Après un sejour de quatre semaines cet été, nous pensons plus qu'à revenir en Namibie. Cette fois-ci, nous aimerions visiter le sud et le KTP.
Pour la période, nous avons longtemps hésité. Juillet, peut-être trop froid dans le sud? Octobre, trop sec et déjà chaud? Avril, trop vert?
Finalement, nous pensons aller en avril 2018, car pour 2017, les logements et camps sont déjà complets dans le KTP.
Max dans son récit La Namibie en février...pourquoi pas nous a donné envie de faire le Tok Tokkie Trail.
Cette année, nous avons adoré nos nuits en camping, nous louerons donc un 4x4 avec tente sur le toit et prendrons s'il le faut, dans le KTP par exemple, aussi une ou deux nuits dans des Lodges.
Nous avons envie de découvrir et de faire:
J1 Windhoek ou proche de la ville
J2 ???
J3 Tok Tokkie Trail
J4 Tok Tokkie Trail
J5 Koiimasis
J6 Koiimasis
J7 Lüderitz
J8 Aus
J9 quelque part vers l'Orange River est-ce que ça vaut la peine d'y passer une nuit?
J10 Fish River où sont les meilleurs emplacements de camping?
J11 Fish River L'autre versant ou deux nuits au même endroit?
J12 Quiver Trees où?
J13 KTP
J14 KTP
J15 KTP
J16 KTP
J17 KTP
J18 Bagatelle ou autre
Nous avons la possibilité d'ajouter deux nuits. Est-ce que cela vaudrait la peine de descendre à Augrabies Falls en Afrique du Sud?
A Lüderitz, nous aimerions visiter la ville abandonnée et faire une sortie en bateau pour voir les Pingouins du Cap. Est-ce possible avec une nuit sur place et une nuit à Aus?
Et la grande question, où dormir dans le KTP. D'après ce qu j'ai pu lire, les félins se trouvent souvent vers Nossob. il y a quelques camps sympas, assez sauvages, mais pas de camping possible. Connaissez-vous ces camps?
Bref, beaucoup de questions, mais nous avons du temps pour organiser.😉
Notre coup de cœur avait été le Kalahari tented camp mais peut être est du aux nombreux hyenes et lions qui avaient sonorisé la nuit , par contre c'est des chambres(des tentes luxes), pas de camping
Un coin toute façon ou on a vu pas mal de lions mais toujours très tôt le matin
En fait, que peut on visiter vers les camps que tu m'as indiqués vers l'Orange River? J'ai trouvé sur ma carte (papier) Tracks4Africa le camp Felix, mais je ne vois pas Norothsama. Est-il proche de Felix, vers l'est ou vers l'ouest de celui-ci?
J'ai la peine de comprendre comment visiter le Fish River Canyon. Je vois, sur la carte, des camps vers Hobas, à Ais-Ais et plus au nord, Koelkrans, Canyon et Löwer. Quel camp est le mieux et surtout d'où on a une meilleure vue sur le canyon. Si possible, nous aimerions marcher un peu, même beaucoup, 😄 mais il me semble que c'est difficile, voir interdit.😕
J'ai lu quelque part, mais je ne me souviens plus où, qu'il est possible de descendre dans le canyon avec un guide, en 4x4. As-tu en entendu parler?
En fait, quand on parle du Fish River Canyon East, est-ce la partie Löwer et Koelkrans? La partie West, c'est celle qui est accessible depuis la D463, piste qui part de la B4 ou de la C13?
Je vois qu'on peut aussi prendre la D459 depuis la B4.
Bref, j'ai vraiment la peine d'organiser cette partie du voyage.
Pour les Quiver Tree, c'est pour couper le trajet et de ne pas devoir faire Fish River - KTP en une journée. Il me semble qu'il y a une ferme proche de Keetmansshoop avec un camping et aussi à Mesosaurus. Connais-tu ces endroits? Vaut-il mieux faire le trajet en une fois et mettre cette étape ailleurs?
Concernant cette partie, il y a beaucoup de renseignements sur mon carnet Namibie KTP. Une carte du coin, aussi.
Le Noro est à l'Ouest du Felix Unit.
Dans ce coin c'est canoe sur l'Orange et FRC...et quelques balades pas faciles.
Hobas est dans le parc du FRC c'est le plus proche.
