Everything You Need to Know Before You Travel to Africa

Destination Information

Home to diverse ecosystems, Africa boasts iconic safari destinations like the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Maasai Mara in Kenya, and South Africa’s Kruger National Park, where travelers can witness the incredible biodiversity of the African savannas, including the “Big Five” game animals. Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda offers a rare opportunity to encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, a life-changing experience for many.

For history enthusiasts, Africa is a treasure trove of ancient civilizations and heritage sites. The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia and the Great Zimbabwe ruins are just a few examples of the continent’s historical wonders. Visitors can also immerse themselves in vibrant cultures, from the rhythmic beats of West African drumming to the intricate beadwork of the Maasai in East Africa. Local markets offer unique crafts, textiles, and spices to take home as souvenirs.

Africa’s diverse landscapes include pristine beaches along the coasts of countries like Mozambique and Seychelles and lush rainforests in the Congo Basin. With bustling cities like Cape Town, Nairobi, and Marrakech, as well as remote villages and nomadic tribes, Africa’s urban and rural experiences are equally captivating. Despite its challenges, Africa’s warmth, hospitality, and resilience make it a rewarding destination for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and natural beauty.

Interesting Facts

Countries: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Ethiopia is known as the “Cradle of Humanity” because it’s believed to be one of the earliest sites of human existence.
Nigeria is home to Nollywood, the world’s second-largest film industry, after Bollywood in India.
Madagascar, an island nation, is home to some of the world’s most unique wildlife, including lemurs, chameleons, and the fossa.
South Africa is known for its “Big Five” game animals: lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros.
The ancient city of Marrakech in Morocco is known for the Jardin Majorelle, a garden designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later owned by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Tunisia was the backdrop for Star Wars. The desert landscapes of Matmata were used as the setting for Luke Skywalker’s home on Tatooine.

Countries

International Airports

Population (Million)

Trip Planning

When to Visit

Best Time
Many countries in this region experience a dry season, making it an ideal time to visit. In Southern Africa, the dry winter months from May to September are popular for wildlife safaris. In North Africa, the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) months are often considered pleasant.

Peak Time
The peak tourist season often aligns with the dry and mild weather. This typically occurs during the summer months in Southern Africa (November to March) when many travelers seek warm temperatures and wildlife experiences. North African countries might experience peaks during spring and fall.

Cheapest Time
The cheapest time to visit can be during the off-peak or rainy seasons, which vary by region. In Southern Africa, the wet season (November to March) might offer lower prices, but some areas may be less accessible due to heavy rains. In North Africa, visiting during the hotter summer months may lead to lower prices, but it’s essential to consider the high temperatures.

Most Expensive Time
The most expensive time to visit is typically during the peak tourist season when demand is high. This is especially true for popular destinations and wildlife reserves. Prices may also increase during festivals or special events.

Major Holidays

January
Sudan Independence Day: January 1
Cameroon Independence Day: January 1
New Year’s Day: January 1

February
Liberia Armed Forces Day: February 11
Gambia Independence Day: February 18

March
Ghana Independence Day: March 6

April
Zimbabwe Independence Day: April 18
Ghana Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day: April 21
Sierra Leone Independence Day: April 27
Togo Independence Day: April 27
South Africa Freedom Day: April 27
Good Friday: dates vary
Easter Monday: date vary

May
Labour Day: May 1
Africa Day: May 25
OAU Day: May 25
Eid al-Fitr: dates vary (May or June)

June
South Africa Youth Day: June 16
Madagascar Independence Day: June 26

July
Rwanda Independence Day: July 1
Malawi Independence Day: July 6
South Africa Nelson Mandela International Day: July 18
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): dates vary (July/Aug)

August
Côte d’Ivoire Independence Day: August 7
Zimbabwe Heroes’ Day: second Monday
India Independence Day: August 15
Republic of the Congo Independence Day: August 15
Gabon Independence Day: August 16
Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year): dates vary (Aug/Sep)

September
Revolution Day: September 1
Guinea-Bissau Independence Day: September 24
Botswana Independence Day: September 30

October
Nigeria Independence Day: October 1
Lesotho Independence Day: October 4
Tanzania Mwalimu Nyerere Day: October 14

November
Ivory Coast All Saints’ Day: November 1
Morocco Independence Day: November 18
Mauritania Independence Day: November 28

December
Christmas Day: December 25
Boxing Day: December 26
Australia, New Zealand

Weather

The seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are opposite to each other. When it’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and vice versa.

