Petite question à celui, celle qui pourrait m'orienter vers un site approprié ou vers une réponse à ma question...
Serait-il possible de savoir quelles sont (actuellement) ou plus précisément quelles seront les conditions de piste dans Moremi d'ici le mois de juillet de cette année ?? Cela s'annonce-t-il aquatique ou non ? Je sais qu'il peut y avoir des fluctuations d'une année à l'autre !
Nous serons au nord du Botswana au mois de juillet prochain et je me fais un peu de soucis concernant l'état des pistes dans les parcs nationaux...
Ensuite concernant la Malaria au nord du Botswana ??
Bonsoir Alain,
Vu les précipitations de ces derniers mois, ça semble bien parti pour être aussi "humide" que l'an dernier, voire plus !
Tu trouveras des infos régulièrement mises à jour par des gens revenant de la région sur ce forum sud-africain.
Le Nord du Botswana est en zone palu. Je ne sais pas s'ils étaient porteurs, mais en juillet dernier, il y avait des moustiques énormes, en particulier à Maun. Alors Malarone, même si c'est cher, pour moi ça ne se discute pas…
Bon voyage, même si pas toujours évident, c'est le paradis terrestre !
Salut
effectivement les seules informations fiables sur l'état des pistes se trouvent sur le forum sud-af.
Par contre il est bien difficile de prévoir aussi longtemps à l'avance. en juillet c'est la saison sèche mais paradoxalement le niveau du delta est à son plus haut.
Pour le palu en hiver les risques sont moindres mais pas nuls.
Il y a le doxypalu moins cher que la malarone mais traitement plus long
Il y a eu cette année beaucoup d'eau mais surtout en janvier et février. Vu qu'il faut 4 mois pour que l'eau descende d'Angola, ptetre que l'on aura une chance de ne pas avoir trop d'eau
Moi, je parts fin juillet, le 29. Si tu rentre avant, ce serait sympa de me faire un petit retour des conditions, histoire de me rassurer. Et si c'est la cata ben tu dis rien histoire de pas m'affoler 😄
Nicolas
Botswana 2011
Par ici, d'autres récits des voyages effectués (USA, Namibie ...)
Merci à vous pour vos réponses...un peu trop humides à mon goût !!!
Bon et bien je vais laisser tomber mon hilux pour un véhicule amphibie :-)...
Au vue de vos réponses, on s'achemine vers un mois de juillet2011 inondé dans l'Okavango :( ! Pour ceux qui y étaient en 2010, durant le mois de juillet, la visite de l'Okavango (third bridge, Xakanaxa et North Gate) était tout de même possible ou il fallait s'appeler Indiana Jones et se lancer régulièrement à la kamikaze dans des gués inondés et profonds ?? C'est la question juste pour se rassurer...
Ce qui me fait un peu peur, c'est que l'on passe 6 jours dans l'Okavango embourbé dans un fossé à galerer sans cesse pour se sortir de situations impossibles. Je m'imagine un peu le scénarios catastrophe mais bon..., quelqu'un pourrait-il me faire part de ses impression de l'Okavango en juillet 2010 ??
En vous remerciant d'avance pour vos réponses...positives je l'espère !!
Je te renvoie à mon carnet de voyage dans ma signature… Je ne suis pas allé à 3rd Bridge, mais d'après les infos qu'on avait sur place, c'était du même acabit que les endroits où nous sommes passés.
Je rentre juste, alors voilà quelques infos pour ceux qui partent.
De South Gate à 3rd Bridge, de l'eau à 1st Bridge et 2nd Bridge, mais pas de problème. Il faut juste sonder à pied avant.
La traversée de Khwaï River : seulement pour les très courageux bien équipés. On nous a dit de ne même pas essayer de rejoindre North Gate via Hippo Polls .
On a visité la Khwaï River à partir de Mankwe, la plupart des routes étaient inondées, mais on pouvait atteindre la rivière à travers le camp communautaire.
L'accès à Savuti, sefait uniquement par le Sandridge mais les marais et le Savuti Channel sont fantastiques à voir avec toute cette eau.
