De retour de deux semaines au Liban, et compte tenu de la difficulté de trouver des informations de première main avant mon départ, voici un petit compte-rendu de mon voyage sans voiture au Liban. J'espère que cela pourra être utile aux voyageuses et voyageurs qui comptent visiter ce magnifique pays.
Au fil des trois semaines, j'ai visité les lieux suivants depuis Beyrouth, solution la plus économique en termes de logement, et souvent la plus pratique pour accès aux transports publics :
- Byblos
- Saida
-Tyr / Sour
- Tripoli / Trablous
Byblos
Des bus de la marque Connexion partent de la gare routière Charles Helou (en-dessous de Gemmayze).
Coût : 5000 livres (2 euros 80)
Ils déposent sur l'autoroute, à quelques minutes à pied de la vieille ville. Il faut leur demander de signaler l'arrêt, impossible de savoir où s'arrêter exactement quand on ne connaît pas la ville.
Pour la même somme, avec les mêmes bus, on peut se faire déposer à Batroun, ou n'importe où sur l'autoroute entre Beyrouth et Tripoli, pourvu qu'on le signale au chauffeur quelques minutes avant d'arriver là où on le souhaite.
Sinon, des bus et microbus partent du rond-point Dawra, juste derrière la ville de banlieue Bourj Hammoud. On peut s'y faire déposer en service (2000 livres), un taxi collectif qu'on aborde en signalant qu'on veut un service.
Coût de Dawra à Byblos : 2000 livres
Au retour, on attrape un bus en remontant vers l'autoroute depuis la vieille ville. Ils vont tous à Dawra.
Tripoli / Trablous
Des bus de la marque Connexion partent de la gare routière Charles Helou (en-dessous de Gemmayze).
Coût : 5000 livres (2 euros 80)
Ils déposent sur la place Abdel Hamid Karamé, à quelques centaines de mètre du vieux Tripoli (souks, citadelle...).
Des bus partent toutes les 40 minutes, le dimanche toutes les heures, de 6h à 19h.
Ensuite, il est possible de rentrer vers Beyrouth en microbus, pour la même somme.
Saida
Des microbus partent depuis Cola, un hub qui se situe sous le quartier de Hamra.
On peut s'y faire déposer en service, ou y aller à pied (très court et facile depuis Hamra ou Raouché).
Coût : 2000 livres
Trajet: 1 heure max, et on peut se faire déposer sur la route n'importe où si besoin (Damour par exemple est très demandé par les voyageurs, beaucoup de plages privées).
Il y en a tout au long de la journée. Dès que le microbus est rempli, départ.
Les microbus s'arrêtent tous à quelques mètres du souk et de Qasr el Bahr, la citadelle.
Pour revenir à Beyrouth, il suffit de retourner au même endroit.
Tyr / Sour
Il n'y a pas de microbus direct depuis Beyrouth, il suffit de changer à Saida.
Les départs se font de la gare où l'on arrive à Saida : à gauche les microbus pour Beyrouth, à droite pour Tyr.
Coût : 2000 livres
Trajet : 1 heure environ
Les microbus s'arrêtent le long de la corniche, qu'il suffit de remonter pour aller vers le port, la vieille ville, les plages et les ruines.
Au retour vers Beyrouth, des microbus interpellent pour rentrer vers Saida, ou vers Beyrouth directement (5000 livres pour aller à Beyrouth), arrêt à Cola.
Qadisha
J'ai passé trois jours dans la vallée de la Qadisha, avec dans l'idée de randonner là-bas. La région est magnifique, je recommande vivement !
La majorité des voyageurs qui découvrent le Liban passent une journée à Tripoli, y dorment puis partent directement de Tripoli pour Bcharré.
Cette option ne m'a pas séduite, car il est aussi rapide de partir de Beyrouth directement.
Cela dit, si c'est ce que vous choisissez de faire, des microbus partent de la place Abdel Hamid Karamé, devant les bureaux du Ministère du tourisme, ou de la rue à gauche de ces bureaux.
Coût : 5000 livres jusqu'à Bcharré, le terminus, mais le bus s'arrête aussi dans les villages sur la route, le prix baisse en fonction de la destination (Hasroun, Hadeth el Jebbeh...)
Depuis Beyrouth, des bus partent de Dawra, et coûtent 7000 livres jusqu'à Bcharré.
