How to Get the Best Out of Your Trip to Africa

As one of the most exotic holiday destinations on the planet, a trip to Africa is a dream come true for travellers around the world. Home to some of the world's most popular game parks and protected sanctuaries, the wildlife heritage of this incredible continent is unsurpassed in terms of diversity. From finding the best places to stay and communing with the locals to avoiding tourist scams, here are some tips on how to make the most out of an African getaway.

Image by Herbert Bieser from Pixabay 

1. Avoid Drama at the Borders

Those who are planning on travelling to more than one African nation during their trip to the continent should be prepared to deal with the hassles involved in crossing borders. While it is perfectly possible that you may not encounter any corrupt officials or individuals asking for bribes, it is more often the case that tourists are swindles by different dubious characters during the process. The only way to avoid any mishaps or unpleasantness during a border crossing is to stay informed of what specific requirements must be fulfilled to gain visa to the countries you are planning to visit and to visit the local embassy in your home country for more information. While visa upon arrival is possible in certain countries, it is prudent to secure visa beforehand and also carry a few US dollars as currency exchanges may be hard to come by. Never give money or pay bribes to enter an African nation and always take your passport back from those who are holding it ransom in hopes of being bribed.

 2. Local Culture

Regardless of how Africans are portrayed in the mass media, they are among the most cordial and friendly populations one will meet on one's travels. Africans are generally genial and eager to meet travellers who are referred to as "Mzungu" or "an individual who wanders without purpose." This is not an offensive term as it is meant as an inside joke of sorts. Tourists should also keep in mind that although it does not seem like it on the surface, Africans are deeply religious as people. Islam and Christianity are the two predominant religions practised in the continent and is necessary to avoid causing offence to local beliefs in the way one speaks or dresses when visiting sites of spiritual importance.

 3. Lingua Franca

Tourists who are worried about conversing and finding their way around diverse African nations need not fear as one does not have to speak fluent Swahili to get by in this part of the world. While the locals may not be fluent in English, the decades-long tourism culture in the continent does mean that most Africans have at least a rudimentary understanding of the language. French is another language that is widely spoken in many African countries that were once colonized by the French so travellers who speak English or French can rest easy knowing they can converse with locals to get directions and other useful information, should the need arise.

 4. Getting Around

Three-wheelers and mopeds as well as rickshaws are omnipresent in the streets of many African countries and offer tourists an affordable and easy means of travelling around. Buses are also a cheap alternative to those on a budget although one should be prepared to ride along with a large number of passengers and sometimes even barnyard animals.

 5. Reserving Accommodation

Advance reservations are a must whether one is reserving Avani Hotels & Resorts or any other hotels in Botswana or a boutique hotel in Tanzania. This is due to the fact that the best rests are snapped by for the peak tourist season from May to October. Booking hotels with good online reviews is also necessary as all African accommodation hubs are not created equal.