How to Prepare for a Trip to Africa: Etiquette, Tips
Are you planning to take a trip to Africa? Do you know what to do to get ready for it? Read on to get the perfect answers to these questions.
African safaris are one of the most sought after trips by many people. Statistics show that over 62.9 million tourists travel to Africa every year.
However, it is not all about just packing your bags and getting on a plane. You need to prepare well and apply for a visa before taking a trip to Africa.
It is impossible to plan a trip to Africa all on your own. You also need to plan your trip to Africa early in advance and know which African country is best to visit at what time. This means you need the perfect safari planner who can help you organize your trip so that you can enjoy your safari.
Here are a few tips that you should know as you prepare to travel to Africa.
1. Travel to Africa with Proper Vaccinations and Medications
Traveling to Africa requires a number of vaccinations like yellow fever, hepatitis, typhoid, polio, and many more. Once you have known which African country or countries you are going to visit, get the required immunizations in good time.
To be safe go see your doctor a few months before your trip just in case they need to do a follow-up. The vaccinations are a must.
Malaria is common in Africa and your doctor can recommend to you the right medication you can take to prevent getting malaria should you be bitten by a mosquito. You can also bring a few tablets and insect repellent just to be safe. Prepare for a stomach upset because of the change in diet and you can carry with you a laxative and a stopper like Imodium.
2. Do Not Forget to Get Insured
Travel insurance is your safety net just in case you get sick while on the trip or you lose your property. You might also have to buy a few things due to an emergency and you can only get compensated if you have insurance.
Make sure that you keep all your receipts carefully. Do not be alarmed, you might not end up using the insurance but it is better to stay prepared.
3. Carry Cash
Even if your trip has been planned by your tour planner and you have booked and paid for everything, you still need to load up your travel card with cash. Talk to your bank about the option you have and know the costs associated with the transactions. You should also carry cold hard cash but do not exceed the allowed limit and exchange them to the local currency as soon as you land.
You might want to buy a few things here and there to take back home with you. There are forex bureaus in the airport and this makes it super convenient. Do not forget to let your bank know that you will be traveling and might make a withdrawal away from home so that they do not cut you off.
4. Get the Right Clothing
You do not want to end up with your winter clothes in a very hot African county. Read all about the country you are planning to visit and get to know the season they will be in during your stay.
If you are visiting a Muslim country, you will definitely want to dress appropriately to respect their religion and culture. This means no miniskirts, short shorts or revealing tops and you will probably have to carry with you a few scarves for your shoulders. But in a country like Kenya or Tanzania, you do not have to worry about all that, just dress respectfully.
5. Keep a Copy of Your Documents
Take several copies of all your travel documents as you plan to travel to Africa. Leave some at home, keep some in your luggage, backpack or travel bag if it is big enough. It is possible to lose your documents when on a trip and you are safe when you have a backup of the same stored safely somewhere.
6. Carry Your Mobile Phone
In as much as you will be on a different country, you can still be able to share pictures of you while touring the Maasai Mara or watching while the wildebeest migration in your social media account via Wi-Fi, or keep in touch with your family or friends using mobile apps. Make sure that you turn off data roaming and anything that might cost you money while using your phone.
7. Carry a Snack or Two
If you are traveling to a developed African country like Kenya or Tanzania, then you do not have to worry much about this because you will find meals and snacks that are very close to home.
But if you are visiting local and remotes areas, then better have something to bite as the food might need getting used to. Stock up on some tinned food and protein bars.
8. Respect the Law
Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law in a foreign country is an experience that you definitely don’t want to go through. Learn the laws of the country you are planning to visit and try not to break any. Remember. there are bylaws in certain areas that can prohibit you from taking photos.
Now that you are ready to go, remember to pack some hiking boots if you are planning to visit the Kilimanjaro, Sunscreen, and not forgetting your camera to capture all those amazing memories.
Do Not Forget to Have Fun When You Travel to Africa
The African culture is very rich and they have a lot to offer. When you travel to Africa, especially in countries like Kenya or Tanzania, you will not only see the famous big five but you can also get a chance to sample their culture too.
If you planning to visit Kenya or Tanzania, you can trust us to plan a fun and adventure filled safari for you. Visit our website and contact us for an amazing African safari.