Au retour, vous pouvez soit aller vers Tripoli, soit rentrer à Beyrouth, pour les mêmes tarifs qu'à l'aller.
Pour le logement, j'ai dormi à Tiger House à Bcharré (voir le site d'agrotourisme Difaya.org) pour 15 dollars la nuit, en dortoir.
Le lieu est très bien situé, l'accueil chaleureux, les lits agréables et propres. Salle de bain commune.
Et petit-déjeuner pour 6000 livres, qui vaut la peine d'être pris.
Sur les randos de la Qadisha, je vais écrire un autre post, tant il y a à dire.
West Bekaa
J'ai passé quelques jours dans le village de El Qaraoun, à la faveur d'un airbnb très bon marché qui me permettait d'aller dans cette région à moindre coût.
Ne pas avoir de voiture là-bas peut être assez frustrant, car on est toujours à une dizaine de kilomètres d'un lieu qui a l'air fantastique (domaine viticole de Kefraya, village de Rachaya, Saghbine...), mais la simple possibilité d'être à côté du Lac de Qaraoun (on ne peut pas s'y baigner, un lac artificiel très pollué) et de profiter de la vue et des habitants a suffi à mon bonheur.
On peut aussi, pour les plus motivés, réserver un taxi sur place pour aller vers Kefraya ou Saghbine, l'essentiel est de le trouver car tous les habitants sont véhiculés dans cette région assez reculée du pays.
Pour aller à Qaraoun en transports publics, des microbus partent de Cola vers Chtaura puis Baalbeck.
Pour Chtaura, le microbus coûte 5000 livres.
Ensuite, j'ai pris un autre microbus pour Qaraoun, également 5000 livres.
Ailleurs au Liban, ce qui est possible quand on n'a pas de voiture
Le site internet Living-Lebanon.com est très bien fait, et permet de trouver des informations sur la possibilité de transports en commun depuis Beyrouth, vers la Bekaa, le Shouf, le Sud...
Voilà !
J'espère que cela pourra vous aider, et n'hésitez pas à m'interroger si quelque chose vous semble peu clair, ou pas assez précis.
Ah, merci pour ce compte rendu !
Je prévois de me rendre au Liban en septembre, dans les mêmes condition et seule, alors je pense qu'il me sera bien utile...
où avez-vous dormi à Beyrouth? J'ai entendu parler de l'hotel Talal....
j'attends avec impatience la suite sur votre rando....
" DROIT DEVANT SOI ON NE PEUT PAS ALLER BIEN LOIN... "
A Beyrouth, j'ai loué un appartement Airbnb, c'est ce que j'ai trouvé de moins cher !
Les hôtels sont à des tarifs européens.
Il y a des offres régulièrement sur Booking, peut-être pouvez-vous regarder de ce côté.
J'avais bénéficié d'une offre au Napoléon Hôtel lors d'un précédent voyage, et avais payé 40 dollars pour un service de grande qualité.
Quant au Talal, j'y ai été mais il y a dix ans, aussi mon avis ne sera probablement plus très pertinent. Mais je sais que c'est un hôtel bon marché, et sa situation géographique est agréable : pas loin de Charles Helou pour aller au Nord en bus, à un service de Dawra. Une bonne base pour se déplacer.
Merci pour le détail,
C'est vrai que j'ai été à Beyrouth en 2015 pour un séminaire de formation pendant 4 jours et j'ai pu profiter de l'occasion pour visiter la magnifique ville de Byblos ville que je recommande la visite
De mon côté j'ai pris un taxi privé de l'hôtel à Beyrouth en aller/retour avec un coût approximatif de 30 Euros mais j'avais pas le choix puisque je ne connaissais pas la ville. Sinon moyen économique et pas cher de s'y rendre. Bravo pour le courage 🙂
Je confirme toutes ces informations car j'ai fait la même chose en transport public aussi, à cette différence près que je n'ai jamais parti de Charles Helou en direction nord, mais seulement à partir de Daoura. C'est vraiment très facile de se déplacer en transport public.
Si votre séjour dépasse une semaine, le sympa Hamra Urban Hotel (HUG) peut être une solution économique tout confort avec superbe petit déjeuner traditionnel, gym et piscine sur le toit.
Salut !
Ah bah merde !
Tigre house est aussi sur booking et pas mal d'autres sites.
