Travel Guide - Africa
- whereintheworldsar
- Sep 14
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 18
To start, a short overview of Africa
Africa is a vast and diverse continent, known for its rich history, wildlife, cultures, and natural wonders. Covering about 30.2 million sqkm, it is the second-largest continent in the world, both in size and population; approximately 1,550,000,000 people adorn this massive block of land.
When travelling, you will come across many languages and a variety of currencies used, and driving can be on the right or left-hand side of the road; as a general rule of thumb, former British Colonies drive on the left-hand side. Visas are generally required for each country, so check this against your passport type. I found that, as a solo-female tourist, travelling on tours with Intrepid Travel were my best options; small groups and all the details were taken care of .. made for easy, safe, fun and enjoyable experiences.
Geography .. there is a lot of it and its varied!
- Regions: Africa is divided into five major regions: North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa.
- Landforms: The continent boasts a variety of landscapes, including deserts (like the Sahara), savannahs, rainforests, and mountain ranges (such as the Atlas Mountains and Mount Kilimanjaro).
- Rivers: Africa is home to some of the world's longest rivers, including the Nile, which is often considered the longest river in the world at 6,650km and flows from central Africa north through northeastern Africa to the Mediterranean Sea. Consider how many ways that you can enjoy this mighty river: be a bit adventurous with a white-water rafting trip at its source in Jinja, Uganda and delve into some rich history with a relaxed river-boat cruise in Luxor, Aswan or Cairo in Egypt.
Wildlife, a big drawcard to visiting Africa...
Africa is renowned for its diverse wildlife, and there is nothing more exciting than watching the action of a waterhole encounter, participating in a safari, or camping amidst the sounds of an African night.
The "Big Five" of African Wildlife
Most who travel to Africa are going in the hope of seeing the "Big Five", so what does this mean? It's the desire to get up close and personal with the lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceroses; all amazing to see, but remember that there are many other amazing beasts also roaming about, so keep yourself open to all sorts of animal and bird encounters.
The "Little Five" of African Wildlife
Not everyone thinks about the "Little Five" when it comes to wildlife encounters, and this refers to a group of small creatures in Africa that are often compared to the "Big Five" due to their significance in the ecosystem and their unique characteristics. Keep your eye open for the Antlion, Buffalo Weevil, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise and Red-billed Oxpecker; these animals play important roles in their habitats and are often sought after by wildlife enthusiasts and tourists alike.
National Parks: The continent has numerous national parks and reserves, like Masai Mara in Kenya, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Chobe National Park in Botswana, Etosha National Park in Namibia, and Kruger National Park in South Africa, where visitors can experience incredible safaris with quite differing landscapes and encounters; I also suggest trying a night-time safari as it gives a whole new perspective on your interactions with the wildlife.
Culture and People
Africa is incredibly linguistically diverse, with over 2,000 languages spoken. Major language families include Afro-Asiatic, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, and Khoisan. Speaking english, I was generally able to communicate easily enough, and my tour guides did the rest. The continent is home to thousands of ethnic groups, each with its unique traditions, customs, and art forms. Vibrant festivals, such as the Timkat in Ethiopia, Beneath the Boababs Festival in Kenya, Ramadan in Egypt, and the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco, showcase Africa's rich cultural heritage. Take note of any restrictions that may apply around these festivals, so as not to offend anyone or limit your enjoyment of an area.
History
Africa has a long, rich history, with ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Nubia, and Carthage. The Pyramids of Giza and the ruins of Great Zimbabwe are testaments to its historical significance, and thoroughly worth exploring. The new Grand Egyptian Museum has now opened in Cairo and when you combine a visit here with one to the old Egyptian Museum, also in Cairo, you are spoiled with hundreds of thousands of historical artefacts to explore, from one of the world's oldest civilisations. A visit with the San people (Bushmen) in Botswana brings you up close and personal to one of the world's oldest continuous cultures.
Like many places around the world, as people started to move more freely, the continent experienced significant changes during the colonial period, with many countries gaining independence in the mid-20th century.
Economy
Africa is rich in natural resources, including minerals, oil, and agricultural products. Countries like Nigeria and South Africa are key players in the global economy and it is obvious, as you travel through the majority of countries on the continent, that many African economies are rapidly growing, with sectors like technology, agriculture, and tourism seeing significant development.
How about some fun facts to finish off with ...
The Sahara Desert is so large that it can fit the entire United States within its borders! Imagine how many times New Zealand could fit within it!
The Nile River flows through eleven countries, making it one of the most important waterways in Africa; and that's a lot of water to have fun with for any adventurous traveller, so how many ways can you find to enjoy it?
Africa has every climate zone on Earth, from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. Make sure to pack clothes to cover each season.
In summary, Africa is a continent of contrasts, full of life, culture, and history. Its breathtaking landscapes, unbelievable wildlife encounters, ancient structures, and vibrant communities make it a fascinating place to explore and learn about; which makes for an amazing travel destination and unforgettable stories.
Explore Africa in depth with the following:
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