Chobe waterfront / Ihaha : la rivière est à ras des campsites. L'eau descend doucement mais toutes les routes des "flood-plains" sont inaccessibles. Étrange de voir les letchwé brouter avec les koudous et les impalas.
Petite question à celui, celle qui pourrait m'orienter vers un site approprié ou vers une réponse à ma question...
Serait-il possible de savoir quelles sont (actuellement) ou plus précisément quelles seront les conditions de piste dans Moremi d'ici le mois de juillet de cette année ?? Cela s'annonce-t-il aquatique ou non ? Je sais qu'il peut y avoir des fluctuations d'une année à l'autre !
J'étais encore dans la région de Savuti-Moreni ce mois-ci (mai 2011), avec un tour operator de Kasane (Africa Under Canvas).
Ce que je peux dire, c'est que la conduite etait souvent pour le moins très sportive, avec de nombreux passages dans l'eau ou la boue. Et on a beaucoup apprécié d'avoir des guides-pisteurs-conducteurs virtuoses, car nous aurions été bien incapables de conduire nous-même.
Du beau temps tout le temps, excepté le Mercredi 18 mai dernier, où on a eu une 1/2 journée de pluie très violente.
En vignette, qques photos de pistes un peu "grasses".
La piste de North Gate (Kwhai River) à Third bridge via Xakanaxa que nous avons faite dans la journée etait particulièrement défoncée et détrempée, avec par endroits sur de longues portions des trous de boue de 50 à 80 cm de profondeur se succédant tous les 50 à 100 mètres. Parfois nous pouvions les éviter en passant par la forêt environnante, mais parfois, notre pilote devait aller tout droit, et malgré la haute garde au sol des véhicules, nous avions souvent les molets dans l'eau (ou plutôt la boue).
On peut ajouter les dégats causés par les éléphants qui renversent sur la route un grand nombre d'arbres, nous obligeant encore à quelques détours scabreux ...
Quant à Third bridge, il était complèment sous l'eau (voir les dernières vignettes).
Nos deux véhicules, deux rustiques et puissants Jeep Defender (un avec remorque !) chaussés de pneus boue très efficaces, étaient particulièrement adaptés à la tâche ; mais sans l'habileté diabolique de nos pilotes botswanais, nous y serions encore.
Cependant, que des souvenirs exceptionnels !
J-Pi
De l'Alaska à l'Arizona : contrastes. Voir https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4396533#4396533
Dans la vie, le pire qui pourrait nous arriver serait qu'il ne nous arrive rien !
...et bien c'est pas gagné pour cet été !!! C'est un véhicule amphibie qu'il me faudrait... Disons que ces news toutes fraîches (merci à trois14 pour ces infos !!) ne m'inspirent pas la plus grande confiance ! Comptons sur l'aide du soleil pour réduire ces flaques à néant et sur la terre pour boire tout ce qu'elle peut d'eau excédentaire d'ici à juillet.
Au fait, dans les 4x4 de location, ils incluent le zodiac ??
Je prie de tout mon coeur pour que les routes soient praticables d'ici juillet !! Sinon je sens que le voyage risque de se transformer en grosse galère...ou en enfer...
Ça ressemble à l'an dernier. 🙂
D'ici juillet, beaucoup de flaques auront sans doute fondu mais il restera de l'eau…
Un zodiac, je ne sais pas, mais un snorkel peut être d'une grande efficacité pour éviter les ennuis. C'est à cette époque que j'ai upgradé mon Hilux l'an dernier pour une version complètement équipée et je ne l'ai pas regretté.
Seul là-dedans avec un véhicule de base. 🙁🙁🙁 Tu peux essayer de faire un bout de route avec des voisins de camp les jours où tu risques de rencontrer de l'eau.
Je prie de tout mon coeur pour que les routes soient praticables d'ici juillet !! Sinon je sens que le voyage risque de se transformer en grosse galère...ou en enfer...
