Results for "Kilimanjaro+|+51+>+84"

Je viens d'installer ce programme, gatuit, et le résultat est spectaculaire !

J'ai refait mon itinéraire de cet été, j'ai ainsi pu revisiter Durres (Alb), Ohrid (Mk), une partie de la thrace grecque, Istanbul...

Le tout avec une grande précision, on peut distinguer chaque monument important !

C'est fantastique !

Seul regret, certaines zones sont encore floues.

Vive le progrès quand même !

PS : Pour préparer un voyage, ce programme peut être utile : l'autoroute que je dois emprunter est-elle terminée ? Y a t-il une plage de sable près de l'endroit ou je dois me rendre ?...

Bonjour à tous, je rentre juste du kenya où nous avons passé un séjour très riche en émotions... si vous projetez d'y partir, je reste à votre dispo pour vous conseiller... en attendant, vous pouvez visualiser les photos sur notre site web : www.artfusion.org rubrique "images du monde"

a+ barbara 😏

bonjour je pars le 26/09/06 avec nouvelle frontiere pour un sejour comprenant safari + sejour bord de mer (kiboko)lac nakuru ( nuite a LAKE ELEMANTAITA lodge)masai mara '(hebergement mara fig tree)monbassa( hotel kilifi bay ) je cherche des renseignements si quelqu ' un connait ce circuit et ces hebergements . j'aimerai savoir si ces logements fournissent le neccessaire en serviette de toilette et draps de bains ou s'il faut prévoir ses propres affaires. Si vous y avez séjourné etiez vous content des prestations offertes ? D' avance merci pour vos réponses jl

Moi et ma copine se demandions si il existe une facon de traverser l'Afrique en elephant... Bon!!! Je sais qu'il existe des forfaits safari de quelques jours, mais serait-il possible de passer quelques mois avec un eleveur d'elephants afin d'apprendre a cooperer avec le pachiderme et ensuite marcher avec lui a travers toute la cote est Africaine ? Nous sommes tous les deux alles au Kenya pour plusieurs mois vivre avec les Maasais et marcher a travers les plaines du Maasai Mara a partir du parc national de Hells Gate a Naivasha.

En fait, j'imagine qu'on ne pourra ppas traverser l'afrique au complet, mais au moins quelques pays... De l'Afrique du sud au Kenya?

Merci de rever avec moi un peu

Voila, malgre des recherches sur ce site je n'arrive pas à trouver des renseignements concernant les vetements a emporter. Nous partons dans 10 jours pour deux semaines de safari(11 jours de safari en lodge et campement et 4 jours de plage). Quelles tenues mettre dans la valise, les nuits ont l'air assez fraiches, et surtout comment se chausser??(sandales ou basquettes??? Merci par avance

bonjour,

je vais partir avec ma femme normalement du 10 aout au 05 septembre pour nairobi (Kenya)

Je compte acheter un vol sec et me débrouiller sur place.... sachant que j'aime fuire les hordes de touristes!!

je souhaiterais avoir des conseils sur: est ce une bonne période pour aller la bas les choses a voir bien sur au KENYA et en TANZANIE safari avec couchage en tente le prix d'un safari (je ne veux rien de luxueux), en couchage dans des tentes. (pour prevoir le budget et surtout voir combien de jours je pourrai faire des safaris) et quels parcs choisir parmis les suivants, car tout faire me parait beaucoup....: Nakuru, le lac Bogori, Baringo, Samburu NP, Meru, Mara, le Serengeti, NGO, Manyara NP, Arusha NP. (ou si il y a un must qui ne figure pas ici me l indiquez) pour l 'ascention du Kili, combien de temps faut il prevoir, le cout, quelle voie prendre, un guide est il obligatoire??..etc.. le budget total a prévoir environ pour un tel voyage (nourriture, logement, bus, safari, treck kili.....) aussi j 'aimerai pas seulement prendre des photos mais aussi me rendre utile et faire du social...si vous avez des idées ou contacts les plus beaux parcs... les coins a ne pas rater que ce soit au kenya et Tanzanie.

Bref toutes vos infos, conseils pour faire une boucle sympa de 3 semaines / 1 mois.

merci de vos reponsesssssss!!!!

Je reviens de Lamu que j'ai adoré; je voudrais savoir s'il existe des lives sur l'histoire desvilles-états de cette côte africaine, sur la culture swahili. ou des livres sur l'architecture à Lamu. D'autre part, je pars mi juillet à Madagascar (j'habite Mayotte que je trouve la moins interessante des îles de la région) .Nous atterrissons à Majenga et voulons ensuite nous rendre à tana. Que voir à Majenga en deux jours, quel hotel prendre, comment nous rendre à Tana pour pas trop cher ? Que ceux qui peuvent me donner des tuyaux me répondent. Merci d'avance.Je peux leur parler de L'Ethiopie et de Lamu...

