r/AfricaTravel

Hi all - I wanted to ask if October is good time to visit for animal sightings. I plan to cover Masai Mara, Serengeti and Amboseli.

Hey everyone,

I run a small gorilla trekking safari company based in Rwanda (we also operate in Uganda). We do small-group and private tours — from short 1-3 day gorilla trekking trips to longer 7+ day expeditions covering gorillas, golden monkeys, and chimpanzee trekking and wildlife safari

I've been doing this for a while now, handling everything from permits and logistics to porters and accommodation, and I'm happy to answer questions about:

What gorilla trekking is actually like (fitness level needed, weather, altitude, etc.)

Rwanda vs Uganda — how the experiences differ

Permits, pricing, and how to budget for a trip

Best time of year to go

What most people get wrong when planning

Anything else about traveling in East Africa

Not here to hard-sell anything, just happy to share what I know since there's a lot of outdated or confusing info out there. Ask away!

I'm planning a Kenyan safari and want a wildlife experience that feels immersive without turning the trip into a rigid checklist of famous sightings; what should I consider when choosing the camp or safari experience?

Hi! I am planning a trip to Uganda and Rwanda for about 7-9 days and would love to hear your opinions, hints, basically any ideas on what I am sharing. Also, I know that it would not be cheap, but still, to stay more on a budget would be very welcome.

In Uganda, I want to go gorilla trekking (one day) and make it as ethnic as possible, I am still not sure whether to choose Bwindi or Mgahinga. Also, there are so many companies that offer so many deals!

Moreover, I have only seen companies offering one day return ride from Kampala/Entebbe/Kigali. We would rather like to start in one of these major cities (depending on our flight), but stay and spend the night near to the NP and maybe visit Lake Bunyonyi next day - can we use public bus to do so, or do you recommend tour with guide for everythig in those countries? Also for the others destinantions, where it is allowed to walk alone (e.g. Volacanoes NP, lakes, ...)

Also, is lake Bunyonyi woth visiting? For those of you who have been there, would you reccommend more Lake Kivu (I know, different country) or Lake Bunyonyi?

After visiting Uganda, we would love to go to Rwanda (probably by ourselves, already saw some hints how to do that using taxi and public bus).

Next places on the budget list in Rwada are Volcanoes NP (hike), one day only at best.

Visiting Nyungwe Forest NP would be lovely as well, one-two days max + visiting coffee farm as we are big coffee fans.

And ofc safari (2 days, one night), still deciding between Murchison Falls NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, and Akagera NP - Murchison Falls NP has my biggest sympathies, but it is more far away..

So all in all, this is our wishlist:

Uganda

• Bwindi/Mgahinga gorila trekking + maybe lake Mutanda

Rwanda

• Volcanoes NP hike
• Nyungwe Forest NP
• coffee farm

-----

• lakes: Lake Kivu/Lake Bunyonyi
• safari: Murchison Falls NP/Queen Elizabeth NP/Akagera NP

I know it is a lot for 7-9 days, but do you think this is duable? While using public transport/private drivers but without tour guide for everything as much as possible.

I would be grateful for any tips, thank you in advance!!

For someone visiting Kenya for the first time, how can they choose between a short safari and a longer stay when they want to see wildlife but also have time to experience the landscape and local culture?

What should i ask as a first-time safari traveller about accommodation in Kenya before booking if i care about comfort but still want the experience to feel connected to the surrounding wilderness rather than like a standard city hotel?

For anyone who’s been to Diani Beach, what’s something you wish you knew before going? Anything about the beach, activities, transport, food, safety, weather, or what to pack is welcome! 🌊🇰🇪

Hello everyone, I am planning my first trip to East Africa. (Most likely Ruanda, Tanzania, Kenya but open to adapt the itinerary) How much in advance should I book guided tours for safaris and Gorilla trekking? I am planning to go December/January. Usually I am rather a spontaneous Traveller but not sure if that works for this trip.

Hey folks,

I'm starting to plan a trip to Africa this fall (around thanksgiving time). One of the things on my bucket list is to go on a Safari - so Kenya is absolutely on my list.

My plan is to spend around 5-6 days in Kenya on Safari, and then travel to Ethiopia and spend another 4-5 days there exploring the culture. I figured they would serve as two very complimentary experiences.