Effectivement, il faut que ça reste des vacances. Si, comme Pierre, tu es un conducteur chevronné de 4x4 et en convoi, ça peut aller a conditions d'avoir le bon véhicule. L'an passé, les crues étaient fortes. Cette année elles sont encore plus forte. Peut-être devras-tu te tourner vers des guides locaux.
Pour ma part, l'an prochain, je réfléchi à un truc mêlant aventure et repos. J'ai pas envie de me retrouver avec un masque et un tuba en train de relier le châssis de mon 4x4 à un tire-fond 😊.... et puis ma femme... hummmm.... ça la ferait pas rire longtemps.
Autrement, tu le sais, ça sera un beau voyage 🙂.
Disons que je ne lui dit pas forcement tout... sans quoi elle ne viendrait plus forcément avec moi !!! Elle craint ce voyage (animaux sauvages, maladies, isolement...) et c'est moi qui doit la rassurer...mais plus je reçois de réponses sur le forum, plus je suis fébrile...et faut pas que je craque 🤪 🙂 !!
J'ai loué un Hilux (je mettrai un bas de ma femme pour relier la prise d'air au toit...) et nous partons ma femme et moi uniquement !
Disons que je suis assez débrouille mais je crains l'embourbement en plein gué...ça serait moyennement drôle. Pour moi l'aventure ne me fait pas trop peur mais pour elle...vacances = plutot tranquilos !
Je me réjouis beaucoup d'être confronté à tout ceci mais faudrait pas non-plus que ce soit la galère totale...
Un précédent forum avait pour thème le matériel à embarquer (sangles kinétiques...) je vais suivre à la lettre ces conseils avisés... Un treuil serait une bonne chose mais pas d'office sur l'Hilux !!
ha ha ha !
t'inquiètes elle va râler les premiers jours pour la poussière
ensuite elle va pleurer les autres jours pour les galères et la flotte
ensuite elle te fera la gueule le restant du voyage...
Il ne faut pas dramatiser non plus… Si tu ne le sens pas, tu ne t'engages pas ! Il y a toujours moyen de faire autrement quitte à faire éventuellement un gros détour !
Par exemple : de Savuti, tu rejoins Mababe Gate puis direction le village de Mababe. Sur la route de Maun, tu tournes à gauche et tu rejoins South Gate. Ensuite de South Gate, tu peux rejoindre North Gate ou Xakanaxa sans mettre un pneu dans l'eau…
Moi aussi bolivie, chili, perou, argentine ... c'est dans le top 3 des prochains voyages. Un vieux rêve qui m'a trotté dans la tête il y a une vingtaine d'année c'était de traverser la cordillère des Andes en VTT.
Botswana 2011
Par ici, d'autres récits des voyages effectués (USA, Namibie ...)
Salut Alain,
"je mettrai un bas de ma femme pour relier la prise d'air au toit..."
Comme une manche à air ? ? Faudra en prendre des costauds et avec des baleines alors ! 🙂 😛
Tu nous enverras une photo !
"si ma femme savait tout ça... "
"Disons que je ne lui dit pas forcement tout... "
Espérons que tu ne rêves pas tout haut des discussions du forum ! !🙂 😉
Pareil pour Fred, Pierre, Vincent et Nicolas, faites gaffes, les gars ... 😇
En y regardant d'un peu plus près, il est pas mal macho ce forum ! ! 😕 🙂
Bonjour,
Quand seras tu au Botswana et quel est ton programme car j'y serai aussi mais en venant de Namibie et serai à Kasane le 23 juillet 2011 pour commencer notre périple au Botswana.
Jean
Pour y avoir mis les pieds (et les roues) en aout dernier, voilà ce que je peux te dire :
- Concernant Moremi même, pas de très grosses difficultés mais des règles de prudence à observer : demander aux rangers à l'entrée de vous indiquer sur la carte quels gués posent problemes et par où les prendre (côté droit ou gauche). Devant un gué qui semble profond : envoyer un éclaireur avec un baton pour sonder le fond ou attendre le passge d'un autre véhicule plus aguerri qui va vous montrer le tracé. 2nd bridge était infranchissable mais un petit détour le contournait.
