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Many results are in French, the community’s main language. English translations are added over time.

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Car rental and international driving permit in South Africa
by Desmersdusud · 2025-12-12 · 5 replies
Hi there, We’re planning a trip to South Africa and thinking of renting a car. Is it straightforward, and are there any companies to avoid or others you’d recommend?

We just realized our international driving permit has expired, and the French administration says it’ll take 5 months to get a new one. Is it possible to rent a car without this famous international permit?

Thanks in advance for all your tips!
Booking Timing for Campsites in Botswana
by Tchar · 2025-11-15 · 7 replies
I’m just starting to plan our trip for late August 2026, but I’ve read multiple times that campsite bookings need to be made *way* in advance if we want to secure a spot—especially in the parks. Before I get too far into my road book, I’d love to get a sense of what “way in advance” actually means.

That leads to another question: what’s the best *channel* for making these reservations? Can I find a list of campsites online?

From what I’ve gathered, there aren’t any fenced campsites—is wild camping allowed?

I’ll admit, I’m short on time, and reading a few threads here has shown me how quick and helpful the experts are 😉.

We’re a group of 4 and plan to rent a 4x4. Rooftop tents seem like the better option given the wildlife (and, well, *people* roaming freely), especially compared to Namibia (which we visited in 2018).

Thanks in advance to everyone!
Issues in Tanzania October 2025
by Puma2A · 2025-10-30 · 9 replies
Following the post-election chaos this week, read carefully: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays-destination/tanzanie/ In particular: "For French travelers needing to take flights from Tanzanian airports, most international flights are canceled until further notice. It’s recommended to go to the airport only if your flight is confirmed by your airline. It’s advised to postpone any travel plans to Tanzania unless absolutely necessary."

...
4-Week Itinerary in South Africa
by Royerjm · 2025-10-12 · 39 replies
Hello, We’re a group of four seventy-something retirees and we’re planning a 4-week trip to South Africa. We’re seasoned "adventurers" used to multi-week stays (we’ve been to India seven times, Mexico, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Australia, etc.).

For South Africa, we’re thinking of covering most of the trip in a private vehicle and taking flights for inter-state transfers. We’re interested in meeting people, learning about the country’s evolution, exploring major cities, visiting traditional villages, and seeing wildlife.

Here’s the itinerary we’re considering: Johannesburg – 2 days (we’ll pass through again later) Pretoria – 2 days Blyde River Canyon and Graskop – 1 day Acornhoek – 1 day Letaba – 2 days Lobamba – 2 days Johannesburg – 1 day

Flight to Cape Town

Cape Town – 3 days Cape of Good Hope – 1 day Stellenbosch – 1 day Hermanus – 1 day Mossel Bay – 2 days Oudtshoorn Wilderness – 2 days Knysna Port Elizabeth – 2 days Addo Elephant Park

Flight back to Johannesburg

Johannesburg – 1 day

Return to Paris

Could you share your thoughts on this itinerary? We’ll be renting a vehicle to explore both regions. We can easily add 4–5 more days to the trip if needed.

We’re looking at traveling either between April and May 2026 or in October/November 2026.

I’ll follow up later to discuss the best safari options and get a rough budget estimate.

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this and share their thoughts!
Tanzania: with or without the Serengeti?
by FamilleUS · 2025-10-07 · 9 replies
Hi everyone,

I’m planning a Tanzania trip combined with Zanzibar for 15 days (8+6 days). The setup: a private trip for two, in July or August.

We’re heading to Tanzania primarily for the safari experience—the animals, photography, and stunning landscapes. The classic Northern Circuit for beginners is Arusha / Tarangire / Ngorongoro / Serengeti.

But that’s a lot of driving if we do the full loop... and I’ve read it’s better to take your time in the parks rather than spend all day in transfers (saw that in Lonely Planet).

So, beginner’s question... Do you think Arusha / Tarangire / Ngorongoro is a good alternative? We’d skip the legendary Serengeti but could spend more time in the parks and avoid long stretches of rough roads (prioritizing paved routes instead)... Maybe adding Lake Manyara to the mix.

