Are you looking forward to visiting Africa?

Africa is heaven on earth if you’re a nature lover. From tropical beaches to vibrant cities, intriguing cultural practices, geological wonders, and the world’s best open zoos, you’ll never get bored no matter how long your trip is. 

At the same, you’ll be helping the local community and encouraging tourism in some of the world’s less privileged nations. 

But before you jump on the plane, you need to understand that there are a few things that you need to consider before traveling to Africa. Keep on reading to learn more about them. 

Stay Healthy

Check with your doctor what medications you might need while traveling to Africa. In most cases, you might have to get vaccinated before you travel. 

Ask about the medications to treat malaria, insect repellents, painkillers, and antibiotics that you might need. Moreover, you should stick to drinking clean water and eating clean food. 

Learn Some Key Phrases

English is widely spoken in most African countries, while people speak French in others. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be lazy. 

Learning a few phrases in the local language will guarantee that you won’t get misunderstood if you meet someone who doesn’t speak English. It will also help build better relationships with the locals. 

Understand the Culture

Forget about the movies that tell you about what Africans are like and do some deeper research. You need to understand what is considered disrespectful by the locals to avoid offending anyone. 

You should also understand that Africans are relatively conservative, so you need to ask about the rules that you should follow when it comes to the dress code, overall behavior, and how to deal with women and children. 

Get your Cash Ready

Of course, you can use credit cards to pay for your flights and hotel accommodation in advance, but as you travel to smaller towns, local cash will be your best friend. 

It’s crucial to know what the local currency looks like and what everything actually costs to avoid being charged extra. Having a little foreign cash will also come in handy in case you get into trouble while crossing the borders. In most African countries, you might have to pay extra to get your documents processed. 

Travel Safely

After reaching your destination’s airport, you might have to use other means of transportation to explore the country. Buses, taxis, and minibuses are usually found in most African countries but expect to be less comfortable. You might have to ride tuk-tuks, carts, or even bikes with the locals to get to where you want. 

You should always travel by day and make sure that you don’t discuss your private business with anyone you don’t know. Arriving on time isn’t always guaranteed, and you might have to negotiate your fare if you feel that the driver is charging you higher. 

Check the Reviews

Before booking an accommodation, make sure to check online reviews. If possible, stay at a place that someone you know has already tried. 

You can find hotels in the biggest cities, and some of them might be pretty luxurious. However, if you want to experience the real Africa, you can try camping or staying in local rentals, and you won’t forget your experience.