nous partons au botswana dans 1 semaine et demi maintenant et nosu avons encore quelques activités à booker.
En particulier, nous souhaiterions faire :
- un "trek" de 2 jours en mokoro dans le delta a partir de maun. Auriez-vous un petit TO sympathique qui pourrait nous encardrer et nous montrer des endroits un peu moins touristique que les gros TO qui font celà ?
- Nous souhaiterions également passer du temps avec des Sans (des vrais) et avoir une soirée traditionnelle autour du feu avec eux, également passer al journée du lendemain à la chasse/cueillette avec eux. Auriez-vous des conseil de communautés que nous pourrions contacter (pas de tourist trap) ?
Enfin, nous n'avons pas encore de camping pour chobe. :-s
Est-il possible de se présenter a "Savute" en dernière minute ?
Merci d'avance pour tous vos précieux conseils sur ce site !
nous essayerons de faire de même a notre retour...
1/ Tape donc "Mokoro" dans le moteur de recherche et tu devrais tomber sur le bon plan de Francky4
2/ On passe de bons moments avec les Sans. Nous les avions rencontrés la première fois près de Tsumkwe en Namibie, cette année on va ré-essayer vers Ganzi, mais pas de plan particulier, on verra sur place. NB. même si très sympas, les danses Sans autour du feu sont organisées pour les touristes que nous sommes.
3/ Savute: non, ce n'est plus possible ! Tu ne pourras pas entrer dans le parc si tu n'as pas une réservation. À Kasane (Sedudu gate) il doit y avoir une permanence des organismes privés qui gèrent maintenant les camps et qui pourront te faire une résa de dernière minute s'il y a des dispos quelque part. À quelle date cherches-tu une résa pour Savuti ?
Je viens de jeter un œil à ton profil : aucune info… C'est un peu dommage de ne pas savoir du tout à qui on a affaire !
Bonjour,
je suis daniel, je parts en octobre novembre pour Maun via Victoria falls, pour Savute il n'y a plus de place depuis Mars, je n'ai eu que deux jours demandée sur trois. j'ai donc pris un jour de plus à KWAI Village c'est à l'entr��e sud ouest ou presque du chobe.
J'ai obtenu cela par une française vivant au Botswana vous pouvez la joindre de ma part elle vous donnera peu-être des renseignements pour de vrais San et un bon plan en Mokoro. Tél:267 72 70 27 11
Bon VOYAGE.
daniel lemarié
@ Pierre
Salut Pierre, merci pour ces infos ! Grace a toi j ai pu lire le délire de Francky4...ça promet pour notre 1er séjour à l aventure en self drive free style ! :)
Par contre coté plan mokoro y a rien de bien précis, idem pour les Sans, je vais continuer a chercher. On va laisser tomber la Trance Danse je crois, un peu trop "tourist trap" pour nous en effet !
Pour savute ion cherche pour le 26 et 27 juillet...ça approche !! :-s
Nous aussi départ mercredi prochain pour 3 semaines...on commence par la namibie, j'ai hate !!! si tu est dans le coin de chobe en meme temps que nous fais-signe...
(pour mon profil je l'ai crée hier, je savias même pas qu'on pouvait le personnaliser, je vais l'udater !)
@ Daniel
Je vais essayer d'appeler ton contact, On sait jamais ! Merci bcp poutr l'info.
Pour le mokoro, envoie un mp à Francky4, je suis sûr qu'il a un plan mokoro !
Si tu avais été à Savuti le 21, on aurait peut-être pu goupiller quelque chose…
Voilà notre itinéraire, on se croisera peut-être quelque part.
V 16/07 : Avion Paris / Le Caire / Joburg
S 17/07 : Avion Joburg / Victoria Falls (Gerties Lodge)
D 18/07 : Victoria Falls (Gerties Lodge) (Récupération 4x4)
L 19/07 : Kasane, Chobe Safari Lodge (camping) - 80 km
M 20/07 : Kasane, Chobe Safari Lodge (bateau sur Chobe river) (camping)
M 21/07 : Savuti camp (camping) - 161 km (4h00)
J 22/07 : Kwai (North gate) (camping) - 104 km (3h30)
V 23/07 : Kwai (North gate) (camping) (bateau ou mokoro vers Xakanaxa ou 3rd Bridge)
S 24/07 : Maun (Maun Lodge) - 104 km (3h30) (avion à Maun)
D 25/07 : Ganzi, Thakadu Rest Camp (camping) - 306 km (3h30) (Activités avec des Sans)
L 26/07 : Gobabis (Zelda Guest Farm) (camping) - 230 km (2h30)
M 27/07 : Waterberg Plateau Park (camping) - 464 km (6h00)
M 28/07 : Outjo (Otjitotongwe) (camping) - 299 km (4h00)
J 29/07 : Grootberg (Lodge) - 128 km (1h45) (Horse sundowner + elephant tracking)
V 30/07 : Palmwag (camping) - 30 km (0h30)
S 31/07 : Purros (camping) - 220 km (4h00)
D 01/08 : Marble community camp vers Marienfluss (camping) - 108 km (2h30)
L 02/08 : Marienfluss (camping) - 154 km (3h00)
M 03/08 : Marienfluss (camping)
M 04/08 : Etanga (bush camping) - 186 km (5h00)
J 05/08 : Kamanjab (Hobatere lodge) (308 km - 4h00)
V 06/08 : Windhoek (Londiningi guesthouse) (555 km - 6h30)
S 07/08 : Avion Windhoek / Joburg / Le Caire / Paris
Grace a toi j ai pu lire le délire de Francky4...ça promet pour notre 1er séjour à l aventure en self drive free style ! :)
Lis aussi ça pour la mise en bouche : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=3501289;
😉 😉
Pour les Sans… Ils te montrent leurs traditions de tellement bon cœur, que même si leurs danses sont effectivement organisées pour les touristes, ça vaut le coup ! En 2008, les anciens nous ont expliqué que ça faisait une raison pour les jeunes d'entretenir et de pratiquer les traditions, qui sinon se perdraient totalement à très brève échéance. C'est aussi leur fournir un revenu autre que l'aide sociale.
Si tu amènes quelques vêtements à leur laisser, ça donne lieu à des palabres et échanges très sympathiques, on était reparti avec les bâtons en bois de baobab qui venaient de leur servir à allumer un feu et tout le monde, eux comme nous était ravi, sourires jusqu'aux oreilles. J'espère bien avoir l'occasion de belles rencontres à Ganzi ou Gobabis encore cette année.