- La grosse difficulté, LE moment de vérité, c'est le passage après le village de Khwai si vous allez au nord (direction Savuti...) là ce n'est pas un gué mais une rivière. Tu peux lire dans mon carnet comment nous l'avons passé.
Pour avoir des news fraiches : va sur le forum de SA 4X4 community section Botswana...les infos sont très régulières
Pour la Malaria : c'est un vieux débat avec les pro médicament type malarone et les anti. Quelque soit ton choix il y a deux règles à observer :
- Mettre le paquet sur les répulsifs : sur les vétements, sur la peau, même les gadgets sensés éloigner les moustiques (ultra sons..) ne sont pas négliger. Il existe aussi des variantes : prise quotidienne de vitamine B1 (si je ne me trompe pas) qui donne à la peau un "gout" désagréable aux moustiques. Mettre un coup de bombe dans la tente avant le dodo, mettre des vétements longs le soir, etc etc....
Enfin, le plus important, même si tu as pris un traitement préventif : dans les 6 semaines qui suivent ton voyage, si fièvre et frisson : direction hopital et test palu sans perdre de temps. Une crise de palu non soignée en tant que tel peut être fatale.
Les zones de Moremi et Chobe sont dans la zone à risque paludéen.
Maintenant je me demande si un hilux est un véhicule adapté pour ce type de séjour ???
J'ai loué un véhicule sans snorkel et je me demande si je ne vais pas me compliquer la tâche ?? Bon faut dire qu'avec un véhicule équipé d'un snorkel c'est comme un skieur avec casque...il va être plus facilement tenté par des choses impossible se sachant protégé !
Peut-être qu'avec un véhicule sans prise d'air sur le toit on sera moins tenté par des traversées infernales...
Mais bon vous qui avez déjà parcouru les pistes de Moremi et Chobe en juillet, le snorkel est-il indispensable pour quelqu'un qui n'est pas aguerri à la conduite d'un 4x4 ??
Être aguerri ou pas ne change rien à l'utilité d'un snorkel. C'est surtout une sécurité pour franchir un trou d'eau un peu plus profond qu'un autre.
La plupart des Sud-Africains qui voyagent dans Moremi n'en ont pas, et il arrive que des conducteurs même aguerris (organisateur/guide de safari par exemple) fusillent leur moteur dans un trou d'eau mal estimé.
La question n'est pas Hilux ou pas Hilux. Un Hilux bien équipé est un véhicule parfait pour la région. Un modèle basique, plus bas, moins puissant et sans snorkel sera moins efficace…
Mon avis est qu'en évitant de faire n'importe quoi (et en vérifiant de temps en temps le serrage des roues 😉), il n'y a pas de raison que les choses tournent en jus de boudin.
Après tout, l'Okavango a l'avantage de proposer sable à profusion et eau tempérée...un peu comme des vacances au bord de la mer 😛 ! Autant en profiter...
message à l'attention de Gillioz,
Comme je suis un peu vexé de ne pas avoir de réponse de ta part, je réitère ma question ?
Bonjour,
Quand seras tu au Botswana et quel est ton programme car j'y serai aussi mais en venant de Namibie et serai à Kasane le 23 juillet 2011 pour commencer notre périple au Botswana ?
Jean
😊😊 Oups, toutes mes excuses...oublié de répondre à ta question...🤪 !!
Alors, si je regarde mon programme, je serai à Kasane les 25 et 26 juillet...
En fait je serai sur Maun le 16 juillet, sur Moremi du 17 au 22 juillet, Savute 23 et 24 juillet puis Kasane 25 et 26 et Hwange au Zimbabwe les 27-28 et 29 juillet !
J'envoyais lachement ma femme faire le sondage des gués. Et elle se mouillait jusqu'aux cuisses...😇
J'avoue que si j'avais eu un snorkel sur mon hilux, j'aurais été bien plus rassuré par 2 fois
Merci de ta réponse, en fait nous risquons de nous croiser car notre itinéraire sera inverse au tien . En effet, nous irons de Kasane aux chutes Victoria puis après nous partirons sur Savuti vers le 29 juillet.