De ce côté, aucun n'est vraiment au bord du FRC. Hobas est le meilleur choix pour campeur. (à mon avis)
On peut marcher sur le long du bord du FRC. Des treks sont organisés pour marcher dans le canyon mais c'est sur plusieurs jours a priori. J'ai vu un américain (voir mon carnet) qui est descendu dans le FRC pour une petite marche , avec un guide mais je déconseille fortement celà. Oui, seuls sans organisation "officielle" c'est interdit...parce que dangereux !!!
Les tours en 4x4 n'apportent rien de plus que ce que tu peux faire seul. A ma connaissance pas de 4x4 dans le canyon !
Oui, je suis passé à côté du Mesausorus, Diamina, par exemple, y est allée et a été ravie. A priori bon plan.
Du FRC au KTP...en 1 journée mais on avait dormi juste avant le KTP dans une ferme. Bon plan, simple.
Salut! je confirme pas de 4x4 pouraller en bas du fish river, felix unite pour le canoë et le camping est bien agréable à côté du lodge (pelouse sur le sol !), mesosaurus fossil camp très bien avec le papy qui joue ses morceaux préférés sur les roches en fin de visite (j'y étais en 2013) Quiver tree forest camping bof surtout avec les guépards dans des enclos (s'ils vivent encore!), mieux vaut mesosaurus il y a également des arbres carquois
Notre coup de cœur avait été le Kalahari tented camp mais peut être est du aux nombreux hyenes et lions qui avaient sonorisé la nuit , par contre c'est des chambres(des tentes luxes), pas de camping
Un coin toute façon ou on a vu pas mal de lions mais toujours très tôt le matin
Merci Michel pour ces précisions. J'ai lu ton carnet hier soir. Il est vraiment bien, j'ai appris pas mal de choses sur la Namibie.
Le Noro a l'air sympa, mais quel camp est mieux pour la vue? Toi qui a fait les deux, le Noro et Felix, lequel as-tu préféré?
Peut-on marcher d'un point de vue à l'autre au Fish River du côté de Hobas? Doit-on marcher sur la piste où les voitures roulent et combien de kilomètres y a-t-il entre les différents points?
Salut! je confirme pas de 4x4 pouraller en bas du fish river, felix unite pour le canoë et le camping est bien agréable à côté du lodge (pelouse sur le sol !), mesosaurus fossil camp très bien avec le papy qui joue ses morceaux préférés sur les roches en fin de visite (j'y étais en 2013) Quiver tree forest camping bof surtout avec les guépards dans des enclos (s'ils vivent encore!), mieux vaut mesosaurus il y a également des arbres carquois
Ok, je note pour Mesosaurus Fossil Camp. Voir des guépards dans des enclos ne me dit rien. Par contre, comment sont les emplacements de camping? Assez sympas ou pas terribles? Je te pose la question, car il me semble que j'ai lu que les emplacements de camping sont plus jolis au Quiver Tree Forest Camp.
La vue du Felix est la plus belle. Le camping mieux au Noro.
Campeur, je choisirais quand même le Felix. Ne pas s'inquiéter des premiers mètres inside, la route est pas très belle et il font un peu garage et un peu stockage de déchets, mais c'est sans conséquence.
De Hobas au bord du frc, on prend a priori la voiture, 3 ou4 km .
on réserve ses gambettes pour marcher le long de la faille, ya de quoi faire.
Combien de km ?
Pas tant que cela mais fait chaud et sec.
Sur la carte dans mes posts entre le nord et le sud, doit pas y avoir plus de 10 km
Si tu vas à KTP, plus nécessaire de visiter Bagatelle !
Pourquoi pas un circuit au départ du Cap à cheval sur août et septembre du genre:
-Le Cap.
-Le Namaqualand à la période de la floraison (fantastique), justement à cette époque.
-Augrabies Falls.
-Kgalagadi.
-Aus/Lüderitz.
-Fish River Canyon.
-Retour au Cap via le Richtersveld et le Cederberg.
Nous sommes allés dans ces coins là en 2011 : pas trop froid, KTP n'était pas surchargé, seuls les petits camps étaient complets, donc s'y prendre assez tôt, personne ailleurs sauf à Kamieskroon pour les fleurs (il y a d'autres endroits plus tranquilles dans le Namaqualand).