Bonsoir, J'ai actuellement le nez dans les catalogues des agences... dans google.fr.... à la recherche de la destination de cet été (enfin septembre!) : et nous nous sommes arrêtés sur le KENYA avec un mixte sur 15 jours de Safari et d'hôtel relax... Ce sera notre premier voyage et il est vrai qu'on hésite à se lancer un peu dans un pays vraiment différent et on hésite sur plusieurs choses : tout d'abord, la météo en septembre...? ensuite, on ne connaît pas encore le pays et on ne sait pas quel Safari, ni quel Hotel prendre... alors nous sommes ouverts à toutes remrques et à toute aide ! Merci !! 😉

Je vais à l'Ile Maurice en juin et s'il y en a un ou une qui s'est intéressé aux trajet que prenait l'avion entre Paris et Maurice j'apprécierais beaucoup qu'il me dise par quels pays l'avion passe à l'aller et au retour, s'il a vu des choses innoubliables etc…éventuellement aussi comment se passe le vol à l'intérieur, le personnel, le nombre de repas, l'ambiance, la place entre les sièges, les écrans individuels et leurs contenus etc… Je prends le vol de 16h40 un vendredi sur A340 d'Air Mauritius et au retour, un samedi à 9h20 A340 Air Mauritius. y'at-il une longue file d'attente à l'enregistrement si on arrive 2h avant le départ ou vaut-il mieux arriver 3 h avant ? Le retour sera intégralement de jour donc j'admirerais le paysage tout le long ! Merci d'avance pour vos réponses !

Bonjour,

J'aimerai savoir combien il faut compter par jour pour un safari en Tanzanie. J'ai vue que les prix d'entrée aux parcs avaient récemment augmentés, est ce que quelqu'un y 'est allé récemment. Je prospecte les agences, si vous avez des tuyaux je suis preneuse.

Merci

Bonjour a tous, ma maman et moi souhaitons partir pendant 15 jours en octobre a la decouverte du Kenya. J ai pu voir que beaucoup d entre vous, ont de tres bonnes experiences. J ai vraiment envie de reussir ce voyage qui m est offert par ma maman pour mes 20ans. Que pouvez vous me conseiller ??? Quels sont les choses a ne pas manquer ? quels sont les parcs les plus beaux ? Merci d avance a tous. laurie

bonjour à tous, je compte partir au Kenya 3 semaines à partir du 25 mai environ. D'après ce que je lis, il parait que la période est la plus mauvaise à cause des pluies. Pistes impraticables, désertion des guides, froid, herbes trop hautes pour voir les animaux etc... Quelqu'un pourrait-il me conseiller? Avez-vous déja eu l'expérience des safaris en cette période? Fait-il si froid? Y a t-il des animaux? Faut-il vraiment que je remette mon voyage 🙁? Merci de me répondre car vraiment je ne sais plus ce que je dois faire.

Certains sur ce forum ont un curriculum vitae voyageur des plus impressionnants. Mais ce n'est rien par rapport aux "professionnels du voyage". J'entends par là non pas ceux qui vivent d'un métier lié au voyage, mais ceux qui consacrent leur vie à battre un record du monde.

Gag stupide? Poisson d'avril avant l'heure?

Ce "championnat du monde" existe réellement je crois. Il existait en tout cas il y a une quinzaine d'années, lorsque mon père de retour d'une croisière dans l'Antarctique m'a rapporté cette anecdote étonnante:

Il y avait à bord un type assez âgé, et pris de malaises réguliers, qui avait embarqué sur ce navire, non pas tout à fait pour admirer les charmes des icebergs et de la côte atlantique du continent glacé. Non non, il n'avait qu'un seul but à ce voyage: poser les pieds à un endroit très précis sur la côté antarctique, devant témoins, afin d'homologuer la visite du Xième point sur une liste mystérieuse recensant les endroits où il faut être allé pour gagner le championnat. Le personnage étant bien mal en point le jour où le brise glace approcha du point fatidique, il dut être transporté à dos d'homme à bord du zodiaque où, une fois accosté, les gens l'aidèrent à homologuer sa "visite".

Je ne sais plus combien de points compte la planète (quelques centaines voire milliers), ni qui a déterminé la fameuse liste. Je crois qu'il faut avoir mis les pieds dans tous les pays souverains et territoires à statut particulier de la planète, et bien entendu pour les plus grands pays, il y a une foule d'endroits à "visiter". A l'époque (vers 1990), il y avait une poignée de types qui rivalisaient pour être le premier à accumuler tous les points. A celui du bateau, il n'en manquait plus qu'une dizaine je crois, et on se doute bien que vu son état de santé, il devait être vraiment prêt à tout pour embarquer sur une croisière dans l'Antarctique uniquement pour homologuer un point.

Quelqu'un a-t-il entendu parler de ce "championnat" farfelu?

suis passé encore aujourd'hui pour l'acheter, pas encore sorti sur Marseille 😕 et chez vous ?

patientons

yann

Elaborant un projet de safaris au Kenya, j'aurais besoin de renseignements sur deux étapes pour dormir:

A Nairobi, le Safari Park Hotel situé au nord de la ville

Dans le Masai Mara, le Sekenani Camp

Quelqun connaît?

Merci d'avance!