Cordialement
Jean
Maintenant je me demande si un hilux est un véhicule adapté pour ce type de séjour ???
J'ai loué un véhicule sans snorkel et je me demande si je ne vais pas me compliquer la tâche ?? Bon faut dire qu'avec un véhicule équipé d'un snorkel c'est comme un skieur avec casque...il va être plus facilement tenté par des choses impossible se sachant protégé !
Peut-être qu'avec un véhicule sans prise d'air sur le toit on sera moins tenté par des traversées infernales...
Mais bon vous qui avez déjà parcouru les pistes de Moremi et Chobe en juillet, le snorkel est-il indispensable pour quelqu'un qui n'est pas aguerri à la conduite d'un 4x4 ??
Oui le Hilux est parfaitement adapté a ce terrain.. c'est un des véhicules avec la plus haute garde au sol (18 a 20 cm sous les boules de pont selon la monte de pneu) de surcroit si c'est un diesel et en 4x4 vitesse courte c'est un bon tracteur...
Pensez à craboter(manuellement ou electriquement) le train avant et a passer en 4 RM reductées avant la difficulté... pas quand on est engagé...
Opère tes passages de gué ou de boue en 2nd - à régime constant - sans accoup d'accélération- et tu verrras que tu sera surpris agréablement du comportement de ton véhicule..
Le train avant s'engage manuellement avec le 2ème levier de vitesses.
La position 4H (4x4 long) passe à la volée en roulant jusqu'à 80 km/h (ne pas oublier de repasser en 4x2 sur le goudron).
La position 4L (4x4 court) se passe à l'arrêt et au point mort.
J'ajouterai qu'on peut bloquer aussi le différentiel arrière avant l'obstacle, tous les Hilux que j'ai vus là-bas avaient cette option. Ne pas oublier de le débloquer aussitôt après !
(bouton "diff lock" à gauche sur le tableau de bord).
Comme ça, rien ne l'arrête ou presque jusqu'à 80 cm de profondeur d'eau environ.
Le train avant s'engage manuellement avec le 2ème levier de vitesses.
La position 4H (4x4 long) passe à la volée en roulant jusqu'à 80 km/h (ne pas oublier de repasser en 4x2 sur le goudron).
La position 4L (4x4 court) se passe à l'arrêt et au point mort.
J'ajouterai qu'on peut bloquer aussi le différentiel arrière avant l'obstacle, tous les Hilux que j'ai vus là-bas avaient cette option. Ne pas oublier de le débloquer aussitôt après !
(bouton "diff lock" à gauche sur le tableau de bord).
Comme ça, rien ne l'arrête ou presque jusqu'à 80 cm de profondeur d'eau environ.
😉
effectivement précisions importantes
Diff lock de série....ils les font modernes les hilux de loc maintenant... 🙂
Bonjour,
Notre programme dans ces dates là:
arrivée à Kasane au camp de Senyati le 23/07, séjour de 5 jours pour aller aux Vics Falls et sillonner sur River Front puis départ pour Savuti avec un guide et comme objectif de traverser le parc Moremi pour être à Kaziikini le 5/08.
Au plaisir peut être de se rencontrer.
Jean
Toujours présent sur le Forum .
Bien que n' y participant pas, je lis chacune des discussions relatives à la Namibie et au Botswana.
Pour nous, le départ approche : J-22 ! J' aurais d' ailleurs à ce sujet quelques questions de dernières minutes à exposer, elles feront l' objet d' un autre post .
En attendant, je voulais vous adresser un petit clin d' œil relatif au sujet évoqué ... Pas tout à fait cependant, puisqu' il se déroule à la frontière de la Namibie et de l' Afrique du Sud . Il s' agit d' articles de blog d' une famille belge de 7 personnes achevant leur formidable aventure, et que j' ai pris plaisir à partager (liens) :
Arriverons-nous à temps à Cape Town ?
et la suite ...
