Next trip - Japan vs South Africa (or other african country/s for 6 weeks

Ok, I'll give it shot, I haven't been to Japan but my sis in law and she was not overly impressed by it, also she told me that's a hard country to travel if you don't know any Japanese at all.

I wasn't in SA eigther but in Namibia, some of the best wild live you can find, if you find it, they have dessert adapted elephants only ones in the world, beside the normal elephant, in the Caprivi you find water buffalos and hippos, on the coast seals and flamingos, very stunning nature like Sossuslvlei, ok dessert might not be you biggest interesst coming from Australia.

Down side of Namibia, it's the second least populated country on earth, so public transport to get from one place to the other is hard to get, if you don't camp accom. are on the expensiver side, at least when you are from Europe, don't know how much it is down under.

Good side of Namibia, it never gets crowded, the food is good, less crime than in SA, thanks to the high altitude temps are warm to hot during day time in spring or autum and cool at night, perfect, during dry season you don't need anything against Malaria unless you want to go to the Caprivi.

I'm thinking of going back next year, just have to decide what I want to do, go through the Caprivi and see the Victoria Falls or do I do the south route in Namibia going to the Kalahari Transfrontier Park,
decisions, decisions, or should I go to SA or Uganda, on the other hand I never was in Asia except Turkey, so maybe you have a suggestion for me too.

Upps, sorry didn't see on your bike, but a German guy did it, except Etosha they only let you in with a car.

Edited by: tempelton

Are you saying you can't go into namibia on a bicycle, only in a car? Gee, i was starting to lean to that.

Over here in Australia we don't think of Turkey as Asia. for us it tends to stop at about pakistan on the west side and after that we call it the middle east though i know strictly speaking you are correct. Except for the central asian countries because they are clearly different as well.

If you want advice, perhaps frame a question in a new thread on the appropriate branch, i mean not on the bike branch if you are not going to travel by bike. But anyway why not travel by bike. Its a very good approach to take. Healthy and environmentally more sound.

http://www.mountainbikenamibia.com/about.htm, it can be done you're just not allowed into Etosha, they insist that you are in a car and don't leave it, only in protected areas you can get out.

We have a good and big forum about Namibia in Germany, but it's in german and one guy was going on his bike, most people there thought he was crazy but he did it, here is another link to get you interessted http://www.tiredofit.ca/statistics/namibia/ and maybe helps to start planing.

Turkey is so much Asia as northern Africa is Africa, it's on that continent but not the real thing.

Turkey is part in Europe and part in Asia. But it is not considered to be in the Middle East.

I can't comment on southern Africa, but I would say that if you want to visit Japan, then this year is the time to do it as the yen is getting very weak so its (for once) good value.

You need to pick routes very carefully in Japan as despite the number of cyclists in the cities, the fringe areas can be very bike unfriendly - you can be happily riding along a good safe road, and then find yourself sharing a very small poorly lit tunnel with some very large trucks. Navigation is also quite tricky as many local signs are in kanji only. People are friendly, but sometimes in rural areas they dislike dealing with westerners - its not uncommon to be turned away from minshuku (local B&B's) or guesthouses when you know full well they are not full. There are various websites you'll find which give pretty good advice, many are run by expats who are keen cyclists. I'd take their recommendations very seriously. Don't necessarily follow advice from Japanese people who aren't cyclists, they sometimes have a very strange idea of what westerners on bikes can and cannot do.

BTW, I've just finished reading a book called ' The Roads to Sata ' by Alan Booth, about a walk along the length of Japan - its 30 years old, but still gives a good insight into travelling in the country. The Inland Sea by Donald Richie is another great read by someone with a very deep knowledge of Japan (many travel books in Japan are really quite superficial and cliched)

Be prepared to be disappointed by the main 'tourist' sights - they are often developed and marketed in a very tacky way. The most intriguing parts are often hidden away. If you like unusual stuff, then have a read of the wonderful Spike Japan blog.

Philip do you think its worth skipping the main sites altogether. Which ones were worth visiting?

I am still torn at this stage. I currently have a friend going through Africa and she is rooting for that destination. I hope to go to both but don't think any of them will receiving me this year. I've only just got back from one os trip.

I think of all countries where you should skip the main sights (or sites!), its probably Japan. I can't really say for certain as I only visited the once, but I found the 'famous' places I saw in Kyoto and Tokyo to be a bit underwhelming. Its the little out of the way things which makes Japan fascinating.

I would say though that Japan is a country you need a decent budget to enjoy - not just because its expensive, but because to get any sort of feel for the country you should be eating and drinking and staying in more traditionally Japanese places, and they aren't always the cheapest options. But having said that, the exchange rate is very favourable right now.

Heya
Well I'm from South Africa. Without being biased, it is a stunningly beautiful country. We truly have it all, from gorgeous beaches and mountains to stunning wildlife. You will definitely be entertained the entire trip. A must for all sometime in their lives. That being said though, Japan is top of my list when i get to travel :) Also you will probably have a field day with your currency over here so that's another bonus!
Feel free to ask any questions :)

Thanks tyler i will be in touch.