How to Prepare For Your First Trip to Africa

Thinking about your next international trek? Skip the cliched beaches and touristy spots and consider planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa.

Composed of 54 different countries and nine territories, there’s no reason Africa shouldn’t top your bucket list this year.

Let’s get into how to plan your ideal trip!

Decide On Your Location

Fun fact: Africa is bigger than the United States, India, China, and most of Europe combined!

With that in mind, it’s essential to learn about the different geographical locations this massive continent has to offer.

Are you looking for the classic safari? If so, you’ll probably want to head out to Kenya. If you’re looking for more of a beach getaway, you may want to consider the Indian Ocean islands.

Take your time to do your research here. Just like it’s not necessarily realistic to go to Boston and Los Angeles in one trip, you won’t see all of Africa in one go either.

Determine the Season

Once you’ve figured out where you want to, you’ll need to figure out when to head out. Just like with any other vacation, your African trip can largely depend on the season and temperament.

A few key factors to keep in mind:

• Southern Africa- game viewing is ideal from July to October or early November
• Cape Town- dry months and optimal visiting time are from November to March
• Ethiopia- The dry months of September to April are ideal (land is green and fresh)
• East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania)- The highlights occur from July to October, and the heaviest rains occur from April to May
• Madagascar- Avoid the cyclones between January and March
• North Africa (Morocco)- Spring and fall months tend to be best for visiting- it’s extremely hot in the summer

And that’s just to start.

Book Your Excursions and Accommodations

Onto the fun part! You’ll want to determine the structure of your safari trip going to Africa. With that said, there are many ways to plan out your adventures.

Some people will work with a travel agent to plan out their ideal excursions. Others will prefer to explore independently. And, finally, some may go for an organized group tour that handles all the details and itineraries.

Whichever you decide, it’s important to think about the different options as far in advance as possible.

You don’t want to miss out on missing the ability to secure your spot on popular tour because you didn’t plan ahead.

Book Your Flights

There are all sorts of insider secrets that will show you how to book and secure cheap airfare.

Regardless, no matter where you’re flying from, it’s not uncommon for flights to be very expensive on your trip going to Africa.

Typically speaking, the sooner in advance you book, the more you can save. Take advantage of comparison shopping to guarantee the lowest fare.

If your dates are flexible, consider widening your search to different date availability. It’s typically going to cost you less if you book your departure fare on a Wednesday then, say, a Saturday morning.

Check Visa Requirements

After you book your flights, you’ll need to determine whether or not you will need a visa. This typically depends on your nationality, rather than the country you live in.

It’s important to note that visa requirements change regularly. Just because a travel blog told you that a visa wasn’t required two years ago doesn’t mean that rule still applies today.

It’s best to check in with the official government website to determine visa and passport needs.

Secure Travel Medication and Vaccinations

Depending on where your African trip takes you, you’ll need different medications and vaccinations to protect yourself from contracting life-threatening diseases.

While these vary from country to country, you’ll probably want to have Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies, and Yellow Fever vaccinations. Some countries will even require proof of vaccinations as a contingency to enter.

Finally, pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant need to know that the Zika virus is prevalent in some areas in Africa. Check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to learn the most updated news.

As with any medical advice, it’s always best to consult with your doctor to determine your best health plan.

Gather Your Equipment

Chances are, you’ll need to purchase some specialty gear and equipment for your Africa trip.

Your shopping list will naturally depend on where you’re going and what you’re doing, but you’ll definitely want to prepare for all kinds of weather.

No matter what your destination, make sure that you have:

• steady and supportive pair of walking shoes
• sturdy and comfortable clothing
• necessary hiking equipment as needed
• great camera
• necessary travel documents and scanned copies of visa, passport, and ID
• medications
• first-aid kit
• emergency contact numbers

While you shouldn’t over-pack for your trip, it’s important to make sure that you have the essentials covered. After all, you may be traveling to some very remote locations- it’s not guaranteed that they will have what you need if you forget to pack it!

Tackle the Money

Like with most foreign travel, it’s not necessarily safe to carry large wads of cash with you. Furthermore, remote places may not have ATMs or the ability to process credit or debit cards.

The general rule of thumb? Bring a Visa or MasterCard credit card, alert your bank before you leave, and use it when available.

Draw enough cash upon arrival (in the airport) that will be enough to float you until you reach your next metropolitan area. Don’t carry all the cash with you in one spot- it’s always smart to divide it into different locations (i.e.: backpack, socks, on another person).

Final Thoughts on Preparing for Your Trip to Africa

No matter where you go in this magnificent country, you have some unforgettable and life-changing experiences ahead of you!

At African Sermon Safaris, we pride ourselves on providing amazing, interactive tours for all our guests. Learn more about our services today!