Hello,
I’m taking advantage of the forum reopening to ask this question:
For her 70th birthday, my mom will receive—as a gift—a trip to South Africa at the end of May 2025.
We’ll arrive and depart (13 nights later) from JNB on Air France AF990/AF995. We’ll obviously rent a car for certain parts of the trip.
I’ve been to the Cape Town area and as far as Agulhas twice, but she’s never been to South Africa before. She might enjoy a day or two of safari, but it’s not a priority for her. I’m well aware that trying to pack in too much is risky, which is why I’m looking for your advice on itineraries, safety, and health (status of the Marburg virus).
So far, which combinations of these visits (in no particular order) would be doable and most enjoyable for her at a reasonable pace:
1-day excursion to Pilanesberg Park (+ Hartbeespoort on the way back if possible), self-drive or with a tour guide?
2 nights around the Panorama Route self-driving
Garden Route from/to George/PLZ for 5 nights (what are the must-sees for a first-timer with so little time?)
Wine region for 2 nights (is it worth doing both the Stellenbosch bus tour and the Franschhoek Wine Tram the next day, or vice versa)—she loves good wine!
Cape Town for 2 nights (is it worth stopping at the Cape of Good Hope if—only if—you’ve maybe already been to Agulhas?).
This would give a final itinerary like this:
Day 1: Morning arrival in JNB—rest day/to be defined
Day 2: Guided game drive excursion to Pilanesberg Park
Day 3: Flight JNB–Port Elizabeth, pick up rental car, drive to Tsitsikamma
Day 4–6: Garden Route: activities to be defined
Day 7: Transfer to Franschhoek: Wine Tram in the afternoon
Day 8: Taxi to Stellenbosch for the Vine Hopper bus tour
Day 9–11: Transfer to Cape Town: activities to be defined
Day 12: Flight from Cape Town to Hoedspruit or Nelspruit
Day 13: Visit the Panorama Route
Day 14: Flight from Hoedspruit or Nelspruit to JNB, then evening flight back to France
Given the time spent on the Garden Route, what are the must-sees? Same question for the Panorama Route?
In general, she prefers beautiful walks with incredible landscapes/views and cultural visits over big cats, but it would be a shame not to see some local wildlife like meerkats, whales (I doubt it in May), or penguins during her stay!
There you go—feel free to critique (not too harshly, though😛)/advise/improve.
Thanks in advance! 🙂
Of course, your plan is totally doable as is. A few questions and suggestions, though.
Why not keep the car from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town for more flexibility?
Babylonstoren, north of Stellenbosch, is worth the detour for its gardens, wines, and way of life.
In Cape Town, don’t miss the Zeitz MOCAA (contemporary art)—it’s unique on the continent.
At Cape of Good Hope, now very developed, there are often more penguins on the boardwalks than on the beaches.
To cut down on travel time, consider swapping Pilanesberg for Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth. If you keep Pilanesberg, you could head there on the day of arrival (about 3h from JNB) and spend the first night there.
With the same goal, especially if you keep the car from Day 3 to Day 12, swap the Panorama Route for a detour into the Karoo, focusing on its mountain ranges (for the views), like the Swartberg Mountains—plus the bonus of semi-desert landscapes.
I find it odd to have so many domestic flights for a trip that’s meant to be relaxing?
It’s exhausting to have so many flights, and it’s a big time-waster over such a short period.
If the tickets haven’t been bought yet, it’d be better to do a round trip to Cape Town and plan a loop from there (like Cape Town, the wine regions, Karoo NP—wildlife + landscapes—and return along the ocean).
If the tickets are already booked, then it might be best to focus on the Johannesburg-Durban area.
For example: Pretoria (history and culture), Marakele NP (wildlife and landscapes), Pilanesberg (wildlife and landscapes), fly to Durban, and head back via the Drakensberg (landscapes and culture) before finishing the trip in Joburg (history and culture).
Or a middle-ground option if flights are already booked:
Arrive in Joburg – Joburg
Domestic flight to Cape Town
Cape Town, wine regions, Karoo NP (landscapes and wildlife), Graaff-Reinet (history), Mountain Zebra NP (landscapes and wildlife), return the car in Port Elizabeth, fly back to Joburg, and last night in Pretoria.
Happy planning!
(Agulhas and Cape of Good Hope aren’t redundant.)
(The Drakensberg, like all high-altitude areas, can be quite chilly in May.)
Hello!
Lots to see in a short time!
Why not try this:
Arrive in Cape Town (CT)
Then from CT to Port Elizabeth (PE)
Flight to Johannesburg (Joburg), then flight to Hoedspruit or Skukuza
Or drive to Kruger National Park (KNP) via Panorama Route
Return flight from Hoedspruit or Skukuza
To Joburg for departure
Alternatively:
Arrive in CT
Do this part, then fly to Hoedspruit or Skukuza
Return either via Panorama Route to Joburg or fly from Hoedspruit/Skukuza
This is my first draft
Hello!
This makes me so happy!