Quand aux autres guesthouse je regrette de ne pas pouvoir t'aider plus je finis mon voyage rando en Argentine (grâce à tes retours d'ailleurs! Merci ❤)
J'ai aussi un mail pour tiger house : fereztawk@gmail.com et 009613087126 pour Whatsapp
Sur les transports publics, je peux ajouter qu'il y a des minibus a l'étage départs de l'aeroport, 1000 LL pour le centre ville. Du centre ville a Hamra, on peut prendre le minibus #4.
Un autre minibus pratique est le #15 qui suit la Corniche, Pigeon Rocks, puis Cola, le musée national et Dora.
Mais le traffic est pénible avec des embouteillages interminables dans Beyrouth et sur la route vers le Nord.
Aanjar: changer de minibus a Chaura, descendre a l'embranchement, 2000 LL, encore 2 km a pied pour le site
Il y a une ligne de bus Aley - Barouk qui permet de passer de la vallée de la Bekaa a la région du Chouf sans repasser a Beyrouth en changeant de bus a Saofar.
Le bus Barouk Beyrouth était direct.
Pour Beiteddine, descendre du bus Beyrouth Barouk après Baakline, au rond-point avec les statues. Restent 1,5 km a pied. Puis par la petite route qui descent, 2,8 km pour Deir Al Qamar. A Deir Al Qamar on peut trouver des taxis service pour Beyrouth, pas de bus. Pour le bus, il faut redescendre une heure a Kfarhim.
Pour Bcharre, les bus de Tripoli et de Beyrouth passent par le Sud de la vallée, pas par Ehden.
Bonjour,
merci pour ces prévieux renseignements.
Nous allons au Liban pour 12 jours cet été et nous déplacerons en transport en commun. Nous resterons principalement à Beyrouth mais nous pensons passer une nuit à Tyr et à Byblos. Nous dormirons aussi 2 nuits dans la vallée de la Qadisha. Je suis en train d'essayer d'organiser tout cela et j'aimerais savoir s'il est possible d'aller facilement à Baalbek depuis Beyrouth (en transport en commun ou au pire en excursion organisée ) ? Merci
Bonne soirée à vous !
Minibus directs Beyrouth Baalbek réguliers depuis Cola, 7000 LL. Il y a la Baalbek GH pas chère a côté des ruines sur Airbnb. Tu peux aussi faire le détour a Aanjar.
Merci beaucoup ;-) et aller de Bachre (ou Tripoli) jusqu'à Baalbek en transport en commun , c est faisable? Je pense que la route doit être magnifique , reste à savoir si c est faisable en juillet ....quand on regarde le site diplomatique , on ne va quasiment nulle part au Liban .....
Non, pour aller a Baalbek en transport public, seulement de Beyrouth. Sauf possible aussi d'aller directement de Baalbek a Barouk en changeant de bus a Aley ou a Saoufar.
Il n'y a pas de problème de sécurité au Liban, sauf bien sûr la sécurité routière ... Malheureusement le Liban vit sous la dictature de la bagnole, c'est très déplaisant quand on aime marcher ... Ils ne pensent sûrement pas a la transition écologique.
‘ Alors, vous partez où cet été? ‘ ‘ Au Liban, le rêve de mes 15 ans ‘ Et là ... on a tout entendu sauf: encore un super voyage ... Mais plutôt allant du pire:…
J’ai l habitude de venir poser des petites questions sur le forum et rarement faire de retours après voyage. Mais j’ai le plaisir de partager mon blog, je suis…
Nous envisageons de faire un voyage de 10 jours au Liban en septembre, au départ de la France. Certains sites disent qu'il faut demander un visa (avec des…
J'ai puisé pas mal d'infos sur ce forum. En retour, peut-être ce récit aidera certains d'entre vous. Nous avons donc visité le Liban et la Jordanie du 10. au…
J'aurai besoin de conseil pour mon petit périple au Liban au mois d'avril 2020. je voudrais savoir si mon organisation sur sept jours n'est pas un peu dense ou…
Three years after exploring northern Argentina and Chile, my two travel buddies and I want to discover the southern part of these two countries.
We’re traveling on a budget, backpacker-style, favoring public transport and modest accommodations, but we don’t hesitate to splurge a little when it’s worth it.
The classic spots that have been fueling our dreams: Bariloche, the lakes, Chiloé, El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, and wrapping up in Valparaíso.
