanzania at the end of December and beginning of January, including 3 or 4 days in Zanzibar. But after reading some posts about the island, I’m wondering if it’s really worth it.
Are the beaches on the mainland just as idyllic as Zanzibar’s? I’ve also seen there are other islands, like Mafia Island, which is less touristy.
Another question: for my arrival, I don’t want to stay in Dar es Salaam, as big cities don’t really appeal to me. Would Bagamoyo be a good base, or would you recommend somewhere else?
To give you more details, I’m not traveling with a tour operator—I’m more of a backpacker and prefer local transport.
Following the post-election chaos this week, read carefully:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays-destination/tanzanie/
In particular:
"For French travelers needing to take flights from Tanzanian airports, most international flights are canceled until further notice. It’s recommended to go to the airport only if your flight is confirmed by your airline.
It’s advised to postpone any travel plans to Tanzania unless absolutely necessary."
Hi everyone,
We’re seriously considering a two-week trip in August 2026 with our kids, who’ll be 11 and 10 years old.
That’s where we’re torn on the destination. For those who’ve been to both, could you share the main differences? I get the impression that in Botswana, the landscapes are a bit samey everywhere, while Namibia offers more diversity? We’re looking for an "off-the-beaten-path" adventure: safaris, meeting local communities, etc., and not too many touristy spots. Thanks for your help!
Olivia
Hi there, we’re planning a trip for two couples in October 2025—ideally to Tanzania and Zanzibar for a safari circuit and 2 to 3 nights in Zanzibar.
If anyone has already traveled with Tanzanisa Specialist, Comptoir des Voyages, or another agency, we’d love to hear about your experience or any tips you might have.
After having to cancel our trip to Uganda in December 2020, we finally decided to go in December/January. We leave on December 28th and return on January 18th, which gives us 20 days and 20 nights there 🙂
The main goal of this trip is to meet primates, big and small. We won’t skip the birds and other mammals or the local culture and people, but we want to maximize our chances of meeting our monkey friends.
It’ll be a self-drive road trip with lodge stays. The 4x4 is booked, as are the chimpanzee and gorilla permits, and most of the accommodations.
I’m reaching out because I have a big question mark about my itinerary. Here’s what was originally planned (with the parts I’m unsure about in bold):
1 night in Entebbe on arrival day
1 night at Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch (rhino trek and shoebill trek)
2 nights at Murchison Falls NP (Murchison River Lodge)
2 nights at Lake Albert (Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve)
2 nights in Kibale (for the chimpanzee habituation day)
2 nights in Queen Elizabeth NP (chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge)
2 nights in Bwindi, Ruhija sector (gorilla trek)
2 nights at Lake Mutanda (gorilla trek in Mgahinga)
1 night in Kisoro (golden monkey trek in Mgahinga)
1 night at Lake Bunyonyi
2 nights in Lake Mburo NP
2 nights near Mabamba Swamps (for the shoebill and to relax before flying back)
My "issue": The lodge at Lake Albert only has availability for the first of the 2 nights. So I’m hesitating between a few options (if you have other ideas, I’m all ears!):
1- Add an extra night at MFNP and make a stop somewhere between MFNP and Kibale. But where?
2- Keep 1 night at Lake Albert and do 3 nights in Kibale (but is 3 days in Kibale too much?)
3- Do 3 nights at MFNP and 3 nights in Kibale, with a long drive between the two
4- 2 nights at Lake Albert but at another lodge not in Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve (is there enough to fill 2 days? Any lodge recommendations?)
A huge thank you for your help and advice 🙂
Have a wonderful sunny weekend,
Pascale
I’m just starting to plan our trip for late August 2026, but I’ve read multiple times that campsite bookings need to be made *way* in advance if we want to secure a spot—especially in the parks. Before I get too far into my road book, I’d love to get a sense of what “way in advance” actually means.
That leads to another question: what’s the best *channel* for making these reservations? Can I find a list of campsites online?
From what I’ve gathered, there aren’t any fenced campsites—is wild camping allowed?
I’ll admit, I’m short on time, and reading a few threads here has shown me how quick and helpful the experts are 😉.
We’re a group of 4 and plan to rent a 4x4. Rooftop tents seem like the better option given the wildlife (and, well, *people* roaming freely), especially compared to Namibia (which we visited in 2018).
Hello,
I went on a safari from Arusha 20 years ago organized by a local agency called Sirocco, I think. It was fabulous (8 tourists, 2 4x4 vehicles, 1 driver, 1 guide, and a cook).
I’d love to find those same safari conditions again (immersion in simple conditions within the Serengeti, notably), but I’m struggling to find that kind of offer (lodges, tent camps, etc.).
Do you have any contacts?
Thanks
Hi there, I’m a resident of La Réunion and I’m heading to Johannesburg in May 2026. I’d like to visit a few places in Zimbabwe (Great Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park, and Matobo Hills) from Bulawayo over a week.
Is this doable? Can I do it solo or should I go through a local agency? And if so, could you recommend one?
Thanks for all your tips!
Fred
Hi there,
From Windhoek to Namaqualand, is it possible to take a route further east than the B1 national road, and are there any points of interest along that way?
Thanks in advance.
Hello everyone,
We came back enchanted from our first trip to Namibia and we're already thinking of going back. We did the classics: Etosha, Twyfelfontein, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei...
Our guide suggests doing the Caprivi Strip over 10 days, alternating 2 nights in a lodge and 2 nights in a tent. Given that we love landscapes but especially wildlife observation, I wonder if after spending 4 nights in Etosha and having visited Botswana twice, Caprivi offers different animals to see and if the wildlife is generally abundant.
The videos I've seen online don't really captivate me. It seems quite similar to the Okavango Delta.
What do you think?
Are there other circuits we should prioritize?
Both in our seventies, we prefer staying mainly in lodges.
Thanks in advance to those who can give us advice
We’re heading to Namibia for the first time at the end of January 2026 for 12 nights as a couple, with a 4x4 rental (no tent). We’re planning to stay in lodges, hotels, or similar.
Our goal is to explore Namibia and see as many animals as possible.
We were thinking of following this route:
Windhoek to Sesriem – 2 nights
Sesriem to Omaruru – 2 nights
Omaruru to Ongava (ETOSHA) – 2 nights
Ongava to Onguma (ETOSHA) – 2 nights
Onguma to Okonjima – 2 nights
Okonjima to Windhoek – 2 nights (these last two nights near Windhoek at a lodge like Our Habitas)
What do you think of this plan?
I know we’ll miss a lot of must-see spots, but we only have 12 nights, and the distances between the points of interest we’ve chosen are pretty long.
Also, since January/February is the "rainy season," do you think this itinerary is suitable?
Don’t hesitate to tell me if we’re completely off track or if you’d recommend something totally different—we’re open to any suggestions.
Hi there,
We're considering the following route:
- Cape Town
- West Coast National Park
- Lambert's Bay
- Springbok
- Upington
- KTP
That’s about 1,250 km in total.
We’ve already visited the West Coast National Park.
Is covering such a distance to reach KTP (the main goal of our trip) really worth it—does it offer enough to justify the detour?
Thanks for your input!