For context, we did Kruger about ten years ago (5 days self-drive).
Namibia or Botswana?
by Oliwill · 2025-09-23 · 10 replies
Hi everyone, We’re seriously considering a two-week trip in August 2026 with our kids, who’ll be 11 and 10 years old. That’s where we’re torn on the destination. For those who’ve been to both, could you share the main differences? I get the impression that in Botswana, the landscapes are a bit samey everywhere, while Namibia offers more diversity? We’re looking for an "off-the-beaten-path" adventure: safaris, meeting local communities, etc., and not too many touristy spots. Thanks for your help! Olivia
Agency for a safari in Tanzania
by Arnaud3576 · 2025-09-12 · 3 replies
Hi there,

I'm looking for a reliable agency for a safari in Tanzania starting from Arusha.

I was considering Sumbi Extra Miles Safari. Has anyone got any feedback on them? Thanks in advance! Arnaud
Tips for preparing a trip to Tanzania
by Mhm555 · 2025-08-16 · 9 replies
Hi everyone! My mom (75 years old, in great shape!) and I (40) are planning a trip to Tanzania between October 26th and November 16th (duration: 2 to 3 weeks). Yes, it’s a bit short notice to organize, but we don’t really have a choice :) Here’s the rough idea:

Exploring the country on the go, with a touch of spontaneity and local encounters (not a 100% fixed itinerary). Personally, I’m used to total improvisation when traveling solo, but in this case, I’d prefer to be a bit more informed/structured.

Potentially climbing Kilimanjaro (for me) before ending with a few relaxing days in Zanzibar.

Maybe renting a 4x4 to stay independent?

No luxury requirements: we prioritize authenticity over comfort (as long as it’s at least clean). We’re not opposed to camping either if it lets us do some cool stuff! Not a huge budget, but this time we’re not completely broke either :)

I’m reaching out to you here for:

Ideas for off-the-beaten-path itineraries.

Advice on whether a guide is necessary in certain places or recommendations for reliable and friendly local contacts/tour operators.

If you have any recommendations, experiences, or great tips, we’re all ears! Thanks in advance for your advice and kindness.

See you soon.
Booking at Ramabanta Trading Post
by Pas · 2025-07-23 · 4 replies
Hi there,

I’d like to book a few nights at the Ramabanta Trading Post in November, but I’m running into a lot of issues. They don’t work with the usual booking platforms. Their website is flagged as unsafe, but I took the risk and accessed it anyway—after each visit, our server was massively attacked... I’ve sent them several emails and received a response with prices, but no reply or confirmation once I specified my choices. My English isn’t great, so I’m not keen on calling (plus, I prefer having a written record of my bookings). Has anyone been in the area recently and have any info on what’s going on and how to book?

Thanks in advance for your help and tips!

Fabienne
Recommendations for a safari agency in Tanzania
by Moms70 · 2025-04-18 · 3 replies
Hello, I went on a safari from Arusha 20 years ago organized by a local agency called Sirocco, I think. It was fabulous (8 tourists, 2 4x4 vehicles, 1 driver, 1 guide, and a cook). I’d love to find those same safari conditions again (immersion in simple conditions within the Serengeti, notably), but I’m struggling to find that kind of offer (lodges, tent camps, etc.). Do you have any contacts? Thanks
Airport transfer in Windhoek by taxi
by Voyageurj · 2025-03-21 · 1 reply
Hi there, Could you give me an idea of the price for a taxi from Windhoek International Airport to Windhoek for two people? Is it necessary to book in advance, or are there enough taxis available at the airport? Thanks! !
Local guide in Opuwo
by Auver · 2025-02-18 · 6 replies
I'm looking for a local guide to visit a Himba village near Opuwo in a respectful way. There’ll be two of us (my wife and I) with a car starting from Opuwo. If anyone has a contact—or even better, several contacts—for local guides to arrange this visit, thanks a million! Bernard
Preparing for my first trip to Botswana
by Geminthebush · 2025-02-11 · 8 replies
Hello everyone, I’m in the planning stages for a trip to Botswana in October 2025. This will be an extension of my trip to Namibia in January 2025. Of course, I have a lot of questions!

First one: For day trips visiting Botswana’s parks in a self-drive setup, do I need accommodation *inside* the parks? Is it possible to visit them on a day-trip basis, like in Kruger Park or Etosha?

