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.
Your thoughts on my 14-day South Africa itinerary for a senior traveler
by Soulfull
Translated into English.
Such wise advice!
Definitely worth considering.
Attila
Rjulie
Voyajou
It’s party time!!!!!
Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛
Likewise! But I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock Soulfull out. Hope he bounces back faster than Michel, who still hasn’t recovered from his unfortunate run-in with a sausage tree. 😏
Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛
Likewise! But I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock Soulfull out. Hope he bounces back faster than Michel, who still hasn’t recovered from his unfortunate run-in with a sausage tree. 😏
Attila
Rjulie
Voyajou
It’s party time!!!!!
Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛
Shared pleasure, but I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock out Soulfull. Hope he recovers faster than Michel, who still hasn’t bounced back from his unfortunate collision with a sausage tree. 😏
A man with a "full soul" won’t take offense that old acquaintances are catching up in his thread and will forgive our slip-ups 😊. Hello everyone, so happy to see you all again after this long imposed silence. I’m still sorting out some IP address issues with the new site owner, but I hope to keep exchanging tips. And thanks to Soulfull for his kindness.
Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛
Shared pleasure, but I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock out Soulfull. Hope he recovers faster than Michel, who still hasn’t bounced back from his unfortunate collision with a sausage tree. 😏
A man with a "full soul" won’t take offense that old acquaintances are catching up in his thread and will forgive our slip-ups 😊. Hello everyone, so happy to see you all again after this long imposed silence. I’m still sorting out some IP address issues with the new site owner, but I hope to keep exchanging tips. And thanks to Soulfull for his kindness.
Hello Agnès, Welcome back!
For the 4x4, you’ll just need to leave a little space for Soulfull and her mom ;)
Attila
Rjulie
Voyajou
It’s party time!!!!!
Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛
Shared pleasure, but I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock out Soulfull. Hope he recovers faster than Michel, who still hasn’t gotten up after his unfortunate collision with a sausage tree. 😏
No, not at all! Thanks for checking in on my health. I just need to catch up since I’ve been traveling recently!😛
Attila Rjulie Voyajou It’s party time!!!!!
Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛
Shared pleasure, but I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock out Soulfull. Hope he recovers faster than Michel, who still hasn’t gotten up after his unfortunate collision with a sausage tree. 😏
A man with a "full soul" won’t take offense that old friends are reuniting in his thread and will forgive our slip-ups 😊 Hi everyone, happy to see you all again after this long imposed silence. I’m still having some IP address issues to sort out with the new site owner, but I hope to keep exchanging. And thanks to Soulfull for his kindness.
My pleasure, and no, quite the opposite—it’s even better when veterans chime in and reconnect. Everyone’s welcome here!🙂
Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛
Shared pleasure, but I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock out Soulfull. Hope he recovers faster than Michel, who still hasn’t gotten up after his unfortunate collision with a sausage tree. 😏
No, not at all! Thanks for checking in on my health. I just need to catch up since I’ve been traveling recently!😛
Attila Rjulie Voyajou It’s party time!!!!!
Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛
Shared pleasure, but I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock out Soulfull. Hope he recovers faster than Michel, who still hasn’t gotten up after his unfortunate collision with a sausage tree. 😏
A man with a "full soul" won’t take offense that old friends are reuniting in his thread and will forgive our slip-ups 😊 Hi everyone, happy to see you all again after this long imposed silence. I’m still having some IP address issues to sort out with the new site owner, but I hope to keep exchanging. And thanks to Soulfull for his kindness.
My pleasure, and no, quite the opposite—it’s even better when veterans chime in and reconnect. Everyone’s welcome here!🙂
Thanks for your understanding, though I’m not sure “veterans” will be a hit with everyone 😄.
Anyway, you’re in good hands here—well, except for mine, since I’ve only been to this amazing country once so far!
You can be a veteran traveler and still be quite young!
What a lovely community here with such a warm welcome 😎.
My mom’s birthday is in early November. She’ll receive her paper guides (Michelin 2025 and *Petits Futés Carnets* 2025) and "officially" her tickets then, but I’ll need to advise her (thanks to you all—thank you 😉) and leave her some flexibility to choose "her" activities .
I have non-refundable Accor points that need to be used (=booked) before December 5, 2024
Cape Town seems like the best option. Nelspruit has no appeal. Johannesburg—well, I wouldn’t stay there for two nights (am I wrong?)