Bonjour Pierre !
C'est B d'avoir remis ton circuit juste avant ton départ: on pourra t'imaginer et rêver un peu !
As-tu réservé la croisière à kasane et l'avion à Maun ?
Merci Michelle 😉
J'essaierai peut-être de mettre un message de là-bas si je croise un accès internet quelque part…
L'avion à Maun est réservé. Le bateau à Kasane, on verra sur place…
J-10
😛
Désolé de poser des questions un peu débiles, mais quel genre de fringues peut-on apporter aux Sans et/ou Himbas? T'avais acheté quelques fringues pas cher avant de partir?
On peut se pointer avec de la bouffe? des cahiers? des crayon? Je voudrais taper juste, et pas passer pour un con 😛.
Je n'ai aucune expérience de l'afrique et je ne voudrais surtout pas débarquer avec mon gros 4x4 et mes pétro-dollars. Idem à Victoria Falls. Tout le monde parle de troque, mais je ne veux pas rentrer nu-cul...😕
On avait emmené des vêtements d'enfants trop petits pour les nôtres. Ça a été l'occasion à plusieurs reprises d'échanges et de palabres sympas. Les gens sont contents de tous types de vêtements, même chauds. L'hiver, il peut faire très froid. On avait emmené aussi des blocs et des crayons, mais ils étaient dans un sac qu'on a perdu en route… 😊
On avait aussi du collyre pour les yeux, mais dans le village himba le chef nous a demandé plutôt du sirop pour la toux. re-😊.
En fait pour tout ce qui est médicament, je crois qu'il vaut mieux les déposer dans un dispensaire ou à quelqu'un qui puisse expliquer aux gens comment s'en servir.
Là-bas tu peux acheter des sacs de sucre ou de farine, c'est ce qui sert de présent traditionnel quand tu visites un village himba.
Sinon pour rendre service, tu peux aussi prendre des auto-stoppeurs ou simplement des gens qui marchent le long de la route. Attention, l'ocre à la graisse de bœuf, ça tache…
Il n'est pas question de repartir cul-nu, personne n'essaie de te dépouiller, ce sont des échanges dans tous les sens du terme. Une fois un gars m'a demandé mes sandales, j'ai dit non, ça s'est arrêté là !
Pour les Sans, nous en avions croisé en Namibie et au Botswana prés de Ghanzi au camping :
"Ghanzi trail blazers"
Par contre j'ai trouvé que ceux de Ghanzi paraissaient moins traditionnels. En effet, leur village etait situé plus loin du camping donc ils venaient par camion 4x4 faire decouvrir leur facon de vivre.
Le mieux serait d'aller directement a leur village.
Sinon le camping est sympa (petites huttes de pailles)
On peut soit dormir dans les huttes, planter sa tente ou utiliser celle de son 4x4.
Bon voyage!
bon vent à tous!!
voyage en Afrique Australe
Travel Southern Africa
Nous (2 couples) sommes partis 3 jours dans le delta de l'Okavango en mokoro avec Audi Camp. (Environ 2400 Pulas par pers)
Nous sommes arrivés la veille du départ et avons dormis en bedded tent (bien mais sans plus: je n'ai pas trouvé ça beaucoup mieux que la tente du 4x4). Nous avons mangé au resto du camp (agréable, tarifs corrects et assez bon).
Nous partons de bon matin en espèce de bus 4x4 avec un autre couple de français, notre cuisto (de Audi Camp) et le chauffeur et tout le matos (duvets, bouffe, ...). Il fait assez froid car nous sommes en hauteur sur le véhicule et nous ne sommes pas protégés du vent glacial (emmener un gros pull, et une écharpe, et si possible une veste). Nous roulons environ 3h (il me semble) sur des chemins de brousse. Nous sommes un peu en stress car le bolide passe au milieu des ronces, et nous sommes obligés de nous coucher pour éviter de se faire déchiqueter par les ronces. Au final, on arrive vivant, il y a juste la femme de l'autre couple qui s'est fait un peu arracher l'oreille... Au moins nous avons l'impression de partir à l'aventure.
Nous prenons place sur nos mokoro et partons avec nos 3 polders, le cuisto et 2 porteurs. Nous mettons 1h pour rejoindre une ile où nous préparons notre campement. Nous magnons vers 11h. Puis .....sieste car il fait trop chaud. La réalité africaine nous rattrape. Une petite sieste jusque 16h30... c'est long, surtout pour des jeunes en mal d'aventure et interdiction de quitter le campement à cause des animaux!
Au final, sur les 3 jours, nous ferons beaucoup de siestes, 3 bush-walk de 2h30, 1 ballade de 2h en mokoro, le trajet aller et le trajet retour.
On a aimé:
- la petite taille du groupe (6 touristes)
- quitter notre 4x4 pendant 3 jours.
- Se réveiller avec les hypo à 100m,
- Se faire engueuler par nos guides parce qu'on avait fait trop de bruit quand on observait des buffles à 70m (les buffles nous ont regardés se sont levés un par un, notre guide nous a dit de dégager rapidement pour se mettre à couvert, les buffles ont foncé comme des dingues à notre droite, puis on s'est fait engueuler!
- les ballades en mokoros dans les marais et les bush-walk
- pendant une bush-walk, passer à 30m d'un gros buisson et se rendre compte au dernier moment qu'il bouge (Un éléphant était dans ce buisson), notre retour en 4ème vitesse.
- Le confort (relatif) du camp, la propreté des sacs de couchages et tentes prêtés par Audi Camp
- essayer de guider le mokoro à 150m d'un groupe d'hypo avec mon guide qui commencait à stresser en disant "do not go to the hypo!!!" pendant que je me battais avec la perche.
On n’a pas aimé:
- l'ambiance avec les polders et porteurs. on avait l'impression qu'ils se moquaient de nous constament et nous prenaient pour des c.. Ils passaient leur temps à se défoncer en fumant des trucs, même pendant les activités. Ils étaient vraiment défoncés la plupart du temps et perdaient le fil de leurs lentes (c'est peu dire) explications.
- L'impression de misère de nos porteurs et polders. Entre la drogue et les maladies, et leur humour douteux, ils nous ont agacé mais nous ont fait un peu pitié (dans le bon sens). L'un d'eux avait une toux de tuberculeux et avait certainement le sida. les autres ne devaient pas être en meilleur état. Le cuisto était le seul à faire partie d'Audi Camp et était bien plus riche.
