Backpacking Africa 23/24

Zambia

Observing and being observed by the chimps of Chimfunshi

Witnessing the interaction between the chimps

Volunteering at Chimfunshi: What to Expect at Zambia’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Malawi

Malawi recap

Lisa and the kids of Cape Maclear

Boda bodas also operate when it rains !

Boda bodas are the main transportation system for remote villages

Our campsite at the Mushroom Farm

A classroom part of a school supported by Butterfly Space

Tipezananso non profit, making an awesome work in Cape Maclear

Chef Suneni, in Cape Maclear

Lake Malawi at sunset

On our way to the Ntchisi Forest

Backpacking Malawi: Our Budget and Tips for an Unforgettable Trip

Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders

Crossing the rainbow bridge, overlooking the falls

Along the trails, many viewpoints on Mosi-oa-Tunya

Sunset on the falls, timeless moments

Zebras of the Avani resort, next to Victoria Falls

Baboons are everywhere around, beware !

Exploring Victoria Falls: The Zambian Side is Worth It!

Rwanda

A Golden Monkey in the Volcanoes NP, Rwanda

The Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe NP, Rwanda

Traditional shops in Musanze, Rwanda

Is Rwanda a good destination for backpackers ?

Ethiopia

How-to

The Karo tribe, with the Omo river behind

Lisa & Pol playing with the Mursi kids

Invited in a hut for breakfast with the Mursi

Bull jumping ceremony with the Hamar

Scars and lip plate of the Mursi

Body painting of men of the Karo tribe

How to visit the tribes of the Omo Valley without a tour

Africa

Voodoun festival

Shella Hat Festival

Marula Festival

AfrikaBurn

Bushfire festival

National Arts Festival

Great Migration

Chale Wote

Whale Festival

Cape Town Kite Festival

Lamu cultural festival

Mombasa carnival

Events to consider when planning your backpacking trip around Africa

Tanzania

Which is better : Mafia or Zanzibar ?

Lisa in front of a typical swahili door in Stone Town

Is Zanzibar worth it for backpackers on a budget ?

The restaurant is a huge round hut directly on the Lake

Our camping spot at the Mushroom Farm in Malawi

This is the bathroom at the Mushroom Farm

Unique shower opportunities at the Mushroom Farm

Butterfly Space is much more than a lodge, it's an entire community ecosystem 

Our unique room at Butterfly Space, overlooking the lake

The view from our room at Butterfly Space

Fancy camping in the forest at Ntchisi Forest Lodge

Chilling by the pool at Ntchisi Forest Lodge

The beautiful pool of Ntchisi Forest Lodge

Crown Lodge, one of the cheapest options of Lilongwe

We rented kayaks at Warm Heart Adventure Lodge

Eco-lodges and backpacker's hostels in Malawi

Alone in Gombe National Park, swimming with the baboons

The awesome rooftop of Arusha Backpackers, overlooking Mount Meru

Chilling on the nets at Hidden Valley Backpackers, overlooking the city

Stone Town View Inn room, one of the cheapest options in town

Kasuku Villa, a very laid-back place in Jambiani

The reception of the very fancy Karanga Bungalows

Camping in the garden of wonders, a nature paradise

The Yellow room at the Peace of Mind Hotel in Mbeya

Staying in someone's home might be more uncomfortable than hotels, but overall so much more memorable

Honest review of accommodations we tried in Tanzania

The swedish mission guesthouse common area

Island vibes on our first night in Mafia, walking to New Afro Bungalows

Watching the fishermen come back on land in Kilindoni

Sunsets on Tanzanian islands are unbeatable !

Chole island, remote and authentic

The famous spiral coconut tree of Chole Island

Sunrise on the ferry from Mafia to the mainland

Utende beach for ourselves, but you will need to take a boat to snorkel

How to get to Mafia Island on a budget (using the ferry) [2024]

Always pay the national parks by card in Tanzania

How to get to Gombe National Park - Our map !

The public boat is actually much more comfortable than what we anticipated

Gombe is the perfect combination of nature, wilderness and calm

Swimming in the lake, watched by baboons

A chimp in Gombe Stream National Park

Waiting for the public boat on the second day, the sea is rough !

Rice and beans never disappoint

Trying to camp outside in Mwamgongo

The hike profile is scary !