Il est tentant de toujours vouloir croire que le monde n'est fait que de supercheries, et maintenant on vit une époque ou tout est analysé, trituré, malaxé, compressé afin que l'on sache exactement à qui l'on a affaire, on veut savoir le pourquoi des choses, hors de question d'aller dans l'inconnu, on veut connaître le pourquoi du comment ......

Et pourtant, on peut se rappeler une époque pas si lointaine ou l'on aimait être surpris, aller au devant de l'inconnu, écouter les histoires des uns et des autres, juste comme ça ....... histoire de rêver et de se laisser transporter dans un imaginaire que l'on savait hors de notre portée, mais que par la grâce d'un récit on pouvait effleurer par la pensée et se construire à soi même sa propre histoire, l'embellir et l'interpréter de mille et une façons afin d'essayer de la rendre plus belle ......

Je me rappelle quand j'étais petit, avec mon copain Patrick on écoutait mon oncle qui nous racontait ses voyages en Afrique ..... je ne me rappelle plus laquelle, mais peu importe ..... d'abord il racontait à toute la famille, mais aprés comme de connivence il nous enmenait dans le grand jardin derrière, là ou les mauvaises herbes devenaient de l'herbe à éléphants, ou les grenouilles dans leurs mares rugissaient comme des lions, ou les vers de terre ressemblaient à de longs pythons, et il nous brodait la suite de l'histoire avec force démonstration par mimiques et grands gestes ....... on était sidéré, parfois atteré, mais toujours surpris ...... les scènes ou il échappait à des charges d'éléphants au milieu de la poussière, tout en évitant les crocs des lions et les cornes des buffles étaient les plus épiques et nos yeux devaient rouler dans leurs orbites ......

Quand il repartait, le grand jardin se métamorphosait vraiment en savane ou jungle, mille bruits étaient là prêts à nous bondir dessus, on hérissait des cabanes afin de se protéger des hyènes, qui mon oncle nous l'avait dit rôdaient le soir venu parmi les habitations pour enlever les enfants pas sages ..... on creusait des fossés que l'on remplissait d'eau pour que les serpents ne puissent pas traverser .... croyait on aussi ..... le moindre bourdon se transformait en aigle royal qui de ses serres pouvait nous entraîner tout là haut sur les sommets du Kilimandjaro ou de féroces tribus nous auraient fait cuire dans de gigantesques marmites afin de faire de nous leur repas ......

Celà nous est resté longtemps, et plus grand on s'inventait nous mêmes nos histoires ........ mon oncle a des contemporains de par le monde, mais malheureusement ils sont nés trop tard ou ont perdus toute chance de se faire un public ...... car à présent on ne croit plus aux hostoires, on laisse la part du rêve de côté, celà n'intéresse plus personne, on évite même que les enfants écoutent, on les colle devant la télé ou devant l'écran de l'ordi, là ou tout peut être décortiqué et les enfants n'ont plus à se faire leurs rêves ou à se créer leur univers, car on le crée pour eux, on le façonne d'une façon qui puisse les inciter à se comporter comme on le souhaite ......

Les histoires d'animaux fabuleux c'est fini ...... non, non ça n'existe plus, c'est terminé cette époque ...... oui mais peut être que ....... allez cessez vos gamineries, remballer vos rêves, on vit une époque pragmatique, censée et raisonnée, c'est écrit dans les brochures de la vie maintenant, vous pouvez vérifier ...... il y a de plus en plus de monde pour vous montrer que le rêve n'appartient qu'à ceux d'une époque lointaine, ceux qui pensent encore que dans les pays ou ils voyagent il peut encore leur arriver de fabuleuses aventures ..... que quelquepart existe encore des tribus vivant à l'âge de pierre, que des animaux imaginaires peuplent encore des forêts profondes ou des lacs insondables ......

Ces gens qui racontent ou qui écoutent existent encore, mais on les montre du doight, on les houspille, on se moque d'eux ..... on leur crée la honte de croire encore à ses histoires de " louf comme on dirait maintenant ...... pauvres idiots de doux rêveur qui pensaient que vous pouvez encore vivre de vos rêves, on passe maintenant non pas pour des fous, douce maladie d'une lointaine époque, mais pour des ignares, des tarés, des gens sans cervelle qui ne comprennent décidemment rien, alors que les autres ....... ceux qui vivent dans la vraie vie, celle fabriquée par toutes sortes de médias, détiennent la vérité ....... moins originale certes, moins dangereuse croit on, mais tellement plus aseptisée, plus sures, plus surveillée ...... entre nous avec nos barrières pour éviter de retomber dans les pièges de nos parents ou d'originaux qui luttent encore pour ne pas sombrer définitivement dans ce siècle de tromperie ......

Allez Charly, Boulie, Lola et Milou ...... on sort, on va avec vos pattes de félins explorer ce grand jardin devant nous, écoutez ces bruits, Lola attrape cette brindille qui frétille comme un serpent, ah ! ah ! Charly et Lola qui roulaient dans la mare aux crocodiles, faites attention ..... Milou tu sens cette odeur qui fait frétiller nos narines, allez mes chats, nous sommes encore bien vivants, emplissons nos têtes de nos rêves et faisons comme à l'habitude, déchirons l'écran et rentrons dedans, nous ne sommes pas encore lobotomisés et ils ne nous auront pas vivants, pas cette fois ci encore ........

