Austria
What, in particular, do you have to consider when planning a trip to Africa?
Martina Horter: The best times to travel! Africa does not always automatically offer warm temperatures during every season. Here, too, the best time to visit depends on the regions you are visiting. Take South Africa as an example: During the European winter months, Cape Town is nice and sunny, but in Kruger National Park these months are very hot and humid with a lot of rain. During July and August, temperatures and conditions are a lot more pleasant in that region. Before deciding when to go, you should carefully research the destinations you want to see. While October, for instance, is a great month for travelling to South Africa, temperatures may rise to up to 50 degrees in the iconic dunes at Sossusvlei in Namibia. You should also keep in mind the distances.
To what extent?
Horter: Distances are simply much longer than those we are used to in Europe. You should not try to do too much. If you rent a car, you should only drive during daylight hours, since orientation can be difficult at night as many roads are rarely lit by street lights. I would also advise you to acquaint yourself with changing tyres before the start of your tour, as there are many sand roads, for instance in Namibia, and flat tyres are likely to happen.
Are there any special taboos in Africa?
Horter: Not really. You should demonstrate respect for the different cultures, but, of course, this applies around the world.
Do you need any vaccinations for Africa?
Horter: If you want to go to southern Africa, you may need to consider getting malaria prophylaxis if you want to go to Kruger National Park or northern Namibia. But there are no compulsory vaccinations. In eastern Africa, too, you should consider protecting yourself against malaria, but vaccinations are not required, either. For a long time, yellow fever vaccines were required for Tanzania.
Are there any special entry requirements?
Horter: You will no longer have to comply with any special requirements to enter southern Africa. All you need is your passport. In East Africa, you will need a visa for some countries, but you do not necessarily have to obtain it before departure. You may obtain your visa upon arrival in these countries.
What clothes should you pack and wear?
Horter: You may want to use the onion principle, which means you dress in several layers so you can adapt to the weather easily. Even in East Africa, you may face really cold temperatures, for instance on Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya. I would recommend you should wear shades of brown, as these colours do not attract mosquitoes as much as dark colours. In general, long sleeves and long pants will not only protect you from insect bites but also from the sun. You do not have to be particularly elegant in Africa, not even in the luxury lounges.
Can you take pictures anytime anywhere?
Horter: No, you can’t! If you want to take pictures of locals dressed in brightly coloured clothes, you will have to ask for their permission beforehand … and taking a photo can actually be quite expensive.
Is there anything special to consider regarding the food?
Horter: Every country has its particular specialities. South Africa offers fine dining with a French touch, with a lot of fish and excellent wines. In East Africa, too, fish dishes are common along the coastline. Dining in Namibia is more rustic, but its cuisine features particularly tasty types of meat. You can, for instance, try oryx or other game meat. In the other southern African countries, too, meat tends to be a central focus of the cuisine. A classic side dish in African countries is maize porridge.
Is it safe to travel to Africa?
Horter: Of course, economic inequality is strong in Africa. I would therefore recommend you should not wear any flashy, valuable jewellery. In general, travellers should comply with the recommendations issued by the Foreign Office and common travel guides, and should certain areas. And in some areas, it is certainly advisable to take a taxi rather than walk around in the evening. However, over the past ten or twenty years, safety has improved significantly. In South Africa, this was strongly driven by the Football World Cup in 2010.
Info: Martina Horter is TUI Product Manager for Southern Africa
