Africa Travel Tips
Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, these tips will give you a leg up when traveling to Africa.
- Monitor the news of the country you are traveling to. A great resource is following Reuters Africa online or on Twitter.
- If staying in a city, when you arrive at your accommodation, talk to the staff about where the safe places are to go and what to stay away from.
- Arrange a taxi through your accommodation. Ask the staff how much you can expect to pay for a taxi fare into town. Also, ask them for the taxi company’s business card so that you may call them to pick you up when you are done exploring. This way you won’t confuse an un-reputable taxi out on the street with once from a reputable company.
- When taking a taxi, agree on a price beforehand.
- Stay alert when out walking, and don’t wear headphones as you stroll. If you feel like you’re being followed, walk into a hotel or shop and ask for help.
- Walk confidently
- Do not walk around at night, take a taxi instead.
- Porters at the Johannesburg airport usually approach passengers to help them with their bags. They do expect tips so be prepared to give a tip or just say “no thank you” if you do not want assistance.
- In some parts of Cape Town and at Victoria Falls, you can bargain with locals at markets who sell souvenirs (crafts, carvings, etc.), but don’t go too low. These people are trying to support themselves and their families so make sure you agree on a price that is fair.
- Never tell people where you are staying or if you are traveling alone. If you are traveling alone, just say that you’re about to meeting up with a friend.
- Service in restaurants is very, very slow. Just sit back and relax. Use this extra time to reflect on the day’s adventures.
- Tipping is expected in Africa but only if you are satisfied with the service. Safari guides: $25 per couple per day; Safari trackers: $12 per couple per day; Hotel/Lodge general staff: $12 per couple per day; City half-day tour guide: $12; City full-day tour guide $25; Restaurant service: 10-15%
- In countries in which it is not safe to drink the water, make sure you also brush your teeth with bottled water and do not eat raw fruits or vegetables as they are usually washed with tap water.
- Bring anti-diarrheal medication - just in case!
For Women travelers:
- If you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, do not travel to malaria areas. Also, do not travel to countries where the zika virus is present. You can check your country of interest here https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/.
- If you are prone to getting UTIs, think about bringing an antibiotic from home in case you don’t have easy access to a pharmacy or clinic.
- If you are traveling solo, regardless of the country, consider wearing a fake wedding band (without the bling) or if asked where your husband is, say that you’re meeting him soon.