A leur sujet, ils vendent leur camion aménagé et "amphibie" (😉) disponible fin Juin en Afrique du sud, ou un peu plus tard en Belgique .
Un autre deal pourrait être une location afin de le remonter d' Afrique du Sud vers l' Europe ... (Voir ICI) .
Es-tu revenu de l'Okavango ? ? 😛
Car ce message est le tout dernier...😇
Ça t'a plu ? 😉
Salut Michelle
Que tout cela me semble loin que le temps passe vite mais la mémoire permet de garder des souvenirs inoubliables et ce voyage en fait partie.
Je te remercie pour tous les renseignement fiables et précieux que tu as bien voulu me donner.
A tous ceux qui nous liront peut être j 'ai envie de mentionner un endroit particulier le camp de Maghotto avec des images fabuleuses où l'on a l'impression de déranger les animaux dans leur environnement naturel par contre eux ne se gênent pas de nous déranger ce qui est la moindre des choses.
Un grand merci à tous ceux qui participent à ce thème de discussion on sent la passion à fleur de peau et plus particulièrement à Olivier Dabat qui y est encore peut être ?
A bientôt Michelle au plaisir de te lire...
Jean
Salut Jean,
J'étais un peu inquiète de n'avoir aucun retour après un voyage aussi passionnant 😇 😛
"j 'ai envie de mentionner un endroit particulier le camp de Maghotto avec des images fabuleuses"
Suis allée voir à quoi cela ressemblait: effectivement c'est pas mal du tout ! !
Voilà ta participation à ce forum, courte mais elle a le mérite d'exister...
Cela , plus que des mots, fait partie des remerciements ! 😎
@ +, qui sait ! 😉
Pour clore cette discussion fort passionnante, je bats ma coulpe pour l'éternité car j'avoue qu'après mon voyage en Namibie et Botswana je n'ai pas alimenté le forum d'infos que j'aurais pu apporter alors qu'auparavant j'en avais profité...Mais mon retour a été rempli d'obligations en tout genre et je n'ai pas pris le temps de...
Encore une fois mille mercis à ceux qui ont eu la gentillesse de participer à cette discussion en apportant de précieux renseignements et mille pardons de ma part.
Jean
Afrique de l'Est et Australe › Botswana · 10 replies
Je suis en train de finaliser un trip dans l'afrique australe pour mai 2016, et j'ai prévu de faire le trip maun-Kasane en passant par Moremi Game Reserve.…
Livres, films et documentaires › Botswana · 2 replies
A ne pas manquer vendredi 9 janvier à 7h45 www.arte.tv/guide/... Rencontre avec ceux qui consacrent leur vie à la préservation de la vie animale dans le delta…
Après un voyage génial en Namibie (en logdes) on part cette fois au Botswana en 4*4 avec tentes sur le toit. Nous sommes 5 (2 + 3 enfants de 12,10 et 7 ans) On…
Afrique de l'Est et Australe › Botswana · 4 replies
Nous rentrons d'un séjour au Botswana que nous avons réservé avec le tour opérateur Cercle des Vacances et voulons attirer votre attention sur le fait que les…
A la lecture des différents post, il semblerait que les pluies ne soient pas "gênantes" pour un périple au botwana... si ce n'est pour la praticabilité des…
Bonjour à tous,
Nous sommes en train de revoir notre projet de voyage pour janvier 2027. À l’origine, nous envisagions l’Ouganda pour environ 14/15 jours, mais compte tenu de la situation sanitaire actuelle et des restrictions qui peuvent concerner ma compagne, qui est américaine, nous nous orientons finalement vers la Tanzanie.
Je suis habitué aux voyages en Afrique du Sud et à organiser moi-même mes voyages, mais j’ai l’impression que l’organisation d’un safari en Tanzanie est assez différente.
Je sais que le self-drive n’est pas vraiment adapté à la Tanzanie. Ma principale question est donc : peut-on organiser soi-même son itinéraire et réserver directement ses lodges, puis engager un chauffeur-guide local ? Ou est-il préférable de passer par une agence locale qui organise l’ensemble du safari ?