- Vu leur manque d'implication, on s'est demandé si Audi camp les payait suffisamment... Notre trip n'était pas donné.
- La bouffe était bonne, TD, notre cuisto nous mitonnait de bons petits plats, mais les quantités étaient vraiment justes. TD n'était pas en cause puisqu'il à vraiment fait les fonds paquets de riz pour nous nourrir, mais Audi Camp???!
Il y avait tout un tas de chose inutiles genre des sauces de 50 sortes, de la mayo, de la poudre orange pour parfumer l'eau (comme quand on était petit), ....mais pas assez de pates et de riz!
Par contre, il y avait suffisamment d'eau.
- Les siestes interminables. On a eu plusieurs fois l'impression de payer pour faire la sieste. Sieste de 11h (fin du repas) à 16h30 .Je vous conseille de demander un programme détaillé à l'Audi camp. Nous avons aussi tenté de secouer un peu nos polders pour qu'ils se bougent. Ca a un petit peu marché (on a gratté une heure de sieste!).
Conclusion, c'est un trip à faire. Les paysages sont sublimes. Nous avons vu les éléphants, des buffles, des crocos, des zèbres, des girafes et plein d'hypo. Dormir au milieu du delta était fantastique. Si c’était à refaire, je ferais le trip de 2 jours.
Bonjour Aurélius !
Nous sommes un peu en stress car le bolide passe au milieu des ronces, et nous sommes obligés de nous coucher pour éviter de se faire déchiqueter par les ronces.
Je vois que notre guide/chauffeur était plus attentionné que le vôtre, il faisait un écart le plus souvent possible et nous criait régulièrement "watch out" ce que nous nous répétons encore ici en riant 🙂
Une petite sieste jusque 16h30... c'est long, surtout pour des jeunes
Même pour les moins jeunes ! !
Cette longueur s'explique peut-être par "leur manque d'implication" et peut-être leur maigre salaire...🤪
Il n'y a pas qu'ici que les plus faibles se font exploiter !😕 😠
L'un d'eux avait une toux de tuberculeux et avait certainement le sida. les autres ne devaient pas être en meilleur état.
Bien triste !🤪 J'ai lu voici peu un rapport donnant le chiffre de 25 % de la population atteinte dans ce pays...
on avait l'impression qu'ils se moquaient de nous constament et nous prenaient pour des c..
Les Africains ne se moquent pas aussi facilement que nous ne le faisons et leur sourire n'est pas toujours le reflet d'une moquerie mais plutôt d'une certaine gêne !
Se faire engueuler par nos guides parce qu'on avait fait trop de bruit quand on observait des buffles à 70m
Ils avaient bien raison ! 😇
As-tu encore la chance d'en rencontrer souvent, des buffles, dans les campagnes de Nancy (ou d'ailleurs en Europe) ? ! 🙂
Il y avait tout un tas de chose inutiles genre des sauces de 50 sortes, de la mayo, de la poudre orange pour parfumer l'eau (comme quand on était petit),
La gastronomie au Botswana n'est pas terrible...et tous ces trucs et poudres de perlimpimpin colorées cela doit être dans les habitudes anglo-sud africaines 😕 🙂 Sorry si j'en choque certains !
Conclusion, c'est un trip à faire. Les paysages sont sublimes. Nous avons vu les éléphants, des buffles, des crocos, des zèbres, des girafes et plein d'hypo. Dormir au milieu du delta était fantastique.
Un jour tu y retourneras, je te le souhaite.😉
Merci pour ce retour !
Nous ne l'avions pas fait lors de notre voyage a cause de la hausse du prix, on voulait faire exactement la même chose (3 jours en passant par l'audi camp).
Nous avions toujours eu des regrets de ne pas l'avoir fait mais avec votre retour, j'en ai beaucoup moins.
Pas déçu d'avoir compensé par un tour de bateau au Shakawe.
Je pense qu'il vaut mieux passer par d'autre camp pour profiter pleinement de ce moment de mokoro. Après, tout est question d'argent.
bon vent à tous!!
voyage en Afrique Australe
Travel Southern Africa
Je vois que notre guide/chauffeur était plus attentionné que le vôtre, il faisait un écart le plus souvent possible et nous criait régulièrement "watch out" ce que nous nous répétons encore ici en riant.
Le retour a été plus tranquille: on avait pris les sièges du milieu et laissé les extrémités à une famille d'Espagnoles...😛
Un jour tu y retourneras, je te le souhaite.
Merci. j'espère aussi y retourner dans quelques années avec mes futurs mioches!
En voyant ta réponse, je tiens à préciser certaines choses😛:
Je ne regrette pas de l'avoir fait. Je pense juste que 2 jours suffisent: ça fait économiser une sieste de 5h30 et quelques pulas...😉
Concernant Audi Camp, je n'ai aucun moyen de comparaison par rapport à d'autres agences. A part la bouffe, c'était quand même bien organisé: pas de mauvaises surprises et le matos était trés propre. nos tentes étaient en trés bon état.
Je suppose que nos polders et porteurs sont représentatifs des gens qui habitent le delta: trés pauvres. Donc, je suppose que nous aurions vécu la même chose avec une autre agence.
En tout cas, même s'ils se défonçaient en fumant de l'herbe, ils sont restés cool avec nous. C'est juste qu'il y avait peut-être un trop grand fossé entre eux et nous. j'espère juste qu'Audi Camp les rémunérent correctement.
Encore une fois, je ne garde presque QUE des bons souvenirs de cette aventure au coeur du delta, loin des touristes. Par contre je n'ai pas eu le temps de faire le tour de bateau au Shakawe. Ca a l'air bien cool aussi!
A+
Oui Aurélius, ton retour est positif a mes yeux.
C'est plutôt sur le contenu de ce trip mokoro. Je n'avais pas du tout ca en tête quand on voulait le faire.
On avait des remords de ne pas l'avoir fait, mais tout compte fait, on aurait été frustré car c'est pas ce que l'on cherché. Ca n'existe peut etre pas ou c'est peut être impossible.
Cela semble une bonne aventure tout de même!
Pour le tour en bateau au Shakawe, la partie de pêche était sympa a vrai dire, j'aurai bien voulu la faire en mokoro ;)
bon vent à tous!!
voyage en Afrique Australe
Travel Southern Africa
Une question SVP : dans votre intéressant récit , que signifie "polder(s)" ? Je croyais que c' était une spécialité hollandaise , mais là visiblement il s' agit de tout autre chose ...
