Africa is a vast and special continent with so much worth seeing and doing. There are lots of great countries in this large region that boast loads of unique travel opportunities. In recent years, Africa has seen something of a tourism boom. More people are going there every year, and once you visit, you will see why!

Before you start packing your bags and getting ready to leave, you should read through these travel tips for visiting Africa. It’s a wonderful place, but life can be totally different there to what you’re used to back home. So, here’s some advice to help you out:

Pack some backup toiletries

First things first, you might want to pack some of your beloved toiletries while you’re out there. If you’re staying in a hotel, then you will get some toiletries, but we all know what they’re like. If you’ve got a specific shampoo that you always use - and you’re staying for over a week - then it’s worth packing a few spares just in case. The same goes for any hygiene products that are essential. 

Why do you need to do this? Even in metropolitan African cities, the supermarkets are vastly different from how they are here in the UK. They don’t sell the same products or brands, and it can be hard to get some of your favourite toiletries. So, just in case, you should bring your own backups. 

Always book safari tours from proper travel companies

Naturally, most people go to Africa to experience a safari. This is the only place on earth where you will see certain animals. It is an experience that’s hard to put into words! The mixture of excitement and nerves you feel is unlike anything else. This is one of the things that truly makes Africa a unique place to visit.  

Unfortunately, the popularity of these safaris breeds bad people. Lots of unregistered companies or local people will claim to offer safari tours at cheap prices. Never go for these as they are almost always too good to be true. The best approach is to book African safari trips and tours online through a proper travel company before you go. Check the company out before you pay for the tour, read through the reviews, and you will avoid being scammed. 

Don’t worry if everyone starts calling you a Mzungu

In some parts of Eastern Africa, you will most likely hear the word Mzungu thrown about quite a lot. It’ll be directed at you, which can make you worry a little bit. Why is everyone calling you this random word, and what does it mean?

Essentially, it’s a word used to describe people of foreign descent. Many East Africans call travellers this because they can see that they’re clearly not from Africa. Don’t worry, it’s not used in a malicious or insulting way at all. It’s more an expression of intrigue and excitement from the locals. You have to appreciate that a lot of people in Africa have never seen foreigners before, so it can be a bit of a surprise. Obviously, with tourism booming, this isn’t as rare to them as it used to be. So, the chances are you won’t hear the term in the more populated areas. But, it is still used in some of the less touristy places. Either way, don’t be concerned if you start hearing it!

Travel by day

One of the common misconceptions about Africa is that it’s wildly unsafe. This simply isn’t true. Sure, there are safety concerns, but none more so than in other parts of the world. In reality, the most dangerous African countries can be avoided as they are either in the middle of wars or have other issues going on. All the top tourist locations in African will be as safe as any other tourist destination in another country.

Having said that, you should still be just as cautious as you would be in other places. There are a few specific tips for staying safe in Africa, and one of the top ones is to travel by day. Like all places, the safety risks are higher at night. In Africa, most people travel by bus, which means lots of people can get on and off during the trip. You’re far safer if you do this in the day time. Plus, the main concern is the wildlife. There are loads of big animals that roam around Africa and can become hazards if you’re driving at night. Obviously, it’s easier to notice if an animal has run onto the road when it’s light!

Get used to the concept of African time

African time is very much different from our time. I don’t mean that in the sense of timezones, I mean it in how the locals live their lives. There’s no real concept of days built around time structures - if that makes sense. In the UK, we’re used to having a schedule that relies on the time. We go to work at 9, we have lunch at 12, we take the train at 5, etc. In Africa, things are much looser and way more flexible. 

As an example, you will almost never leave on time for anything. If your bus says it will leave at 3, it could leave at 5. The driver will often wait until the bus is as full as possible, no matter how long that takes. The same goes for restaurants - don’t expect fast service all the time. There’s a very relaxed nature to life in Africa, and that’s why the whole idea of African time exists. People aren’t fussed about schedules, so you better get into that mindset as well! In the more Westernised places, African time isn’t as prominent. Still, be ready to be flexible!

I highly recommend travelling to Africa if you ever get the chance. It’s a very unique place to visit with lots of exceptional places to see and things to do. Whether you’re travelling alone or with a group, you will definitely have a trip to remember.