Thanks in advance for your answers! Have a great day!
Getting around Namibia without a car
by Brunomoncel · 2025-02-07 · 2 replies
Hi there, we’re planning a trip to Namibia this summer and we’d love to know if it’s possible to get around without our own vehicle? Thanks.
Our South Africa Trip Itinerary
by Dolfino · 2025-01-21 · 52 replies
Hi everyone, I’m reaching out today to gather some great tips for the second part of our trip to South Africa, which will take place from 03/21 to 04/11. We don’t want to rush too much either. We’ll start in Cape Town (tickets already booked) since it seems like a good time to visit this region—except for the whales in Hermanus, which we won’t be seeing. Oh, and I almost forgot, we’re renting a car for both legs of the trip for more freedom.

The first part is planned like this:

- 03/21: Arrival in Cape Town, staying until 03/24 - 03/25: Visit to the Cape, including a stop in Simon’s Town - 2 nights in Stellenbosch from 03/26 to 03/28 - 3 nights in Knysna to explore the area from 03/28 to 03/31 - 03/31: Flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban, where we’ll spend one night in Umhlanga

After that, I’m a bit lost 🙂. Next, I was thinking of doing:

2 nights in St. Lucia 2 nights in Eswatini 4 nights in Kruger Park (2 nights in Skukuza and 2 nights in Balule to visit a private reserve) 1 night at Blyde Canyon 1 night somewhere to get closer to Johannesburg (Graskop?) since we’ll need to return the car by around 11:00 AM on 04/11.

So, does the second part make sense or not? I’ve done quite a bit of research, but I’m still a little lost . We can’t wait to be there, and your valuable advice would be very welcome. Thanks so much in advance, and have a great day! Luis
Private Safari in Tanzania
by Tony2445 · 2024-12-28 · 2 replies
hi everyone, we’re a young couple planning a safari in Tanzania in 2026. We can’t wait to discover the beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater in Serengeti National Park and so many other places. Is it safe to travel in Tanzania, and what precautions should we take? Has anyone used the services of Kiwoito Africa Safaris before? Is it a reliable company? Your personal experiences and tips are welcome—thanks for your help
Maasai Safari Guide in Tanzania
by Castillkat · 2024-11-27 · 3 replies
Hi, I went on a safari with a Maasai guide in several national parks in Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha National Park, etc.). There are very few Maasai guides, so it’s pretty special to be able to do a safari with one of them. He doesn’t just explain the animals but also the Maasai culture and can even take you to villages where the Maasai live—not those where you pay $50 to see three Maasai jumping around.

I’ll leave his contact details here, and you can reach him on WhatsApp: +255 69 219 0474 Just a heads-up: all communication is in English
Guide local pour circuit à Zanzibar
by Aymilya · 2020-08-05 · 6 replies
Bonjour. Je cherche un guide local francophone pour nous concocter un circuit d'1 semaine sur Zanzibar. Merci.
Recherche villages à visiter en Tanzanie
by Claireba · 2020-07-14 · 5 replies
Bonjour à tous,

Au-delà des Safaris, j'aimerai découvrir les différentes ethnies et cultures.

Avez-vous des villages/villes traditionnelles à me conseiller ? Connaissez-vous des marchés locaux et typiques où je pourrai aller ?

Bref, vous l'aurez compris, je recherche des rencontres, de l'authenticité et des traditions.

Merci pour vos conseils !

Claire
Botswana avril 2021... faut bien rêver
by Max68 · 2020-06-12 · 72 replies
Hello Tous,

J'hésite entre deux circuits, d'une durée de 14 jours chacun.

L'un faisant Kasane - Nata - Khubu Island - CKGR : Leopard Pan, Piper Pan, Xaxa Camp, Bape Camp - Kutse 5Molose et Moreswe) - Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Francistown - Nata - Kasane.

L'autre: Kasane - Gweta - Ghanzi - Kaa Secteur (Swartpan, Gnus Gnus, Zushwa) - CKGR (Xade - Piper Pan Leopard Pan) - Khubu Island - Kasane

Qu'en pensez-vous ? Ca fait beaucoup de route mais j'aimerais retour dans le Kalahari et la voiture est basée à Kasane.

Dans l'attente de vos commentaires, beaux rêves 🙂

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