Africa
Tours

What are the visa requirements?

While generally not as difficult as in the past, many African countries do not have a reputation for liberal visa requirements. Please thoroughly check the requirements for each African country you plan on visiting.

In short, countries in Africa fall into one of three categories when it comes to their visa rules for passport holders from the developed world:

A growing list of countries have visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements. These are often states that are popular with tourists, such as South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt. However, there are some – notably Angola and Zimbabwe – that fall under this category despite having more isolationist governments. When a visa-on-arrival is issued, there is usually a processing fee attached – these average around €50.

Most nations in Africa require advanced eVisa approval, which adds a bureaucratic hurdle but are usually issued without problems. Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Uganda all come under this category. The cost of this is also usually around €50, depending on how long and how many entries you require.

Finally, some states require you to apply in advance for a visa through one of their diplomatic missions. This includes the vast majority of countries in Francophone Africa as well as some other destinations such as Liberia and Ghana. It is rare for these visas to be refused, but the main issue is often finding a diplomatic mission. Chad, for example, may require citizens from Latin America to travel to Washington or Ottawa, as they have the country’s only embassies in the Americas. The costs of these also vary wildly and depend on your citizenship – sometimes the fees are nominal, but a charge of $250 is not unheard of.

We provide full visa support for our trickier destinations. However, if you have questions regarding any of your African visas, then please get in touch with the YPT team.

What currency should I bring? Can I use credit/debit cards?

Most countries in Africa have their own currency, although there are several regional monetary units. We recommend checking out each of their landing pages to find out more about these, their exchange rates, and how they are used.

In Southern Africa, the South African Rand (ZAR) is used as the common currency in Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, as well as South Africa. The first three countries have their own local currencies, but they’re tied to the Rand and the two are used interchangeably. However, the local currencies are not accepted in South Africa. You can check the exchange rate of the Rand to the US Dollar here.

The West African CFA franc is used by eight countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. The Central African CFA franc is used by six countries, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. However, these two currencies are both pegged to the Euro at the same rate of €1 = 655.957 francs and are used interchangeably across the 14 countries. Due to the franc being attached to the Euro, we recommend that you bring that currency, rather than US Dollars, to change on arrival.

In the rest of Africa, both Euros and the US Dollar are used as the main foreign currency. You can find money changers in most of the region’s major cities, although better rates are given for higher denomination notes. Please bring crisp and new notes, otherwise they will not be accepted. In Zimbabwe, the US Dollar effectively operates as the national currency, but please check the latest news given the volatile situation.

Most hotels and larger restaurants in the region’s cities accept credit cards, with some major exceptions. Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan are under varying degrees of international sanctions. Please assume that your cards will not work here, including in ATMs. Therefore, bring enough cash (and more) for your entire stay. Cash remains the overwhelming means of exchange in Africa, especially in markets. The more developed somewhere is, the more they are likely to accept cards, but plan ahead!

When is the best time to visit?

Due to Africa’s vast geographical diversity, the best time to visit depends greatly on where you plan to go and what you want to do. The continent spans both hemispheres and has a wide range of climates, from arid deserts to tropical rainforests.

In the northern part of Africa, including countries like Morocco and Egypt, summers can be extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F), particularly in desert regions like the Sahara. Winters, however, are mild and much more comfortable for travel, making this the peak tourist season.

In East Africa, where countries like Kenya and Tanzania are located, the climate is generally more temperate. The dry seasons, from June to October and December to March, are the best times to visit, especially for wildlife safaris, as animals are more easily spotted around water sources. The wet seasons, while offering lush landscapes, can make travel more challenging due to heavy rains and muddy roads.

West Africa, with its tropical climate, experiences a rainy season from May to October, with the heaviest rainfall typically occurring in June and July. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to April when the weather is more predictable.

Southern Africa experiences opposite seasons to the northern hemisphere. The best time to visit for wildlife is during the dry winter months from May to October. Coastal regions – especially in South Africa – are best visited during the summer months of November to March.

Cultural and religious festivals play a significant role in daily life. With Africa having equal numbers of Christians and Muslims, Ramadan is widely observed in North Africa and some parts of West Africa. You won’t be required to participate, but it is important to respect local customs and recognize that society will adopt a different routine.

Don’t miss the chance to experience traditional African games and festivals, which are often highlights for visitors. We offer several of our itineraries around such celebrations, including the Guerewol Festival in Niger and even Carnival in Angola!

What languages are spoken?

Even according to the most conservative estimates, over a thousand languages are spoken across Africa. However, the vast majority of these are restricted to use within an ethnic group or narrow geographic area. There are around one hundred languages that are used as “languages of interethnic communication,” which include a combination of colonial and Indigenous African tongues.

Given that the continent’s borders were almost entirely drawn by European colonialists – and mixed many different ethnic groups – a handful of European languages emerged as the lingua franca depending on which European power oversaw a given region.

France (and Belgium) once governed large areas of Africa, which has resulted in French remaining the interethnic language of many African countries. These include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Djibouti, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa, Burundi, Comoros, and Madagascar.

With the UK having been the main colonial rival to France, English similarly is used as the lingua franca in many African states. These countries are Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Portuguese facilitates interethnic communication in Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Sao Tome and Principe, and Mozambique, with all these countries having a colonial history with Portugal. Equatorial Guinea is the only African state that uses Spanish in this way.

Arabic is used as the primary language across North and parts of East Africa. Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Zanzibar (Tanzania), and Comoros have it either as an official language or as the population’s main vernacular. Please note, however, that many of these countries speak dialects that are unintelligible to speakers of standard Arabic, notably Morocco.

