Africa Travel Guide | She is Wanderlust Female Adventure Traveler

Africa is a continent filled with amazing landscape, wildlife, nature and diverse cultures, developed from each country’s history. There is an adventure on every corner.

Why Visit

PEOPLE AND CULTURE: The African culture is so diverse that it doesn’t only change from one country to another, but the individual countries themselves are made up of numerous different tribes and ethnic groups. Art, music, food and oral literature are used in preserving tradition and the different tribes take pride in their distinct customs.

FOOD: There are quite a lot of African food recipes across the continent and are as diverse in their making as the different cultures in Africa, but they are all equally tasteful and fully recommended.

LANDMARKS: The beauty of the African nature and landmarks is undeniable, highlighting some must see places that stand out above the rest like the Mount Kilimanjaro, the pyramids in Egypt or the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

WILDLIFE: For a lot of people, Africa means Safari. And they are not completely wrong, as Africa offers extraordinary wildlife adventures with plentiful opportunities to see wildlife in it’s natural surrounds.

DESTINATIONS

Africa is a continent filled with amazing landscape, wildlife, nature and diverse cultures, developed from each country’s history. There is an adventure on every corner.

Why Visit

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DESTINATIONS

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How to get around

Africa isn’t the easiest continent to backpack (even to travel with a lot of money to spare), but it is fairly easy to travel around in most places. Travel would almost never be on time, and it can seem seem disorganized, but it is always possible. Just remember, always travel with daylight, as roads in Africa aren’t in the best conditions. The most common form of transport is the bus (tuk tuk, minivans, public buses). It is also the cheapest transportation and they have plenty of routes to take you to wherever you need to go. Planes and trains are also options, but they get to less places for a higher rate.

Money Saving Tips

-Avoid restaurant: It is not convenient for you to always eat and dine out as this can shoot your expenses to the roof. You have the option to go out and taste the country’s signature dishes, or you can cook cheap at your own place.

-Hostels or Camping: The difference in pricing between a hotel and a hostel is huge, and you can find plenty of cute and cozy hostels. There is also a new trendy camping service called Campspace, which allows you to pitch a tent in someone’s backyard for free or a nominal fee.

-Avoid Group Tours: For sure not the cheapest way to get to know Africa, and not always offer the best quality experience.

-Plan in advance: Planning with time could save you hundreds or even thousand when it comes to flights, trains and accommodations.

What to expect in Africa

LANGUAGE: Africa is a continent with a very high linguistic diversity, there are an estimated 1500-2000 African languages/dialects. There are about two dozen African countries where English is spoken as official language, most of them are former British colonies.

ELECTRICITY: There is no fully universal plug available for Africa, as they are 3 different types of plugs depending on the country you are going to. Try to research in advance and find out which one they use to where you are going. You could always buy one in the airport anyway.

CURRENCY: Most African countries have their own unique currency, although some share the same currency with several other states. You’ll need to find out the local currency for your destination.

SAFETY: While staying safe in Africa is usually a matter of common sense, there are some regions or countries that are legitimately unsafe for tourists, like Nairobi (Kenya), Lagos (Nigeria), Dakar (Senegal), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and parts of Johannesburg (South Africa). Snatch-theft and pickpocketing are the most common crimes, but violent muggings can occur, just be extra careful if you decide to go.

WEATHER: Africa is the hottest continent on earth; dry lands and deserts comprise 60% of the entire land surface. Most of Africa is in the tropics, and except for the peaks of mountains in the Great Rift Valley

PASSPORT: Remember that many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months (some just three months) after your arrival date before they’ll grant entry to their country. Some of them also require a VISA to enter the country depending on your nationality. Plan in advance and make sure you have everything in order.