We’ll take a round-trip flight to Santiago, then I’m thinking of a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. From there, we’ll explore and do several day hikes in the south, including Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego.
Then we’ll head back north by bus to Bariloche and the lakes, followed by Chiloé, then a bus to Santiago and Valparaíso.
Based on your experience, could you help me figure out the best way to structure this trip and maybe suggest some ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Didier
I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!
My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!
Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:
* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania?
* Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online?
* Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?
If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!
Hi,
We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit).
After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally.
After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical?
Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging?
Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg?
We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages!
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi there,
After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us:
1. Arrive in Lima in the evening.
2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto.
3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else.
6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car.
7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town.
8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba.
9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca.
10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both.
11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area.
14. Overnight bus back to Lima.
15. Lima.
16. Depart at 8 PM for France.
What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice.
Thanks
I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.
I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks:
• What clothes are absolutely essential?
• Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light?
• Which accessories have been the most useful for you?
• Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?
I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.
Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !
Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone!
I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:
Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal)
Tanzania: 3-day safari
Zanzibar: 6 days
Istanbul: 7 days
Return to Montreal.
Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:
Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket?
Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)?
Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days?
Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?
Hi,
Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms.
Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how?
Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?
Hi,
I need to stay in Paris or Créteil for 2 nights a week for a month. I know some cheap backpacker options, but I’d like something even cheaper. Do you know of any rooms for rent from private individuals?
Thanks
We’re a young couple planning our first trip to Albania from June 23, 2026, to July 2, 2026. We have a pretty tight budget and want to make the most of this amazing country without breaking the bank.
We’re looking for all the advice you can give to help us plan our stay:
* What are the must-see places to visit?
* Which cities or villages are really worth the detour?
* What natural sites, hikes, canyons, springs, or viewpoints do you recommend?
* Do you know of any free, uncrowded, or particularly beautiful beaches?
* Where can we responsibly observe or swim with sea turtles?
* What are the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera that are accessible on a small budget?
* What budget-friendly accommodations (hotels, hostels, homestays, campgrounds) do you recommend?
* What are the best ways to get around between different regions at a low cost?
* Do you know of any reliable and affordable agencies for renting a vehicle (car, scooter, or motorcycle)? What are the average rates at the end of June, and which rental companies do you recommend or advise against?
* Is it better to rent a vehicle right when we arrive or stick to local buses and minibuses to keep costs down?
* Which restaurants or local specialties offer the best value for money?
* Are there any free or low-cost activities we shouldn’t miss?
* Which places do you think are overrated or can be skipped when you’re short on time and money?
* What practical tips would you have wished you knew before your first trip to Albania?
We’d also love any 10-day itineraries that you particularly enjoyed, along with your budget estimates for accommodation, meals, and transportation.
We’re open to off-the-beaten-path spots and local tips. If you have any secret addresses, hidden beaches, favorite accommodations, or mistakes to avoid, we’d love to hear about them! 😊
Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February.
Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!
I traveled through southern Peru in November 2024 and now I’d like to explore the north.
We’re a group of 5 people for a 15-day trip.
Iquitos or Nauta for the Amazon rainforest—I saw that you have to fly there.
Chiclayo
Chachapoyas
Kuelap
Leimebamba
Cajamarca
Trujillo
And if we have time, Huaraz for the Andes cordillera.
No problem taking overnight buses—they save a lot of time.
Or renting a car and figuring it out as we go.
We’d also love to take the train from Lima to Huancayo, but it seems complicated—I don’t understand when it runs.
I’d like to drive to Morocco from Paris via Spain. I was really surprised to see the ferry crossing prices—around 500 €—but especially the crossing time (about 1 hour). Normally, I pay 3000 € to go to Tunisia from Genoa, but that’s for a 24-hour crossing.
My question: is it cheaper to buy the ticket on the spot, as some Moroccans have advised me? Though I’ve also heard the opposite.
What do you think, considering I need to get to Tétouan around July 17th and return from Tangier around August 4th?
Thanks in advance
I’m planning a 10-day trip to Slovenia in May (9–19 May) and starting to look at accommodations. Unfortunately, I’m only seeing relatively expensive options—nothing under 50 €, and usually around 100–150 €. Traveling solo, that could quickly blow my budget. And 30 € for a bed in a 10-person dorm at a youth hostel feels like a rip-off...
