Three years after exploring northern Argentina and Chile, my two travel buddies and I want to discover the southern part of these two countries.
We’re traveling on a budget, backpacker-style, favoring public transport and modest accommodations, but we don’t hesitate to splurge a little when it’s worth it.
The classic spots that have been fueling our dreams: Bariloche, the lakes, Chiloé, El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, and wrapping up in Valparaíso.
We’ll take a round-trip flight to Santiago, then I’m thinking of a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. From there, we’ll explore and do several day hikes in the south, including Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego.
Then we’ll head back north by bus to Bariloche and the lakes, followed by Chiloé, then a bus to Santiago and Valparaíso.
Based on your experience, could you help me figure out the best way to structure this trip and maybe suggest some ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Didier
Three weeks just isn't enough time. Add another one to two weeks, or scale back your plans.
Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego.
Then take a bus back up to Bariloche
That’s about 3 to 4 days.
FYI, there’s a flight from Calafate to Bariloche 3 times a week that could save you time if you reversed your route in the far south. However, there are no direct flights between Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, or Río Gallegos and Bariloche.
Ancud on Chiloé
Border on the road between Porvenir and Río Grande
Cerro Fitzroy
Lighthouse on the Beagle Channel (departing from Ushuaia)
I agree with the reply about your Chile/Argentina travel plans. It seems a bit tight time-wise to really enjoy the countries and the stunning landscapes in those regions. We did roughly the same route using buses—Bariloche, El Calafate, El Chaltén—a long ride, then Ushuaia. If you can spare more time, it’s worth it.
Happy trails
Okay, thanks. I might be able to add 3 more days, which would make it 24 days total on site.
So I’ll fly directly from Santiago to the south and from Calafate to Bariloche.
The far south is the part that’s giving me trouble—it seems complicated to organize, right?
If we don’t have enough time, maybe we could skip Tierra del Fuego.
Thanks.
Hi there!
We did Bariloche to El Calafate by bus, taking a mostly "west" route—basically Route 40. That’s about 27 hours of bus time, with quite a few stops—90% of passengers get off at El Chaltén for Fitz Roy. We went there after El Calafate. Really beautiful ride.
Happy trails.
PS: The farther south you go, the trickier it gets to leave Ushuaia. Personal experience.
It’s the far south that’s giving me trouble; it seems complicated to organize, right?
It’s no more complicated to organize than the rest: from the port of Punta Arenas, ferry + bus to Río Grande + bus to Ushuaia. I even think there are now buses that do the full Porvenir–Ushuaia route (still via Río Grande, at least ten hours of bus total). Same route for the return, or you could take a daily Ushuaia–El Calafate flight if you’ve already visited Torres del Paine National Park.
If we don’t have enough time, maybe we should skip Tierra del Fuego.
If by Tierra del Fuego you mean Ushuaia, you’d miss out on sailing those “mythic” names (in my opinion)—the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel.
Chiloé is a really nice island (I’ve been there once on each of my two trips), but it’s the one I’d “sacrifice” in your itinerary. You could save it for a future trip that also includes the beautiful Chilean Lake District.
If you skip Chiloé: travel from Bariloche to Puerto Varas, then take an overnight bus to Santiago (check if there are direct ones to Valparaíso) or a Bariloche–Santiago flight 3 times a week.
Thanks Thierry for all this great info.
I just need to put together a rough itinerary now.
I’ll take your experience into account and send it to you for approval.
I also saw on a blog that you can fly into Ushuaia and out of Santiago.
Of course, it’s more expensive and a bit of a hassle, but otherwise, you’d have to take a Santiago-Ushuaia flight anyway.
I also saw on a blog that you can take a one-way to Ushuaia and return from Santiago.
If you're talking about flights, this is called an "open jaw" ticket (arriving in one city and returning from another). It’s possible for almost any destination on the planet, as long as the two flights are with the same airline or with different airlines that have a commercial partnership.
Generally, the price isn’t the cost of a one-way plus a return ticket but rather the price of a round-trip to the arrival city plus the price of a round-trip to the return city, all divided by two. You shouldn’t book the segments separately.
Few flight search engines offer the open jaw option.
I could see Aerolíneas Argentinas offering you an open jaw like Paris/Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/surface/Santiago/Buenos Aires/Paris. The layovers in B.A. would just be a few hours on the same day. For the "surface" part, you’d be free to buy additional flights if you want.
