TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards! (https://tpunk.com/index.php)
-   Africa (https://tpunk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27)
-   -   Backpacking Africa (https://tpunk.com/showthread.php?t=1900)

blinkchick2134 04-12-2004 06:28 PM

I know Africa is kinda considered the un-developed country but I also know it has a pretty decent travel industry. Most the travelers I know have never been to Africa and I'm debating catching a flight to Egypt next summer rather than London. I was planning on staying in Cairo then going down the Nile catching a plane to Kenya and hopefully visiting South Africa, Madagasgar (horrible spelling) and a number of other countries.

Any advice or info would be great. I plan to stay in hostels, hotels or with local families...I have two friends from Africa...one in Ethopia and one in Kenya. They say their family would love to have me.

jteichgrab 04-12-2004 07:12 PM

backpacking in Africa is not unheard of. i say you should go. fuck Europe, fuck southeast Asia, and fuck Australia. these places are toured to death. dont be afraid to do something different. :wacko:

Canadian Dude 04-13-2004 02:53 AM

I agree, Africa is almost an un touched gem compared to other areas of the world, there are places you could venture to that no backer has ever been.

Although you should be aware of whats going on in the local news about the stablitiy of the region, there are more wars in Africa than any other area. And they happen almost with out notice.

I bet you would have great time! My step sister just got back, and she had a blast! And if backpacking turns out not to work so well for ya, I think Contiki does an Africa tour..

worldwidemike 04-13-2004 03:47 AM

Go for it, blinkie! People have been backpacking Africa for years. And knowing people to stay with is the ultimate way to see a country, I always feel. I'd do it, but like CD says, read up on your countries...don't wander into an active shooting war...

How are things with the boyfriend? Is he giving you grief about travel, or has he accepted it?

worldwidemike

blinkchick2134 04-13-2004 06:14 PM

Thanks for everyone's advice! I'm really thinking about going there!

Mike: The boyfriend is...well I couldn't care less what he thinks. I'm deciding between two colleges right now - one less than 10 miles from my home and another 2 hours away. I'm leaning toward the further one...mainly because I love it there and their giving me a scholarship. I asked him for his view on it...he shrugged...said oh. He then said we could try the long distance thing but we all know how that goes. O well...I get to travel freely and enjoy the single life.

Amber

worldwidemike 04-14-2004 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blinkchick2134@Apr 14 2004, 01:14 AM
I asked him for his view on it...he shrugged...said oh.* He then said we could try the long distance thing but we all know how that goes.
Yikes, Amber. Sounds like "Dead Man Walking"...just counting out the days. I've been there a couple of times in my life, too. It's like both of you know it's about to end, but neither wants to be the one who starts the "final fight." Human nature to avoid conflict, I guess.

You're right, Amber. You WILL get to enjoy traveling while single, and won't have to worry about rushing around to call or send e-mails "so it doesn't look like you're blowing him off."

I guess my advice is just try to end it on as amicable and cordial a note as possible. I have been lucky and most of my exes (who don't live in Texas :cowboy: ) I stay friends with.

The way I look at it is this: Nearly everyone dates numerous people throughout their life. Just because one relationship didn't work out and ended, is no reason to be angry or hold grudges. Each relationship adds its bit of tile to the mosaic that makes up your personality. How can you hate that part, because it is part of what makes you YOU? That'd be like saying "I hate this patch of skin over here...or I hate that lock of hair (or in my case, LACK of hair)...

Good luck, Amber, and I look forward to meeting you and the gang in Philly...

worldwidemike

Carisia 04-14-2004 02:17 PM

I couldn't have said it better WWM, Oh Wise Travel God! ;) :thumbup:

blinkchick2134 04-14-2004 11:11 PM

Brought a tear to my eye Mike....that may be my contact actually. But seriously thanks for the mood lifter! I look forward to meeting you and everyone also!