Dans Kgalagadi, on peut voir des fauves dans n'importe quel endroit, ce sont des animaux nomades puisqu'ils suivent leurs proies de point d'eau en point d'eau. Nous y serons 6 jours en octobre prochain. Nous avons beaucoup aimé Kalahari Tented camp mais nous ne connaissons pas les autres petits camps, complets longtemps à l'avance (en décembre 2015, ils étaient tous pleins pour un séjour en octobre, nous nous contenterons de camper à Twee Rivieren, Nossob et Mata-Mata).
Difficile de visiter Kolmanskop, Lüderitz et de sortir en mer en une seule journée. Il est préférable de loger deux nuits en ville, Aus n'offrant pas grand chose sinon les chevaux du désert, que l'on voit en passant sur la route, rassemblés autour d'un point d'eau artificiel.
Le camping de Hobas dans le parc est le plus proche de main view point, il y en a un à Ai-Ais à la sortie des gorges et d'autres en amont ou dans le parc de Gondwana, ce dernier plus éloigné. Je ne connais pas la rive droite, mais je crois qu'il n'y en a pas !
Kokerbooms : vers Keetmanshoop, un peu dans les environs du canyon et beaucoup dans le Richtersveld de l'autre côté de l'Orange.
Koiimasis n'est pas très loin d'Aus, de même que Namtib qui dispose d'un camping installé loin de la ferme dans un magnifique site au pied des montagnes et face au désert.
La route qui descend d'Aus vers Rosh Pinah est belle, après il y a deux options :
-traverser l'Orange à Sendelingsdrif (se renseigner si le bac est en fonction) puis le Richtersveld si tu retournes au Cap,
-suivre le fleuve jusqu'à Aussenkehr (kokerbooms dans le coin) puis remonter vers Ai-Ais ou continuer vers Noordoewer, c'est superbe. Camping sauvage possible, du moins il y a quelques années.
Avec 18/20 jours, il faudra faire des impasses et avec cette suggestion, pas de Windhoek, ni de Tok Tokkie Trail, ni de Bagatelle, voire de Tirasberge.
Merci Jacky et Yolande pour cette réponse très détaillée.
Nous ne pouvons pas partir en août-septembre, proffesionellement ce n'est pas possible pour moi.
Nous prévoyons de visiter le Cap et sa région une fois en octobre, afin d'avoir des chances d'observer les baleines. C'est vrai, je n'ai pas pensé d'inclure le KTP dans ce voyage, d'autant plus, que nous pourrions seulement partir deux semaines à cette période. De toute façon, pour le moment, rien n'est prévu pour le Cap.
Le Tok Tokkie Trail nous tient à cœur et les Tirasberge également. C'est vrai, on pourrait faire le Cap et KTP en octobre et le Tok Tokkie Trail, Tirasberge, Fish River en avril. Je vois qu'un seul problème, nous ne verrons pas beaucoup d'animaux en avril, si nous excluons le KTP.🙁
Je me pose aussi la question, s'il ne faut pas se passer de l'étape Lüderitz. Je ne sais pas si on peut vraiment bien voir les pingouins du Cap et la ville ne m'attire pas plus que ça. Nous n'avons pas aimé Swakopmund, ni Walvis Bay, à part la sortie en kayak qui était vraiment géniale.
Pour la période, avez-vous déjà visité le KTP à la fin de la saison de pluie? Qu'en est-il avec les animaux? J'ai entendu dire quand il y a beaucoup de "vert" il y a beaucoup d'antilopes, donc également plus de félins. Vrai ou faux? Entre ceux qui ont visité ce parc et n'ont presque rien vue et les autres qui ont vu des félins tous les jours, on voit de tout.😕 Bref, je ne sais pas s'il y a de meilleurs périodes ou pas pour la visite de ce parc. Octobre ou avril, les avis divergent.
Namtib doit aussi être chouette. Pourquoi pas y passer une nuit et l'autre à Koiimasis?
Mon propos au sujet de l'itinéraire indiqué était seulement de joindre les points d'intérêt du Nord de la RSA (KTP, Augrabies, Namaqualand et Richtersveld) et ceux du Sud de la Namibie (Fish River, l'Orange, Tirasberge et Lüderitz). Ça peut aussi se faire au départ de Jnb avec un vol A&R vers Upington, c'est sans doute moins cher qu'un vol sur Windhoek.
Sommes allés 4 fois au KTP :
-Août 1983 : froid, beaucoup d'animaux et très très peu de touristes.