Il y en a qui viennent se promener avec nous, faîtes moi croire que oui ........

bonjour à tous

Nombreux d'entre vous ont eu des retards, bagages perdus, correspondances loupées. Mais j'en suis sûr, vous avez tous eu de très agréables moments pendant un ou plusieurs vols. Quels sont vos plus beaux souvenirs ???

Alors voilà, on a tous des noms de destination qui nous font rêver depuis longtemps. Pas forcément parceque c'est beau, exotique ou très loin. Non, juste comme ça, parceque ça nous excite, d'une manière totalement inexpliquée et irrationnelle.

Pour ma part, j'avoue que les noms suivants me font décoller : Samarcande, Zanzibar, Kamtchatka, Terre Adélie, Kerguelen, Pondichery, Cartagena, Manitoba, Hindu Kush, ...

Et vous ?

Voila qques infos sur le MAM!!!

Mal des montagnes : Il peut survenir au-dessus de 3000 mètres chez tout individu quelle que soit sa condition physique et évoluer jusqu'au décès par oedème cérébral ou oedème pulmonaire de haute altitude. Les premiers symptomes peuvent être des maux de tête, une fatigue inhabituelle par rapport à l'effort fourni, des oedèmes des extrémités ou de la face, la perte d'appétit et des insommnies. A un stade plus avancé, certaines personnes présentent une rétention d'urine, un essouflement au moindre effort, voire au repos. L'aggravation des symptomes se manifeste, dans le cas d'un oedème cérébral de haute altitude, par des céphalées violentes ne cédant pas à l'aspirine ou au paracétamol, des vomissements, une lassitude de plus en plus pénible, voire des troubles du comportement. Celui-ci peut entraîner la mort dans les 12 heures si rien n'est entrepris. Les signes d'un oedème pulmonaire de haute altitude sont un essouflement anormal à l'effort, une fatigue extrême, une toux sèche ou avec des crachats mousseux, voire un essouflement au repos. Celui-ci peut entraîner la mort dans les 6 heures si rien n'est entrepris. La prévention du mal des montagnes repose sur 4 règles essentielles: Respecter une ascension lente (pas plus de 400 m de dénivelé positif entre deux nuits consécutives à partir de 2500m) et bien s'hydrater. En cas de symptômes de mal des montagnes, arrêter l'ascension. Si les symptômes persistent ou empirent, redescendre, même de nuit. Ne jamais abandonner seul un camarade malade.

bonjour

nous partons en janvier pour un tour du monde commencant par l afrique australe: tanzanie, chute victoria, botswana, af du sud.

j aimerai savoir les choses a ne pas manquer en tanzanie et botswana et les conseils pour ne pas se ruiner car ce pays ont l air tres cher.

merci

Hello,

Ca yest j'aitrouvé un vol pour Paris -> Dar Es Salaam pas trop cher mais je ne sais pas combien coute la liaison entre Dar Es Salaam et Zanzibar en bateau ou en vol interieur (perso je preferai le bateau).

Sinon avez vous des bon plans ou des astuces concernant cette desintation

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.

Hello,

It might not be very original, but I see it hasn’t been suggested—or at least not for a very long time. I’d like to invite you to discover the beauty of the great outdoors through landscape photos. Whether they’re desert, sea, countryside, or mountain scenes—with or without other elements (people, buildings, animals, etc.)—they should make us want to dive right in without hesitation.

To participate: Photo submissions until Wednesday, June 24 at 11:59 PM You can post up to 3 photos, numbered and shared in separate messages, along with a short description of the place and the story behind it.

To vote: from Thursday, June 25 at 12:01 AM to Monday, June 29 at 11:59 PM After the deadline, it’s too late!

Please include the photo number, username, and the points awarded: Photo #1 = 3 pts Photo #2 = 2 pts Photo #3 = 1 pt

All VF members can vote (even those who didn’t submit photos). In case of a tie for first place, the winning photo will be the one with the most first-place votes, then second-place votes! The lucky winner will get to organize July 2026’s photo contest.

For discussions about the theme, it’s here: Discussion thread for June 2026’s theme: Such a Beautiful Landscape

Good luck to everyone!

Philippe

Chumphon, Thailand: Doi Tapang

Hello,

After several years, I’ve finally decided to repost a travel journal on the forum. We returned a few weeks ago from an incredible trip to Kenya, and it’s reignited my desire to share our emotions in the face of these animals.

Kenya wasn’t originally a priority for us in terms of safari—we had the impression it was too touristy. So, we started with other destinations: Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa. But as I did more research, especially on the forum (thanks in part to Sylvie’s many trips), I eventually convinced myself that Kenya could be magnificent, as long as we chose our itinerary carefully and avoided peak seasons.