If Iberia has a partnership with Aerolíneas Argentinas, you might be able to replace Paris with Bordeaux or Toulouse (but that’d mean two layovers instead of one, and Iberia doesn’t have the best reputation for baggage handling...).
In B.A., not all domestic flights leave from the international airport.
Actually, I know what an open jaw is—it’s basically a multi-destination ticket.
Well, I looked into it, and it’s not worth it.
After a lot of research, the best option turns out to be: round-trip Toulouse - Santiago
+ Santiago - Punta Arenas + Calafate - Bariloche.
And with 24 days on the ground, it’s doable.
The SCL-Pta. Arenas flight was already planned, and the one from Calafate to Bariloche will only save you one night.
Even with 24 days and skipping Chiloé, it'll be a marathon.
Okay, got it.
The transportation really eats up a lot of time, otherwise it’s totally doable.
10 days in the south, 4-5 days around Bariloche, 3-4 days on Chiloé, and 2 days in Valparaíso.
It all depends on what you're looking for in the trip.
For us, no museum visits or city tours (except Valparaíso, but just a quick look).
What we’re into is landscapes.
So priorities are: Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, Fitz Roy, and around Ushuaia.
That said, we’re not planning to do every trek.
Same in Bariloche—2 or 3 treks will be enough for us.
For comparison, we just got back from South Africa. A lot of people said you need at least 3 days to visit Kruger Park.
After a day and a half, we’d pretty much seen all the animals, so we left.
Same with the other parks.
So we’ll focus on the main spots, since we can’t stay any longer anyway.
What we need is to figure out how to structure our route in the south in the most logical way.
And that’s what’s worrying me, because the places to visit are split between the two countries, and I’ll admit it seems complicated to find the best flow.
Anyway, thanks for your valuable advice—it’s been really helpful.
10 days in the south
(...)
Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, Fitz Roy, and around Ushuaia.
No way we’re doing all the treks, though.
No matter how I twist and turn the problem, I can’t get it under 12 nights—even if I rush (only 2 full days in Ushuaia, for example).
I also tried including a flight from Ushuaia to El Calafate, but in the end, that doesn’t solve the issue. We’re still looking at a minimum of 12 nights.
For us, no city visits (...)
Visit or no visit, there are still some places where you’ll have to spend one or more transit nights because you have no choice. The best example in the south is Punta Arenas, and further north, Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt before heading down to Chiloé...
Okay, so I'm trying to figure out a solution for Tierra del Fuego, which is pretty energy-intensive:
Day 1 = Santiago
Day 2 = Santiago - Punta Arenas
Day 3 = Punta Arenas - Ushuaia by rental car (about 12 hours including the ferry)
Days 4 and 5 = Ushuaia
Day 6 = Ushuaia - Río Grande - Puerto Espora
Day 7 = Puerto Espora - Puerto Natales
Days 8 and 9 = Torres del Paine
Day 10 = Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales
Return the rental car
Day 11 = Puerto Natales - El Calafate
Day 12 = Perito Moreno - El Calafate
Day 13 = El Calafate - El Chaltén
Day 14 = Fitz Roy - El Chaltén
Day 14 = El Chaltén - Bariloche
Days 15, 16, 17 = Bariloche
Day 18 = Bariloche - Puerto Montt
Day 19 = Puerto Montt - Chiloé
Days 20 and 21 = Chiloé
Day 22 = Chiloé - Santiago
Day 23 = Santiago - Valparaíso
Day 24 = Valparaíso - Santiago
Day 25 = Santiago - France
There you go—with a rental car in Tierra del Fuego, you save a ton of time.
As long as you can cross borders with a rental car, that is.
And maybe cut a day in Bariloche to add more time in Valparaíso.
Day 6 = Ushuaia - Rio Grande - Puerto Espora
Day 7 = Puerto Espora - Puerto Natales
Beyond Rio Grande, I don’t know this route. Is Puerto Espora the port north of Tierra del Fuego that allows crossing the strait to reach, among other places, Rio Gallegos?
Could you give me more details about the planned itinerary between Rio Grande and Puerto Natales, please?
Day 14 = Fitz Roy - El Chalten
Day 14 = El Chalten - Bariloche
That’s twice on D14...