Sinon , c' est vrai que le coup des siestes de + de 5 heures ça parait vraiment extraordinaire . Vous auriez presque eu le temps d' apprendre des rudiments de la langue de vos accompagnateurs pour savoir s' ils se foutaient vraiment de vous , ou si leurs décoctions d' herbes les rendaient simplement un peu trop euphoriques ... 😉
Merci ! Je m' étais un peu dit que ça avait peut-être un rapport avec le côté marécageux du delta terrestre de l' Okavango , et de terres gagnées sur l' eau si le régime des pluies avait baissé ... 🤪
En fait les "polers" pourraient s' apparenter un peu aux gondoliers 😉 , mais sur des types d' embarcations nettement + rustiques , faune locale oblige !
dans votre intéressant récit , que signifie "polder(s)" ? Je croyais que c' était une spécialité hollandaise , mais là visiblement il s' agit de tout autre chose ...
c'est pas beau de se moquer!😉
Effectivement, comme l'a dit Vinnilove, il s'agit bien des polers! ma mémoire flanche déja...
A+
Afrique de l'Est et Australe › Botswana / Namibie · 18 replies
En travaillant les étapes du trajet Namibie/Botswana/... Falls, en regardant le quoi faire chaque jour, je me demande si on a pas fait une petite erreur sur le…
J'aimerais savoir si quelqu'un d'entre vous à déjà fait un safari à pied en afrique ou en mokoro sur plusieurs jours avec un guide (ranger). j'ai beaucoup de…
Bonjour à tous!
Un an que je languis de l'Afrique du Sud. Notre premier voyage en Août 2025 nous a émerveillés et , chose rare, a fait l'unanimité dans notre petite famille! Touchés en plein coeur, dés notre retour à la maison nous ne parlions que d'y retourner. 😄
Je profite pour dire merci à tous ceux qui m'ont donnés des conseils sur l'itinéraire de ce 1er voyage (boucle Johannesbourg, Blyde, Kruger, Eswatini, Ste Lucie, Durban, Drakensberg)! Grace à vous notre voyage s'est déroulé comme dans un rêve!
Depuis j'arrête pas de lire des articles, les discussions sur voyage forum, pour rester encore un peu la tête en Afrique du Sud!
Du coup, ça y est, on a craqué et on vient de prendre nos billet pour janvier 2027 (du 3 au 26 ) avec comme projet de relier Cape Town à Johannesbourg en road trip en 3 semaines environ.
J'ai une ébauche d'itinéraire qui me semble chouette compte tenu de ce que j'ai lu sur les divers forum mais il y a encore des points incertains et c'est là que j'aurais besoin de conseils.
3/01 Arrivée Johannesbourg 23h45
4/01 Vol pour Cape Town , loc voiture. Visite l'aprem
5,6,7/01 Cape Town pour visiter les grands classiques dans le coin (un conseil pour chercher le logement: quel quartier, une adresse?)
8/01 Nuit d'étape avant Oudtshoorn mais où??? (indispensable ou le trajet CT Oudtshoorn se fait bien? Dans ce cas je gagne une journée sur Outshoorn. Je vois plus de 5h de route sur google map.....)
9,10/01 Oudtshoorn (ou 3 nuits ce serait mieux pour bien profiter du coin???)
11,12/01 Knysna, Plettensberg bay (pour avoir le temps de randonner, si vous avez des plans rando je prends!)
13,14/01 Tsitsikamma (toujours pour avoir le temps de randonner - qui connais le must des randos dans le coin?-Mais peut être les 4 nuits dans le coin Knysna Tsistsikamma c'est trop, je me rends pas trop compte)
16,17/01 Addo Eléphant (j'hésite entre 3 nuits à Addo ou 3 nuits à Moutnain Zebra. Vu les carnets, particulièrement celui de Michel sur MZ, j'ai calé 3 nuits à MZ😄....)
18,19,20/01 Moutain Zebra NP
21/01 Cambedoo NP (parce que ça a l'air tellement beau!)
22/01 nuit d'étape (Où?) avant de terminer le voyage soit par 2 ou 3 nuits au Golden Gate NP ou par le Lesotho qui m'attire mais je ne sais pas si c'est faisable en 3 jours pour être le 26 janvier à Johannesbourg en fin de journée.
Voilà pour mon idée de voyage....
J'attends avec impatience vos conseils, idées, remarques....
Tellement hâte d'y être à nouveau!
Just returned from a three-week family trip to Kenya (with three kids aged 10, 12, and 15), and I wanted to share my experience. Forums were super helpful in planning this trip, especially if you want to get a bit off the beaten path.
First off, Kenya is an amazing destination with incredibly friendly and welcoming locals. It was easy to travel around because you can always find someone to give you directions or help you out.
For practical tips—though you’ve probably read this elsewhere—get a Safaricom SIM card when you arrive at the airport so you can pay via M-Pesa (you can top it up with a credit card using the Wise app) and chat with people on WhatsApp. It’ll make your life *so* much easier (booking trains, buses, park entries, etc.) and save you from carrying too much cash or hunting for ATMs.
Also, we went during the first three weeks of July, which wasn’t peak tourist season.
One thing to note: even if you’re using public transport and budget accommodations, Kenya can still be pricey because tourist attractions add up fast—often more expensive than in France. But honestly, it’s usually worth it!
We started our trip with a 5-day homestay. We were welcomed by a really lovely family in Loitokitok with a view of Kilimanjaro right from their garden entrance (just a heads-up: in July, it’s often shrouded in mist!). To find them, search for Greenfield Homestay in Loitokitok. It was a fantastic experience, especially with kids! On top of transfers, they organized several outings with locals: a hike to the Tanzanian border, a motorcycle ride on the foothills of Kilimanjaro, and a day safari in Amboseli. You can book with them eyes closed! For the safari, Anthony (who’s English-speaking) took us around—he’s from the area and knows the park like the back of his hand. Highly recommend him!
Anthony then drove us to Isiolo, a town in the north that’s just starting to open up to tourism. We wanted to see the Monday livestock market, where different ethnic groups gather to buy and sell goats, sheep, and cows (according to Lonely Planet). We were a bit disappointed and wouldn’t recommend it. We also visited Ngare Ndare Forest, which has a stunning waterfall, an interesting walk with an armed ranger (elephants are common), and a suspension bridge for admiring the canopy. Just make sure to let them know you’re coming at least three days in advance to guarantee a ranger will be available. We also did a second safari day in Samburu—it’s a great complement to Amboseli and totally worth it!
