If you are thinking about travelling to somewhere totally new this year, one place which might come to your mind is Africa. Africa is one of the most beautiful continents in the world and it if the home of stunning weather, fascinating wildlife and many amazing things to do. However If you do want to travel to this part of the world there will be things you have to consider and prepare for before you leave. Here are some of the things you will want to do before you head over to Africa this year.
1. Prepare medicines
Travelling to Africa isn’t the same as taking a plane to Europe. There are a lot more deadly things out there which can catch you unawares if you don’t take the time to prepare for it. Before you travel, make sure to visit the doctor a few months before you leave in order to get any vaccinations you need, you’ll need malaria prevention tablets too and these can make all the difference when you are away. Diseases like cholera, hepatitis, typhoid and yellow fever are all present over in Africa so you will want to protect yourself from these before you leave.
2. Get insurance
It is important for you to bear in mind that a lot of places in Africa have limited medical facilities and they are likely nothing like what you are used to at home. This is why getting yourself both travel and health insurance can make all the difference to you on the trip. It means that you won’t have to worry about getting all of your money back after paying out for medical care on site.
3. Tell your friends and family
A great way to stay safe when you are travelling to a place a massive as Africa is to write an itinerary for the duration of your stay including all of the phone numbers for hotels you are staying in, and then you will be able to stay safe if you do become lost or suddenly don’t keep in touch while you are away. If your family and friends do become concerned it means they will be able to make contact in the right place and be more likely to reach you or someone who knows where you might be.
4. Bring cash and card
When you go away to Africa, there might be small villages out there who only accept cash from you, and there may also be big cities where carrying a card is safer than carrying cash. It is always best not to rely on a singular form of payment when you go away because it could be something which trips you up later on. Think about taking a small amount of cash but also buying yourself a travel credit card to use while you are away. Credit cards like these can even offer cash back and rewards as you spend abroad so they can be a great idea.
5. Wear the right clothes
When you visit Africa the weather will be extremely hot, and it is super important for you to make sure you wear clothes which allow air to circulate and also make sure that they don’t cling to the skin. In Africa they have a different culture to us, and things like Mini skirts and tube tops aren’t what people over there like to wear or like to see. You are best off going for a gypsy skirt and a flowing top and this will allow you to blend in with the locals and therefore be less likely to be targeted by people who may want to pickpocket. Also, keep jewellery to a minimum to make sure you don’t have it stolen.
6. Bring a phone
The main reason people have a phone these days seems to be to roam the internet and watch cat videos, but back in the day a mobile phone was more about safety than entertainment. If you can bring a phone with you, you will make a big difference to your trip because people can reach you and visa versa. Stuck somewhere and need to get back to your hotel? Use Uber to get a taxi… Lost in the middle of nowhere? Let family use find friends to see where you are… all of these things can be super handy for a trip and can make all the difference.
7. Photocopy and scan documents
If you are planning for a long trip to Africa and you are thinking of catching more than one flight during the vacation, you will have a lot of documents to bring along with you. One thing which can help you HUGELY is to photocopy and scan your documents to keep extra copies on hand. It is so easy to forget to bring your boarding passes for a flight and this can leave you in a sticky situation when you want to get going with the trip. Scanning documents and keeping them on your phone can be another layer to your security and it means that even if you forget your backup copy you still have hope!
8. Power adaptor
As you likely already know, different places around the world use different plug sizes and shapes as well as a different standard voltage for their appliances. When you travel to Africa you will need to bring an adaptor with you for your phone charger and hair dryer etc… to ensure that you can indeed use these things when you are away.
9. Bring snacks
The main thing which can be a nightmare for picky eaters if they decide to go away is the different cuisines which are on offer. A lot of the time places such as the USA, UK and Australia will have a mix of everything, but not everywhere in the world acts the same. There will be places in Africa which may not have a lot of foods you will eat, and this is why it is a good idea to visit a supermarket and stock up on snacks before you arrive. This will make such a big difference to your stay and make the trip more pleasant.
10. Know the law
In a lot of places in Africa you aren’t allowed to take photographs of airports or government buildings, and if you are caught doing this you can be punished. Take a little time to read up on some Africa law and this will make your stay much more enjoyable and it means that you don’t need to worry so much about it.
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