December to February
– Summer months for the southern hemisphere countries, with warm to hot temperatures and rainfall in tropical regions
– Winter months with milder temperatures for the northern hemisphere countries
– Coastal areas may have milder temperatures compared to inland regions

March to May
– Transition from summer to autumn in the Southern Hemisphere
– Northern Hemisphere experiences spring with gradual warming and rainfall in some regions

June to August
– The winter months with cooler temperatures and the dry season for many regions in the southern hemisphere countries
– Summer months for the northern hemisphere countries with warmer temperatures
– Coastal areas may offer milder temperatures

September to November
– Transition from winter to spring in the southern hemisphere
– Northern hemisphere experiences autumn with gradual warming
– Southern hemisphere countries experience more rainfall in the equatorial regions

Equatorial Regions (Wet and Dry Seasons)
– Countries near the equator, such as those in West and Central Africa, experience a climate characterized by two main seasons: a wet season and a dry season
– Marked by consistent day length and relatively constant temperatures throughout the year
– During the wet season, there is an increase in rainfall, while the dry season sees reduced precipitation

Coastal Areas
– Coastal areas in many African countries, especially those along the Atlantic or Indian Ocean, have more moderate temperatures compared to inland or desert regions
– The ocean’s proximity helps regulate temperatures, leading to milder and more stable weather conditions
– Coastal areas experience higher humidity due to the influence of oceanic moisture

Inland and Desert Regions
– Inland and desert regions, especially in North Africa, experience more extreme temperature variations
– These areas have hotter temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures at night
– Deserts, such as the Sahara, can be particularly hot during the day and cold at night

Altitude Impact on Temperatures
– Altitude plays a crucial role in determining temperatures
– In many African countries, you can find elevated areas (Ethiopian Highlands or the Drakensberg Mountains) and as you ascend, temperatures tend to decrease
– Mountainous regions have cooler and more temperate climates compared to lowland areas

Country Details

Algeria
Capital City: Algiers
Official Language: Arabic, Berber (99%)
Country Code: DZ
Calling Code: +213
Emergency Numbers: 17 (Police), 14 (Medical), 14 (Fire)
Currency: DZD (Algerian Dinar)

Angola
Capital City: Luanda
Official Language: Portuguese (85%)
Country Code: AO
Calling Code: +244
Emergency Numbers: 113 (Police), 112 (Medical, Fire)
Currency: AOA (Angolan Kwanza)

Benin
Capital City: Porto-Novo (official), Cotonou (economic)
Official Language: French (100%)
Country Code: BJ
Calling Code: +229
Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 166 (Medical), 118 (Fire)
Currency: XOF (West African CFA franc)

Botswana
Capital City: Gaborone
Official Language: English (official), Tswana (76%)
Country Code: BW
Calling Code: +267
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: BWP (Botswana Pula)

Burkina Faso
Capital City: Ouagadougou
Official Language: French (90%)
Country Code: BF
Calling Code: +226
Emergency Numbers: 17 (Police), 18 (Medical, Fire)
Currency: XOF (West African CFA franc)

Burundi
Capital City: Bujumbura
Official Languages: Kirundi (official), French, English (spoken by less than 1%)
Country Code: BI
Calling Code: +257
Emergency Numbers: 22 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: BIF (Burundian Franc)

Cameroon
Capital City: Yaoundé
Official Languages: English, French (bilingual country)
Country Code: CM
Calling Code: +237
Emergency Numbers: 112 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: XAF (Central African CFA franc)

Cape Verde
Capital City: Praia
Official Language: Portuguese (100%)
Country Code: CV
Calling Code: +238
Emergency Numbers: 132 (Police), 130 (Medical, Fire)
Currency: CVE (Cape Verdean Escudo)

Central African Republic
Capital City: Bangui
Official Languages: French, Sango (regional)
Country Code: CF
Calling Code: +236
Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 118 (Medical, Fire)
Currency: XAF (Central African CFA franc)

Chad
Capital City: N’Djamena
Official Languages: French, Arabic (official), Sara (regional)
Country Code: TD
Calling Code: +235
Emergency Numbers: 17 (Police), 2251-66-77 (Medical), 18 (Fire)
Currency: XAF (Central African CFA franc)

Comoros
Capital City: Moroni
Official Languages: Arabic, Comorian, French
Country Code: KM
Calling Code: +269
Emergency Numbers: 17 (Police), 773-06-09 (Medical), 18 (Fire)
Currency: KMF (Comorian Franc)

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Capital City: Kinshasa
Official Languages: French (official), Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Country Code: CD
Calling Code: +243
Emergency Numbers: 112 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: CDF (Congolese Franc)

Djibouti
Capital City: Djibouti
Official Languages: French, Arabic
Country Code: DJ
Calling Code: +253
Emergency Numbers: 17 (Police), 35-50-50 (Medical), 18 (Fire)
Currency: DJF (Djiboutian Franc)

Equatorial Guinea
Capital City: Malabo
Official Languages: Spanish, French, Portuguese
Country Code: GQ
Calling Code: +240
Emergency Numbers: 114 (Police), 115 (Medical), 112 (Fire)
Currency: XAF (Central African CFA franc)

Eritrea
Capital City: Asmara
Official Languages: Tigrigna, Arabic, English
Country Code: ER
Calling Code: +291
Emergency Numbers: 116 (Police), 117 (Medical), 118 (Fire)
Currency: ERN (Eritrean Nakfa)

