Places to go in Africa?

[Delvo]

I'm pondering future vacation places. One limit I'm imposing on the choices is that I don't want to go someplace where English isn't the language. Dealing with language problems would be too much work and make the vacation not really a vacation. People say you can get by just fine in non-English speaking countries because so many know English at least as a second language anyway, but my experience shows it's not true. My time in Germany would have been a complete disaster if I hadn't been able to speak German at the time.

So, since I'm also interested in going to Africa, that would mean the choices are: Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The trouble with a lot of African countries is their tendency to have things like famines and civil wars and such. Some of the ones I just named, I already know are obvious places not to go. Others I haven't heard of one way or the other. Others I think would work but I'm not sure. Do you see any that you believe would be suffiently prosperous and stable to make sane vacation destinations?

[Whirlpool]

Do you prefer only Africa for a vacation spots?

[farmerjumperdon]

Not sure where you are from, and not to slam any ethnic group or nationality; but research carefully for current information before going just about anywhere in Africa.

There are places with really archaic culturally based requirements - such as how much skin can be seen, length of hair, etc. Malawi had a requirement for hair length before you could clear customs. I think that has changed now. So they are one up on the Vatican, where they wouldn't let me in to see the Sistine Chapel because I was wearing shorts. So much for who is more archaic.

Also, be aware that free speech doesn't mean the same thing in all places. I figured out after the first day to keep my voice down. I'd be chatting with some locals and sudddenly they'd start looking around nervously to see who was within earshot. They warned me to keep political discussion more discreet.

Localized violence is rampant and unpredictable, rural areas are often completely deviod of any form of law enforcement, and just you being there as a tourist makes you a huge target. Just being able to afford to get there makes a person way richer than the average bandit. Poaching is common, with the danger being that poachers think nothing of killing police, wardens, and tourists to avoid being caught.

Not saying do not go, and this is not a reaction to terrorism or propoganda. Africa has always been a dangerous (relatively) place to travel. Just research the latest State Department bulletins and know the current state of things and all the rules in detail before you go.

I actually really enjoyed my time there. We spent 2 weeks in Kenya, a very progrssive place by African standards, and there were still many eye-opening experiences. Just be very diligent, take nothing for granted.

[JohnD]

Oh, please Delvo - learn a few words!
Please, thank you, "Where is the........? (followed by mime!)", "how much?", "How do you do" etc.etc.

I've not visited Africa, so no advice there, but the common phrases in the native language are appreciated anywhere. I went to Poland a while ago, and bought a CDrom of Polish phrases to play in the car every day as I drive to work. Though I could in no way 'speak Polish', I had that sort of phrase by the time I went, and it went down a storm with my Polish hosts!

Choose the appropriate language for the area you visit - I think Swahili is spoken in much of central Africa, Zulu in the south and Arabic in the north - and then search eBay or Amazon for the CDs.
See: http://africanlanguages.com/
Straight off I can see a Learn Swahili CD for $6.

I envy you - I want to vist Africa one day!
The Okavango Delta sounds magical in the flood season.

John

[Delvo]

Not sure where you are fromU.S.A.

...research carefully for current information before going just about anywhere in Africa.You mentioned the State Department as a source. Are there others I should use?

Not saying do not go...I wouldn't object if you did. I might reach that conclusion myself.

Kenya, a very progrssive place by African standardsI thought that would be one of the good ones. It's good to see that you confirmed it without my even suggesting it. And it also has a famous major wildlife park.

Oh, please Delvo - learn a few words!
Please, thank you, "Where is the........? (followed by mime!)", "how much?", "How do you do" etc.etc.That's fine with me, but not enough to do all that you would need to do.

The Okavango Delta sounds magical in the flood season.Where is that, and is it something tourists can get to?

[Doodler]

Here's a good rule of thumb. Watch the news. Any place that gets mentioned, put that on the list of "avoid at all costs". This would generally mean the majority of West Africa and the horn.

Egypt isn't too bad, plenty touristy what with all the old sites. Check for what kind of permissions you'll need ahead of time. The southern coastal countries seem reasonably stable. Nigeria also seems fairly stable, I worked with a Nigerian native who had no trouble making the trip back and forth.

[farmerjumperdon]

There are several large reserves in Kenya. Huge ones. Big enough that you aren't constantly seeing other tourists. And yes, relatively safe. But they do occssionally have tourist killings - but it is poachers, not terrorists.

The rule of thumb (and I beleive the law) is simply to stay in camp at night. Anybody out at night is presumed to be a warden or poacher. Our guide said if you have to use your headlights, you are breaking the law. We had a few late evening mad runs back to camp.

It's like the better depictions of the Olde West. No law, wide open spaces, natural unspoilt majesty, no pavement anywhere, tiny little mud road wood shack towns centered on a saloon or two that hosted all night card games. Most of the time I felt like I was in a Clint Eastwood movie instead of Africa. Except for the animals, and the safari trucks, and the Tusker beer.

Now that I think about it, GIT YER TICKY AND GO!

[Whirlpool]

I agree, Africa is one of the place I would want to go to , because of its wildlife reserves as showed in NGC.

I'm from Philippines, and we have a lot of beautiful tropical islands, if you're agenda is to relax by the beach.

Anyway, I just asked and it seems you have a good reason to go back to Africa. :)

Happy Trip!
;)

[ricgrey]

Only one decent place...:clap:

The Gambia...:lol:

Rich...

[orphia nay]

The first place in Africa I'd like to go is Egypt. I see that is not on the list, however, for some reason.

[davidlpf]

we once had a hotel cahin that hotels around the world and one was in giza that had rooms with views of the pyramids.

[Disinfo Agent]

The first place in Africa I'd like to go is Egypt. I see that is not on the list, however, for some reason.Not English speaking.

[Lianachan]

Check here (http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590) for good travel advice. It's designed for UK citizens, but advice is advice.

[Lianachan]

Nigeria also seems fairly stable

I almost lost a mouthful of Guinness when I read that. Over 150 visitors (mainly oil industry workers) have been kidnapped in Nigeria since January 2006, and the UK Foreign Office warns about "the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks" in several areas of the country.

[Doodler]

I almost lost a mouthful of Guinness when I read that. Over 150 visitors (mainly oil industry workers) have been kidnapped in Nigeria since January 2006, and the UK Foreign Office warns about "the high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks" in several areas of the country.

Well, if you ain't drillin' for oil, you don't attract attention, do you? ;)

[blueshift]

Bring a telescope. The Africans worship the stars and one of our club members just gave us a lecture and video on his trip to Libya during the eclipse last year. He met Khadafi, who obviously wanted to look through the decent scopes, and was given the impression that he is trying to turn Libya into another Egypt. There were so many ancient ruins we saw in the pics he brought back that it easily rivals Egypt..Their African guide HATES Khadafi with a passion and expresses it openly. They deleted an old law that prohibited questioning Khadafi's authority. They appear to be trying to draw a huge tourist industry.

I have a cyber pal in Kenya and I would feel quite comfortable going there. He wishes to establish an astronomy club in Africa and promotes it by lecturing at schools...