Touring through Africa

Looking for the best option to travel through multiple countries in Southern & Eastern Africa (safe, enjoyable, not too expensive, not too long in each country, main highlights)!

EllaBellaOla

Ellen Forbes
Post Count: 2

Msg: #1 3 years ago, January 2nd 2007

Basically wondering the best way to travel throughout Africa & get the 'most bang for my buck'! I'll be starting in South Africa where I'll be volunteering in June, after which I would like to travel through other African countries for a month or so.

I realize you can't get a strong feel for a country in a short period of time (less than a week) - but that's okay with me for this part of this particular trip, I likely won't be back to Africa for a long time and want to visit as many countries as possible but still see their 'highlights' and get a feel for the differences between the countries. Below is a link to a tour company which is pretty close to what I'm looking for, but a bit pricey!

I'm just wondering if anyone has done a similar trip and how they accomplished it? Any good/bad experience with this/another tour company? Would it be better(/cheaper) to wait and arrange it once I'm already in South Africa? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

http://www.overlandingafrica.com/tour-details.php?tid=111

Warufaga

Lawrence
Post Count: 2

Msg: #2 3 years ago, January 3rd 2007

You could visit Kenya...i'd suggest kenya timeout safaris..www.timeout-kenya.com they are ok... there is so much to offer in kenya and you will get a cheap budget friendly safari.

EllaBellaOla

Ellen Forbes
Post Count: 2

Msg: #3 3 years ago, January 11th 2007

Any other advice about this?? There's gotta be a few been there/done that people on this forum! Pretty please?

deleted_30480

deleted_30480
Post Count: 3

Msg: #4 3 years ago, January 18th 2007

I plan similar trip but in April! I'm waiting then for any advice as well:)

Marta

LukeIRL

Luke
Post Count: 23

Msg: #5 3 years ago, January 27th 2007

Well, you have two options: organised tour, or DIY.

Overland trips are great because they are cheap and you can cover hugely more distance than you would in the same amount of time if your were DIYing it, and also they organise park fees/visas etc which can be hassle otherwise. But they can also be shit, because you are confined within a truck for most of the day, seeing Africa through a window pane, are socialising only with the people in your group (what if they start boring you after the first week?), and are 'lodge hopping' and going from one tourist site to the next. From what I've heard from people overlanding, it's about 70-30 that love-hate it. I would never do it, but can understand doing it if you have little time and want to see the sights.

The most popular overland route is probably from Cape Town through RSA to Johanesberg and on to Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls and Zambia, quickly through Malawi and into Tanzania to Dar es Salaam and up to Nairobi, Kenya. I think it can be done in 3 months. Oasis, Acacia and Dragoman are supposed to be good operators, and it can be quite cheap if you add it up.

Countries I have heard are great - Namibia (dunes, Windoek, landscapes), Zimbabwe (parks, mountain climbing, people and quirkiness) and I have lots of time for Malawi (beaches, people, landscape, small size), and Northern Mozambique, though somewhat of a mission is definitely worth it (Ilha de Mozambique, Ibo, deserted beaches).

I would say arrange your tour before you go if you're going on a tour, but in my opinion you'd be much better off spending the whole time travelling independently in South Africa, probably the country with the most contrasts in the whole continent, some of the greatest parks, cities, beaches, mountains etc. Stay there, travel it whole, get a good taste of it, and come back another time and go elsewhere. If you're volunteering you'll most likely make new friends and you can travel around with them, which makes independent travel great and spontaneous.

AfricaTravelGuide

Arne & Rik
Post Count: 1

Msg: #6 3 years ago, February 9th 2007

I can certainly recommend OverlandingAfrica to everybody!
I recently did an overlander safari and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've had yet in my travels. They were very helpful, before during and after my trip. The consultants were very informative and punctual when answering some questions I had before my trip.

Our guide has to be the greatest tour guide in Africa. She is so knowledgeable and could convey information in a way that communicated her own love and enthusiasm for the people, places, and wildlife, we were seeing. The drivers (we had 3 altogether) were excellent, and the cooks superb.

All my optional excursions I chose came to be well worth the money spent. I was able to meet so many great people from all over the world.
I would also recommend you arrange the tour before you go. Don't think it will become cheaper when you book it here.

cheapHoliday

Travel
Post Count: 6

Msg: #7 155 weeks ago, February 13th 2007

I was last week in africa, its realy sooo nice...!

Celebrian

Colleen K. Peltomaa
Post Count: 4

Msg: #8 155 weeks ago, February 19th 2007

If you wish to have a trusted local take you around Kenya I suggest you contact Moses Mbatha. He was my tour guide and body guard when I toured Kenya. I believe he has since become a minister but I believe he would help you for a fee. His email address is nicomos21@hotmail.com. Plese tell him that Colleen referred him, thank you.

Gee Gee

Jennet Miles
Post Count: 11

Msg: #9 129 weeks ago, August 15th 2007

I used Oasis, recommended trip to cover multi countries - Grand Adveturer.

This covers Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Lesotho. Its about 3 months.

Oasis are well organised and great value for money.

Warufaga

Lawrence
Post Count: 2

Msg: #10 128 weeks ago, August 22nd 2007

Hey DIY is best although sometimes its best to consult tour firms. You can also try Tukawinde Afrika Safaris Ltd they are along Moi Avenue on Cannon towers..they do great Wasini trips and any other trip within Mombasa and its environs..similar to trips to the Tsavo or Mara..

They come best recommended..

Jimmy Brand

Jimmy Brand
Post Count: 1

Msg: #11 128 weeks ago, August 27th 2007

I recommend diyatravel, they are a youngcompany and working with very good providers. I spent 6 weeks really great in southern africa.
And don't forget your camera... Namibia was certainly the best i did !

Hacuna Matata

Jessica and Fabrice
Post Count: 1

Msg: #12 128 weeks ago, August 27th 2007

Hello!!!

We will leave soon for Buduburam refugee camp in Accra, Ghana. If anybody can give us tips for the day life over there,it could be very nice!!!
thank you very much,waiting for your answer.

KT from CA

Katie
Post Count: 4

Msg: #13 107 weeks ago, January 18th 2008

I used Detour Africa, a travel agency in South Africa. They are great and can help you figure out what trip is best for you. I just got back from a 42 day trip ~ Nairobi to Capetown. It was amazing. We covered 8 countries in 6 weeks, so there was definitely a lot of driving. You can see a lot in a short period of time when you overland, but it definitely isn't luxurious. I did a lot of research before I chose the overland option. It is by far the most cost effective (safe) way to do it. There are pros and cons involved with overlanding though. From what I saw, none of the companies are perfect and it is hit or miss with the guides and the trucks. I went with the company Wildlife Adventures. My trip was actually two 3 week tours put together. The first 3 weeks we had the worst truck on the road (had to push start it the last 3 days), but arguably the best overland guide out there (ian). The second 3 weeks we had a decent truck (definitely better than the first one), but arguably the worst guide in Africa (I'll leave his name out). The company was the same for both, but the experience was totally different. I didn't come across any company that seemed to have the best of everything and we crossed paths with quite a few different overland groups. I hate to say it, but it might just come down to luck of the draw.

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