You need to ensure you have a full passport that is valid for at least
the full duration of your trip but 3 months. If you are visiting many different
countries, you should must ensure that you have plenty of clear pages. You will
receive many stamps travelling through Africa and having blank pages inserted
into your passport whilst you are travelling is difficult.
It is a good
idea to take a photocopy of your passport and either keep it with a
friend/family member at home who you can easily contact or, if you will be
accessing your email whilst away - email a copy to
yourself.
Visa requirements vary depending on the country you are visiting and
your nationality. Governments regularly change the requirements - so it is best
to check with your local embassy/consulate what the requirements are, whether
you can obtain them at your point of entry or whether you need to obtain them
in advance. If in advance, allow yourself plenty of time or processing. You
should also be aware of what kind of visas are available, whether you require
multiple entry.
If travelling to several countries take a few passport
photos with you for visas etc.
It is very important to get the latest up-to-date information and
advise for the countries you plan to visit from your physician or from a
specialist in tropical illnesses and diseases.
Important, accurate and
up-to-date Health Information, covering illnesses and diseases, Malaria,
recommended vaccinations, advise for staying healthy and how to avoid getting
sick, what to take with you, what do when you return home can be found by
clicking the following links
Travellers to
Central Africa covering: Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad,
Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon,
Sudan, Zambia
Travellers to East Africa covering: Burundi, Comoros,
Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte,
Mozambique, Reunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda
Travellers to
North Africa covering: Algeria, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco
(including Western Sahara), Tunisia
Travellers to West
Africa covering: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde islands, Côte
d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania,
Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra
Leone, Togo
Recommended Book - Lonely Planet Africa
(Healthy Travel Guides)
(amazon.com) - USA(amazon.co.uk) - UK "Healthy Travel Africa" is a
user-friendly guide to minimizing health risks for travelers to all parts of
Africa, including Egypt. Includes: • comprehensive coverage of
pre-travel preparations and post-travel checks • quick guide to what
diseases occur where • listings of key local hospitals and clinics •
basic first aid for beginners • guidelines on injections and blood
transfusions • description of common medications
It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel
insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country.
against personal accident, medical attendance, baggage and other
valuables.
If you need medical care whilst in Africa, it is best to be
aware that medical providers do not accept payment through your insurance
company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your
treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement.
Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire
transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or
representative. To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical
personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and
receipts.
Here a few on-line companies offering a wide range of travel insurance
products that you can check out
Insure and Go - UK Travellers whether it's for a one
off holiday or if you travel many times over the year, if you're off
backpacking before university or you're retired and looking to explore the
world; if you're after winter sports cover or if it's for a business trip, a
wedding abroad or a golfing weekend away, we have a policy at the right price
to ensure you have the peace of mind that you are covered for the unexpected
while you're away.
- UK
Travellers Offering a full range of policies, single trip, young
travellers, long stay, annual cover for UK residents. Get your quote and policy
on-line....
- UK & Irish
travellers one of the leading providers of on-line travel and holiday
insurance for UK and Irish residents on the Internet. Go Travel Insurance
offers great cover at the best prices for single trip, ski, annual and
backpackers insurance.
Insure My Trip - USA travellers offer 63 different
travel insurance plans from 14 different companies - no other site has such
product depth or comparison features. You can compare each policy giving you
the information you need to make an informed decision about your travel
insurance needs. .
Downunder Insurance - UK - Australia and New Zealand
Travellers offers travel insurance to travellers and residents in the
UK, Australia and New Zealand. Our cover ranges from basic to highly
comprehensive, with affordable policies aimed at backpackers and gap-year
students, but with cover available to travellers and holiday makers up to 55
years of age.
** Spend some time reading up and learning about
the countries you plan to visit - you will get a far better reception if you
take an interest in the people, respect their culture and learn at least the
basics of the local language. A simple "hello", "please" or "thank you" goes a
long way.
We have many books and maps that we recommend for
different African countries - have a browse through our
Bookshop and
Map Shop