Concernant l’itinéraire, quels parcs recommanderiez-vous pour une première découverte en janvier ? Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Manyara, Ruaha, Arusha, Selous…
Nous aimerions également inclure Zanzibar pour terminer le voyage par quelques jours de plage. Sur 14/15 jours, est-ce que cela vous paraît cohérent ou trop ambitieux ?
Enfin, pour les vols, vaut-il mieux arriver à Kilimanjaro (JRO) ou à Dar es Salaam (DAR) selon l’itinéraire envisagé ?
Merci d’avance pour vos retours, notamment sur la meilleure façon d’organiser le safari et sur les parcs à privilégier en janvier !
Hello everyone!
It's been a year since I've been longing for South Africa. Our first trip in August 2025 amazed us, and—rarely—it was a unanimous hit with our little family! We were touched to the core, and from the moment we got home, we couldn’t stop talking about going back. 😄
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who gave me advice on the itinerary for that first trip (Johannesburg loop: Blyde, Kruger, Eswatini, St. Lucia, Durban, Drakensberg)! Thanks to you, our trip went like a dream!
Since then, I haven’t stopped reading articles and discussions on VoyageForum to keep my head in South Africa a little longer!
So, we finally caved and just booked our tickets for January 2027 (from the 3rd to the 26th), with a plan to do a road trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg in about 3 weeks.
I’ve got a rough itinerary that seems great based on what I’ve read on various forums, but there are still some uncertain points, and that’s where I could use your advice.
3/01: Arrival in Johannesburg at 11:45 PM
4/01: Flight to Cape Town, pick up rental car. Afternoon sightseeing
5,6,7/01: Cape Town to visit the big classics in the area (any tips for finding accommodation: which neighborhood, a specific place?)
8/01: Overnight stop before Oudtshoorn—but where??? (Is it essential, or is the CT-Oudtshoorn drive manageable? If so, I’d gain a day in Oudtshoorn. Google Maps shows over 5 hours of driving...)
9,10/01: Oudtshoorn (or would 3 nights be better to really enjoy the area?)
11,12/01: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay (to have time for hiking—if you’ve got hiking tips, I’m all ears!)
13,14/01: Tsitsikamma (still to have time for hiking—who knows the must-do hikes in the area? But maybe 4 nights in the Knysna-Tsitsikamma area is too much—I’m not sure)
16,17/01: Addo Elephant (I’m torn between 3 nights at Addo or 3 nights at Mountain Zebra. Based on travel journals, especially Michel’s on MZ, I’ve scheduled 3 nights at MZ 😄...)
18,19,20/01: Mountain Zebra NP
21/01: Camdeboo NP (because it looks so beautiful!)
22/01: Overnight stop (where?) before wrapping up the trip with either 2 or 3 nights at Golden Gate NP or the Lesotho option, which appeals to me, but I don’t know if it’s doable in 3 days to be back in Johannesburg by the afternoon of the 26th.
That’s my trip idea for now...
I’m eagerly waiting for your advice, ideas, and comments...
Can’t wait to be back there again!
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
Dream of standing on the roof of Africa at 5,895 m?
I’m looking for 4 people to complete our group for the Kilimanjaro ascent in Tanzania.
📅 September 17–28, 2026
👥 Small group
🥾 Suitable for experienced hikers
🏔️ Goal: Uhuru Peak – 5,895 m
🇹🇿 Local team specialized in Kilimanjaro
🎒 Porters during the ascent
🍽️ Meals and trek organization included
🧗♂️ Trip led by a French state-certified Mountain Leader
September is a great time to attempt the Kilimanjaro ascent.
🔥 Only 4 spots left. The departure is confirmed.
No need to be a mountaineer—just be in good shape, love hiking, and want to experience an incredible adventure.
👋 If you’re alone, no problem: you’ll join our small group directly.
📧 Send me a message for the full program, price, and all the details.
Don’t hesitate to share this post with your hiking friends! 😊
Mafate Randos
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.
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!
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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?