As many accommodations as possible will be booked using Air France air miles
There doesn’t seem to be a huge selection 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’ll skip the city. 😉
At worst, other reserves or the Karoo if it fits naturally into this itinerary
I’m not a big fan of Addo, but it’s the only Big Five reserve in that area.
Karoo NP has diverse wildlife and much prettier landscapes, but no Big Five. The park fits well into a Cape Town circuit with an arrival from the west (the vineyards) and, in a shorter version, a return 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.
So, why not push on to 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.
Pilanesberg is out—it’s not the best anyway.
Arrival: JNB - Visit Johannesburg - 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 tiring except for the domestic flights, very few nights in animal parks, but still the best: Blyde, Cape Town, the vineyards.
Two Mercure hotels in Jo’burg (affordable for 2 nights with 2 rooms) and 1 in Nelspruit, 1 Pullman in Cape Town (way over budget for the three of us with 2 rooms ), and 2 or 3 Mantis lodges (even more over budget elsewhere). If there’s nothing interesting in Johannesburg for 2 days, worst case, the Accor points will be used for a wedding in Belgium in July 2025. For Flying Blue hotels (2 rooms - 3 people), availability is much better (well, depending on the dates). Why do you recommend staying in Pretoria (over Johannesburg on the return)?
So, you two are suggesting two loops around Cape Town and Kruger? Loops are great because renting a car costs less. No Garden Route or Drakensberg, then. How should the time be split between the two loops? 50/50? I think one park is enough, and if Kruger is possible and available with the Big Five, that’s great. What’s the ideal duration to enjoy it as a first-time visit? And which area(s) should we go to?
Good evening, I’m replying to Attila’s message because I largely agree with their opinion.
We arrive in Joburg and leave from Joburg. From CT, you can fly to Hoedspruit or Skukuza. Or Nelspruit (now called Mbombela), but there’s only one flight per day, and it’s quite late. Connections from PE or George all go through Joburg. So logically, it makes sense to keep Joburg as the entry/exit point and Hoedspruit or Skukuza as bases. I’d skip Joburg and head straight to CT. I’d explore around CT: Peninsula Penguins Table Mountain Whether or not to visit the vineyards I could go to West Coast NP Or even make a quick trip to Cederberg Return via Mossel Bay Basically, I’d spend a good amount of time in a fairly small area (more relaxing). Then I’d fly from CT to Hoedspruit or Skukuza.
From Hoedspruit, I’d visit Blyde. And... Either I’d limit myself to the KNP at Orpen, Satara, or Mopani. Or... I’d consider a private reserve (oh, Ms. Attila might not agree). In Manyeleti, like Honeyguide (more relaxing). In Timbavati, like Shindzela (more complicated timing, so Honeyguide is better—it’s one of the examples I know). I think both can pick you up. And I’d fly out of Hoedspruit. Or I’d arrive at Skukuza (fewer flights, car rental possible, 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, Lower Sabie. Then I’d drive back... to Joburg via Blyde, with Graskop or Sabie as a base. It’s not difficult at all. We arrive from the east, so few cities. It’s doable from Graskop, but if you want to be very relaxed, You can stop overnight in Dullstroom... There you go. These last three years have been in South Africa. (Don’t laugh, you old-timers!) In the eastern part, from north to south, And in the west, around CT. The patients will have to wait for a summary travel journal to come...
Thank you so much for this detailed response. Airlink has direct flights from PE to Nelspruit. Same question about the stay distribution—any advice? All these names inside and outside the parks have me lost—I’ll look them up one by one—but clearly, the Panorama Route from your journal is a real draw. Unless the Drakensberg is possible in one of your many combinations. Do your two loops differ from your friend Attila’s 😉? Which place or park with the Big Five should we visit?
I keep seeing issues with booking in Kruger—isn’t it too late if we book in mid-to-late November? Thank you for your triple journal—exactly the info and recommendations I need right now—I’m eagerly waiting for the rest 🙂
My mom’s birthday is in early November. She’ll receive her paper guides (Michelin 2025 and *Petits Futés Carnets* 2025) and "officially" her tickets then, but I’ll need to advise her (thanks to you all—thank you 😉) and leave her some flexibility to choose "her" activities .
I have non-refundable Accor points that need to be used (=booked) before December 5, 2024
Cape Town seems like the best option. Nelspruit has no appeal. Johannesburg—well, I wouldn’t stay there for two nights (am I wrong?)
As many accommodations as possible will be booked using Air France air miles
There doesn’t seem to be a huge selection 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’ll skip the city. 😉
At worst, other reserves or the Karoo if it fits naturally into this itinerary
I’m not a big fan of Addo, but it’s the only Big Five reserve in that area.