Next, we headed to Naivasha (still with Anthony). We found a place on Airbnb (Jasmine House) at Fischerman’s Camp, a campsite we really loved! You’ll spot hippos, monkeys, and beautiful birds there. We organized several activities: a boat ride on the lake to see birds, zebras, and giraffes; a bike safari in Hell’s Gate Park (the campsite is right by the entrance and rents bikes); and a hike to Crater Lake (departing by boat from the campsite), where you walk among zebras, giraffes, and different gazelles. Naivasha is way more touristy than Loitokitok or Isiolo, but there’s no shortage of things to do.
Finally, we spent our last week in Watamu on the coast. To get there, we took an overnight ENA Coach bus from Naivasha to Mombasa, booked via https://www.travler.africa/. It was comfortable and fast, but you’ll need to call the driver to arrange a pickup spot—the restaurant staff at the campsite helped us out with that! Then we took an Uber to Watamu since we had a lot of luggage (we skipped the matatu).
Watamu is nicknamed "Little Italy" because of all the Italian tourists. When we were there (third week of July), it wasn’t peak season yet, so the beaches weren’t cleaned. But we loved the laid-back vibe and how easy it was to get around. We *highly* recommend the marine turtle rescue center—it’s fascinating (especially with kids) and supports a great cause! We were a bit disappointed by the marine park, though—maybe because of the season? There weren’t many fish, and jellyfish kinda ruined the snorkeling. The mangrove tour is also a must-do.
For the trip back to Nairobi, we took the express train from Mombasa. We booked our tickets when we first arrived in Kenya (since payment is only via M-Pesa). The train is reliable and comfortable, and we saw lots of elephants along the way. Just a heads-up: there are *a lot* of security checks, and we almost weren’t allowed to board with our Opinel knife…
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
All in all, we had an amazing trip—so much variety, great encounters, and the magic of safaris!
My trip to South Africa is getting closer (still 2 months to go 😏), and I’m diving back into my itinerary: from Saturday to the following Sunday around Cape Town, then from Sunday to the following Saturday in Kruger.
For Cape Town, the plan was to avoid changing accommodation every day (we’ll do enough of that in the second part) but still see different landscapes.
I know, I’m missing out on a lot, but you’ve got to make choices, and after all this time, I know what I like—and especially what I don’t (or like less) 😉
Here’s the breakdown:
Arrival Saturday at 11 AM: heading to Hermanus (2 nights). The idea is to stroll along the cliff path in the afternoon, and possibly drive to the Klein River Lagoon. Sunday: Stony Point, then depending on time and weather, a hike in Kogelberg Nature Reserve or Fernkloof Nature Reserve (which seems less scenic but has shorter walks).
Monday: drive to Franschhoek (1 night). If everything lines up, a hike in Jonkershoek NR and a visit to a wine estate.
Tuesday: drive to Mountceder Lodge in the Cederberg (2 nights). I’m thinking of visiting the Stadsaal Caves and the elephant paintings, and maybe one of the hikes listed on the lodge’s site or Maltese Cross.
Thursday: heading to Hout Bay for 3 nights. In no particular order: a classic day trip around the peninsula, half a day at Kirstenbosch Gardens, and half a day at Lion’s Head.
Sunday: flight to Johannesburg.
My questions are mostly about (short) hikes:
Has anyone here done hikes in Kogelberg, Fernkloof, or Jonkershoek?
At Mountceder Lodge (Michel, if you’re reading this… 😉), has anyone tried the hikes (guided or not) offered by the lodge?
There’s still half a day to fill when we’re in Hout Bay—any ideas (not necessarily hikes)?
Lastly, regarding safety: the French foreign ministry (always alarmist, but still) recommends hiking in groups. Is it really risky in broad daylight? (I’m not sure a group of two women counts as a "group"…)
Thanks in advance for your answers, ideas, and comments!
Question: we’re doing a 3-week trip in Namibia, including 5 days for Victoria Falls.
I’ve booked one night in Brandberg, and then I have some questions.
I was thinking of spending 2 nights in Palmwag, then heading to Etosha for one night in Okaukuejo and then 2 nights in Halali.
Alternatively, from Brandberg, I could book a night near Galton Gate and then enter Etosha.
I’m not really sure about the distances, especially with a 4x4.
Same for the return trip: Halali to Windhoek seems long. Maybe it’d be smart to break it up on the way back? (We have 2 days to get back if needed.) If so, where?
Jambo! I organized my trip through this kind of group, so I thought I’d share my experience here. We traveled as a group of four, including two kids aged 9 and 11. After requesting around twenty quotes, I decided to book the safari portion with MAKING MEMORIES IN AFRICA. Ally responded quickly and listened to all my requests—unlike other agencies—such as having a French-speaking guide, the order of park visits (Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, then Ngorongoro), and a mix of budget hotels and camping to keep costs down. There were still four agencies in the running, and price was the deciding factor. Even though they were the cheapest, I felt better taken care of than with others. For example, all meals were prepared by a Maasai chef, Louis, who accompanied us throughout the trip, while some others ate meals out of cardboard boxes. Samuel, our guide, explained so many things and answered all our questions. José drove us safely the whole way. Everything was done with great cheer!
At the end of the stay, Ally came to meet us and gave us t-shirts with the agency’s logo—we loved that they took the time to hear our feedback in person. In short, I highly recommend them +++, especially since it’s a local agency that also supports a charity for women and children.
For Zanzibar, I organized everything myself. I hesitated for a long time but eventually booked all four nights at the same place. We don’t like crowds, so I initially considered Jambiani but ended up choosing EVERGREEN BUNGALOWS in Bwejuu. We took their first airport-to-hotel transfer since we arrived at night, and it felt safer. Great value for money, in our opinion. Just be aware that it’s quite isolated—perfect for relaxing and going on excursions. There were very few beach vendors, unlike what I’d read about Zanzibar. We lived with our feet in the sand from morning to night, with a small basin of water outside our room to rinse off. Such a lovely spot!
I had asked for some excursion prices before leaving but ended up booking on-site. Not at our hotel, but at a nearby restaurant that was cheaper. After some thought, since we were based in Bwejuu, I wanted to do Blue Lagoon and Pungume (both departing from the south of Zanzibar).
Blue Lagoon: About 3 hours total, with snorkeling on a small reef full of fish (coral wasn’t great) and a stop at a spot with tons of starfish, plus local snacks, fruit, and drinks.
