Africa or India ?
Replies: 7 - Last Post: Jul 30, 2012 12:45 AM Last Post By: ToadofToadHall
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Hi everyone,
I'm having hard time deciding on this one. I'm looking for a new adventure (Was in SEA and Europe last year), and I want to head off somewhere unique to live off my website earnings (It's around what I used to spend in the Philippines/Thailand/Vietnam).
I found a one way ticket to Delhi for $409 and a roundtrip ticket to Addis Ababa for $633.
I have like 10 months to travel and can't decide whether to head off to India/Nepal first (and then to Ethiopia maybe) or go to Ethiopia and from there to Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and then maybe to India if I don't like it that much.
When it comes to food, rent and transportation, how close are these countries to the costs in the countries of south east asia? Don't include big-ticket items like Safari, just basic stuff. It's important for me to know because I don't fly with a big budget, but a passive income every month that I'm not sure can survive the traveling costs in Africa.
What would you pick first, considering the seasons right now? I'll be heading off in August next month, probably in the next two weeks. What area did you find most exciting and how is the internet connection in the African countries I mentioned compared to India/Nepal? I want to be able to finish a few projects from there,
Thanks a lot in advance,
Ruby.
I'm having hard time deciding on this one. I'm looking for a new adventure (Was in SEA and Europe last year), and I want to head off somewhere unique to live off my website earnings (It's around what I used to spend in the Philippines/Thailand/Vietnam).
I found a one way ticket to Delhi for $409 and a roundtrip ticket to Addis Ababa for $633.
I have like 10 months to travel and can't decide whether to head off to India/Nepal first (and then to Ethiopia maybe) or go to Ethiopia and from there to Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and then maybe to India if I don't like it that much.
When it comes to food, rent and transportation, how close are these countries to the costs in the countries of south east asia? Don't include big-ticket items like Safari, just basic stuff. It's important for me to know because I don't fly with a big budget, but a passive income every month that I'm not sure can survive the traveling costs in Africa.
What would you pick first, considering the seasons right now? I'll be heading off in August next month, probably in the next two weeks. What area did you find most exciting and how is the internet connection in the African countries I mentioned compared to India/Nepal? I want to be able to finish a few projects from there,
Thanks a lot in advance,
Ruby.
3
I've been to every one of these countries except Ethiopia. It's not like Africa and India are the same thing at all. Costs vary greatly between and within African countries. Overall the daily cost of living is a A LOT less in India/Nepal/Thailand/Laos/Vietnam etc than the African countries you are considering. Consider comparing the costs of places in current guidebooks and online for the types of places you are likely to stay and eat at. You will also get more for your money in Asia. Exceptions can be found either way, but E Africa isn't someplace I consider a value destination. I love going to Africa, but I plan my trips there knowing that it's going to cost me more per day than most of Asia, Central America and certain countries in South America.If I were leaving on a trip next month I would go to the Pantanal, but that's not on your list. Do you want to go to Leh? Then go to India. Prefer Rajastan? Then go to E Africa and put off India for a few months.
4
India is cheaper, Africa is more expensive - generally speaking. Ethiopia is probably the cheapest of the countries on your list (In Africa that is, India still cheaper).That aside, Africa and India are, as pointed out above, very different countries. Personally I would go to India but that's in large part because I've never been so it would be something new. Africa rocks, however, and if you've not been it's well worth going.
5
It's certainly an individual decision, but I've been to both and I will always want to return to Africa where my heart sings. If I never return to India again, no worries. India, although incredible, was not the spiritual journey I thought it would be. You should decide what things are important and then that will help guide your decision. You should consider overlanding by truck for part of your trip.Have a great trip, no matter where you land!
6
Yo dudes, thanks!I did book a ticket to Ethiopia, but had my mom calling me this morning, extremely worried after she's seen about a lot of political and civil crap going on right now with a dozen people killed yesterday on the border with Kenya. There were like 20000 ethiopians running away from their country to Kenya. Seems serious.
"This Advice was last issued on Tuesday, 17 July 2012. It includes new information under Safety and Security: Civil unrest/political tension (on 14 and 15 July 2012, demonstrations reportedly took place in the Mercato Market area of Addis Ababa. Some deaths and injuries were reported."
"We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, at this time due to the high threat of terrorist attack against Western interests and ongoing political tensions."
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Ethiopia
Has anybody been there recently and know anything about this?
Don't know if I should cancel the ticket..
Anyone knows a cheap local airline (a la AirAsia in Asia) that I can fly with from Addis to Kenya, Tanzania or the rest of 'safe' africa?
7
That sounds pretty harsh advice, the FCO haven't changed their advice (which is to avoid certain areas, normally near the border, but much of the country being fine - this has been the same advice for a long time now). I would still go myself but it's up to you.As for an Air Asia style airline - no such thing in East Africa but Ethiopian Airlines does fly to many places (one of the main airlines in Africa).
I don't want to scare you, just put things in perspective, but you refer to Kenya as 'safe' Africa as opposed to Ethiopia (presumably), in recent months there has been grenade attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa, tourists kidnapped from islands in the north (by Somali pirates)... In Tanzania there was a lone shooting in the northern Serengeti (a robbery), just the other day a ferry sank on the way to Zanzibar. Then again this time last year London was in the midst of riots, Norway suffered a terrible bomb and mass shooting, earlier this year there were mass shootings in Colorado and Toronto... My point being, yes definitely good to keep an eye on what's happening in places you plan to visit but remember to keep things in perspective.