Karoo NP has diverse wildlife and much prettier landscapes, but no Big Five. The park fits well into a Cape Town circuit with an arrival from the west (the vineyards) and, in a shorter version, a return 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.
So, why not push on to 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.
Pilanesberg is out—it’s not the best anyway.
Arrival: JNB - Visit Johannesburg - 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 tiring except for the domestic flights, very few nights in animal parks, but still the best: Blyde, Cape Town, the vineyards.
Two Mercure hotels in Jo’burg (affordable for 2 nights with 2 rooms) and 1 in Nelspruit, 1 Pullman in Cape Town (way over budget for the three of us with 2 rooms ), and 2 or 3 Mantis lodges (even more over budget elsewhere). If there’s nothing interesting in Johannesburg for 2 days, worst case, the Accor points will be used for a wedding in Belgium in July 2025. For Flying Blue hotels (2 rooms - 3 people), availability is much better (well, depending on the dates). Why do you recommend staying in Pretoria (over Johannesburg on the return)?
So, you two are suggesting two loops around Cape Town and Kruger? Loops are great because renting a car costs less. No Garden Route or Drakensberg, then. How should the time be split between the two loops? 50/50? I think one park is enough, and if Kruger is possible and available with the Big Five, that’s great. What’s the ideal duration to enjoy it as a first-time visit? And which area(s) should we go to?
Good evening, I’m replying to Attila’s message because I largely agree with their opinion.
We arrive in Joburg and leave from Joburg. From CT, you can fly to Hoedspruit or Skukuza. Or Nelspruit (now called Mbombela), but there’s only one flight per day, and it’s quite late. Connections from PE or George all go through Joburg. So logically, it makes sense to keep Joburg as the entry/exit point and Hoedspruit or Skukuza as bases. I’d skip Joburg and head straight to CT. I’d explore around CT: Peninsula Penguins Table Mountain Whether or not to visit the vineyards I could go to West Coast NP Or even make a quick trip to Cederberg Return via Mossel Bay Basically, I’d spend a good amount of time in a fairly small area (more relaxing). Then I’d fly from CT to Hoedspruit or Skukuza.
From Hoedspruit, I’d visit Blyde. And... Either I’d limit myself to the KNP at Orpen, Satara, or Mopani. Or... I’d consider a private reserve (oh, Ms. Attila might not agree). In Manyeleti, like Honeyguide (more relaxing). In Timbavati, like Shindzela (more complicated timing, so Honeyguide is better—it’s one of the examples I know). I think both can pick you up. And I’d fly out of Hoedspruit. Or I’d arrive at Skukuza (fewer flights, car rental possible, 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, Lower Sabie. Then I’d drive back... to Joburg via Blyde, with Graskop or Sabie as a base. It’s not difficult at all. We arrive from the east, so few cities. It’s doable from Graskop, but if you want to be very relaxed, You can stop overnight in Dullstroom... There you go. These last three years have been in South Africa. (Don’t laugh, you old-timers!) In the eastern part, from north to south, And in the west, around CT. The patients will have to wait for a summary travel journal to come...
Thank you so much for this detailed response. Airlink has direct flights from PE to Nelspruit. Same question about the stay distribution—any advice? All these names inside and outside the parks have me lost—I’ll look them up one by one—but clearly, the Panorama Route from your journal is a real draw. Unless the Drakensberg is possible in one of your many combinations. Do your two loops differ from your friend Attila’s 😉? Which place or park with the Big Five should we visit?
I keep seeing issues with booking in Kruger—isn’t it too late if we book in mid-to-late November? Thank you for your triple journal—exactly the info and recommendations I need right now—I’m eagerly waiting for the rest 🙂
Good evening,
Late May—just a heads-up, it can get chilly around Joburg.
A beanie and a thick fleece aren’t overkill for a game drive.
Personally, the sooner you leave Joburg, the better. Why spend a night on the way back in Joburg or Pretoria? You can find flights to skip that. Pretoria’s safer and has history, but it’s not worth it for such a short stay.
Yeah, I’d go with two loops of equal length. Keep it simple—enjoy instead of rushing.
With that in mind, stick close to Cape Town (CT) without venturing too far. Take a flight straight east to Joburg, then drive to the Panorama Route. Book a reserve in Manyeleti and return via Hoedspruit by plane to Joburg for your flight back. Simple and efficient.