Pungume: An amazing day with a 50% chance of seeing dolphins (we missed them), a visit to the mangroves, then snorkeling at a spot with some nice coral and, of course, fish. We ended with a fantastic grill (tuna, shrimp, squid, lobster, and fries) on a sandbank in the shade.
Finally, before heading to Stone Town, we visited Paje Cave, which is much less known than Maalum. It’s smaller, but we saw bats, went for a swim, and fed the chickens and rabbits (great for the kids). To finish, we explored Stone Town on our own and had dinner at Forodhani Market.
For flights, we flew with Turkish Airlines from Barcelona to Kilimanjaro and back from Zanzibar—no issues there. However, I don’t recommend the Kilimanjaro-Zanzibar leg with Precision Air. Our luggage didn’t arrive, and according to the hotel, this happens often. We only got it back a day and a half later.
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.
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!
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.
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
At the end of July, we’re heading to Namibia with a group of five for a three-week road trip and visit to the national parks.
We’ve read conflicting info about buying entry tickets—either online (where?) or at the gate when we arrive?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the agencies you used to plan your trip to Uganda.
There’s the whole issue of gorilla permits, which need to be booked in advance and involve a significant financial commitment. That’s where I’m at with my trip planning. Between checking lutb.go.ug/ and reading online reviews, it’s hard to move forward with confidence.
I contacted the French Embassy, but they don’t provide any recommendations. I almost booked with an agency that had a really bad review from February specifically about the permit process.
How did you go about choosing your agency? Given the large sum involved, I’m this close to booking through a travel agency in France for this part.
From what I understand, no matter which agency books the permit, you’re ultimately guided by professionals trained for gorilla trekking based on the permit itself? I’m assuming that’s how it works.
Thanks for your feedback, and I’m really happy to see the forum’s new energy—it’s been super helpful to me in the past.
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 planning our second trip to South Africa in July 2026. In 2023, we did a loop from Joburg, Golden Gate, Drakensberg, Hluhluwe, St Lucia, Eswatini, Kruger, Blyde River Canyon, and back to Joburg.
This time, we’d like to go to Cape Town and do a road trip to Port Elizabeth, then fly back to Joburg to return to Kruger. At this stage of my planning, here’s what it could look like:
D1 to D4: Cape Town and Cape of Good Hope (Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, Boulders, Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak Drive). I’ve spotted a few places to stay between Camps Bay and Hout Bay (3 nights).
D5 and D6: Either Karoo NP or Hermanus and De Hoop. Any opinions to tip the scales? I’ll admit I’m already leaning toward Karoo (the "wild" vibe of the landscapes and wildlife encounters appeal to me much more than the seaside, which feels less exotic). If we go for Karoo, where should we stay? Inside the park or in Beaufort West? I’ve seen good reviews for Ko-ka Tsara Bush Camp, but maybe it’s better to stay in the Sanparks cottages to make the most of the park? (2 nights)
Option B is to do Stellenbosch (though vineyards aren’t great in winter) and/or the Whale Route—Betty’s Bay, Hermanus, De Hoop (2 nights near Gansbaai).
D7 and D8: Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn. Staying at De Cango Guest Farm (2 nights).
D9 and D10: Knysna, Robberg Nature Reserve, Tsitsikamma (2 nights in Plettenberg Bay and 1 night in PE).
D11: Flight from Port Elizabeth to Joburg at 7 AM and drive to Marloth Park.
For Kruger, I’ve booked 2 nights in Marloth Park, 1 night in Skukuza, 2 nights in Satara, and 1 night in Talamati, which we loved. I’ll book the last night in Graskop later since we want to revisit the Blyde Canyon area.
I’d love all the feedback you can give on my itinerary, especially for days 5 and 6.
If you have recommendations for accommodations for 4 people, I’d appreciate those too.
Thanks! 🙂
We’re a family of four (two daughters aged 18 and 21) and we’re planning a three-week trip to Tanzania. Zanzibar would be our main base, but we’d also like to do a safari on the mainland.
Could you share any tips on:
- the ideal length for such a safari, the best place to go during this period (and easily accessible by flight from Zanzibar)
- your recommendations for the most suitable type of stay for a family like ours
- reliable local agencies with reasonable prices that could help us with this plan
Hi everyone, I’m here to get some advice on visiting KRUGER Park.
From what I’ve gathered through my reading, I understand there are two ways to visit the park:
- Independently with your own vehicle
=> Do you drive all day?
- By booking with a professional
=> Safari early in the morning and late in the afternoon. But what do you do in between?
When it comes to accommodations, the options are:
- Booking in one of the park’s camps, where the lodging is basic but functional
- Booking in a private reserve, which is more comfortable but prohibitively expensive
- Booking outside the park, which means entering the park every morning. But if you want to stay for 3 days, that doesn’t seem practical to me.
Do you have any advice for accommodations?
To be honest, I’m really struggling to understand how it all works...
Thanks to everyone for your help.
Bidule 27
Hey everyone!
Heading to Namibia in a few days and I just read that the entry fees for all parks in Namibia have skyrocketed. Increases between 86 and 100%, and this has been in effect since April 1st (no joke). Have any of you heard about this, and if so, do you know if it’s actually being enforced?
For example, the fee for Etosha has gone from 150 NAD to 280 NAD per day per person.
Thanks in advance!
I’m really interested in traveling to South Africa in September 2020. My question is whether I should go on an organized tour or plan my own itinerary. Organized trips are pretty expensive $$$$, but the security aspect reassures me. I’d love to hear your thoughts on safety in South Africa and whether it’s easy to arrange activities like visiting vineyards, Cape Town, and going on a safari on our own. Which is better in terms of cost—booking an organized trip or doing it ourselves? It’s definitely less exciting to follow a group for 10 days. We’re a couple in our 50s who love nature.
😊🦁
We’re heading out in April 2027 with our 4x4 to explore part of Southern Africa. Right now we’re researching all these beautiful countries and deciding where to ship our vehicle. We’re from Le Havre—has anyone here already shipped from that port to South Africa or East Africa?
As for all these countries, is wild camping allowed, tolerated, easy, or difficult?
We’ve already visited a few, but you can read just about anything online, so getting tips from real independent travelers is way better :)
We’re all ears for any hacks, experiences, or spots you’d recommend.
See you on the road with Doddy
Hi,
I’m starting to plan a great trip for the last three weeks of January 2027 (my first time in South Africa).