We ended up going in January, from the 17th to the 31st. We worked with a travel agency (TP) that crafted a custom itinerary for us: Samburu-Ol Pejeta-Naivasha-Maji Moto-Maasai Mara-Diani. They partnered with a local French-speaking agency, and everything was perfectly organized. Our trip exceeded all our expectations, and none of it would’ve been as amazing without our guide, Alfred. He accompanied us for 10 days and was a fantastic travel companion—professional, respectful of the animals, and always in good spirits. We formed a great bond with him in such a short time.

- **January 17th** After meeting up with Juliette and Charlotte in Rennes the night before, we left at 4 AM for Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport. The thick fog made the drive pretty rough, but we arrived safely around 7:45 AM. A Blue Valet driver was waiting to take our car. Check-in went smoothly, and we waited patiently for our 10:40 AM flight. Unfortunately, despite boarding on time, a passenger was missing, and we had to find a replacement last minute. Then, another passenger who had checked in and dropped off their luggage wasn’t on the plane, so they had to unload their bags. After a long period of uncertainty and spotty communication from the crew, we finally took off over an hour late.

We arrived in Nairobi in the late afternoon, 45 minutes behind schedule. The administrative formalities were endless—it took nearly 1.5 hours from landing to leaving the airport with our luggage. When we stepped out, Alfred, our guide, was waiting with a big smile and drove us to the Eka Hotel, not far from the airport. Exhausted from the long journey, we fell asleep quickly.

- **January 18th** Alfred met us at 7 AM for a long drive to Samburu Reserve. We had a peaceful night, unlike the girls, who barely slept because their neighbors were talking loudly all night. Things even escalated when Charlotte started shouting insults to get them to quiet down, but it didn’t work.

It was Sunday, so traffic around Nairobi and along the route was light. Aside from a quick "technical stop," we drove straight through and arrived in Samburu after just under 6 hours. Because of the lower altitude (around 1,000m on average), it was hot—over 30°C in mid-January.

As soon as we entered the reserve, we spotted some impalas and quickly came across one of the region’s endemic species: the reticulated giraffe, which is absolutely stunning.



While heading to our camp for lunch, Alfred crossed paths with another vehicle and learned that a leopard was nearby. We started searching, and a few minutes later, Anny spotted a shape in a tree—it was our leopard!





There were actually two of them—a mother and her adolescent. The young one was perched high in the tree, in the shade. We got to observe them for a good half-hour in excellent conditions, with just one other vehicle nearby.





Alfred also noticed that the mother had hidden prey (a gerenuk gazelle) in the vegetation, away from prying eyes.

It was time to head to our camp, the Ashnil Samburu Camp, located in the Buffalo Springs area, by the river, in an idyllic setting surrounded by the region’s typical vegetation.





The welcome was fantastic—we immediately felt at home, and that feeling lasted throughout our 3-day stay in the reserve. It was 2 PM, but no one rushed us to the table. Our waitress, Sheila, who took care of us the whole time, was as lovely as the rest of the team. Barely seated, we were invited to watch an elephant passing right by the camp, in front of the restaurant. This trip was off to a great start!

After lunch, we relaxed by the pool. Monkeys, especially vervets, were everywhere, and a camp employee was assigned to keep an eye on them and shoo them away if needed (especially the baboons).

A little before 4 PM, we met up with Alfred for our first game drive. Just outside the camp, a few elephants were in the valley near the river.





We’d see them in the same area almost every day. We also spotted some gazelles.

I would wish never to go to bed where I had woken up, to wander my tent from the shores of Egypt to those of the Persian Gulf; to have no goal for the evening other than the evening itself; to traverse on foot, with my eyes and my heart, all these unknown lands, all these races of people so different from my own; to contemplate humanity, God’s finest creation, in all its forms. Lamartine in Fatalla Sayeghir’s Account (1861)

As soon as it’s about flying, I lose all willpower. Being reasonable and thoughtful, I still lose all my composure at the mere possibility of a flight—especially if it’s piloted by F.—and even more so if that flight can take me to unexplored lands. I’ve long wanted to unravel the mystery of animal tourism, and why not in Tanzania, following up on my trip from four years ago, when I was already questioning the glaring inequalities in Zanzibar: the coastal strip sacrificed to capitalism, and the inland areas, just a hundred meters from the waves, where you find—though a bit more peaceful than elsewhere on the continent—the chaos of Africa.

I’m an adventurer at heart. When it comes to the terrain, though, it’s a whole different story. I see people setting off for months at a time; I know my endurance doesn’t last beyond three days. It’s not that I’m afraid of this unfamiliar environment when it comes to embracing different realities. I’m mostly afraid of myself—of this heightened sensitivity that makes me see things I’d rather not see and understand others that sometimes overwhelm me.

After an absolutely fantastic daytime flight, I land in Zanzibar and have to resign myself—this is the whole point of the trip—to what feels like a real spacewalk. I’m alone. My lucky star, backed up by my phone, will serve as my lifeline. I step out of the airport and breathe in the scent of Africa full-on: a mix of exotic perfumes, baked earth, and poorly refined fuel, inevitably mingled with the smell of wood smoke. So many images come flooding back. So many stories. Another world.