Personally, the sooner you leave Joburg, the better. Why spend a night on the way back in Joburg or Pretoria? You can find flights to skip that. Pretoria’s safer and has history, but it’s not worth it for such a short stay.
Yeah, I’d go with two loops of equal length. Keep it simple—enjoy instead of rushing.
With that in mind, stick close to Cape Town (CT) without venturing too far. Take a flight straight east to Joburg, then drive to the Panorama Route. Book a reserve in Manyeleti and return via Hoedspruit by plane to Joburg for your flight back. Simple and efficient.
I keep seeing issues with booking in Kruger—is it too late if I book mid-to-late November?
🙂
Hi there, We’re heading out around the same time for a month, including 20 days in Kruger. Bookings are getting tough for that period, especially in the bush camps and popular spots like Lower Sabie. In my opinion, you shouldn’t wait too long to reserve.
While I’m at it—does anyone know a good place to stay overnight halfway between Marakele and Mapunggubwe?
Thanks in advance
Hi there, We’re heading out around the same time for a month, including 20 days in Kruger. Bookings are getting tough for that period, especially in the bush camps and popular spots like Lower Sabie. In my opinion, you shouldn’t wait too long to reserve.
While I’m at it—does anyone know a good place to stay overnight halfway between Marakele and Mapunggubwe?
Thanks in advance
Hi
Yep
Seems to still work
Basic guesthouse
Madhi has Thava near Louis Trichardt
I found another place but it doesn’t bring you much closer Lindani in the Waterberg
I found another place but it doesn’t bring you much closer Lindani in the Waterberg
Thanks Michel,
That does sound good, but I’m straying from my route via Lephalale, Marken, Baltimore, and Alldays.
I should’ve mentioned in my question that it could be either camping or a lodge.
For now, the only accommodation I’ve found is near Marken (Ehlathini Lodge), but we’ve already stayed there and wanted to try somewhere new—especially since it seems the service has gone downhill. And the meals weren’t great to begin with.
Route via the west—there used to be *tons* of potholes.
I have no idea what it’s like now
I did it last year.
There’s indeed a stretch of 30 to 50 km with potholes, but even driving slowly, it’s faster than taking the N1 to Polokwane.
Why do you recommend staying in Pretoria (over Jo'burg on the way back)?
Just for a change...😛
Personally, I wouldn't go to either, but since the brief includes air transfers, no tiring circuit, and no road travel before the return flight, I adapted!
Pretoria is just as accessible as Joburg from the airport.
So you (both) recommend two loops around Cape Town and Kruger?
Yes
No Garden Route or Drakensberg then
The loop around Cape Town can be longer or shorter depending on your preferences, so you can include a bit of the Garden Route or the Great Karoo—or even both.
Skip the Drakensberg, though, if you're going with the Kruger/Blyde duo.
How should I split the time between the two loops? 50/50? I think one park is enough, and if Kruger is available with the Big 5, that’s great. What’s the ideal duration for a first-time visit? And which zones should I go to?
I’d only dedicate 4 nights to the Kruger-Blyde loop:
Arrive for 2 nights in Kruger—so 3 days in the park—then 2 nights in Blyde, arriving in the late afternoon, giving you a day and a half there.
A combo of Olifants and Satara (central part of the park)
Or two nights in Lower Sabie (south).
If you’d like to do some walking, one of the park’s organized walking safaris is a fun activity (pre-book through SANParks, like the accommodations). Departure before dawn.
Just for a change...😛
Personally, I wouldn't go to either, but since the brief includes air transfers, no tiring circuit, and no road travel before the return flight, I adapted!
Pretoria is just as accessible as Joburg from the airport.
So you (both) recommend two loops around Cape Town and Kruger?
Yes
No Garden Route or Drakensberg then
The loop around Cape Town can be longer or shorter depending on your preferences, so you can include a bit of the Garden Route or the Great Karoo—or even both.
Skip the Drakensberg, though, if you're going with the Kruger/Blyde duo.
How should I split the time between the two loops? 50/50? I think one park is enough, and if Kruger is available with the Big 5, that’s great. What’s the ideal duration for a first-time visit? And which zones should I go to?
I’d only dedicate 4 nights to the Kruger-Blyde loop:
Arrive for 2 nights in Kruger—so 3 days in the park—then 2 nights in Blyde, arriving in the late afternoon, giving you a day and a half there.
A combo of Olifants and Satara (central part of the park)
Or two nights in Lower Sabie (south).
