BootsnAll Travel Community

i'm a pretty well-traveled guy. but i've never done a true RTW trip. i'm kinda burned out of work and think that right now would be a great time. i'm 30 and view this as possibly my last chance to do something like this. i was talking about it with a friend who mentioned that a year seems excessive. just wondering how others out there feel, especially those who've actually done a full year. here's my tentative itinerary (i want to leave by the beginning of july ie in 5 weeks):

seattle
oslo 7/31/2008 30
riga 8/30/2008 30
bangkok (into se asia) 11/28/2008 60
taipei (into china) 1/27/2009 60
sydney (oz) 3/28/2009 60
wellington (nz) 5/27/2009 60
buenos aires 7/26/2009 90
seattle 7/26/2009

think i'll get bored?

WHAT? An entire year and no Africa? That's not around the world.

Go for it, man - I know of a guy 10 years older than you that went for 3 years, and loved almost every day of it. You've got to put some safari plans in there, though.

where in africa would you go? i don't know the continent very well...have only been to n africa eg morocco, tunisia

what countries in southern/middle africa are stable/safe?

It is all relative - especially 'excessive'.

Don't let someone else define your life.

It's a great idea.
I must be honest, I'm well travelled but I've never done one year RTW, and I'm almost twice your age.
Personally I like doing a 5 week trip at a time. I could easily do 2-3 months, but probably no longer (can't do it at the mom because of committments).
This is just me - I like to return home and digest it, before I think of my next destination. Still, I travel once or twice overseas, and a few times in Europe, each year. Even if I love to travel, I'm really not sure if I'd like to vagabond for a year. But, I know many people do it and they seem to enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by janimal:
where in africa would you go? i don't know the continent very well...have only been to n africa eg morocco, tunisia

what countries in southern/middle africa are stable/safe?

You can get cheap flights in and out of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and travel is safe in places like Uganda, Rwanda etc.

There are tons more in Southern Africa but I have no experience there.

And no, a year is not excessive, if you can do it then do it!

Also, I think you should take a look at the Around the World forum. You'll find tons of people planning and discussing trips of 1 year and more. It will give you more inspiration.

You'll find a year will fly by - it's not excessive at all.

As for Africa - I would highly recommend East Africa. We used to live in Ethiopia and loved it there. KEnya and Tanzania are also wonderful.

A year is nothing. I spent 2 years on Mexico to Chile. Felt rushed at times. Ran into one guy who was 7 years into his trip and not done. Besides.. once you get all the way around the only thing is to start over.

I've been to all the countries in East-, South- and Southern Africa. My all time favorites are Kenya and gorilla tracking in Rwanda. Depending on WHEN you get to Africa, I suggest Kenya from late July - the end of October, or Tanzania from the end of January through March as you'll catch the wildebeest migration. East Africa with its wide open savannah grass lands are simply amazing, and offer the widest variety of animal species. You can easily add-on gorilla tracking in Rwanda (daily flights from Nairobi to Kigali). It's about a 2-hr. drive from Kigali to Parc National des Volcans, and the gorilla tracking in Rwanda is 100% more rewarding (it that's possible) than in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Gorilla tracking is not inexpensive though. A permit is $500 for ONE trek. National park fees can add up, too, and I do suggest you hire a guide. They are well (some exceptionally) trained, and will find animals that you would never even notice because they know all the signs to look for. Guides are worth their weight in gold! The not to miss parks in Kenya are Samburu and the Maasai Mara, and in Tanzania the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. If you are more a city dweller and need the high- or night life, Cape Town (South Africa) is awesome, and you could still do a few nights safari in Kruger National Park, and then fly out of Johannesburg, or add a side trip up to Victoria Falls Zambia side, if you are not comfortable thinking about Zimbabwe. The cost of the visas for US citizens (subject to change): Kenya $50, Tanzania $100, South Africa NONE, Zambia $135, Rwanda NONE

You don't have to go to Africa. Putting a bunch of continents will add to the cost of the trip..so if Africa is not in your plans don't add it. Does not have to be a RTW in the strictest terms.

A year will fly by..but once in 3 months you might feel a little tired of the travel thing. take a break, laze on a beach till you feel like hitting the road again.

If you are really tired...you can always fly home.

I don't think a year is excessive at all. I keep thinking of ways i can go for longer.

quote:

Originally posted by Madhu:
You don't have to go to Africa.

You know we did kind of take the original topic off track. By no means do you HAVE to go to Africa and if it isn't currently in your plans and could end up being too much hassle than just put it in your future plans to make it back to the continent another time.

Madhu is absolutely correct, a RTW does not have to mean that you must touch every continent.

Madhu - I was thinking the same thing. Guy asks about a RTW and suddenly everyone's talking about Africa. I expected maybe a Turkey hijack, but not Africa.

All kidding aside, a year is not too long, but like others have said, it is possible you will tire of being on the move. Maybe what you are REALLY looking for is support and people to tell you that you aren't crazy for quitting your job and leaving a secure life. That what you are doing is OK and that you'll be OK.

Or maybe that's just me.