Here’s how I did Fitz Roy—maybe it’ll inspire you to save a night:
The bus from Calafate arrived around 1 PM, so I immediately started the hike toward base camp with the plan to sleep there. Unfortunately, I set off without a map and never found it, so I ended up camping in the wild, aiming to spend the night near a small stream. A park ranger walking the trail stopped for a quick chat, told me that with just a sleeping bag and no tent, I’d be freezing my butt off, but since sleeping in the wild wasn’t forbidden, he didn’t mind as long as I didn’t make a fire (which was a no-go). So I spent the night there, lulled by the sound of the stream, but the cold kept me from sleeping a wink. At dawn, I was treated to a view of Fitz Roy, which luckily wasn’t shrouded in clouds, and I posted the photo earlier. I figured the sight and the landscapes I’d crossed had already exceeded my expectations, so I just headed back down. That same afternoon, I caught the bus back to Calafate.
Day 14 = El Chalten - Bariloche
You’re taking the bus for that, then? No overnight stay planned on the bus?
Day 18 = Bariloche - Puerto Montt
Day 19 = Puerto Montt - Chiloe
Bariloche to Puerto Varas is already a pretty long leg. I’d spend the night in Puerto Varas and then head to Chiloé the next day.
In addition to the info and tips you’ve already gotten, if you’d like, you can check out some posts on my blog (free access, no ads) that cover 6 months of traveling between Argentina and Chile.
You might find a few details (information) there that could help you plan your itinerary. The main destinations you mentioned are all in my posts except for "Torres del Paine," a park we skipped for budget reasons (too expensive for our taste—just our personal take!).
Traveling as a couple, backpacking style.
October 2019 to April 2020.
Happy trip planning!
Alain and Marie, see Season 5 on the blog: "The Deep South Toward the Final Frontier..."
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Hello! 👋
I’m new to this site and feeling a little desperate. 😢 My boyfriend’s birthday is in 4 days, and I wanted to surprise him with a New Year’s trip to London... except I just found out he’s already been there as a kid. Well, there goes my surprise! 😅
Since we both love Christmas and winter, I’m looking for a destination where we can really feel the holiday magic—with a budget of around 500 € for transport + accommodation for two (yes, I know, I might be asking for a Christmas miracle here 😇).
We’ve already been to Bucharest, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, so I’d love to find something a little more offbeat, not too expensive, and with a beautiful Christmas atmosphere.
Please help me! 🙏 On social media, it’s always the same ultra-touristy cities... I’m sure there are hidden gems I haven’t discovered yet!
I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!
Hi there,
I'm heading to Morocco for 10 days as a backpacker, with my car and a tent canvas if needed. Does anyone have great experiences in this country around the Tétouan and Tangier areas?
I'd love to spend time with locals, rent a small room, and take part in daily life.
If you've got any addresses to share, that'd be awesome!
Thanks a million for your replies!!!😉
Christine
My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!
Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:
* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania?
* Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online?
* Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?
If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!
Hi,
We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit).
After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally.
After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical?
Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging?
Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg?
We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages!
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi there,
After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us:
1. Arrive in Lima in the evening.
2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto.
3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else.
6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car.
7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town.
8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba.
9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca.
10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both.
11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area.
14. Overnight bus back to Lima.
15. Lima.
16. Depart at 8 PM for France.
What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice.
Thanks
I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.
I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks:
• What clothes are absolutely essential?
• Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light?
• Which accessories have been the most useful for you?
• Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?
I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.
Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !
Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone!
I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:
Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal)
Tanzania: 3-day safari
Zanzibar: 6 days
Istanbul: 7 days
Return to Montreal.
Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:
Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket?
Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)?
Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days?
Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?
Hi,
Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms.
Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how?
Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?
Hi,
I need to stay in Paris or Créteil for 2 nights a week for a month. I know some cheap backpacker options, but I’d like something even cheaper. Do you know of any rooms for rent from private individuals?
Thanks
We’re a young couple planning our first trip to Albania from June 23, 2026, to July 2, 2026. We have a pretty tight budget and want to make the most of this amazing country without breaking the bank.
We’re looking for all the advice you can give to help us plan our stay:
* What are the must-see places to visit?
* Which cities or villages are really worth the detour?
* What natural sites, hikes, canyons, springs, or viewpoints do you recommend?
* Do you know of any free, uncrowded, or particularly beautiful beaches?
* Where can we responsibly observe or swim with sea turtles?
* What are the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera that are accessible on a small budget?
* What budget-friendly accommodations (hotels, hostels, homestays, campgrounds) do you recommend?
* What are the best ways to get around between different regions at a low cost?
* Do you know of any reliable and affordable agencies for renting a vehicle (car, scooter, or motorcycle)? What are the average rates at the end of June, and which rental companies do you recommend or advise against?