Is that duration too short to visit both countries? Should I stick to just one? Ofc, I can't experience everything the country has to offer within that time, but I want to have an experience that highlights the best that both countries have to offer, while also not feeling rushed.

Let me know what you think. Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

One question we hear a lot from travelers planning a Rwanda trip is: "Can I stay in Kigali and still trek gorillas in Uganda?"

The answer is yes, and for some travelers it actually works out really well.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is surprisingly accessible from Kigali — often more so than flying into Uganda directly. Depending on which border crossing and Bwindi sector you're headed to, the whole thing can be set up as a private road trip starting right from Kigali.

Why people consider this route?

Gorilla permits are cheaper in Uganda than in Rwanda, and a private transfer from Kigali keeps the logistics fairly simple. Bwindi also has its own character as a trekking environment, quite different from Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. For travelers trying to keep overall costs down while still having the gorilla experience, it's a genuinely appealing option.

What a typical trip looks like?

A short version of this trip usually runs something like:

- Day 1: Kigali → Uganda border → Bwindi

- Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

- Day 3: Bwindi → back to Kigali

You can also extend it — pairing the gorilla trek with Lake Bunyonyi, golden monkey trekking, chimp trekking, or a longer Uganda safari if you have more time.

So, Rwanda or Uganda?

This is really the interesting part. If you're already based in Kigali, Rwanda is usually the easier option logistically. Uganda, on the other hand, tends to be more budget-friendly on permits and offers a different kind of trekking experience.

Honestly, there's no universal right answer — it comes down to your budget, how much time you have, which trekking sector appeals to you, and what else is on your itinerary.

Have you done gorilla trekking in Uganda after arriving via Kigali? We'd love to hear how it went.

And if you're planning this route yourself, feel free to ask about border crossings, transport, permits, trekking sectors, accommodation, or general itinerary planning — happy to help.

I am in the early research stages of planning our one time only safari trip for sometime in 2029 (still can’t figure out the best time of year to go) and I have SO many questions. I’m really struggling with Tanzania vs South Africa - can folks share which is is generally considered to be the “ideal” safari for fit, healthy retired folks who would be 66 and 71 at the time of the trip?

In Tanzania, I love the idea of luxury tent camps because of the absolute authenticity of that experience (in a luxury tent, hearing the animals at night, opening the curtains on your open air porch to hopefully an elephant walking through the camp in front of you!) but I also recognize that I can be a little bougie and wonder if 10-12 days straight in this environment with the early mornings and long days is going to get a little overwhelming and exhausting.

Tanzania has those gorgeous scenery views to go along with the animals but it seems that wildlife sightings may have the animals be far off in the distance and the guides must stay in the main roads at all times so maybe you wouldn’t get to see them so well.

On the flip side, in South Africa they have the lodges on game preserves and those look beautiful but maybe
not as authentically rustic and cool as the Tanzania experience but definitely bougie and the animals can be very up close and personal sightings which would be amazing.

How on earth do people decide which type of safari to do? I think we are looking for a 10-14 day trip (unless that’s just too much all at once) and want to keep the safari costs to $15k for two all in (we know international flights from US, insurance visas and tips for guides are extra expenses) and are trying to keep the total budget to $22K if we can.

Is this a reasonable expectation? I honestly don’t even know how to begin planning this for us…and I am worried that I will choose Tanzania and be kicking myself that we didn’t go with South Africa or vice versa.

The ideal safari for me would be a combination of what I described - the first half being epic scenery/views with animals and staying for a few nights in luxury tents then the second half having some time to rest and relax a little but still doing some game drives with safe, up close animal encounters while staying at a beautiful lodge.

Does such a safari exist? Help please if you have advice or kind thoughts!

If Rwanda’s gorillas are on your bucket list, here are a few things worth knowing before you book:

The gorillas are wild animals — trekking time and distance can vary depending on where the family has moved.

A porter is worth considering — they can carry your bag and help on steep or muddy sections.

Good hiking shoes matter — Volcanoes National Park can be wet and challenging underfoot.

Book your permit early — especially if you have fixed travel dates.

Leave some flexibility in your itinerary — Rwanda has much more to offer beyond gorilla trekking.

For anyone who has already done a Rwanda gorilla trek: what is one thing you wish you had known before your trek?

I’d love to hear your experiences and tips.