I head to Arusha the very next day. The gateway to the country’s northern national parks, this city of half a million offers one of those rare breath-holding dives that Africa keeps secret. As the only white person walking the streets, I know I’m visible and vulnerable, yet I move forward confidently, barely bothered. But where are all my fellow Westerners? While this city draws countless tourists, I only cross paths with one white couple in nearly three hours of walking. Because you have to hold on tight to wander here. You have to stay alert. The traffic is dense and erratic—don’t even trust the fact that in Tanzania, people drive on the left. That can change from one minute to the next, especially with motorbikes. With barely centimeters between vehicles, I weave my way through the urban jungle, trying not to stumble into the huge ditch on my left or get sideswiped by cars brushing past me on the right. Speakers blare music, ads, or political speeches at will—the explosion of yellow and green tells us we’re on the eve of the presidential election—but they barely compete with the calls to prayer, nearly nonstop on this holy Friday. The vital space is as saturated as the sound. Imagine an unbroken line of shops and stalls of every kind—supermarkets haven’t made it here yet—where you can find just about anything: phones, copper pipes, Chinese-made hardware, shoes, clothes, basins, and professional tools… The luckiest own a big store; others spend their lives trying to survive on the profits from selling toothbrushes one at a time on the streets. But maybe it’s more lucrative than spending the day slumped on the sidewalk, preferably missing a limb, trusting your survival to the mercy of passersby.

I think I’ll escape the street by slipping into the narrow alleys of the central market. Here, I know I won’t run into anyone like me! The vendors’ stalls start at waist height; the sellers, perched higher up, haggle or not while discussing prices. Here, colorful fruits and vegetables; there, huge piles of dried fish. Spices, seeds, roots. Smells. Noises. Africa. Life. Further on, the fresh fish aisle makes a right angle with the butchers’. Everywhere, flies—everywhere, the same gesture from vendors swatting blindly at these relentless pests. Aware that I’ll be eating this same meat within the hour, displayed with total disregard for basic hygiene, I reassure myself that Arusha sits at 1400m altitude. Yes, we can probably do without a fridge.

*

It’s time to leave the city and go wildlife spotting in the surrounding parks. To that end, I’ve negotiated a package deal with a local agency that prides itself on grouping solo travelers into a vehicle meant for seven. We leave behind the imposing masses of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, peaking at 4565m and 5895m respectively, and head west to conquer Tarangire and Ngorongoro parks. I’ve been promised a spectacle; I remain cautious. I’ve read rave reviews; I know how to temper my expectations. Above all, I know what I came for—and paradoxically, my hopes are less about animals than strictly anthropological. So I’m sure I won’t go home disappointed.

I’m in the thick of it. Since 2021, tourism has been booming: I’m one of the two million tourists who come here every year seeking thrills. I also contribute, in a small way, to the 20% of the country’s GDP generated by tourism revenue. Around 3 billion € annually… Tanzania has 16 national parks, twice as many reserves; it charges meticulously for every entry, every night, every activity, to the tune of several dozen euros. I calculated that Tarangire Park alone rakes in around 15 million € a year. Mind-boggling. Yet to get there, a dusty, rickety old track is used daily by hundreds of vehicles that literally saturate the surrounding area with white dust and exhaust fumes. At the park entrance, we wait a good hour while the driver pays the entry fees. Then it’s a free-for-all: dozens of 4x4s try to enter at the same time through the single access point, to the left of the building, while the three barriers are stuck due to a computer glitch. It’s pure chaos: no way to buy your ticket in advance—the QR code revolution hasn’t arrived; no smart layout before the barriers; nothing smooth, nothing practical, everything improvised.

So, the animals? Given the time and money involved, I’d be tempted to say it’s not worth the hassle and there’s really no need to break five legs off one of the too-many zebras we pass. Hours and hours of travel to get to Tanzania, specifically Arusha; hours and hours on the road—up to 12 hours a day—to spend barely three in the parks; at least 200 € per day for the most basic option, so 400 € in my case, and up to several thousand for those wealthy couples opting for the luxury package with a private vehicle. Sure, I saw zebras and elephants in their natural habitat, wildebeest, buffalo, and a few hippos, but I didn’t feel the thrill touted in the articles or even by my two-day trip organizer. Would I have been more satisfied if I’d seen the lion, the leopard, and the rhino? Maybe. But the story won’t be rewritten in light of those assumptions.

Yet I’m not disappointed. As I said earlier: I know what I came for. I wanted to see the world as it is with my own eyes. And the safari world fascinates me more for its anthropological aspect than for what it offers. Yes, the fact that people from all over the world come here, juggling hotels and big 4x4s—while notably avoiding the streets of cities and villages—truly fascinates me. Two worlds coexist on either side of a barely porous border. As soon as the tourist sets foot in the airport, they’re whisked away, sight unseen, into a tourist vehicle. Dropped off at the hotel, they rest there, shielded from view, until the 4x4 departs. Then they speed through those same cities and villages they scorn out of fear or disdain, leaving on the roadside the Maasai herding their flocks and all those poignant or mundane scenes that make up daily African life. In the evening, in their lodge, far from the city’s pulse, they fall asleep thinking about the images they’ve collected, those long hours on the road, the wait for the animals. And the days go by… Maybe the term *luxury*, whether for food or accommodation, refers to what we experience as utterly ordinary in the West? Forgetting that you’re there, in Africa, just steps away from poverty and a certain arbitrariness. And at the end of the journey: back to the airport, back to normal life.