After spending a few hours (!) browsing this forum, here’s a rough first draft of my itinerary:
D0 Arrival at JNB
D1, D2 Blyde River Canyon
D3, D4, D5, D6, D7: Kruger
D8, D9, D10: St Lucia and surrounding area
D11, D12, D13, D14: Drakensberg + Lesotho
D15 A very long driving day to the south (hope the AC doesn’t break down!)
D16, D17, D18, D19 southwest coast (so far I’ve noted Oudtshoorn, Robberg Nature Reserve, Wilderness NP, De Hoop Reserve, and a bit of the wine route)
D20, D21 Cape Town (peninsula and a bit of the city) + domestic flight and return flight (departure from JNB at 11 PM)
A few questions before refining this:
- Do you see any major issues with this itinerary?
- We don’t have a choice on dates, and personally, I prefer green landscapes to desert ones anyway, but do you really see far fewer animals in January than in the dry season? Five days in Kruger should give us enough time to spot plenty of different animals despite the tall grass, right? As for the heat, we’re from Réunion, so we’re relatively used to it, even though I know it’s not the same type of heat.
- Can I trust the distances and driving times given by Google Maps?
- Picking up the vehicle in Johannesburg and dropping it off in Cape Town: how much might that cost us? I’m thinking it probably won’t be worse (in terms of time or money, since there are five of us—2 adults + 3 kids) than going back to Joburg after Lesotho, taking a flight to Cape Town, and renting another vehicle... but maybe I’m wrong.
- Finally, wouldn’t it be better to focus on just one of the two regions (either the northeast or Cape Town and the south coast)? If it were up to me, I’d stick to the first part and extend a few stops... but not everyone agrees! And we’re thinking that since it’ll be really hot, a second part of the trip that’s a bit """cooler""" would be welcome.
I imagine many of you have been captivated by the Masai Mara park and/or your safari experience with Tony Crocetta/Melting Pot Safari. Still, I’d like to share my perspective.
First, I’m an avid traveler, especially in love with Africa, which my partner and I have explored a bit (Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia...).
That said, I want to express my deep disappointment with both the Masai Mara and Tony Crocetta’s camp, Melting Pot Safari, where we stayed last year.
First, about the park: it’s stunning, no doubt. But what a highly touristy place! I can’t find the words to describe the horror of being among 30 4x4 vehicles lined up in front of a lioness hunt, let alone encircling her right after her kill while her prey is still alive in her jaws... no respect for wildlife. The same goes for surrounding a young leopard playing with its small prey, a moment when I counted over 50 vehicles, most with their engines running... sickening. I turned away, both my gaze and my camera. What a disaster to see this natural wonder of Africa turned into a tourist hotspot.
Yes, I loved this place on Earth, but no, I won’t "promote" it anywhere or to anyone.
Next, I also wanted to share my dissatisfaction with Tony Crocetta’s famous camp, Melting Pot Safari: where to begin? We booked a private vehicle for four with two friends, and I have no complaints about the vehicle itself (though it obviously came at a cost). The windows and the vehicle weren’t very photo-friendly, but let’s move on.
The trip between the sisters’ guesthouse (which was fine) and the camp went smoothly, except we arrived a bit too late. Result: "We’ll leave for the safari an hour later today because the driver has to respect his rest hours." Perfect—with park formalities, we only spent about an hour in the park that evening. The safari got off to a great start...
During our 12-day stay, we saw some amazing things. Tony wasn’t at the camp—I don’t know what the atmosphere is like when he’s there, but it was rather cold during our trip. Sylvie, his wife, barely looked at us, never asking how our day, night, or game drive went (I think she spoke to us once during the stay, plus the day we arrived, of course). We felt invisible... (if I were mean, I’d say the money had already been deposited into Melting Pot’s bank account.)
The evening meals, if I may say so, were a joke: not enough dessert (aside from fruit, but the few elaborate desserts—like 10 for 18 guests) for everyone, barely enough meat or sides. If you were unlucky like us and ended up with a group of 15 people who decided to skip the starter, you’d better hurry to get your main course, or there might not be any left—and no refills... We always ate our fill, but sometimes we had to serve ourselves in advance.
Finally, I want to correct something about the quality of the meals: seriously, this buffet was really mediocre and far from the culinary standards I’d read about in my pre-trip research (see their Facebook page).
Anyway, let’s move past the food—after all, the avocados were sublime, and we’re not there primarily to eat.
About the tent: the river views were beautiful, and the beds were very comfortable. No running water, individual showers outside the tent, and dry toilets—but it’s Africa, so we weren’t shocked. However, I’m disappointed that for this "modest" price, I wasn’t warned there’d be no soap (and no, I don’t travel with my own soap—and for the price, a little bar in the tent wouldn’t be a luxury). But let’s move on—the hippo views were fantastic. Oh, and to preserve the Masai Mara’s water (which makes sense) and for hygiene reasons, underwear isn’t washed by the camp staff—fair enough. But then what’s that little sign next to the bed? Oh right, for a hefty sum, underwear suddenly becomes "washable"...
Finally, my biggest gripe is about the essential part: the game drives. In France, they sell you a dream with a "photo safari" (what’s the difference, really? A room with a few more electrical outlets?). They promise guides especially suited for photography (not a given, sorry) and vehicles that can get close to animals and go off-road... but here’s the catch: the guides are bound by park laws and hounded by rangers looking to fine rule-breakers. Result: as soon as a white ranger vehicle is spotted, we have to abandon our spot for a wild chase through the grass. Fun once... The next day, we learned that another group’s guide got caught and had to pay $100 for breaking the rules—a sum he casually asked the travelers in his vehicle to cover... because of course, Melting Pot lures tourists with dreams, the poor rangers try to get close, all while breaking park laws... and they break those laws for Crocetta’s company, which, of course, won’t dip into its profits to pay the fines. Basically, it’s "keep the clients happy, but don’t get fined—or the fines are on you or you’ll have to ask the clients directly." Nice boss! Anyway, there were long discussions about this last year, especially among the guests in the fined vehicle. My partner and I found these practices unacceptable, and we were deeply disappointed by this attitude.
I know many people adore this park and/or this company—maybe you were luckier... or maybe you’re less demanding than we are when it comes to respecting rules, nature, and clients. But after traveling through much of southern Africa, I can tell you we personally came back frustrated from this experience and aren’t eager to return... You’ve been warned.
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!
Hello,
With so many agencies out there, we're feeling a bit lost. Could you please share your experience—like recommending your agency if you were happy with them—and tell us why, and if possible, what budget we should expect? Feel free to send it in a private message :)
We’re just the two of us, and ideally, we’d like to go in a 4x4 alone or with another couple, or in a very small group.
