Ask the experts

Why the car is not the star in Colombia; staying respectful in spiritual places; where to find reptiles in East Africa; and the perfect British road trip – our experts put you in the know

Our travel gurus answer your questions, from road-tripping across

Is a self-drive trip in Colombia safe? What precautions should I take along the way?

Lauren Howard, via email

Safe? Maybe. But worth it? Maybe not. Buses cover most of the country (except parts of the Pacific Coast and Amazonia, which have no road access); they’re also good value and comfortable, from local minibuses to luxury long-distance coaches. Several Colombian airlines offer competitive fares, too, saving you travel time, which you can then spend exploring.

Nevertheless, if you’re set on driving, it does allow more flexibility to go where and when you like. La Guajira, in the isolated north-east, has few buses, so it’s recommended either to hire a car or use a tour operator. Some hotels, particularly those outside cities, have secure car parks.

Precautions? Number one: beware Colombia’s erratic drivers, especially when overtaking. While most Colombians you meet in person will be charming and gracious, once they get behind the wheel of a car, anything goes. Truck drivers can be aggressive, too, speeding up close behind you and overtaking unpredictably – anytime, anywhere.

Road conditions also vary widely, and many are susceptible to landslides during the wet season. Check locally for road closures and roadworks. Car hire is prohibitively expensive for some, and petrol is not cheap either – around US$3 (£2.14) per gallon for standard petrol, US$3.50 (£2.50) per gallon for super. And roadside assistance for breakdowns and accidents is virtually nonexistent, so take care.

Peajes (toll stations) are every 60-to-100km on major roads. Tolls depend on distance and vehicle type, and start at US$3 (£2.14) per hour. For details, including toll charges, see viajaporcolombia.com and https://www.invias.gov.co (both in Spanish).

Huw and Caitlin Hennessy, co-authors of Footprint’s Colombia guidebook

Do I have to hold religious beliefs to visit spiritual places or pilgrimage sites?

George Richardson, via email

Some sacred sites are closed to non-devotees. Non-muslims may not enter Mecca, for instance. But in the main, you don’t need to hold particular beliefs to visit spiritual places – or to be moved by them.

Often, the fine churches, lakes temples and waterfalls that we consider sacred are aesthetically impressive, so are obvious draws for travellers. But they have something else; maybe a sense of calm or connection, or a hint of the mysterious. It’s as if the prayers of the past still remain in the air. And this gives them extra appeal, for everyone.

You don’t need to perform Buddhist prostrations to feel the power of Mount Kailash or be Christian to feel the transformative effects of walking the Camino de Santiago. There’s something stirring about witnessing the faith of others.

But whatever your personal beliefs, it is important to always remain respectful when visiting spiritual places around the world. There might be rules – perhaps you need to cover your head, legs and shoulders or process around a tomb in a certain direction, abstain from taking photos or remain silent. It is your responsibility to behave, whatever the reasons for your visit.

Sarah Baxter, author of Aurum Press’ Spiritual Places

What reptile hotspots should I include on a visit to Tanzania?

Ruth Wood, via email

Although Tanzania has over 320 recorded species of reptiles, finding and observing them is a tough proposition, particularly in the dry season. From a vehicle – and with luck – you might see Nile crocodiles along its rivers in places like the Serengeti or Selous. On rocky hills, agama lizards and rainbow skinks can often be seen, and in and around safari lodges there are usually resident populations of striped skinks.

At night, tropical house geckos are easily observed around lamps, waiting for insects. A drive from Olduvai Gorge north into the Serengeti also offers the chance of seeing three spectacular species of agama lizard.

During the rainy season, in any national park, you might spot a savannah chameleon or a tortoise crossing the road, or possibly a sand snake. At Tarangire National Park, the guides are canny at spotting rock pythons in big trees along the river. And for the real reptile enthusiast, consider a visit to Amani Nature Reserve, in the East Usambara Mountains, where the local guides are skilled at finding small creatures and will be able to show you endemic chameleons and forest geckos. Elsewhere, Mahale Mountains National Park (as well as its famous chimps) has spectacular forest snakes and water cobras.

Stephen Spawls, co-author of Bloomsbury’s Field Guide to East African Reptiles

What are the best driving routes in the UK?

Steven Barnes, via email

The road trip: one of life’s great pleasures. There are many famous driving routes around the world, but few compete with Britain’s huge variety of tarmac-based thrills. Here’s a tan leather stringback-gloved handful.

Llangollen to Llanberis, in North Wales, is one of the great drivers’ roads, with the A5 heading into the heart of Snowdonia via the fabled ‘Evo triangle’. The North Coast 500 in northern Scotland is also a sublime loop through some of the finest scenery in the land, including the exhilarating Bealach na Ba – Britain’s biggest road climb.

Elsewhere, a loop of England’s Isle of Wight or Scotland’s Isle of Arran – each a mini version of their respective nations – makes for a scenic 100km trip. The Hebridean Way is also 297km of peaceful driving through the wild, beachstrewn Outer Hebrides, and any route through national parks with high passes, such as the Lakes (Hardknott, Wrynose), the Dales (Buttertubs) or the Peak District (Snake, Winnats), is great.

Or you could stop mucking about and do the full south-to-north trip: Isles of Scilly to the Shetlands.

‘Always remain respectful when visiting spiritual places. It is your responsibility to behave, whatever the reasons for your visit’

Humphrey Butler, creator of Strumpshaw, Tincleton & Giggleswick’s Great British Adventure Map