Amber

***Beady*** 04-15-2004 12:51 PM

My ex went to Africa. And he did one of these travel around with a guide and a group things. He climbed mount Kilimanjaro. He had the time of his life! We split up before he went, but he really enjoyed himself out there.
Definetly gem up on all the goings on out there, but Africa is an enlightening and purely fantastic place....which I am totally green with envy for you! I really want to do relief work out there one day. I've never been, but from I've heard, ah man, it sounds like one fantastic place.
Just some useful clicky's for you. :)

hostels, etc...
getting from A to B
B.T.S.A.
Info....:)

One of the most usefullest places you 'might' find, is V.I.P., they do a discount card, where you can get special offers on with almost anything. They do a lot of countires, including Africa. I have one for Australia, and I've already saved money on it by booking a decent & cheap hostel for my first few nights in oz. But, I don't know what they are like with anything else. Although, they sent me a book, and I get offers with almost anything, from food, to transport, to water sports, to tours, to hostels, etc...It's worth a look at least. :thumbup:

When are going on your trip?

blinkchick2134 04-16-2004 12:46 AM

I'll probably head out for my trip the summer of 2005. I wanted to go this summer but decided to stay in the states for the season.

I might delay the Africa trip though because I'm sort of worried to travel alone and I don't enjoy tours that much. I'll find a travel buddy at school in the fall to go with me. HAhaha good thing going to a International campus...people from everywhere.

Thanks for the sites Beady...they will be put to good use!

Amber

---

I'm attending Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ this fall. www.fdu.edu

Carisia 04-26-2004 07:03 AM

Hey there! I just saw a film on Kilimanjaro yesterday at the IMAX theater! Awesome! I few I've been there! :thumbup:

U2fan 04-30-2004 12:59 AM

I just got back from Egypt a month ago and had tons of amazing experiences and will remember it always! I am surprised to see that there is not more of a discussion about Africa, and especially, Egypt because it is not as "difficult" as other parts of Africa, in terms of logistics, etc. But I guess it's always easier to go to Europe! If anyone is going, I'd be happy to try and give tips/advice/whatever!

Mostly I just have to say.....GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO...........I was only there for 11 days but it taught me so much and was (I know it sounds corny) but almost a spiritual experience, not necessarily in a religious way...if this makes any sense. Also, I felt SO safe there; everyone goes out of their way to help you, is very friendly, and wants to practice their English with you! They love tourists and want to see the industry come back up! If you have the money and the opportunity, you should make a trip to Egypt high on your life's "to do" list! Cheers :thumbup:

U2fan 04-30-2004 01:03 AM

Actually though, I should have mentioned that Egypt is CHEAP....seriously cheap, like other countries in the area. I knew before going it was cheap, but it was SO much cheaper than I thought. So the most expensive thing is the airline ticket...if you can get that, you can do it! I think mine was around 800 dollars, maybe a little more. I stayed in a hostel for less than 10 dollars a night, meals are like 5 dollars or less (and we're talking a good meal), souvenirs, anything really....well....you get the idea! Money goes so far there...it's crazy :)

crious 08-19-2004 08:50 AM

Blink

Don't put the trip of a life time off because you are alone. Africa is more traveled than most people think. I went 2 years ago to South Africa and used the Baz Bus to get around. I ended up meeting 4 other backpackers that basically adopted me into their group and I spent 3 months in Africa on a 3 week trip using the rail lines to get around. I would not have traded that experience for anything. My advice is just to go for it. You never know what or who you may run into in Africa. If you are still worried about being alone hit me up at tqctek@hotmail.com I will be there around May or June 2006 I will help you get situated with a group. :cheers:

:taz: Mikie :wine:

blinkchick2134 08-19-2004 11:43 AM

Thanks for the info!

I'll keep that in mind now that I'm starting to plan my trip next year.

southafricangirl 10-15-2004 04:17 AM

Hey guys, ive just come back from spending 2 and a half months in South Africa. and i have to say it was the most amazing experience of my life.

Flew to jo,berg from london but didnt stay their. instead got an internal flight to goerge and travelled to plettenburg bay. Rented a house for a couple of weeks with other travellers and went wild! traveled up the east coast to durban stopping off at beautiful places like coffee bay and cinsa. Cuddled lion cubs near port elizabeth, rode ostriches at outshorn and saw monkeys and elephants. Managed to get a local township school in plettenburg bay let me teach their kids english for a week which was amazing.

Then hired a car for 12 pounds a day to drive to cape town. making our way slowly through mossel bay, swellendam and stellenbosch. Cape town rocked! lots of great things to do and long street is a girls shopping heaven. Be careful of the green point area though. drug land but we did stay in a lovely hostel there.

seriously think about going to south africa, you will never forget it


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:56 AM.


Copyright©2002-2018 TravelPUNK.com


Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.2.0 (Unregistered)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121