* Is it better to rent a vehicle right when we arrive or stick to local buses and minibuses to keep costs down?
* Which restaurants or local specialties offer the best value for money?
* Are there any free or low-cost activities we shouldn’t miss?
* Which places do you think are overrated or can be skipped when you’re short on time and money?
* What practical tips would you have wished you knew before your first trip to Albania?
We’d also love any 10-day itineraries that you particularly enjoyed, along with your budget estimates for accommodation, meals, and transportation.
We’re open to off-the-beaten-path spots and local tips. If you have any secret addresses, hidden beaches, favorite accommodations, or mistakes to avoid, we’d love to hear about them! 😊
Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February.
Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!
I traveled through southern Peru in November 2024 and now I’d like to explore the north.
We’re a group of 5 people for a 15-day trip.
Iquitos or Nauta for the Amazon rainforest—I saw that you have to fly there.
Chiclayo
Chachapoyas
Kuelap
Leimebamba
Cajamarca
Trujillo
And if we have time, Huaraz for the Andes cordillera.
No problem taking overnight buses—they save a lot of time.
Or renting a car and figuring it out as we go.
We’d also love to take the train from Lima to Huancayo, but it seems complicated—I don’t understand when it runs.
I’d like to drive to Morocco from Paris via Spain. I was really surprised to see the ferry crossing prices—around 500 €—but especially the crossing time (about 1 hour). Normally, I pay 3000 € to go to Tunisia from Genoa, but that’s for a 24-hour crossing.
My question: is it cheaper to buy the ticket on the spot, as some Moroccans have advised me? Though I’ve also heard the opposite.
What do you think, considering I need to get to Tétouan around July 17th and return from Tangier around August 4th?
Thanks in advance
I’m planning a 10-day trip to Slovenia in May (9–19 May) and starting to look at accommodations. Unfortunately, I’m only seeing relatively expensive options—nothing under 50 €, and usually around 100–150 €. Traveling solo, that could quickly blow my budget. And 30 € for a bed in a 10-person dorm at a youth hostel feels like a rip-off...
Are there other booking sources besides the usual Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google? Or can anyone confirm if I’ll find more reasonable rates on the ground around Bled, Bohinj, Triglav, or in mountain huts? I’ll be renting a car to optimize my travel, so I won’t be limited geographically.
Hi there,
Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?
I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?
Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?
My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?
I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November.
I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island.
I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉
Maybe other buses go where I want to go.
By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?
But here’s the most important part:
I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc.
On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.
What do you think?
Does the price seem reasonable?
And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?
The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪
For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).
If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s been ages since I last dropped by here... maybe simply because, apart from Nepal, I haven’t really had the chance to hit the road lately. 😉
This year, I’d love to spend a few days in Lisbon, probably in late May or early June. But with my budget being what it is, I’m looking for great tips to avoid wasting time once I’m there and risk missing out on hidden gems or unusual culinary specialties and/or quirky activities! I’m hoping to find a room in a local’s home where I can stay in a quiet neighborhood near the center, so I can get around without relying too much on public transport—my walking shoes are my best travel buddies.
I’d love all your recommendations, especially for parks, small neighborhood markets, casual eateries for a quick bite, your favorite viewpoints to soak in the scenery (I’m bringing my travel journal to sketch my getaway in watercolors), events around traditional art and crafts, and so on.
All your advice will definitely help me travel peacefully and come back with my head full of vibrant memories!
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Isabelle
I’m diving into planning a trip I’ve dreamed of for a long time: crossing Africa from North to South solo, with a departure planned for October 2025 for about 8-9 months. I’m leaving from Paris with a starting budget of around 7,000 €, aiming to supplement it with work along the way.
My planned route: Senegal → Gambia → Sierra Leone/Liberia (if logistics work out) → Côte d'Ivoire → Ghana → Togo → Benin → Cameroon → Gabon → Kenya (Masai Mara) → Uganda (Bwindi gorillas) → Rwanda → Tanzania (Kili + Serengeti + Zanzibar) → Mozambique → Malawi → Zambia (Victoria Falls) → Botswana → Namibia → South Africa (Cape Town). Madagascar as a bonus if timing/budget allows from Mozambique.
I’m not a backpacking newbie—I’ve done several trips in Europe and I’m familiar with the lifestyle, hostels, local transport, etc. But Africa is my first big adventure on this continent, and I’ve got some very concrete questions I’d love feedback on from people who’ve been there.
