As rich in its history and culture as it is vast, Africa is an incredible place and a trip to one of its many countries is sure to leave you yearning for more.

It’s a continent that’s still wild at heart yet full of profound natural beauty and amazing wildlife. Its landscapes range from wild grasslands, mountainous forests, vast deserts, colourful cities, canyons, valleys and glorious coastlines.

Africa is huge and has more countries than any other continent, with around 54 sovereign states, it’s also the second largest in terms of area and population — the population is around 1.28 billion (2018). The continent is also home to the largest non-polar desert in the world — The Sahara, which means the great desert in Arabic. The Sahara is roughly the same size as Brazil!

Health

Malaria is present across most of Africa so it’s wise to take precautions such as anti-malaria medication. Insect and mosquito repellent will also help protect you from other mosquito and insect-borne diseases. You could also wear long sleeves and trousers to help keep exposed areas of skin covered.

For vaccinations contact your GP at least 2 months before travel as some courses are taken over several weeks. It’s wise to pack adequate sun protection as large parts of Africa are hot, dry and arid. Bring plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat as this will also help protect from sunstroke. It’s also advised to take note of emergency numbers for any of the countries you plan on visiting around Africa.

Tap water is generally unsuitable for drinking across most of Africa with the exception of South Africa and Namibia. Also it’s ill-advised to bathe in rivers, lakes and other natural water sources unless specifically told they’re safe as there are dangers from wildlife and water-borne diseases.

Safari Advice 

When on safari in Africa it’s best to wear neutral colours as they will help you blend in and make wildlife less nervous.

If your doing a self-drive safari it’s important to stay in your vehicle at all times unless in designated safe areas. These rules are in place not only for your safety but also to not scare the animals or disrupt their behaviour. The animals have become accustomed to seeing vehicles and do not perceive them as a threat whereas if someone were to break the outline of a vehicle by getting out or perhaps even just sticking an arm out of the window, the situation could change.

It’s worth investing in and bringing a good pair of binoculars, and for the keen photographer a telephoto lens is a must have.

Always listen carefully to your guides on safari as they are there to keep you safe above all else and the wildlife is of course wild and can be unpredictable.

South Africa

As the name would suggest South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa. It is one of the most geographically varied countries in Africa, from fertile plains, sprawling savannas, desert regions and mountain ranges. These regions in themselves give people plenty of reason to visit, but the most popular reason has to be the world renowned wildlife reserves, such as Kruger National Park. The city of Cape Town is on many visitors lists of places to see, as is driving the famous garden route. Read more about South Africa in our travel guide.

Namibia 

Located in Southern Africa, Namibia is often referred to as ‘Africa for beginners’ due to it being easy to navigate on a self-drive, having low crime rates, being mostly malaria free and the wide availability of well-equipped campsites. The countries name derives from the name of its and indeed the world’s oldest desert, the Namib. There are diverse landscapes throughout Namibia and exceptional wildlife viewing at Etosha National Park. Read more about Namibia in our travel guide.

Morocco

A North African country, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. In Morocco you will find huge deserts with rolling sand dunes, towering mountain ranges and ancient, colourful, buzzing cities. The city of Marrakesh is one of the most visited destinations in Morocco, but there are also many other cities and regions to explore with Berber, Arabic and European cultural influences. Read more about Morocco in our travel guide.

• Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest point in Africa. It is 5,895 metres (19,340 ft) high.
• Madagascar is the largest island in Africa, which is located in the Indian Ocean. It is the fourth largest island in the world.
• The giraffe, the world’s tallest land animal and the African elephant, the world’s largest land animal both come from Africa.
• The Nile River is the world’s longest river and it runs through 11 countries. It has a total length of 4,132 miles (6,650 km).
• There is a beer brewed from bananas in Africa.
• Lesotho is the only country in the world to lie entirely above 1,000 metres (3,281 ft). It is also completely surrounded by South Africa.
• Giant rats have been trained to sniff out land mines in Africa, helping to reclaim land.
• The oldest human remains were found at Jebel Irhound, Morocco. The bones and other remains are approximately 300,000 years old .