Africa - where and how?

[rechoboam]

I've always had an interest in going to Africa.So far have only been to Morocco and Egypt which perhaps don't really count. Can someone with experience tell me what the easiest countr/ies to visit south of the Sahara might be, the other half [edit: of the marriage, not of Africa] not terribly keen at all due to fears of crime, tropical diseases etc etc. We have a young child who could stay at home potentially although ideally I would like to take him. Just to put things in perspective my friend was held up at knifepoint in Tanzania at the arrivals concourse of the airport (!), someone else we know was killed on a safari and another friend had a gun put to her head in South Africa...I know this isn't the normal experience as other friends visit Ethiopia and Tanzania frequently but it can't help colouring relatives' expectations. Airlines to use would be useful too...have never been on an organised tour in my life but perhaps this is one for Abercrombie and co? thanks!

 

[samh004]

I guess South Africa would be the most obvious choice, with plenty of flights there connecting through all sorts of places. My dad was bragging the other day how cheap the flights were from HKG and he’s off there for a conference later this month.

Unfortunately I know little more than that, having only visited South Africa.

 

[aoz48x]

It's hard to answer your question as it is very broad.

Have been to Africa a number of times, including Sth Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya.

Fristly the safety issue. Yes you need to be conscious of your security while in Africa. It's a poor continent in general and crime is a cheap way to get money for most people. On saying that 99% of the people are wonderful and friendly. Providing you dont put yourself in dangerous situations or are aware of where you are you will be fine.

Do your homework. Africa is a place best experiened with planning. Work out where you want to go and what you want to do/see. Look at what game you want to see, i.e Elephant/Lion/Rhino etc, they all have different habits at different times of the year and locations to find them. You dont necessarily need a travel agent to put this together, I've done it successfully online myself, but would suggest as first time a bit of both wouldnt hurt.

Lastly money. The Aust $ is a really good exchange rate for Sth Africa so you can afford to spend a bit when there. However dont plan on bringing back any Sth African rand its worth nothing here.

If you need any help or guidance happy to help with some if you PM me.

 

[kpc]

If this helps, this is what I'm planning for October;

Day 1: Syd - Sin - Cpt Sq J saver award
Day 2: Arr Cpt
Day 2: 1 night Cape Town (hotel TBD)
Day 3: Cpt - Jnb - Vfa Sa J award using US airway miles
Day 3 - 4: 2 nights @ Victoria Falls (hotel TBD)
Day 5: Vfa - Jnb Sa J award using US airway miles
Day 5: Overnight at Jnb airport (Intercontinental for 30000 Priority Club pts)
Day 6: Jnb - Mqp Sa Y ticket paid cash
Day 6-9: 4 nights safari @ Sabi Sands Private reserve adjacent Kruger (resort TBD)
Day 10: Mqp - Jnb Sa Y class (cash); Jnb - Cpt Sa J class (award)
Day 10 - 13: 4 nights at Cpt to attend conference / meeting (hotel TBD)
Day 14: Cpt - Sin - Syd Sq J class (award)
Day 15: Arr Syd

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-advise-based-cape-town-31941.html#post525425

 

[rechoboam]

If this helps, this is what I'm planning for October;

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-advise-based-cape-town-31941.html#post525425

...the primary purpose of the trip being the conference of course.
This is helpful. I really want to go to Senegal and Mali, partly because I'm a fan of the music but can't see that happening any time soon!

 

[Pablo]

It really depends on what you want to do. I've had about 20 trips to Africa now in the past decade (adding up to about 24 months all up in Africa time wise) and been right across the continent and there is so much variety in what you can see and do. There are also lots of fear stories that come from Africa but they are normally blown out of perspective - although lots of stuff does happen.

The most westernised in Africa is South Africa - if you go to Cape Town - it really isn't considered Africa - in fact, most locals in Cape Town would talk of going up into Africa if they are going to go north. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world but not the real African experience. Having said that, definitely worth a visit. Durban is also beautiful - Johannesburg - well, you often just have to fly in there to get around but I wouldn't hang there long. Kruger National Park is sensational - and if you want you can drive it yourself - it's mostly paved roads and very developed in the terms of facilities - and not that expensive. You just need to follow the rules in the park - ie, don't get out of your car unless at a designated spot or you might get eaten by a lion - just remember it's a wild national park.

Victoria Falls is definitely worth a visit - such an amazing place. I've only ever stayed on the Zimbabwe side of the falls and always found it ok - have been on the Zambia side but not stayed there. You can also do some good safari's from Vic Falls - but probably not the best in Africa.