Are there other booking sources besides the usual Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google? Or can anyone confirm if I’ll find more reasonable rates on the ground around Bled, Bohinj, Triglav, or in mountain huts? I’ll be renting a car to optimize my travel, so I won’t be limited geographically.
Hi there,
Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?
I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?
Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?
My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?
I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November.
I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island.
I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉
Maybe other buses go where I want to go.
By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?
But here’s the most important part:
I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc.
On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.
What do you think?
Does the price seem reasonable?
And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?
The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪
For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).
If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s been ages since I last dropped by here... maybe simply because, apart from Nepal, I haven’t really had the chance to hit the road lately. 😉
This year, I’d love to spend a few days in Lisbon, probably in late May or early June. But with my budget being what it is, I’m looking for great tips to avoid wasting time once I’m there and risk missing out on hidden gems or unusual culinary specialties and/or quirky activities! I’m hoping to find a room in a local’s home where I can stay in a quiet neighborhood near the center, so I can get around without relying too much on public transport—my walking shoes are my best travel buddies.
I’d love all your recommendations, especially for parks, small neighborhood markets, casual eateries for a quick bite, your favorite viewpoints to soak in the scenery (I’m bringing my travel journal to sketch my getaway in watercolors), events around traditional art and crafts, and so on.
All your advice will definitely help me travel peacefully and come back with my head full of vibrant memories!
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Isabelle
I’m diving into planning a trip I’ve dreamed of for a long time: crossing Africa from North to South solo, with a departure planned for October 2025 for about 8-9 months. I’m leaving from Paris with a starting budget of around 7,000 €, aiming to supplement it with work along the way.
My planned route: Senegal → Gambia → Sierra Leone/Liberia (if logistics work out) → Côte d'Ivoire → Ghana → Togo → Benin → Cameroon → Gabon → Kenya (Masai Mara) → Uganda (Bwindi gorillas) → Rwanda → Tanzania (Kili + Serengeti + Zanzibar) → Mozambique → Malawi → Zambia (Victoria Falls) → Botswana → Namibia → South Africa (Cape Town). Madagascar as a bonus if timing/budget allows from Mozambique.
I’m not a backpacking newbie—I’ve done several trips in Europe and I’m familiar with the lifestyle, hostels, local transport, etc. But Africa is my first big adventure on this continent, and I’ve got some very concrete questions I’d love feedback on from people who’ve been there.
🎭 My big dilemma: flexibility vs. pre-organized work
What matters most to me is NOT rushing through. If I feel good somewhere, I’ll stay longer. If a region doesn’t click, I’ll cut it short. That seems totally incompatible with having pre-booked work or volunteer gigs, yet I need that income to stretch my budget.
I’m torn between two approaches:
Option A: The mixed rhythm: 3-4 weeks of volunteering in a country (free accommodation, full immersion), then 1-2 countries in classic backpacker "vacation" mode, then another mission somewhere, etc. This gives a breathing rhythm and avoids burnout from non-stop volunteering.
Option B: The continuous flow: finding gigs as I go, from the previous country, contacting hosts 2-3 weeks in advance with a flexible date range. Keeping maximum spontaneity but never arriving anywhere without a safety net.
Have you tried either? What actually works on the ground in Africa?
🌍 What I’m really looking for in this trip
Not just the classic tourist spots. I want to see the country as it is—eating at local joints, taking local transport (bush taxis, minibuses, sept-places), staying with locals when possible. The big reserves and safaris are part of the plan (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango), but just as much as hanging out in a residential neighborhood in Dakar, understanding how people really live.
Volunteering or work interests me for that reason too (not just for free lodging, but because it’s the deepest way to dive into a country). Working at a school in Ghana, a lodge in Kenya, a permaculture farm in Mozambique—I see it as an immersion that classic tourism can’t offer.
🎒 My concrete questions
About Workaway and Worldpackers: I’ve read a lot but would love on-the-ground feedback, especially for West and East Africa. Are hosts really flexible with dates for long-term travelers? Do the advertised gigs match reality? Are there alternative platforms you’d recommend for Africa specifically (I’ve heard of Help Exchange, WWOOF Africa, local networks…)?
About "off-platform" jobs: Is it really doable to find informal work on the spot (bars, restaurants, lodges) without prior contacts? In which countries/cities is this most accessible for a French speaker without a local work permit?