For the penguins:
If you enter early in the morning through the small gate on the west side, you’ll reach a little beach that’s often not too crowded.
Hello
So much in so little time...
Why not do
Arrival in CPT
Then from CPT to PE
Flight to Joburg then flight to Hoedspruit or Skukuza
Or drive to KNP via Panorama Route
Return flight from Hoedspruit or Skukuza
To Joburg and departure
Or arrival in CPT
Do this part then fly to Hoed or Skukuza
Then return either via Panorama Route to Joburg or flight from Hoed or Skukuza
This is my first approach
This is a general response to everyone (whom I thank by the way, since apparently you're all experts). No, it's not too much in too little time—just to clarify, I’d like your help with the essential attractions/ideal itinerary (without paying an agency) so my mom can enjoy it to the fullest (and definitely not at a rushed pace) and at her own rhythm—even if it means cutting some stops.
1) I have Accor points (non-refundable) that need to be used (i.e., booked) before December 5, 2024. They cover 2 rooms for 2 nights in Jo’burg—which is why I thought of Pilanesberg in between. The other Accor hotels are in Cape Town (1 room/1 night) or Nelspruit (1 room/2 nights)—not many options in South Africa!
3) The long-haul flights with Air France are already booked—so arrival at JNB (unless there’s a last-minute airline change) is theoretically at 8:10 AM, and departure 14 days later at 6:50 PM. That leaves some wiggle room on the first and last days.
4) Overall—and as of now—the 3 domestic flights (multi-destination with Air Link) cost 200 € per person. Not driving to JNB will help avoid traffic and the stress of returning on the last day!
5) The car will be used on the Garden Route and the Winelands, then the Panorama Route (essential for that stretch).
6) Addo Elephant Park? Why not! But it adds time from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town (currently limited to 3 days). At worst, other reserves or the Karoo (what are the highlights?) if it fits naturally into this itinerary.
7) Sure, it’s a gift for my mom, but I’ve never seen the Blyde River Canyon—it’s a unique opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. (But shhh, don’t tell her!)😉
The feedback is great because there are lots of ideas that will shape the final route, so don’t hesitate!🙂
I have non-refundable Accor points that need to be used (=booked) before December 5, 2024
Cape Town seems like the best option. Nelspruit isn’t very interesting. Johannesburg, well, I wouldn’t stay there for 2 nights (am I wrong?)
as many accommodations as possible will be booked using Air France air miles
Doesn’t seem like there’s much choice in South Africa, right?
not driving to JNB will help avoid traffic and the stress of returning on the last day!
Coming back from the east (Blyde Canyon), we avoid the city. 😉
At worst, other reserves or the Karoo if it fits naturally into this itinerary
I’m not a huge fan of Addo, but it’s the only Big Five reserve in the area.
Karoo NP has varied wildlife and much prettier landscapes, but no Big Five.
This park fits well into a route around the Cape, arriving from the west (the vineyards) and, in a shorter version, returning via the south through Swartberg Pass and the coast.
I don’t know the Blyde River Canyon
It’s nice, but I don’t see the point of making a round trip just for that area...
The Drakensberg has more to offer.
Might as well go as far as the nearby Kruger, which would make a small loop around Cape Town without an animal park, then another loop from Nelspruit Airport including Kruger and Blyde.
Skip Pilanesberg then—it’s not the best anyway.
Arrival JNB - Visit JNB - night in JNB
Flight to Cape Town Loop
Flight to Nelspruit Loop
Return by car to JNB or by plane - last night in Pretoria
Not too tiring, aside from the domestic flights, very few nights in animal parks, but still the best: Blyde, Cape Town, the vineyards.
Good evening,
I’m replying to Attila’s post because I largely agree with his opinion.
Okay, so we arrive in Joburg and depart from Joburg.
From Cape Town (CT), you can reach Hoedspruit or Skukuza.
Or Nelspruit (now called Mbombela), but there’s only one flight per day and it’s quite late.
Connections from Port Elizabeth (PE) or George all go back through Joburg.
So logically, it makes sense to keep Joburg as the entry/exit point and use Hoedspruit or Skukuza as bases.
I’d skip Joburg and head straight to CT.
I’d spend time exploring around CT:
- The Peninsula
- Penguins
- Table Mountain
- Whether or not to visit the vineyards
- Maybe head to West Coast National Park
- Even a quick trip to Cederberg
- Return via Mossel Bay
Basically, I’d spend a good chunk of time in a relatively small area (more relaxing).
Then I’d leave CT for Hoedspruit or Skukuza.
From Hoedspruit, I’d visit Blyde River Canyon.
And then...
Either I’d limit myself to the Kruger National Park (KNP) around Orpen, Satara, or Mopani.
Or...
I’d consider a private reserve (oh, Mrs. Attila might not agree here).
Like Honeyguide in Manyeleti (more relaxing)
Or Shindzela in Timbavati (a bit trickier with timing, so Honeyguide is probably better—it’s one I know well).
I think both can pick you up.
And I’d depart from Hoedspruit.