On our way across the mountains, mid-hike, aiming for Mkongoro

How to visit Gombe National Park on a budget [2024]

Kenya

Lisa is happy on Tiwi Beach

We've been told that it's the only beach camping in Kenya !

The restaurant is the perfect place to read while sipping a tea

The famous Africa-shaped pool in Tiwi

Pol, dogs and rainbows in Tiwi

Tiwi was a very happy moment for us, far from everyone and everything

Tiwi Beach, starfish, and Africa-shaped pool

Egypt

Lisa in Abu Simbel without the crowds !

Abu Simbel lies directly on the Nile river, not so far from the Sudan border

Every angle offers a great view on the main temple

The scale of everything in Abu Simbel is impressive

Pol and his head scarf in front of the second temple of Abu Simbel

Visiting Abu Simbel from Aswan on a budget

Uganda

Green beans, light, medium and dark roasts

Ronald presenting the Coffee Experience at the farm

Digging kasava in the garden for dinner - everything is fresh on the farm

Woman carrying baskets to sell them on the market in Kisoro

Batwa ceremony, great vibes and amazing dancing skills 

Batwa showcasing their skills - lighting up a fire with wood

Happy to have found the Kisoro Volcanic Organic Coffee farm !

Great lunch at Birdnest, with a view on Lake Bunyonyi

The Kansiime Backpackers - peaceful and unique

The impressive view on Lake Bunyonyi from Arcadia Lodge

Pol paddling in a authentic canoe on Lake Bunyonyi

Sorting the green beans by hand, keeping only the best quality

Isabella showing how to sort the green beans from the parchment

Volunteering in a coffee farm in Uganda

Lisa and Pol seeing rhinos for the first time !

Walking among white rhinos in Ziwa Sanctuary

Baboons right at the entrance of Murchinson Falls NP

A Hartebeest overlooking the plains in Murchinson Falls National Park

A giraffe in Murchinson Falls NP

Lisa on the shore of the Nile river, in Murchinson Falls

Pol is in charge of making the fire at the Top of the Falls camping site in Murchinson Falls

Lisa at the Top of the Falls in Murchinson Falls NP, the most powerful in the world !

Safari boat ride on the Nile river in Murchinson Falls NP

Lisa with beautiful Ankole cows

Pol with local kids, eating a mango on the shore of Lake Albert

How to visit Murchinson Falls National Park on a budget [2024]

Sunrise at Crocodile Camp over Masai Mara

Trying out our tent in the hotel room in preparation for Masai Mara

With the camping gear we are seriously overpacked

Stocking up on food before heading to Masai Mara

Enjoying the view from Crocodile camp

We were allowed to shower and use the restrooms of the nearby tent

The hippos having fun in the river

We were the only ones at the camp for the night

Dinner at crocodile camp

Our private car for the Masai Mara safari

Elephants were the first animals we saw in Masai Mara

A lion family napping in the shade

Observing the cheetah with our binoculars

Observing the animals from our open car, with binoculars

Water buffalos through the binoculars

A giraffe eating from a short bush

Sunset after a full day in Masai Mara

Very happy with the purchase of the tent, ready for new adventures with it

How to do a safari in Masai Mara on a budget

Lake Naivasha - some ideas on a budget

Dining with a view : hippos just outside the camp, Lake Naivasha

Beautiful birds (and wildlife in general) at Lake Naivasha

Pol on his bike, spotting a giraffe, in Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Lisa kayaking on Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha, Kenya - our tips for a weekend on a budget

Our great rental, just 5 minutes from the diving center

The awesome rooftop where we had breakfast every day

Fresh egyptian bread

First day of the freediving course !

It was great to have a private teacher (our friend) for the course

We reached a depth of 10m and 15m

King Chicken, the unmissable joint in Dahab

Crafts of Dahab

Our 3-day freediving course in Dahab

Jordan

Boarding the ferry after waiting for a long time

Taking the ferry from Jordan to Egypt

Our top 5 of Nairobi

Giraffe Center, Nairobi, Kenya

Giraffe Centre, happy times

Kitengela Hot Glass - The studio

Lisa at Kitengela Hot Glass

Karura Forest

River Café

One Off Gallery Sculpture Garden

One Off Gallery Sculpture Garden 2

Pol at Pallet Cafe, Nairobi

Our top 5 in Nairobi, Kenya

Our room in Yabelo for 5$ a night

At the border crossing building in Moyale

Blog

Blog articles we've written