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ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TIPS FOR AFRICA

Anthony Abraham

Tour Guide, Arusha, Tanzania

| 7 mins read

Africa is one among the seven continents in the world. It is a land of many natural beauties. It is one of the continents favoured with abundant natural resources. It is a continent with more than 55 countries, all favoured with massive natural attractions. There are several things to put into consideration when travelling to Africa, and I would like to mention but a few,

1. Having the right guide and company for your travel is important. There are many platforms of choice, but it will be good to rely on a good platform for selecting guides and travel companies. A good example is the tourhq platform. There are many scam sites and companies on the net platform. Many clients have lost their money with fraudulent operators on the net.it is essential to know the capability of the guides and companies in question, as having the proper guides and companies will give you an added advantage and add value to your travel. Tourhq is the only platform that can give you the track record for the guides and companies from the experience given by the past served clients. This platform gives you access to the best companies and guides globally. We highly recommend the use of this great platform that joins travellers and guides around the globe.

2. It is essential to know the climatic season of the travel area. There are different weather seasons in the year. Rain seasons differ in some areas. In areas in the equator and tropics, the months of April/May and October/November are rainy season months. It is possible to travel all year, but for mountain climbers, these months have high snow and glacier levels, making it more challenging, though one can climb at this time of the year. In the rainy season, one gets to see the green kush of Africa. Everywhere is green. Animals are more active, but challenges are on the off-road drives in some parts. This drives some parts to be on the low season. In most areas, hotel prices are low at this time of the year. For bird viewers, it is the best time to travel.

3. it is essential to know the travel requirements in the travel area. Visa and travel requirements differ in some areas. Some have vaccination requirements. Knowing the travel requirements will save time for the traveller. It is good to know the restrictions imposed in certain areas before travel. For driving travellers, make sure you know the essential traffic codes of the travel area. Thoroughly advises that it is good to be driven or hire a local driver, as some parts have high corruption and controls, which will stress any driver. Observe the speed. Limit control marks and other road safety signs while driving. In some parts, especially town centres, parking spaces cause acute stress. Ensure you travel with a reputable travel agency, as their vehicles have proper documentation and are comprehensively insured. Most local operators have third parties, and some have no insurance coverage. It becomes risky, especially at times of accidents. At times, one can even. Get a ride in a stolen vehicle and become an accomplice in a crime. Use cars with white or commercial plates. Cars with yellow plates are private cars and can put you at high risk if anything goes wrong. Usually, one can verify the number plates with either the insurance check or police check application using your mobile phone application in Tanzania.

4. it is essential to book your hotels in advance; this is especially important for hotels in the national parks or near national parks. Most hotel bookings have challenges, especially in the high tourist season.  There are numerous hotel booking platforms on the net.  One can get a hotel to fit all needs. They are luxury hotels, budget hotels and even backpackers.

5, it is essential to access the transportation mode. Use wise check up mode in the transport you use. If it is a vehicle, it should have good tires and be roadworthy. Using cars with the wrong road conditions can ruin your holiday. Typically, bad vehicles will always charge low but give a catastrophic travel experience. Be prepared to pay more to get a good quality and service vehicle.

6. it is essential to observe and abide by photographic regulations. Do not take photos in restricted or military locations. Observe restricted areas and ask locals or your guide when you have doubts. Even when taking photos of locals, it is good to get their consent. There are many areas where one is not restricted, so you will have many memorable pictures of your travels. Also, ensuring your cameras are fully charged at all moments is essential. In your free time, remember to charge your equipment. Most travel vehicles have charging systems, but charging your equipment in advance will be good. Also, carry extra batteries and backup cameras to avoid missing anything good. One of the common challenges is having enough memory space. Carry lots of extra memory cards with you.

7.  It is essential to cross-check all your travel documents, especially for expiration dates. Also, make sure you have the required travel documents. Passports, vaccination cards, driving licences, IDs and any necessary documents. Store them in a secure and safe location during your travel. Credit cards and all the necessary that will assist you in your travel. Some cards can be accepted in most areas. Secure your PIN and passwords, and do not share them with anyone to avoid fraud.

8. it is essential to adjust to the time zone of the area in question; time zones differ in some areas. It is essential to adjust to the proper time zone. Also, be on time in airports to avoid losing your flight. Expect warm climates, especially in the equator and tropics.

9. it is essential to know that there is a bargaining platform in most gift shops. Your bargaining ability will assist you in getting the best price. GemGem stones and local crafts require good bargaining skills, as there are no fixed prices. One can bargain to 30% to 50% in some instances. Also, it is essential to claim your receipts for the purchase. This will enable you to claim your value-added tax refund at the airport of exit.it is good to have all receipts for all your purchases. Receipts give proof of your tax contribution. Avoiding receipts favours tax evasion, depriving the state of revenue for development projects.

10. It is essential to have mosquito repellant and sun cream; here in the equator and tropics, there are high chances of getting infected with malaria or tropical diseases. The use of mosquito repellent is essential. Even on safari, some areas have tsetse flies. It is good to have insect repellants with you. Having insect repellants in national parks is essential, especially in the warm and hot seasons.

These are just some of the travel tips. We wish you all the best and a memorable African travel experience. Africa and the world in general have much to excite us all. With the aid and assistance of our excellent travel platform, tourhq, one will explore the wonders and nature of Africa. Keep it up, tourhq—the real travel platform today.