About logistics between countries: For those who’ve done the West Coast (Senegal → Ghana → Benin), how did you cross borders? Direct buses or local shared taxis at each border? And for the jump from Central Africa → Kenya, is a flight mandatory, or are there feasible overland routes?
About Madagascar: I’m considering adding it from Mozambique (flight Maputo or Beira → Tana). Those who’ve done it backpacker-style on a tight budget—is 3-4 weeks doable, or is it too short to be worth it?
I’m open to all tips, experiences, warnings, and pleasant surprises. And if you’ve got trusted local contacts (Workaway hosts, associations, community lodges), I’m all ears!
I’ve got tons of questions and I’m eager for any advice or experiences you can share!!
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip for 2 adults and 2 kids to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I’ve had a quick look, and the prices are starting to get pretty wild.
We’ve got a budget of 8,000 €, and I was thinking of doing three or four days of safari and three or four days in Zanzibar, but even that seems like it might be over budget. Have you got any thoughts? I was also considering heading straight to Zanzibar and doing a one- or two-day excursion by plane instead—maybe that’d be cheaper than staying in a lodge.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences and any price tips, departing from Nice!
Good evening,
As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November.
Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle.
So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable.
The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide.
Thanks in advance for all your replies.
Jacques
We’ll be in Srinagar for 4 days in mid-May 2026 during our backpacking trip as a couple. Do you have any nice places to recommend, and what about the houseboats on Dal Lake? Should we spend all our nights there, or just one night for practicality when getting around?
Thanks,
Rozenn
Hi there,
This is my first time traveling to Italy, and I’m planning to go by car.
From what I’ve read, parking is tough in cities like Florence.
I’m looking for a small town not too far from Florence where I can stay and park my car, then take the train to visit Florence.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks in advance
Hi there, it’s been a long time since I last went to London. I’d love to spend a week there in July with my daughter and my niece (both young adults).
Of course, I’m looking for great tips on accommodation, and I’m wondering about renting an apartment. It seems like a better deal to save on restaurants (with the option of having a few meals at home... but is that really the case? I’m not sure about the cost of a meal in a modest restaurant, the pound exchange rate, or grocery prices...).
Otherwise, I’d like to stay in accommodation (hotel or apartment) near a tube station and in Zone 1.
If you have any great tips, I’d love to hear them!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading to Morocco for a trip in the south, starting with 3 days in Marrakech (from January 8th to 11th, 2026).
If you’ve got any tips, cool spots to recommend, I’m all ears! 🎊
And, fellow traveler, if you’d like to share this Marrakech adventure together, I’d love that!
Have a great evening
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Peru and have estimated how many days I’ll spend in each place.
Any advice on must-see sights and tourist traps to avoid?
September–October
5 days in Lima
Bus: 07:00→13:30 or 06:00 to 09:30 (express) (3 hr 30 min journey)
3 days in Paracas (beach)
I'd love some destination suggestions for a road trip from Nice to Livorno by car, including the routes, tolls to cross, distance, and estimated travel time. We're planning a 5-day trip, with 2 nights near Nice, 1 night along the way, and finally 2 nights in Livorno. There are 4 of us in a rental car, and we'd like to stay in either an apartment, a mobile home near the sea, or a campsite. Our budget isn't too extravagant!!!! We want to visit the Promenade des Anglais, and I've heard Menton is really interesting. Once we reach Livorno, we'll take the ferry to Corsica for 12 days with the same rental car. We're planning to leave the last week of May and the first two weeks of June 2026, so around 17-18 days total.
Thanks
Hello everyone,
We’re planning our next trip for this winter and need some advice to put it together. We’d love to avoid renting a car for the whole time. We visited southern Morocco back in 2011—our first trip as retirees! We loved the country so much, and now we’re heading back. Still focusing on the south, mainly for the weather. The plan is to travel down the coast from Essaouira to the Tighmert oasis at a relaxed pace. First question: is this doable without too much hassle using local transport? The idea of driving for the entire 6-week trip doesn’t really appeal to us. After that, we’d head to Ouarzazate, Skoura, the Todgha Gorge, Tinejdad, Erfoud, and then Marrakesh. I’d also like to visit the Fès region, which we can reach by train from Marrakesh. It’s a bit all over the place, and I’m realizing that as I write!
Thanks in advance for your valuable input! We haven’t booked flights yet or even decided on a starting point. The trip is planned from mid-January to the end of February. We know the end of the trip will fall during Ramadan.