Alternatively, I’d arrive at Skukuza (fewer flights, but car rental is possible, and it’s the heart of Kruger).
It’s not the wildest camp, sure, but in this case, it’d be practical.
I’d stick to Skukuza, Berg-en-Dal, and Lower Sabie.
Then I’d drive back to Joburg via Blyde River Canyon, with Graskop or Sabie as a base.
It’s not too difficult—you arrive from the east, so there aren’t many towns.
It’s doable from Graskop, but if you want to take it easy, you could stop overnight in Dullstroom.
There you go!
These past three years have been all about South Africa for me.
(No teasing from the old-timers, please!)
In the eastern part, from north to south,
And in the west, around CT.
The eager ones can wait for my upcoming travel journal summary...
Hello,
I agree with Michel 85200—one night in a private reserve is exceptional.
Shindzela is still affordable, and you can see lots of animals off-road.
We’re heading back to northern South Africa in June 2025.
We’ll spend 20 days in Kruger, including 2 nights again at Shindzela.
Best regards
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!
Hello,
We’d like to book a round-trip transfer from the airport to the reserve for peace of mind. Do any of you have experience to share or tips to help me find a reliable provider? There’ll be 4 adults in our group.
Thanks for your feedback!
Hi there!
I’m supposed to arrive in Rwanda in mid-January, then continue on to Gabon (I think I’ll have to fly there because of bad experiences in the past), and after that, travel from Libreville to Monrovia by sea. Is this doable without too much hassle?
Hi there, my wife and I are likely going to spend a week volunteering at the in Bela Bela, near Hatfield, during the third week of May 2027. After that, we’d like to rent a car and spend a week in Kruger Park. What do you think about the timing and the type of vehicle? Also, which spots are best for accommodation so we can experience the park’s different sides? Thanks.
Hi,
The Wild Card gives access to many parks in South Africa. Since the card is cheaper if you choose the "couple" option, I was wondering what they mean by "couple." Is it simply 2 people, with no family ties, or is it the "official" couple as many people understand it? In my case, I’ll be traveling with 2 buddies. Since there’ll be 3 of us, we could take 1 couple card and 1 individual one.
Thanks in advance
📋 Yes, travel insurance is now mandatory in the ETA application.
Since October 6, 2026, the official Kenyan ETA portal directly includes a step to subscribe to mandatory government travel insurance for travelers required to obtain an ETA, even if you already have your own medical and repatriation insurance.
This insurance adds an official extra cost of $44 plus payment fees of $8, totaling $52 on top of the ETA. The ETA application cannot be completed without paying for this insurance on the portal.
In the end, Kenya followed the Tanzanian "model".....!!
Thirty years ago, I traveled to Zanzibar (Tanzania) with my children. Since I’ve since started a new family, I took the opportunity of a trip to Kenya to bring my new family along: my wife, who’s Kenyan, and my 10-year-old daughter.
Zanzibar has really changed in 30 years.
It’s become the island of taxes.
It all starts upon arrival: I think it’s the only country in the world, besides the visa, where Zanzibar insurance (and no other) is mandatory—it costs 40 €. If you didn’t purchase it before arriving, good luck getting it: the IT systems are unreliable. With a bit of luck, it’ll take at least an hour to process! And of course, this insurance is useless—if you get sick, it’s recommended to use your home country’s insurance because if you use Zanzibar’s, your national insurance won’t cover you anymore.
I wanted to show my daughter the red colobus monkey, which is endemic to Zanzibar. I paid for a tour that was supposed to be all-inclusive. First, we visited a spice farm, where a farm guide took charge of us—meaning commissions were involved, of course! The tour was very good and informative, though. When we arrived at Jenzhi Park (the colobus park), the guide told us he "forgot" there was an entrance fee (50$).
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!
I’d like to go to South Africa in August and plan my trip myself (so no travel agency).
Could anyone recommend a good guidebook, please? (Routard, Lonely Planet, Petit Futé, etc.) Thanks!!
I’m starting to plan a trip to Tanzania + Zanzibar in August 2027 for 2 to 3 weeks with my partner.
I’ve never been there before and I’d love some advice, especially for Tanzania where we’re planning to do several safaris in the North.
Specifically:
Do you recommend using a travel agency to organize the trip, or are guidebooks and internet recommendations enough?
If you’ve used a local agency (rather than one in France), which one?
Would you recommend hiring a guide for the entire stay in Tanzania, or is it better to travel independently except in the parks where I’ve read that guides are mandatory?
If you’ve used a local agency (rather than one in France), which one and at what price?
Have you had any bad surprises (hidden fees, inexperienced guide, poor vehicle condition)?
Looking forward to reading your tips! 🙂
Thanks in advance
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.
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.
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!
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!
I’m thinking (thanks to some tips from forum members 😉) of taking this route to get to the Cederberg.
Apparently, the road was damaged by the May rains, and traffic is still slow there.
Has anyone taken this route recently?
If not, is one direction (toward or from the Cederberg) more scenic than the other?
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
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 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
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.
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.