Safari's in Kenya and Tanzania are also amazing and so worth doing but you do need to do them on more of a tour than if you were in South Africa. You definitely get the African experience there - and seeing Masai culture is incredible. Nairobi isn't as bad as it used to be - you just need to watch what area you stay in - but most of the big hotels are pretty safe (although don't walk around downtown at night by yourself.)

If you are keen, Rwanda is one of my most favourite countries in Africa - so healed, peaceful and on the way to becoming one of the shining lights in Africa. You can visit the Gorillas there or some of the vulcanos - not to mention the Kigali Genocide Memorial which is mind blowing to go and see.

Flight wise, you have plenty of options. QF and South African codeshare from Sydney to Johannesburg - the SYD-JNB flight is on a QF plane, Perth to JNB is on SAA (give that a miss!!). Otherwise, Singapore, Thai, Emirates all do it as well - but are longer. To East Africa, you have all those choices as well. The quickest is probably QF/KQ (Kenyan) which isn't too bad. On QF or CX from Aust to BKK or HKK and then KQ onto Nairobi and connections from there.

If you want to narrow it down more, let me know or PM me and I can share more.

Africa is awesome - such a richness there and a memory you will never forget. Just have to be wise, sensible and aware of your surroundings and do be too flashy there. And also - don't expect flights to be on time - there is such a thing as 'African Time!'

Cheers

 

[MichaelW Travels]

I've been on trips to Africa two times. (I do not count Egypt as a trip to Africa)

I visited South Africa (both times for a few days each time)
Namibia
Kenya
Uganda

Africa can seem dangerous but we really never had a problem and they are the most amazing experiences. I would love to go back when I have the time to see quite a bit more...

If safety is a concern, I'd recommend you doing a tour. My wife did not want to go unless we did a tour so we did them each time. We also had some free time at the beginning & end of each tour which I really enjoyed.

If you need any info, feel free to message me.

 

[casanovawa]

Hmmm, i should get around to putting up a trip report of my recent trip as i see bits and pieces that would help several people with their questions..

Can't claim to be an expert but flew down from Europe to JNB and to be frank spent the two days in the hostel, didn't really feel safe to go out travelling, this may have been coloured by things i had heard and i chose a place to stay in the wrong place to allow easy access and couldn't work it to meet up with a friend i had met on facebook.. But as quite a few people say JNB is nothing special so I don't feel to bad about that, but may be nice if you know what your doing...

From there flew up to Livingstone which is the Zambian side of Victoria Falls and stayed in a hostel, felt like a reasonably safe town/city, helped that i met a few people at the airport on the bus into town and bumped into them several times and did a few things with them... Anyway walked around town quite easily, took the hostel bus to the Falls for a day visit, did a cruise on the Zambezi, did a microlight flight over the falls... Didn't see to many flash hotels but then i think they were out of town a bit closer to the Falls... Glad I chose not to do a bungee jump after reading the story of the Aussie girl who jumped around new years and the cord snapped and she fell a hundred metres into the Zambezi and had all sorts of bruises etc over her... Me being a budget traveller i flew up their on One Time Airlines (not the most reassuring name i know ) but it was fine and cheap... Around South Africa I also considered flying Kulula to see if i could get that cool painted plane of theirs, but One Time was a little cheaper...

From Livingstone i also booked a two day/one night camping tour across the border into Chobe National Park in Botswana where i saw the elephants and giraffes and all, which went well, no issues of safety, i could have done a longer one of 3 days/2 nights, i could also have done a tour where i stay in a hotel of sorts rather than a tent, each cost different amounts but were easy to book...

Flew One Time back down to JNB and then SAA down to Cape Town which seemed relatively safe in the centre of town with quite a few sort of locals patrolling the streets, i guess they are some sort of hired guards, not police, which watch over many of the streets... As long as you don't do anything silly or walk around with heaps of bling etc, i think you would be ok, but would keep your wits about you... I stayed in a hostel again but there did seem to be some nice hotels... I got on one of those hop on/hop off circuit buses and took it up to get the cable car up to Table Mountain for some spectacular views of CT and saw a few other parts of town...

Wouldn't have minded fitting in Durban but didn't have time... Wouldn't mind going back to South Africa, maybe to Cape Town and then take a tour up into Namibia.. Also wouldn't mind going to Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda sometime as well although those places might be a bit dodgier than down on South Africa... Nice to have plans for the future...