Maybe we need to take a broader view. All that money seems invisible, yet it must serve the population at some point, right? The main roads are passable, the power grid seems well-maintained—I can tell by the excellent condition of the high-voltage transmission towers. Is it really too expensive to significantly improve all the infrastructure? I hoped this windfall would truly serve the people’s interests. The driver taking me back to the airport on the last evening dashes my sweet illusions: « All this is bad. Africa is bad. But you have no choice. The hospitals don’t work, the schools don’t work, the roads don’t work (just as he says this, roadworks force us onto a terrible detour for several kilometers—a rutted track, in fact), and if you say anything, if you speak up too much, they come for you and then you disappear. » That’s just one opinion. Nothing empirical. But I don’t need to be a West Point graduate to realize how rampant corruption is in these regions: while the muezzin bellows the greatness of Allah, I consider the dilapidated equipment and the energy expended by the masses just to survive here. But maybe all that money keeps the country afloat by paying civil servants’ salaries? Meanwhile, one thing is certain: regardless of where the profits go, tourism supports millions of people, and I’m in no position to judge this system too harshly. Maybe I’m too much of an aesthete to appreciate the almost exclusive use of corrugated iron at its true value…

*

I’ll give this system credit for one thing: the chance to set foot in spaces impossible to visit otherwise. At one point, in the heart of the Ngorongoro Crater—a vast 20km-wide plain topped by a 600m-high caldera—I was simply happy to be there. Barely bothered by the constant ballet of 4x4s—the space is vast—I contemplate the simple life of the local animals. Buffalo, wildebeest, zebras as numerous as the flamingos patiently standing on one leg, waiting for the day to pass. Over there, you can make out a few hyenas with vultures circling above. Finally, in a large body of water, hippos surface at regular intervals. I’m aware of my luck. I’m especially aware that, unlike all the people I’ve met there, a lot of money and a little resourcefulness greatly favor the luck factor.

I’m heading home. I soak up the last images of this improbable Africa as night falls quickly over the countryside. I’m fascinated by the number of Maasai herding their livestock along the main road. Some pass the time, globalization obliges, on an old phone; others, sometimes as young as my eldest—barely 10 years old—watch us pass, indifferent. We overtake or are overtaken; the two-lane road is the stage for a majestic ballet of semi-trailers, *dalas-dalas*, and other 4x4s, as numerous as the names of their companies: Leopard Tours, Climbing Kilimanjaro, Smiling Zebra, Nomad Life Enhanced, Elephant Roaming, Mountain Warrior, Master of the Ambush… They drop me off at the hotel, where I have an hour to shower and change into clean clothes before my return flight. Already, I’m slipping back into my own world without really seeing it, leaving behind the hotel’s glass window that African life to which nothing truly binds me. Then that chaotic, suffocating nighttime drive to the airport. Check-in; the stupid questions (« Where are you going? »); the slow police officer who, in the end, stamps my passport anywhere; the idiocy of the security agent (my empty 33cl bottle is forbidden); the rather shabby lounge at Kilimanjaro Airport. Then the return to the vessel—to the Air France plane that left Zanzibar an hour earlier—after this 72-hour spacewalk without a real lifeline. I’ve never been so happy to see F. again.

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out for your advice since we’re planning a trip to Tanzania for our 10th wedding anniversary, with a continental part (4 nights) followed by Zanzibar for some relaxation (7 nights). A childhood dream.

My first question is: have families with kids this age already done this trip? Is it relatively safe, because I know that if there’s even the slightest health issue, the infrastructure can be tricky, especially on the mainland in Tanzania. We’ll of course take our precautions (vaccines and Malarone), but I want to make sure we’re not being reckless, as my in-laws seem to suggest (they’ve never traveled).

Also, for the safari, I need your opinions. I’m in advanced talks with the agency *Tanzania Wise Safari*. Has anyone heard of them?

Day 1 - night in Arusha to rest Day 2 - departure for Tarangire and safari (likely in the early afternoon), night in a lodge near the northern part of the lake at the crater entrance Day 3 - crater - night in the same lodge (I want to limit changes for my kids, but I’m not sure if that’s smart) Day 4 - I’m hesitating - what to do in the morning? Lake Manyara? Or return to Arusha at a relaxed pace and spend the night there? The guide suggested Arusha National Park, but I think it’s too much driving for the kids, since there’s already the trip from the crater to Arusha to get to the park. Day 5 - departure for Zanzibar. Do you have a recommended airline?

For flights, I tried a multi-destination option, but it seems complicated.