-Mars 1997 : température agréable, beaucoup d'animaux, un tout petit peu plus de touristes et pistes parfois coupées par les pluies des jours précédents.
-Novembre 2003 : très chaud, beaucoup d'animaux et assez peu de touristes.
-Septembre 2011: chaud, beaucoup d'animaux et de serpents, pas mal de touristes principalement autour des félins, le reste ne semblant pas les intéresser.
A chaque fois, nous avons vu des lions et des hyènes, plusieurs fois des guépards, jamais des panthères. Beaucoup d'oiseaux et notamment de proie et souvent des serpents surtout en 2011 dont un duel entre un chacal et un cape cobra au désavantage du reptile. Très belle sortie de nuit à Twee-Rivieren en 2011 où nous avons vu des mammifères nocturnes (protèle, renard du Cap, otocyon, porc-épic, rapaces etc....)
Je pense qu'il y a toujours quelque chose à voir dans les parcs animalier, il suffit de prendre son temps, de savoir regarder et d'avoir un peu de chance, les félins et surtout les incontournables BIG 5 n'étant pas les seuls points d'intérêt, ces derniers n'étant d'ailleurs pas présents au KTP. Le Kalahari est magique toute l'année.
Avons fait une sortie en voilier à Lüderitz, le long de la côte des diamants où il y avait une multitude d'otaries, sans doute plus qu'à Cape Cross, les pingouins étaient très loin, tout juste visibles avec des jumelles + requins et beaucoup d'oiseaux de mer, mais c'était il y a longtemps (1983). La ville est étonnante et mérite qu'on s'y attarde un peu mais pas au point de faire un long détour, même pour un plat de langoustes, elle a aussi un passé colonial pas très glorieux.
Le Tirasberge est une région magnifique, à la lisière du Namib, nous ne connaissons pas Koiimasis, par contre très bien Namtib où nous sommes allés 5 ou 6 fois.
Bien cordialement et dommage pour la floraison du Namaqualand (en principe de mi août à début octobre suivant les années).
Jacky + Yolande.
Chouette programme que voilà il me fait rêver rien qu'à le lire 😛 🙂
Je commencerais par la saison: pour moi avril c'est le mieux, on est à la sortie de la saison des pluies ce qui vous promet de magnifique paysages et des animaux en pleine forme avec des bébés.
Plutôt il y a des risques de pluie et il peut faire très chaud. Ensuite il fera de plus en plus froid et sec.
En été (de chez nous), comme on est en pleine saison sèche pas mal d'animaux ont quitté le KTP pour des secteurs plus verts.
Entre Windhoek et le TTT un stop au Zebra River Lodge ou au Tschausab River Lodge. On peut y faire des balades sympas, peut-être même y rester deux nuits.
Ensuite TTT, je ne dirais rien un de nos plus beaux souvenirs de Namibie.
Si j'avais des sous je resterais une nuit de plus au Wolwesan Wilderness.
Koiimasis ... parait-il si bôooo
Luderitz, je n'arrive pas à donner u avis, son côté "décalé" peut avoir un certain charme.
Ensuite pause à Keetmanshop, Quiver Tree ou Mesosaurus.
Les guépards dans les enclos n'ont rien de malheureux, les fermiers les apprécient et au moins ne les abattent pas. On y a très bien mangé.
KTP: Kalahari Tented, c'est pas le plus sauvage des camps mais le secteur est très très beau et c'est là où vous avez le plus de chance de voir des guépards et ... des girafes. C'est le wilderness camp où il y a le plus de tentes. Dans les autres il n'y en a que 4 la plupart du temps.
Ensuite niveau camp il y a Urikarus, réputé pour les animaux.
Après, personnellement j'irais à Rooiputs (côté Botswanais), version nuit sur le toit, plus sauvage
Dans le même esprit il y a Polentswa.
Nossob c'est un camp public, donc pas le top pour y dormir en revanche le hide y est très bien pour contempler toute l'après-midi les rapaces, nombreux ans ce secteur.
Sinon plus au Nord Garagab, moins d'animaux, mais c'est le camp le plus éloigné, au milieu des dunes rouges magiques.
Sinon pour les autres jours, pourquoi ne pas sortir côté Botswanais par Kaa.
Et soyons fou, avec un tour à Gnus Gnus Pan et Swart Pan).