 

[rechoboam]

Hmmm, i should get around to putting up a trip report of my recent trip as i see bits and pieces that would help several people with their questions..
...
Wouldn't have minded fitting in Durban but didn't have time... Wouldn't mind going back to South Africa, maybe to Cape Town and then take a tour up into Namibia.. Also wouldn't mind going to Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda sometime as well although those places might be a bit dodgier than down on South Africa... Nice to have plans for the future...

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. Probably southEastern Africa, Safari and Masai culture would work. To convince the others it would have to be an organised tour and probably one with high quality transport and accomodation in this case. I will probably PM some of you in due course. Can anyone recommend a good tour operator in the meantime? As i mentioned the Abercrombie brochure looks great but nor sure if that's borne out in reality

 

[aliens]

I went for a conference in Cape Town was fabulous. Then spent a couple of nights in Zimbabwe at a lodge on the border near Livingston. Botswana and Chobe and then Onkavenga delta which was absolutely fabulous as part of a 7 day tour. Life is too short just go!

 

[casanovawa]

I know someone who did a tour with this company and had good things to say, Africa Overland Tours, Safaris, Lodge based and Self Drive Tours, Overland Tours for the Disabled Traveller and Kilimanjaro Climbs... It was of course just one tour from a whole company so choosing a different tour might get a different result, but they seemed to enjoy the tour group and the operator... Another lady from work who has gone to Africa several times recommended this company to me as well, African Safari Guide | Zambezi Safari and Travel Company... Just got to be careful to not pick a tour that just involves lots of driving and not much seeing of the sites that you really want to experience...

 

[MichaelW Travels]

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. Probably southEastern Africa, Safari and Masai culture would work. To convince the others it would have to be an organised tour and probably one with high quality transport and accomodation in this case. I will probably PM some of you in due course. Can anyone recommend a good tour operator in the meantime? As i mentioned the Abercrombie brochure looks great but nor sure if that's borne out in reality

Can I ask you the age range of the group you are looking to plan the trip for? Also, what kind of travelers are you? (luxury, budget...)

based on you looking at the Abercrombie brochure, I am assuming you are more looking for a luxury style tour...

 

[rechoboam]

Can I ask you the age range of the group you are looking to plan the trip for? Also, what kind of travelers are you? (luxury, budget...)

based on you looking at the Abercrombie brochure, I am assuming you are more looking for a luxury style tour...

Couple in our thirties with a seven-year-old. I have tried every form of travel from slum to "6 star" and enjoy the different experiences but for this kind of trip or, say, India I think we would be looking at luxury. Partly because I'm te only one interested in travelling to really exotic places and nice hotels help convince the others! Actually i picked up the Abercrombie brochure at the hospital cafeteria because i thought my son would like the pictures- I have never like that sort of guided travel but it might work in this case.

 

[MichaelW Travels]

Couple in our thirties with a seven-year-old. I have tried every form of travel from slum to "6 star" and enjoy the different experiences but for this kind of trip or, say, India I think we would be looking at luxury. Partly because I'm te only one interested in travelling to really exotic places and nice hotels help convince the others! Actually i picked up the Abercrombie brochure at the hospital cafeteria because i thought my son would like the pictures- I have never like that sort of guided travel but it might work in this case.

Have you stayed at the Burj? I got to visit it but not stay there! It is definitely hard to convince people to go to not-so westernized countries! Luckily my wife has been a good travel partner! Our second trip was all camping. It took a lot of talking her into doing it. We both loved it and had an amazing time. Our first trip was simple hotels and a few nights camping.

Luxury sounds amazing but is not in my budget...

Our trip to S Africa & Namibia was with GAP Adventures, now G Adventures.
For Kenya & Uganda we went with Nomad, a S African based operator.

I believe both companies have trips where kids can come along. Both offer various levels of lodging and service. You should consider looking into each of them.

 

[casanovawa]

Hmmm, problem is talking about this and looking at some of the African tour sites again has made a 'some time in the future' trip to Kenya and and Tanzania etc (say in about 4-5 trips time) now seem a lot more appealing and I'm trying to figure out how i might be able to squeeze it in in Jan-Feb 2013 or maybe 2014... My boss is becoming sceptical with some of my leave requests now...

 

[rechoboam]

Maybe June-July for the wildebeest migration?

 

[casanovawa]

Yeah i should time it with the seasons and animal movements to get the most out of it, but i tend to like travelling in summer/nice warm months and was maybe thinking of a southern hemisphere trip to South America and back through Africa... I have decided i usually like to travel during warm months/long days and that usually means may/june/july for trips including northern hemisphere locales, a southern hemisphere trip would alloww me to do it in different months of the year... But I guess the animals like water which means going to Africa in Winter or the wet months...