Hi there,
I’ve reached out to a few agencies for a week-long family safari next summer before heading to Zanzibar.
So far, the itinerary looks like this:
Day 1: Late arrival at JRO and overnight in Arusha
Day 2: Drive to Tarangire, park visit, and overnight in Tarangire
Day 3: Tarangire, drive to and overnight in Karatu
Day 4: Ngorongoro and overnight in Ngorongoro
Day 5: Drive to Serengeti and safari in Seronera
Day 6: Serengeti and overnight near Lobo
Day 7: Serengeti and overnight in Seronera
Day 8: Flight from Seronera to Zanzibar
On paper, it covers "everything," but maybe there’s a bit too much time lost on the road... Any alternatives?
To simplify (and cut costs), I was thinking:
Day 1: Late arrival at JRO and overnight in Arusha
Day 2: Arusha National Park with a walking safari and meeting the Maasai (?)
Day 3: Drive to Tarangire, park visit, and overnight in Tarangire
Day 4: Full day in Tarangire
Day 5: Tarangire, drive to and overnight in Karatu
Day 6: Ngorongoro and overnight in Ngorongoro
Day 7: Morning in Manyara or Natron and drive to JRO
Day 8: Flight to Zanzibar
Your thoughts and recommendations are welcome...
Thanks
We have the opportunity to spend about ten days somewhere for Christmas, and I’m really tempted by Zanzibar. I’ve been dreaming for a long time about the Spice Island, Stone Town, diving...
Which hotels could you recommend? Not a big "resort"—we’re more into "boutique hotels" or even an Airbnb house. Somewhere quiet (we’re not party animals).
I’m thinking of staying the first few nights in Stone Town and then moving to a beach, preferably one where we can swim regardless of the tides, without ending up in seaweed and mud at low tide.
I’m a bit lost with all the beaches because apparently, the north is very crowded, the south is very windy, and the east has some good and some not-so-good spots, with big tides or not... HELP! 🤪
I’d like to limit myself to a maximum of 2 different places to stay over the 10 days.
I’m reaching out because I don’t understand how Volcanoes National Park works.
I looked at booking for the gorillas, but there’s just the price listed, and the same goes for the Diane Fossey tomb.
So I contacted a hotel in Kinigi, and they told me that for the gorillas, you need a car to get to the park headquarters, and then once you know your group, you need to get from the headquarters to the trekking start point?? Do you confirm this? Is that really how it works? They say the hotel has a driver and it would cost 100 DOLLARS!!
I just found out that on top of the permit, there are other fees??? Uhh…
Are there other options, knowing I don’t want to rent a 4x4 since I’m traveling alone?
And if I don’t get the gorilla permit but just want to visit the Diane Fossey tomb, is it the same issue? From Kinigi, do you need a 4x4? How far is the tomb from the headquarters? Is it a hike you can do alone OR DO YOU NEED A GUIDE, ON FOOT? By car??
If someone could explain everything to me… and is the DF Foundation different??
If I decide to go through an agency, is it possible in Musanze (which would save me trips) or is it mandatory to go through Kigali?
Thanks so much for your help…
Best regards
I’m in the middle of planning a road trip in Southern Africa, and I’m specifically working on the itinerary—especially the distances.
I’ve got the time, but I’m struggling with the transfer days (so much driving just to end up spending the whole day on the road). That’s why I’m trying to analyze travel times, even if it means adding extra stops.
My highlights in Zimbabwe would be:
- Hwange
- Victoria Falls (and maybe Matusadona)
- Mana Pools
- Harare
- Gonarezhou
- Great Zimbabwe
But the distances and travel times seem huge (over 4 hours each time), and I don’t see how to make the drives more chill or shorten them—even if it means adding stops (but which ones?) between each leg.
Would anyone be able to estimate the travel time between these highlights and maybe suggest some nice stops to take breaks?
I’ve been to Rwanda twice before, in November 1991 and December 1993, mostly for solidarity work.
I’m looking into going back this November or December for three weeks, but I’m a bit hesitant when I see the tourist offerings—it’s so far from how I like to travel...
I travel solo using public transport and stay in places like guesthouses (GH), or accommodations run by cooperatives, associations, or religious groups. I love villages, markets, hikes, and local crafts.
So far, my searches for these kinds of lodging options haven’t turned up much.
For now, I’m considering visiting (in no particular order):
Butare: Kibeho, Bisesero, Nyanza
Ngenda
Akagera, Kibungo, Lake Muazi
Dian Fossey’s tomb (with the possibility of seeing gorillas)
Kibuye??? Is the political situation stable there? Or Cyangugu?
So here are my first questions:
-Is French still widely spoken?
-Are there lists of the types of accommodations I mentioned above, or places to find that info?
-Is what I’m planning doable using public transport? From the towns, are moto-taxis still available to get to villages, sites, and—most importantly—back?
-Is it possible to go hiking solo?
-Which are the best markets and what days are they held?
I know that’s a lot of questions already, and I really appreciate any relevant answers you can share.
Looking forward to exchanging more!
I’m planning my next trip in September, and after two self-drive trips to Botswana last year, I’d love to explore Kruger. Since I’m used to camping, I’m thinking of renting an equipped van from Kitted Africa (a small Suzuki van—thanks Safari Expert!) to sleep in a tent and occasionally in a hut.
Here’s my provisional itinerary, and I’d love to hear your thoughts if you don’t mind.
I’ve got 13 nights to plan in Kruger. The rental company is based in Nelspruit.
Entering from the south:
14-15-16.09: 3 nights at Crocodile Bridge or Lower Sabie
17-18-19.09: 3 nights at Skukuza
20-21.09: 2 nights at Satara
22-23-24.09: 3 nights at Olifants
25-26.09: 2 nights at Tamboti or Talamati
Exiting the park on 27.09 via Orpen Gate, then heading to Blyde River Canyon for a night in a hotel or elsewhere.
28.09: Return to Nelspruit, drop off the van, and stay in a hotel.
29.09 (midday): Airlink flight to Johannesburg, then an evening return flight to GVA.
What do you think? Too many nights here, not enough there?
I’ll be traveling solo, I love driving, and I enjoy settling in the middle of nature to listen, observe, and take photos (Botswana was perfect for that).
Thanks in advance!
Nicole
Photo: Baines Baobab, Botswana, April 2025
