Africa

GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT AFRICA

Did you know that Africa is the second largest continent of the world? It is only smaller than Asia. The size of Africa is reflected in the fact that there are 54 countries there and a total of around 1.4 billion people live on the continent. That’s 20 percent of the world’s population (as of 2023). In Africa are over 2.000 different languages spoken, Arabic is the most spoken language . So you see, Africa is rich of different cultures, history and people.

The landscapes in Africa are just as varied. There you will find vast deserts, tropical rain forests, rugged mountains and fertile grasslands. Also there are lots of different touristic sights to see: from the Nile, the longest river in the world, the largest desert in the world, the Sahara, to a rich wildlife on safaris, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Pyramids of Giza, to white dream beaches on Zanzibar.

Africa is a beautiful country, but always keep in mind that it is also a poorer country. It is not safe everywhere, there are many diseases and people live in poor conditions.

BEST TIME TO VISIT AFRICA

Determining a good time to travel to Africa is very complex and depends on which region you are flying to and what you want to do. In general, you can travel to Africa all year round. Africa is the hottest continent. That is why you’ll always find sunshine and warm temperatures somewhere.

Due to the size of the continent you will find many different climate zones such as equatorial and tropical climates. Some countries such as South Africa, Namibia and Botswana are in the southern hemisphere, so December to March is summer. Before you plan your trip to Africa, you should research the optimal weather for your planned travel destination. Here are some of the most popular travel destinations in Africa and the best months to travel:

To see as many wild animals as possible on a safari in dry season from May to September is best. For beach time in Zanzibar, it’s best to fly to Africa from June to October. Your dream vacation in Mauritius should take place between April and December. The best time to travel to the Maldives is from December to April. The best time to travel to Egypt is from October to May. South Africa and Morocco are year-round travel destinations.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN AFRICA

Africa is a large country, so the best way to travel between countries is by plane. Within a country, long-distance buses are particularly suitable for traveling between different places. Alternatively, you can take a rental car, but you should be careful about your safety. It is not safe to travel by car as a tourist in every country. Guided tours are also a good and inexpensive alternative to explore the countries. For short distances within your holiday destination, I recommend the private taxi apps Uber and Bolt. This is the safest way to take a taxi, knowing the route and the costs beforehand.

TYPICAL COSTS WHEN TRAVELING IN AFRICA

In Africa you have a wide range of travel costs. You can travel really low budget, but also luxurious. That depends entirely on you, your plans and your destinations. There is something to suit every budget in Africa. In Morocco and Egypt the costs are so much lower than in Mauritius or the Seychelles, for example. A safari is also significantly more expensive.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES IN AFRICA

Africa is full of instagrammable spots for your photos. If you are looking for dramatic deserts, beautiful sand beaches, high mountains, breathtaking jungles, wildlife, ancient ruins, colourful markets and romantic sunsets, this continent is your next travel destination. Here are my favourite instagrammable places in Africa you shouldn’t miss:

Giraffe Manor in Kenya
Hot Air Balloon Ride over Masai Mara in Kenya
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania
Kruger National Park in South Africa
Chefchouen in Morocco
Jabali Ridge’s infinity pool in Tanzania
The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
Sunset over Serengeti in Tanzania
Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor in Egypt
Cape Town in South Africa
Sossusvlei in Namibia
Mahé in Seychelles
Stone Town in Tanzania
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Marrakech in Morocco

This are just a few of the countless instagrammable spots in Africa. There is a lot more to explore.

WHAT TO WEAR IN AFRICA

You should pack light clothes with a loose fitting for a trip to Africa for the warm temperatures. Avoid bright colours when you go on a safari, bring a hat for the sunshine and stable shoes.

Of course, for a swimming holiday you shouldn’t miss out on your swimming costumes and you should also have shorts and dresses. But be careful, clothing should not be too short and revealing, especially for women. In Africa women mainly wear long clothes, respect the local culture and adapt a bit. In the typical seaside resorts like Hurgharda or Zanzibar you can easily walk around with shorter clothes.

It can also get colder in Africa in winter. So at this time of year don’t forget your warmer clothing like a sweater, long pants and a warm jacket.