Hi guys! My husband and I are planning on booking the Gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda for Sept 29 this year and wanted some more insight on where to book the permits from, whether to hire agents who can make this trip of ours seamless and just create an itinerary for us, and which company to best do this from. Please let me know if you have any recommendations from personal experience or if anyone could help me create an itinerary etc

Also what's the difference between the trekking guide vs local porter? Are their jobs separate?

I’m putting together my packing list for an upcoming trip and I’m curious what other travellers consider absolute essentials.

What are some things you always make sure to pack, including those small or unexpected items that you’ve found really useful while travelling?

Would love to hear your recommendations!

Any recommendations for a 2-3 day tent camping safari tour company out of Chobe? Probably don’t have time to make it to the Okavango delta so focusing on Chobe alone.

Hi everyone! 👋

I’m Emmanuel, and I’m excited to join this community and connect with fellow travelers, wildlife lovers, photographers, and adventure seekers.

I’m involved with Lux Gorilla Safaris, a local safari company specializing in unforgettable gorilla tracking and wildlife experiences in Rwanda and Uganda.

I’ll be sharing practical travel tips, gorilla tracking experiences, safari ideas, and honest insights about traveling around Rwanda and Uganda—from permits and logistics to the best ways to experience the incredible wildlife here. 🦍🌿

I’m also here to learn from this community and hear about your travel experiences.

If Rwanda or Uganda is on your bucket list, what would you most like to know before visiting?

Looking forward to meeting you all! 🇷🇼🇺🇬

I have been researching overlanding tours in Africa relentlessly for the past two weeks. I have been able to budget out a trip that goes from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg with Oasis Overland. After that trip ends, I will then travel solo from Johannesburg to Maputo (bus). In Maputo I will do a day trip to Eswatini. The next day I will head back to Johannesburg from where I will take a flight to Lusaka. I will spend a day in Lusaka then take a bus from Lusaka to Mfuwe/S. Luangwa National Park. I will spend 2 days in S. Luangwa National Park then take a bus back to Lusaka. From Lusaka I will take a bus to Livingstone where I will spend a day. Then I will take the hostel shuttle to the Victoria Falls Airport and head home (US). Oasis Overland leaves when I need it to and is priced where I need it to be.

I have $15,300 to spend on the tour, the ticket, the solo portion of the trip, travel insurance, miscellaneous, optional activities, emergency funding, and all gear needed for the trip. So far I have allocated funds as follows:

tour: $4975

ticket: $1800

travel insurance: $400

optional activities: $1500

solo portion: $2168

emergency funding: $250

gear (tent, binoculars, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, pillow, backpacking backpack, hiking shoes, sleeping pad, camera, clothes): $3282

miscellaneous: $925

total: 15,300

I am planning on bringing my own tent to have my own space while overlanding. I have read every thread that already exists about overlanding in Africa, but I am curious if anyone has any experience that hasn’t had the opportunity to be shared about overlanding with Oasis Overland specifically. I was seriously contemplating a G Adventures or Nomad trip but I have since settled on a company that covers part of the garden route along with the victoria falls to cape town via namibia route. I had also considered Absolute Africa but they travel in March or August and neither are travel time options for me. The same story goes for Dragoman and their Lusaka to Cape Town route (it isnt taking place during an agreeable time).

This will not be my first time solo backpacking. I have solo backpacked in Latin America, the Mediterranean, South East Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East—but never southern Africa. I am familiar with West Africa as I have visited many times as well but again, not solo. So I am wondering what advice people have for this tour and whether it actually makes more sense to do a G Adventures or Nomad trip (trips that don’t include the garden route) and then solo travel the entire garden route back intoto zambia ( from Cape Town to Durban, Durban to Maputo, Maputo to Johannesburg, Johannesburg to Lusaka, and so on and so forth) instead of doing what I am doing. Any and all advice is sincerely appreciated!!!

Also, I tried to call Ertago, a Mozambiquan bus company to ask whether there really is a bus from Maputo to Johannesburg and found Spanish to be insufficient to communicate. I have used Spanish to communicate with Brazilians before and I took it for granted that we could understand each other. So, its time to step my Portuguese (and other African languages) weight up before I leave. On another note can anyone confirm there is a bus from Maputo to Johannesburg and back?

Also, how important is it to have a really good travel insurance? I have never used travel insurance and I have found its cumpolsory with many of these overlanding companies. Do I really need more than the standard travel insurance package (200)? Right now I am budgeting for the more premium travel insurance but I do not know exactly how necessary that is.