Im planning on going on a tour of Africa on my own?
Question by .: Im planning on going on a tour of Africa on my own?
People think im crazy and that im going to get stabbed or shot or something but i really want to go to Tanzania the Congo Kenya and south africa maybe Cape town, i like traveling ive been to many places all over the world but never been to Africa id love to go on safari and see the animals and just see lots of Africa. Do you think its crazy to go to Africa?
Thanks Another Guy its Kinshasa and Kisangani I was thinking of visiting.
Best answer:
Answer by Hell Raiser
Few countries are really in bad shape with civil war and all, avoid those, few are manageble just do the basics right, chk out http://www.letusexplore.com/destinations.html
What do you think? Answer below!
I heard they got some real good ganja other there !
so
yea
go 4 it !!
I don’t think that you’re crazy. I just got back from Morrocco.
Absolutely wonderful country! Everyone that I know who has travelled in Africa loved it (whether it be a safari in Kenya, the desert in Morrocco or Mali, ….). It must be very enriching. But at the same time you must be prepared to witness alot of excruciating poverty as well as famine and disease such as AIDS. 70% of adults in Mozambique are HIV positive and that’s hard to take when you visit a country such as this.
I wouldn’t go to Africa alone. Go with a trustworthy friend.
Welcome to Africa!!!!!
You’re not crazy. Unless you go to a collapsed state or into the middle of a civil war your chances of being shot or stabbed are far less than they would be in the United States. The countries you mention, with the possible exception of the Congo (did you mean Congo-Kinshasa or Congo-Brazzaville?) are all extremely safe. Do a little research (background and current affairs) before you go, but other than that just take the usual precautions you would in the US and relax. You’ll have a wonderful time and learn a lot.
Go for it.
Apart from Congo, none of the countries you mention are high risk. But certain areas/provinces in Congo should definitely be avoided.
It is absolutely NOT crazy to go to Africa. I lived in Sudan for a year—got a job on escapeartist.com and went to teach 2nd graders for a year in the capital (Khartoum). It was a GREAT experience and one I’m glad to have had. Going alone isn’t a horrible idea but I’d do some research on the front end and remember that in most places in Africa a white face is synonymous with money. And lots of it. So either be prepared to pay 2-5 times what the locals pay, or learn enough of the language to haggle with people (which in most places is common and even expected).
I’d also recommend staying for at least a couple of months. A whirlwind tour might be fun, but if you’re really interested in the culture and the people (and not just buying souvenirs and seeing animals in the wild) then you need some time to get to know people and places. Some of the best restaurants that I went to in Sudan, for example, were COMPLETELY off the radar for people who didn’t know the locals—like an INCREDIBLE Ethiopian restaurant run out of someone’s home or the AMAZING Chinese place tucked away on the 2nd floor of a building off the bus route downtown. I was really amazed to hear people who worked for the UN say that they’d never been to the awesome hookah cafes, and that they didn’t go shopping in the local markets. There’s a lot to see if you’re willing to take your time.
Get traveler’s insurance. That way if you’re stabbed, shot or you just happen to be in an accident, you can get medical care. Make sure the plan includes evacuating you to the nearest modern hospital if you’re out in a smaller city or town. Get your immunizations updated and check travel.state.gov or cdc’s websites to see if there are any recommended shots or if you need to take antimalarials. You wouldn’t want to go all the way to Africa just to get malaria and then be laid up your whole vacation.
Also, watch your back. Just be aware of what is going on around you. Don’t carry a lot of cash on your person. Some places people are experts at slitting your pockets so that your wallet falls out and you don’t even feel a thing! Don’t bring a lot of valuables with you (necklaces, rings, your great-grandfather’s gold pocket watch) unless you’re prepared for them to possibly get lost or stolen.
Also, pack spare clothes & stuff in your carry-on bags so that you don’t have to worry if for some reason not all of your bags show up. One of my bags was missing for a month when I went to Sudan, but it eventually showed up. Split stuff between your two checked bags just in case so that if one doesn’t show, you still have underwear & clothes, etc, because sometimes finding replacements can be tricky. And you really don’t want to get to Kenya and then not have clean underwear or just have clean underwear but no clothes.
Hope this is helpful. I tried to give you a good sampling of tips, but again, travel.state.gov is good for travel safety info & warnings.
that’d be amazing. But you gotta be careful. Its best to go from the English speaking countries too. From the Cairo in Egypt to the Cape of South Africa. Follow that route. Carry a handgun at all times and dont show your money at all.
Hello,
I have just returned back to Canada after a trip throughout Africa for two months and I did it alone. Tanzania is a very safe place (by african standards) and Kenya is the same as long as you stay out of Nairobi. S,Africa is reknowned for its dodginess hewever, I had no problems, if your in Cape Town just stay in the city bowl and as always, just have your wits about and use common sense you would use in any third world country. I would not condone travelling through the Congo however. Firstly, it would be very difficult tto travel through as I spoke to some people who used to live in the Congo and road conditions are horrible, and hassling of white people is immense (not to mention the widespread use of guns, due to its political condition). If I were you, go to Rwanda and Uganda if you want an experience similar to Congo, but safer. As well, then you can see the Gorrillas and the locals in Uganda are very friendly. As well, if you have time you should try to go to Malawi. It is one of the most beautiful (and unfortunately 3rd poorest) country on earth.