If you’d like to do some walking, one of the park’s organized walking safaris is a fun activity (pre-book through SANParks, like the accommodations). Departure before dawn.
Hi Hdj,
Could you share your route with us? Maybe in another thread?
Thanks
Could you share your route with us? Maybe in another thread?
Thanks
Hello,
Since it’s their birthday,
have you looked into the option of a private reserve?
It’s not the same as Kruger on your own.
But for a short stay for a 70-year-old who won’t be going back?
Less tiring,
all-inclusive,
game drives in an open vehicle,
and almost guaranteed to see **lots** up close.
Sure, the budget isn’t the same
Log in first, then come back to this page.
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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
Hello,
To read:
📋 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".....!!
One more piece of good news.... Regards.
Puma2A
To read:
📋 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 $52 on top of the ETA. The ETA application cannot be completed without paying for this insurance on the portal.
In the end, Kenya followed the Tanzanian "model".....!!
One more piece of good news.... Regards.
Puma2A
Thirty years ago, I traveled to Zanzibar (Tanzania) with my children. Since I’ve since started a new family, I took the opportunity of a trip to Kenya to bring my new family along: my wife, who’s Kenyan, and my 10-year-old daughter.
Zanzibar has really changed in 30 years.
It’s become the island of taxes.
It all starts upon arrival: I think it’s the only country in the world, besides the visa, where Zanzibar insurance (and no other) is mandatory—it costs 40 €. If you didn’t purchase it before arriving, good luck getting it: the IT systems are unreliable. With a bit of luck, it’ll take at least an hour to process! And of course, this insurance is useless—if you get sick, it’s recommended to use your home country’s insurance because if you use Zanzibar’s, your national insurance won’t cover you anymore.
I wanted to show my daughter the red colobus monkey, which is endemic to Zanzibar. I paid for a tour that was supposed to be all-inclusive. First, we visited a spice farm, where a farm guide took charge of us—meaning commissions were involved, of course! The tour was very good and informative, though. When we arrived at Jenzhi Park (the colobus park), the guide told us he "forgot" there was an entrance fee (50$).
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!
Hi there!
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!!
Kaelha
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!!
Kaelha
Hello fellow travelers,
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
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
Hello,
A must-read for anyone planning to travel to Kenya or Tanzania in the coming months.
https://www.corsematin.com/article/francemonde/70999544524516/lonu-prevoit-un-el-nino-de-tres-forte-intensite-ces-cinq-prochains-mois
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.
Worth keeping in mind (just in case).
Best regards, ...
A must-read for anyone planning to travel to Kenya or Tanzania in the coming months.
https://www.corsematin.com/article/francemonde/70999544524516/lonu-prevoit-un-el-nino-de-tres-forte-intensite-ces-cinq-prochains-mois
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.
Worth keeping in mind (just in case).
Best regards, ...
Hi there,
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.
Thanks,
David
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.
Thanks,
David
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!
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!
Hi there,
Hope the pros are on the lookout!
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!
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!
Hi there,
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!
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!
Hi there,
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?
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'm looking for information and reviews about an agency called BOSS LADY'S DHOW
in Tanzania.
Do you have any info or feedback about them?
Best,
Sebastien
Best,
Sebastien
Hi everyone,
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.
Could I get your thoughts?
Thanks! Have a great day, Elodie
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.
Could I get your thoughts?
Thanks! Have a great day, Elodie
Hi there,
I’m looking for a French-speaking agency that organizes safaris in Tanzania.
Any recommendations?
I’ve been in touch with Asanterra, but I haven’t found any reviews about this company.
Cheers,
Any recommendations?
I’ve been in touch with Asanterra, but I haven’t found any reviews about this company.
Cheers,
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!
Hi there,
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!
Françoise
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!
Françoise
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!
Hi there,
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.
Thanks in advance, and have a great evening! !
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.
Thanks in advance, and have a great evening! !
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
Hi everyone!
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!
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!
hi
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?
Thanks for your tips and feedback!
Rachel
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?
Thanks for your tips and feedback!
Rachel
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 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.
Hi,
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?
Thanks in advance for your tips!!
Have a great day
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?
Thanks in advance for your tips!!
Have a great day
Hi there,
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.
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.
Hi everyone!
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 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
Hi everyone!
I’m looking for a French-speaking local guide for July 2019. Would anyone have a contact there? No tour operators, please.
Thanks in advance!
I’m looking for a French-speaking local guide for July 2019. Would anyone have a contact there? No tour operators, please.
Thanks in advance!