🎭 My big dilemma: flexibility vs. pre-organized work
What matters most to me is NOT rushing through. If I feel good somewhere, I’ll stay longer. If a region doesn’t click, I’ll cut it short. That seems totally incompatible with having pre-booked work or volunteer gigs, yet I need that income to stretch my budget.
I’m torn between two approaches:
Option A: The mixed rhythm: 3-4 weeks of volunteering in a country (free accommodation, full immersion), then 1-2 countries in classic backpacker "vacation" mode, then another mission somewhere, etc. This gives a breathing rhythm and avoids burnout from non-stop volunteering.
Option B: The continuous flow: finding gigs as I go, from the previous country, contacting hosts 2-3 weeks in advance with a flexible date range. Keeping maximum spontaneity but never arriving anywhere without a safety net.
Have you tried either? What actually works on the ground in Africa?
🌍 What I’m really looking for in this trip
Not just the classic tourist spots. I want to see the country as it is—eating at local joints, taking local transport (bush taxis, minibuses, sept-places), staying with locals when possible. The big reserves and safaris are part of the plan (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango), but just as much as hanging out in a residential neighborhood in Dakar, understanding how people really live.
Volunteering or work interests me for that reason too (not just for free lodging, but because it’s the deepest way to dive into a country). Working at a school in Ghana, a lodge in Kenya, a permaculture farm in Mozambique—I see it as an immersion that classic tourism can’t offer.
🎒 My concrete questions
About Workaway and Worldpackers: I’ve read a lot but would love on-the-ground feedback, especially for West and East Africa. Are hosts really flexible with dates for long-term travelers? Do the advertised gigs match reality? Are there alternative platforms you’d recommend for Africa specifically (I’ve heard of Help Exchange, WWOOF Africa, local networks…)?
About "off-platform" jobs: Is it really doable to find informal work on the spot (bars, restaurants, lodges) without prior contacts? In which countries/cities is this most accessible for a French speaker without a local work permit?
About logistics between countries: For those who’ve done the West Coast (Senegal → Ghana → Benin), how did you cross borders? Direct buses or local shared taxis at each border? And for the jump from Central Africa → Kenya, is a flight mandatory, or are there feasible overland routes?
About Madagascar: I’m considering adding it from Mozambique (flight Maputo or Beira → Tana). Those who’ve done it backpacker-style on a tight budget—is 3-4 weeks doable, or is it too short to be worth it?
I’m open to all tips, experiences, warnings, and pleasant surprises. And if you’ve got trusted local contacts (Workaway hosts, associations, community lodges), I’m all ears!
I’ve got tons of questions and I’m eager for any advice or experiences you can share!!
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip for 2 adults and 2 kids to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I’ve had a quick look, and the prices are starting to get pretty wild.
We’ve got a budget of 8,000 €, and I was thinking of doing three or four days of safari and three or four days in Zanzibar, but even that seems like it might be over budget. Have you got any thoughts? I was also considering heading straight to Zanzibar and doing a one- or two-day excursion by plane instead—maybe that’d be cheaper than staying in a lodge.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences and any price tips, departing from Nice!
Good evening,
As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November.
Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle.
So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable.
The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide.
Thanks in advance for all your replies.
Jacques
We’ll be in Srinagar for 4 days in mid-May 2026 during our backpacking trip as a couple. Do you have any nice places to recommend, and what about the houseboats on Dal Lake? Should we spend all our nights there, or just one night for practicality when getting around?
Thanks,
Rozenn
Hi there,
This is my first time traveling to Italy, and I’m planning to go by car.
From what I’ve read, parking is tough in cities like Florence.
I’m looking for a small town not too far from Florence where I can stay and park my car, then take the train to visit Florence.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks in advance
Hi there, it’s been a long time since I last went to London. I’d love to spend a week there in July with my daughter and my niece (both young adults).
Of course, I’m looking for great tips on accommodation, and I’m wondering about renting an apartment. It seems like a better deal to save on restaurants (with the option of having a few meals at home... but is that really the case? I’m not sure about the cost of a meal in a modest restaurant, the pound exchange rate, or grocery prices...).
Otherwise, I’d like to stay in accommodation (hotel or apartment) near a tube station and in Zone 1.
If you have any great tips, I’d love to hear them!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading to Morocco for a trip in the south, starting with 3 days in Marrakech (from January 8th to 11th, 2026).
If you’ve got any tips, cool spots to recommend, I’m all ears! 🎊
And, fellow traveler, if you’d like to share this Marrakech adventure together, I’d love that!
Have a great evening
