TIPS TO MAKE YOU AFRICA’S TOP TRAVELLER
Travelling to Africa / Image: Casey Allen
Tourists don't want to be tourists anymore. Many travellers detest being called a ‘tourist’ when they travel to far away lands.
A ‘tourist’ in many people's eyes is a shameful word, because people like to think being a knowledgeable and experienced traveller, is far more sexy than being a novice or beginner.
Travelling to Africa can be daunting if you have never been before. It can be a real culture shock and worlds apart from the places we live in. Travelling to Africa requires a lot of organization and paperwork too. It separates the relaxed pool-side travellers from the determined explorers and puts you to the test when preparation is key.
Having a comprehensive guide to help you become less tourist-like and more of an experienced traveller in Africa will give you kudos, confidence and help you avoid those darned tourist traps.
Read our Top Tips To Be Africa’s Top Traveller - Take note and become an experienced traveller before you’ve even stepped foot in Africa!
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Travelling to Africa / Image: Milad Alizadeh
PICK YOUR DESTINATION AND LEARN ABOUT THE REGION.
Botswana? Tanzania? South Africa? They all sound pretty amazing! But it’s vital to pick a country and location you would like to visit above all others. Every country in Africa is unique and different from the next. They all have varied attractions and appeals to offer. It’s a good idea to focus on what you would like to do and then get clear on what areas offer this.
Once you know your chosen location, that’s when you can really start to plan your trip and start applying for the visas and vaccinations for that particular country. More on that below.
VISAS AND VACCINATIONS.
Africa is a country that’s easy going but not so easy to get into.
Let’s start with vaccinations. Because of the varied diseases within the continent of Africa, it’s mandatory to get vaccinated for many of the illnesses before entering into the country of your choosing. Which countries need certificates for which vaccinations? That is an answer for your doctor. It’s essential to start planning your trip to Africa at least 6 months before you travel. Vaccinations are a big part of why planning needs to start early when travelling to Africa.
Some vaccinations may also need to be done over a course of numerous weeks and some vaccinations need 2 to 3 jabs to be completed. It’s vital to get these vaccinations in place before you travel in Africa.
Visa’s are important to accomplish before you travel in Africa and it's advisable to look into this around 3 months before you depart. Depending on what passport you have, certain passports require certain stamps and visas too.
Visa’s within Africa are fairly easy to obtain and shouldn’t take a long time to do. It is very necessary to get them done in time for you travelling to Africa so leave enough time to get organized and enable all your paperwork to be completed.
DON’T FORGET TO BUY INSURANCE.
Travel insurance is very important to purchase when travelling to Africa. Insurance can cover you against delayed flights, lost baggage, illnesses, hospital visits and more. To have peace of mind it's a good idea to buy travel insurance when you next travel in Africa.
BE PREPARED FOR A CULTURE SHOCK.
Africa is a world away from the western worlds we live in and it’s also very different. If you’re travelling to Africa, you will most probably witness poverty which to many, can seem distressing and saddening. You may also visit local tribes that live in unconventional conditions that can be particularly basic and primitive compared to ours.
Poverty is very real in Africa and everyone is faced with it when traveling to Africa. The food, cuisine and the way it is cooked is also very different.
Cold foods washed in contaminated water can be common so it’s a good idea to stick to hot foods and stick to bland food if you want to be extra cautious. Avoiding meats and fish in remote areas of Africa is also wise to skip too. Consulting your doctor on the best way to avoid sickness before you travel in Africa, is recommended.
Travelling to Africa / Image: Ken Kahiri
PACK APPROPRIATELY.
Africa is beautiful, but in some parts it can be dusty and rugged, especially if you are hiking or going on safari. It’s a good idea to pack clothes you don’t mind getting grubby. Africa can also be pretty hot if you are visiting in the summer months so it's always a good idea to pack light clothing that is light reflecting to stay cool. Hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are also a great idea for the hotter months. Africa’s seasons and temperatures can change quickly from month to month and from day to night, so pack clothing to keep you cool and warm when the weather changes. Our advice is to be prepared for all weather conditions as there is hardly anywhere to buy clothes, so it's worth taking a few more items with you when travelling to Africa.
CASH IS KING.
Unlike most countries, Africa prefers cash to credit cards. ATM or cash points are sometimes rare to find and aren’t easily accessible. Being stuck without cash can be an annoyance so bringing enough money and having a credit card to hand as a backup is advisable. It’s also helpful to remember that not all foreign countries accept American Express. A little research before your trip will help you to be fully prepared when it comes to your vacation date.
BE SAFE.
It's essential to keep safe when you travel in Africa. Aside from admiring the beauty and learning about the culture, Africa is a place where you will want to have your wits about you and be as safe as possible.
If you are travelling to Africa with an adventure company that will be with you from start to the finish of your journey then you should expect to be in safe hands throughout your trip.
It's important to research the country you are travelling to and getting acquainted with the risks and dangers especially if you are travelling solo. Every African country differs from one to the other.
Travelling to Africa / Image: Maria Orlova
DON’T DRINK THE TAP WATER.
It's advisable not to drink tap water in the northern countries of Africa. If you are travelling to Africa and venturing out to South Africa or Namibia, here is where you are able to drink tap water. However, in all other countries - stick to bottled water.
BE ECO-CONSCIOUS.
If you love Africa, why not support the African communities and wildlife and make a difference? A great way of doing this is being as eco-conscious in your decision making as possible. When you book your travel in Africa, research adventure companies, hotels, lodges, experiences that give back to the local communities and wildlife. We have a wonderful adventure called the African Lion Safari where we combine adventure travel with lion conservation and give back to 3 incredible lion conservation organizations. What's great is that you will feel like you have really supported the country you have visited and made an impact on your trip to Africa.
DON’T BUY ENDANGERED ARTIFACTS.
Travelling to Africa to go on safari? You’ll be spoilt for choice from the amount of little artifact and African art stores you will see along the way. African artifacts bring in a huge amount of tourism revenue each year and it's also a fun part of going on safari too. From wood carvings of elephants to beaded necklaces, there is something for everyone and every item is a little memory of the place you visited.
The downside to buying products in Africa is that parts of endangered wild animals like ivory, skin and bone are still being used in products you can buy on the market. It is recommended to report places that sell these products and not buy into an illegal trade that encourages the killings of endangered wildlife.
Travelling to Africa / Image: Eva Blue
ENGLISH IS WIDELY SPOKEN.
The good news is, English is a word that is spoken and understood widely in Africa. If you are or aren't from an English speaking country, a basic level of English will get you far , enabling you to feel understood when you are travelling to Africa.
PREPARE FOR A SLOWER WAY OF LIFE.
When you travel in Africa, prepare for the pace of life to be slower than what you are normally used to. Africa is a far cry away from Europe's capital cities or America’s fast paced lifestyle. Africa remains humble, enjoyably slow and has a relaxed mindset. All attributes are welcomed and savored by many travellers.
Make An Impact On Your Next African Safari!
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Our expedition takes us on a thrilling route through Tanzania - exploring one of the most extraordinary journeys in Africa.
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Travelling to Africa