Après pourquoi pas faire un tour par Ghanzi et son célèbre Takadu Lodge ou passer deux nuits chez les sans à Dqae Qare Lodge ...
Si c'est pour voir les pingouins de loin, cela ne vaut peut-être pas la peine de faire cette sortie en bateau. A voir, mais je me dis qu'on pourrait aussi bien dormir deux nuits au camping de Klein Aus Vista. Ce dernier a bonne réputations et est joliment situé. Il y a également plusieurs randonnées à faire dans les alentours et on peut aller à Kolmanskoppe depuis Klein Aus Vista. Kolmanskoppe le matin et une petite visite de Lüderitz l'après-midi.
Ou alors, on laisse tomber cette étape et on ajoute ces journées ailleurs.
Merci Jean-François pour cette réponse très détaillée.
Donc, pour la période c'est ok, nous partirons en avril.🙂 Je dois maintenant me renseigner s'ils font le Tok Tokkie Trail tout le temps, même pendant les fêtes de Pâques.
Oui, Wolwedans à l'air chouette! Mais, c'est très très cher. Les bungalows les moins chers sont à 6000 N$ par personne et par nuit.🏴☠️
Il y a le campsite du family hideout qui est encore accessible et qui a aussi l'air très chouette. Mais je me demande si ca vaut la peine d'y passer une nuit après avoir fait le TTT.
Pour les camps au KTP, je vais voir sur une carte et essayer de faire une boucle qui tient la route.
Il y aussi Kielie-Krankie, Bitterpan et Rosyntjiebos. Connais-tu ces camps?
J'ai déjà pensé à la solution de sortir par le Botswana, mais je me demande si nous avons assez de temps pour le faire. Comment sont les pistes du côté botswanais? Sable très profond? J'ai aussi lu qu'il y a moins d'animaux dans le KTP du côté Botswana. Vrai ou faux?
Il faut que je fasse des recherches sur Gnus Gnus et Swartpan. Est-ce que les pistes qui y mènent sont du style Sussuwe Triangle? Magnifique souvenir, mais un sacré ensablement.🤪
Est-ce qu'on peut sortir du parc par Union's End? Sur le plan, il est écrit not an entrance gate mais il n'est rien spécifié pour la sortie.
Voyager en 4x4 › Namibie / Afrique du Sud / Botswana · 18 replies
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Bientôt en AFS et Namibie, je souhaiterais savoir quelle est la distance (en km et temps) entre Mata Mata et Mariental? Par ailleurs je souhaiterais savoir…
Nous revenons de dix jours en Tanzanie. Nous avons eu la chance d’être guidés par Gishaman. Toujours de bonne humeur, bon conducteur et très bon guide. Grâce à lui nous avons eu la chance de voir non seulement les big5 en une journée mais aussi plein d’autres animaux. Il travaille pour l’agence locale Blit Safaris qui a assuré un très bon suivi de notre voyage. À conseiller !
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!
I’m planning a potential trip to Namibia for a classic circuit in April 2027.
I’m surprised by how expensive the accommodations inside the parks are—really steep! Is it possible to stay outside the parks but still close enough to enjoy the game drives?
Do you have any recommendations for more reasonably priced lodging? I’m okay with spending 200 to 250 € per night.
No camping—the friend I’m traveling with absolutely refuses 😉, but maybe upgraded tents would work.
Hi everyone,
We’re revising our travel plans for January 2027. Originally, we were considering Uganda for about 14/15 days, but given the current health situation and the restrictions that might affect my partner, who’s American, we’ve decided to switch to Tanzania instead.
I’m used to traveling in South Africa and organizing my trips myself, but I get the impression that planning a safari in Tanzania is quite different.
I know self-drive isn’t really an option in Tanzania. So my main question is: can you organize your own itinerary and book lodges directly, then hire a local driver-guide? Or is it better to go through a local agency that handles the entire safari?
For the itinerary, which parks would you recommend for a first-time visit in January? Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Manyara, Ruaha, Arusha, Selous…
We’d also like to include Zanzibar to end the trip with a few days at the beach. Over 14/15 days, does that sound realistic or too ambitious?
Finally, for flights, is it better to arrive at Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR) based on the itinerary we’re considering?
Thanks in advance for your feedback, especially on the best way to organize the safari and which parks to prioritize in January!
Hi, 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?
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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.
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!
---
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
