Hy i am planning a trip in Africa and i don't have much time..only 1 month...i know it's not enouth.but i wnat to make the best of my time
i would like some adivices on where to go and what is a Must.to see as well I am intrested in knowing if it's safe as a women to travel alone in africa.
Premium account Joined: Aug 04 Points: 34825 Posts: 171
Posted: 2006-11-13 14:20:00
You really have to narrow this down a little bit. Africa is a huge continent.
I chose Southern Africa, starting with South Africa, then Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Some of the highlights of my trip was Table Mountain, Cape Point, Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei (Sand dunes), Etosha National Park, the Himba and San people, the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, The Cheetah Park, Victoria Falls. I done all of this in three weeks.
But it really depends what part you want to start and what interests you.
Premium account Joined: Aug 04 Points: 34825 Posts: 171
Posted: 2006-11-13 19:28:00
Hello,
I didn't travel independently, as I wanted to see so many things and the distance was too great. I travelled some 4200 km. I don't know how safe it is to travel alone, as this was the first time I went on a tour, but I also didn't really see anyone else who was travelling alone. I'm sure its possible though. But I'm not sure I would want to... Big cities are nice to do on your own but rural place makes me feel too vunerable - but that's just me.
Hey Mady, hoping this finds you in good health and high spirits!
Having travelled 8 countries in Norh, East and west Africa, there are a few things to ponder before you make your decision.
A-When you say you have a month, does that mean your leaving in 1 month or have 1 month vacation?
B-What is your budget like? Cheaper countries from my experience are Egypt, Moroc, Ethiopia and Kenya.
C-you have to consider what the weather will be like in the area your going to. Nov to Feb, in North is rainy and cold.. while in the sahara it is damnnnnn cold at night, but bearable during the day. Central Africa is just plain hot and humid. Haven't been to the south so I can't say.
D-What region of Africa do you want to go to? Africa is big. There are essentially 5 regions.
1. North (Islamic religion, French, Arabic Language) Sahara, coutnries along the Mediteranean coast, Mauritana, N.Mali, Niger, N Chad, N.Sudan, Egypt.
3. Central Africa..(Christian religion, French/ English language) Cameroon, CAR and DRC (Congo), s.chad,s. sudan, gabon, equalateral guinee, (mostly French with some english) Hot, humid, jungle
4. East Africa (Arabic, English, french, Swahili) Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia,Eritrea, Djibouti.
Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania are jungle/savanah countries with lots of wildlife for Safaris.
Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti are somewhat desert like with the exception of Ethiopia has mountains, waterfalls, the birthplace of Christianity it's where the blue and white Nile meets. very diverse.. language Amahric.
5. S. Africa (english/french language, christian relig.) Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar,
Jungle, Mountains, safaris etc..
E- What kind of things are you interested in seeing or doing?
IN MY OPINION---
I have never been to S. Africa so I have no opinion.
If you want to mingle with the people on a more cultural level.. go to W. Africa.. top picks would be Senegal and Ghana (renowned for music and food)
If you want History/Museums and a more touristy feel go to N. Africa. Top picks would be Tunisia, Egypt and Ethiopia.
If you want a more younger crowd, more cultural influx, more party atmosphere, Top pick would have to be Morocco.
If you want Safaries or Mtn climbing go to Kenya/Tanzania
If you want Ocean relaxing, go to Tunisia, Egypt(red sea side) or around Mombasa Kenya.
If you want cheap Top picks would be Kenya, Morocco, Egypt and Ethiopia.
Most of the other countries are accessable also, however getting around it a bit difficult.
You also have to be careful of what countries are in conflict at the time.
Think these things over then get back to us with more questions.
Africa is a big place so, yes, it is important to narrow it down by thinking of what you want out of it.
If you want to have a bigger city life/more first world type of experience then I would say South Africa would be good.
If you want to experience the openness of Africa, the wildlife and people, then I would suggest a more third world, but tourist friendly country like Tanzania or Kenya.
I'm not sure about travelling alone as a woman, I would seriously suggest you try to find a travel companion - post a request here or on the lonely planet thorn tree site.
I was travelling with my brother and my father and there were still times that I felt rather unsafe - usually in the more urban areas and at border posts where there are a lot of people.