Thanks so much for your feedback

Hi there! It’s been nearly 6 years since I last posted here or on my travel blog. But I’m back, at least for one post! I’m returning with a dream trip we took in April 2023: a stay at Walt Disney World in Florida. We went for 10 days. Ten days at an amusement park might seem like a lot, but you should know that Disney isn’t just one park—it’s 4 parks and 2 water parks (only one was open during our trip). So we split those 10 days across 5 parks, which worked out to about 2 days per park. The four main parks each have a different vibe:

Magic Kingdom: The most famous one, the one that most resembles our Disneyland Paris. It’s home to several "lands" (Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Liberty Square, and Main Street USA). This is the park where you’ll find the iconic castle, the symbol of the parks. Disney’s Hollywood Studios: It’s a bit like the studios at Disneyland Paris, with the well-known Tower of Terror and Toy Story Land. It also features the stunning Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (a must-see, even if you’re not a Star Wars fan). Animal Kingdom: A very nature-focused park, divided into several sections, including representations of Africa and Asia, as well as the breathtaking Pandora – The World of Avatar. Epcot: The park of countries, where different nations are represented around a large circular lake—including France!

The water park that was open during our stay was Typhoon Lagoon. We spent a morning there lounging and swimming before heading to Disney Springs (the equivalent of Disney Village in France). We’re not big on pools or chilling out, so we didn’t stay long, but there was no time limit.

We chose to stay at the Disney’s Art of Animation hotel, a Resort (huge, like everything there!) with 4 themed areas: Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid (where the rooms for 4 people or fewer are located).



Here’s the itinerary we followed for those 10 days:

Day 1: Flight at 7:35 AM–4:40 PM (with a layover in London), stroller pickup, then shuttle bus to our hotel Day 2: Day at Magic Kingdom Day 3: Day at Hollywood Studios Day 4: Day at Animal Kingdom Day 5: Day at Epcot Day 6: Day at Hollywood Studios Day 7: Relaxing day at Typhoon Lagoon and Disney Springs Day 8: Day at Magic Kingdom Day 9: Day at Epcot Day 10: Day at Magic Kingdom Day 11: Morning at Hollywood Studios, then shuttle bus to the airport, stroller return at the airport, flight at 7:05 PM–1:50 PM (next day)

We rented the stroller from Kingdom Stroller. The rental process was super easy—everything was done online. On the day we arrived and the day we left, there was no staff at the counter, but the stroller was ready with a tag bearing our name. When we left, we just dropped it off at the designated spot, still with no one checking... We used the Mears Connect shuttle: you pick a day and time for them to pick you up at the airport and your hotel. Everything went smoothly, no surprises.

For planning, you’ll need to decide in advance which parks you’ll visit each day because a reservation is required (just like in Paris now). I’d recommend making a schedule ahead of time. Same goes for restaurants—figure out which ones you’d like to eat at beforehand. Some work like fast food and don’t require reservations, while others, the "Table Service" restaurants, operate like traditional restaurants and need to be booked in advance to guarantee a spot. These can be reserved 60 days before the first day of your visit, and that applies to all the restaurants for your entire stay (e.g., if you’re going from February 1st to 11th, you can make reservations for the whole trip 60 days before February 1st).

Not essential, but we found them super handy: MagicBands. These are connected bracelets you buy on-site (not cheap, of course) that let you, once linked to your account in the app, open your hotel room, enter the parks, validate Lightning Lane reservations at attraction entrances, and even make purchases (if you’ve linked a credit card). We got the cheapest ones and loved them!

As for the trip’s wrap-up, if I were to do it again, ... I’d do almost everything the same: The schedule and restaurant reservations I planned were perfect! ... I’d change one thing: Maybe I wouldn’t plan two full days at Epcot because it was the park we enjoyed the least. Some attractions (like the amazing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind) were great, but it was really hot, the park isn’t shaded, and it felt stifling when the weather was scorching. That said, I don’t regret it because a big storm hit on our second day, forcing us back to the hotel.

That’s all for now—I’ll be back soon with photos from each park and the hotel. You’ll see, it was incredible! See you soon! :)

Hello everyone! This trip dates back to late 2021, but since Voyage Forum reopened for writing, I haven’t seen many travel journals about Tanzania, so I decided to repost this one, which I originally shared on another well-known travelers’ site—even though I prefer Voyage Forum’s user experience. It’s also a chance for me to relive this exhilarating trip... So, if you’re up for it, let me take you on a classic adventure: Tarangire - Ngorongoro - Serengeti, plus a little bonus—the small Arusha Park. First off, yes, as the title of this journal suggests, we were lucky enough to spot *tons* of lions. The power they exude is incredible, even if most of the time they just look like big cats napping or strolling around. But lock eyes with one, and you’ll be glad you’re in the jeep.

But let’s not forget the rest of the wildlife—and the landscapes, which are absolutely stunning, with those iconic tree silhouettes.







I remember before leaving, I was a little worried I wouldn’t feel that same sense of wonder I’d experienced two years earlier in Botswana (see my travel journal). That fear was unfounded—the magic worked its charm once again! Note: Since we had limited time, we focused our trip entirely on safari, so this journal is 100% animals and landscapes—and 0% Maasai. Next post: TARANGIRE