If you plan to travel to Africa, you need to take into account some tips to make your visit as pleasant as possible and to enjoy it to the fullest. This beautiful continent full of natural wonders, thousands of tribes, beaches, deserts and paradisiacal islands offers us an unbeatable experience full of contrasts and colour. Join us for these tips for travelling to Africa.
Eliminate prejudice and stereotypes
One of the main tips when travelling to Africa is to remove the prejudices that have been created around the region. Although the continent has some areas that can be considered dangerous, either because their access is very difficult or because they are in conflict, it should not be generalized, much less think that everything is poverty, insalubrity and insecurity.
Currently, there are many countries in Africa considered safe to visit, making the continent open to tourism, taking full advantage of its potential and consolidating itself as one of the giants in the sector. Likewise, the African Union has incorporated initiatives that are aimed at improving tourist activity on the continent. For this reason, we advise you when deciding to travel to Africa to forget those preconceptions and enjoy your adventure through the cradle of the world.
Destinations to know
In Africa there is a destination for all tastes: beaches, safaris, history, diving, monuments and more. Therefore, one of the tips for travelling to Africa is to be clear about what you want to do or know in the region, in order to better prepare your trip, book your accommodation and even choose what clothes you should bring, since the weather does not it is the same in all places. Let’s see what are some of the best destinations to know on the African continent.
Madagascar: This is the ideal destination for nature lovers, who want to discover unique flora and fauna species in the world. Dreamy and contrasting landscapes can be found on one of the largest islands in the world, where the most adventurous can enjoy exploring the area, touring the avenue of the gigantic baobabs, enjoying on the beautiful beaches of Nosy Be or hiking through the impressive Isalo National Park or the Tsingy de Bemahara Nature Reserve.
Ethiopia: This African country is perfect for those who want to know the truest Africa, being the only country on the continent that was not colonized by Europeans, it maintains its essence almost intact. Ethiopia has a culture and traditions very different from the rest of Africa, they have an impressive archaeological legacy and impressive landscapes.
Egypt: It is the favourite African destination for those who want to admire impressive pyramids and monuments from more than 3,000 years ago. Traveling to Egypt is a journey into the past of ancient civilizations.
Tunisia: a modern country that has become a favourite destination for many Europeans since here they find everything: spectacular beaches, intoxicating deserts, monuments steeped in history. Although lately its flow of visitors has decreased due to insecurity, the Tunisian Republic continues to maintain its charm that attracts tourists from all over the world.
Tanzania: for many this country is “the soul of Africa”, here you can find everything we imagine when thinking about knowing the continent: safaris where you can see the animals up close, an impressive savannah, beautiful postcard-worthy sunsets, colourful tribes and paradisiacal white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Places such as the Serengeti National Park, the Zanzibar el Kilimanjaro archipelago and the Ngrongoro Conservation Area are just some of the great attractions of Tanzania.
South Africa: in this African country you will find a little bit of everything. A beautiful and cosmopolitan city, the capital of South Africa, Cape Town; one of the most important animal reserves in southern Africa, the Kruger National Park, historical and iconic sites such as the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 20 years, Robben Island or the apartheid museums in Johannesburg and one of the seven wonders of the world, Table Mountain, make South Africa one of the most enchanting destinations when traveling to Africa.
Best travel period
In general, there is no better time to travel to Africa, each country has its own particular climate and being able to enjoy its great attractions can vary according to the months in which you visit. So it will depend on the destination you choose. For example, if you want to see the Great Migration in the Serengeti, it is best to go in the period between May and October after the rains end, during this time the chances of seeing this imposing movement of animals are very high.
There are places like the Mauritius or Madagascar where you can go at any time of the year, since it always has good weather, ideal to enjoy its charms.
Requirements to enter
In many cases it is not necessary to have a visa to travel in Africa if you travel for less than 90 days. However, there are countries that have stricter rules for transit through their territory; Such is the case of Egypt that requires visas from tourists whose stay is up to 30 days. Tunisia also applies for a visa to specific countries, which must be applied for at the embassies and consulates of those countries. Before embarking on a trip to the continent, it is most advisable to investigate very well whether with your passport you will be able to enter that African country that you want to visit.
Vaccines and most common diseases
One of the aspects that generates the most uncertainty when traveling to Africa is everything related to health. As is well known, in some regions of the continent there are diseases that due to economic and health conditions can become a real nightmare for tourists. Therefore, among the tips to travel to Africa that should be paid the most attention is health care to avoid diseases such as diarrhoea.
To avoid it, you should only follow strict hygiene rules and avoid consuming foods that have been exposed to contaminants, use only bottled water for both drinking and personal hygiene, such as brushing your teeth, if you cannot buy the water, it will be best to boil it.
On the other hand, there are vaccines; in many cases these are necessary when making a safari and even entering a country. The vaccines that are recommended to apply before taking a trip to Africa are: yellow fever, diphtheria, measles, hepatitis A, rubella, tetanus, polio, typhoid and mumps.
Political situation
Although at first we talk about leaving prejudice behind, it does not hurt to take certain precautions. We must be aware that certain countries in the region present somewhat complex political situations that may pose a threat to the lives of tourists and their inhabitants. Therefore, we recommend researching the area you want to visit, in order to determine if it is safe or not. Remember: your safety comes first!
In short, inAfrica we will find a contrast of magical places that invite adventure and enjoyment, as long as these tips for travelling to Africa are taken into account, we can make that vacation in the cradle of humanity become the most unforgettable of his life.
ALFA