In addition to Arabic and these European languages, there is often an Indigenous African language that serves as a secondary lingua franca within a country. These are often the mother tongues of much of the population – such as Somali in Somalia or Kinyarwanda in Rwanda – but often are not, such as with Swahili in Kenya and Tanzania.

Obviously, you cannot be expected to learn all these languages but knowing a few words of the main language of the region you are visiting will be very helpful! Do not expect people to speak anything other than their mother tongue and possibly the African lingua franca. For example, in much of Francophone Africa, many city dwellers now have French as a first language, but in rural areas, very few people speak it.

If this seems like a lot, do not worry. All our local partners are fluent in English and the relevant local language, ensuring you will be well looked after throughout your journey in Africa! Just another reason to book your adventure with YPT…

Should you tip?

Generally, tipping is not expected in Africa, although it is becoming expected in more touristy destinations. However, we like to reward our hard-working local partners and always encourage Pioneers to tip them. Generally, this is around $10 per person per day, although this of course varies. Your YPT guide will then discuss with the group and distribute shares to your local guides and drivers accordingly.

Locals do not tip at casual eateries and local cafes, although a 10-15% compulsory service charge is often added in Western-style cafés and nicer restaurants. Tipping is also not expected in hotels, but anything you do give will be received very gratefully. It is worth remembering that salaries in Africa are among the lowest in the world, so generosity is no bad thing!

Is Africa safe?

If you take some basic precautions, much of Africa is very safe for visitors. Many regions of the continent have proud and long traditions of hospitality, and you may even be invited into people’s homes as a sign of this.

The whole of Sudan and much of South Sudan, Somalia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are off-limits to tourists. While we visit many of these countries – and have often done so for many years – we work closely with our local partners. In our more challenging destinations, we cap our tour size at 10 people. We will not hesitate to change an itinerary if the situation on the ground changes, as your safety is our top priority!

The legality and acceptance of homosexuality varies wildly across Africa, although the continent is not known as a bastion of LGBTQ+ rights.  In a few countries, notably South Africa, same-sex marriage is legal and LGBTQ+ rights are protected by the constitution. However, many other African nations maintain strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws. In countries like Uganda and Nigeria, homosexuality is illegal, and penalties can be severe, including imprisonment. Some nations, like Egypt and Tanzania, have a history of police harassment and social persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals, even though the laws may not explicitly criminalize homosexuality. Regrettably, we must strongly advise that you exercise caution and discretion regarding your sexual identity while travelling in Africa.

Many African governments vary in their level of political openness, with countries such as Eritrea and Equatorial Guinea having strong authoritarian regimes. Be cautious when discussing political issues during your travels. Stay politically neutral, show sympathy where appropriate, and keep an open mind when engaging with locals. Be mindful that an individual’s views may not necessarily reflect those of their government. For example, there are liberal individuals in places like Nigeria and Uganda, while cities in South Africa may still have those with conservative views. If you have any concerns or questions, always consult your YPT guide first for advice.

Can you get insurance for Africa?

While it is very rare for incidents to occur on our trips, we recommend in the strongest possible terms that you take out comprehensive travel insurance. Medical airlifts can cost upwards of $25,000 before treatment, so at the very least we require that all Pioneers take out insurance that at least covers illness and injury.

You should always do your own research into travel insurance. However, we have partnered with IATI, who specialize in providing insurance for the type of unusual destinations that we go to, including much of Africa. If you use our referral link here then you can even get 5% off!

Can I drink alcohol?

In short, yes! Centuries of colonial rule and outside influence have left a varied drinking culture across Africa. In many countries, alcohol is both consumed liberally and widely available. Beer, spirits, and locally brewed drinks are popular in nations like South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana, and major cities have plenty of bars and clubs.

However, it’s always wise to be mindful of local customs, particularly in regions with a strong Muslim presence, such as North Africa and parts of West Africa. Here, alcohol consumption is likely to be frowned upon or even restricted by law. Conservative Christians are also likely to be offended by excessive alcohol use, so please check ahead with your hosts and be considerate of the area that you are in.

In a few countries, such as Sudan and Somalia, Islamic law prevails. Alcohol is either strictly regulated or banned entirely. In such cases, you should not attempt to bring alcohol into the country or consume it there. Public drunkenness is generally frowned upon in most African societies and will be judged harshly.

What’s the food like? How is it for those with dietary needs?

Vegetarians and especially vegans may find travelling in parts of Africa challenging, though it’s not impossible. In many African cultures, meat is a sign of wealth and hospitality, and it’s often served to guests as a gesture of honour. In such situations, you may need to find polite ways to decline or be ready to offer creative alternatives! Meat is commonly used in various dishes, as well as being used in sauces and stock – even if it is not obviously in the rest of the dish.

In some countries, notably South Africa and Ethiopia, vegetarian and vegan options are easier to find. For example, Ethiopian cuisine features a variety of lentil-based stews and vegetable dishes due to religious fasting traditions, which can accommodate plant-based diets. However, in rural areas or in countries where plant-based diets are uncommon, it’s important to be clear about your dietary preferences. What counts as “vegetarian” may differ from place to place or even person to person. Be sure to clarify that chicken or fish are considered “meat” if you do not want to be served them.

Those with coeliac disease and lactose intolerance will also struggle in Africa, due to the liberal use of milk and bread in many forms of local cooking. However, the dining scene in African cities is becoming more cosmopolitan all the time, with various international cuisines and options for those with all dietary needs opening up. Our local partners, who have worked with us for years, are all very experienced in explaining dietary needs to local chefs and restaurant owners. In other words, don’t worry – we’ll make sure you are accommodated!