Eswatini
Capital City: Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (royal and legislative)
Official Languages: Swazi, English
Country Code: SZ
Calling Code: +268
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: SZL (Swazi Lilangeni)

Ethiopia
Capital City: Addis Ababa
Official Languages: Amharic, Oromo, Tigrigna, Somali
Country Code: ET
Calling Code: +251
Emergency Numbers: 991 (Police), 907 (Medical), 939 (Fire)
Currency: ETB (Ethiopian Birr)

Gabon
Capital City: Libreville
Official Language: French
Country Code: GA
Calling Code: +241
Emergency Numbers: 1730 (Police), 1300 (Medical), 18 (Fire)
Currency: XAF (Central African CFA franc)

Gambia
Capital City: Banjul
Official Language: English
Country Code: GM
Calling Code: +220
Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 116 (Medical), 118 (Fire)
Currency: GMD (Gambian Dalasi)

Ghana
Capital City: Accra
Official Language: English
Country Code: GH
Calling Code: +233
Emergency Numbers: 191 (Police), 193 (Medical), 192 (Fire)
Currency: GHS (Ghanaian Cedi)

Guinea
Capital City: Conakry
Official Language: French
Country Code: GN
Calling Code: +224
Emergency Numbers: 1717 (Police), 666-15-15 (Medical), 18 (Fire)
Currency: GNF (Guinean Franc)

Guinea-Bissau
Capital City: Bissau
Official Language: Portuguese
Country Code: GW
Calling Code: +245
Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 119 (Medical, Fire)
Currency: XOF (West African CFA franc)

Ivory Coast
Capital City: Yamoussoukro (political capital), Abidjan (economic capital)
Official Language: French
Country Code: CI
Calling Code: +225
Emergency Numbers: 111 (Police), 185 (Medical), 180 (Fire)
Currency: XOF (West African CFA franc)

Kenya
Capital City: Nairobi
Official Languages: Swahili, English
Country Code: KE
Calling Code: +254
Emergency Numbers: 112 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: KES (Kenyan Shilling)

Lesotho
Capital City: Maseru
Official Languages: Sesotho, English
Country Code: LS
Calling Code: +266
Emergency Numbers: 123 (Police), 121 (Medical), 122 (Fire)
Currency: LSL (Lesotho Loti)

Liberia
Capital City: Monrovia
Official Language: English
Country Code: LR
Calling Code: +231
Emergency Numbers: 911 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: LRD (Liberian Dollar)

Libya
Capital City: Tripoli
Official Language: Arabic
Country Code: LY
Calling Code: +218
Emergency Numbers: 1515 (Police), 193 (Medical), 1515 (Fire)
Currency: LYD (Libyan Dinar)

Madagascar
Capital City: Antananarivo
Official Languages: Malagasy, French, English
Country Code: MG
Calling Code: +261
Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 22-227 (Medical), 118 (Fire)
Currency: MGA (Malagasy Ariary)

Malawi
Capital City: Lilongwe
Official Languages: English, Chichewa
Country Code: MW
Calling Code: +265
Emergency Numbers: 997 (Police), 998 (Medical), 999 (Fire)
Currency: MWK (Malawian Kwacha)

Mali
Capital City: Bamako
Official Language: French
Country Code: ML
Calling Code: +223
Emergency Numbers: 17 (Police), 15 (Medical), 18 (Fire)
Currency: XOF (West African CFA franc)

Mauritania
Capital City: Nouakchott
Official Language: Arabic
Country Code: MR
Calling Code: +222
Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 118 (Medical, Fire)
Currency: MRU (Mauritanian Ouguiya)

Mauritius
Capital City: Port Louis
Official Language: English
Country Code: MU
Calling Code: +230
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: MUR (Mauritian Rupee)

Morocco
Capital City: Rabat (political), Casablanca (economic)
Official Languages: Arabic, Amazigh, French
Country Code: MA
Calling Code: +212
Emergency Numbers: 19 (Police), 15 (Medical), 15 (Fire)
Currency: MAD (Moroccan Dirham)

Mozambique
Capital City: Maputo
Official Languages: Portuguese, various indigenous languages
Country Code: MZ
Calling Code: +258
Emergency Numbers: 119 (Police), 117 (Medical), 198 (Fire)
Currency: MZN (Mozambican Metical)

Namibia
Capital City: Windhoek
Official Languages: English (official), Afrikaans, German
Country Code: NA
Calling Code: +264
Emergency Numbers: 10111 (Police), 211111 (Medical, Fire)
Currency: NAD (Namibian Dollar)

Niger
Capital City: Niamey
Official Language: French
Country Code: NE
Calling Code: +227
Emergency Numbers: 17 (Police), 18 (Medical, Fire)
Currency: XOF (West African CFA franc)

Nigeria
Capital City: Abuja
Official Languages: English
Country Code: NG
Calling Code: +234
Emergency Numbers: 112 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: NGN (Nigerian Naira)

Republic of the Congo
Capital City: Brazzaville
Official Language: French
Country Code: CG
Calling Code: +242
Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 114 (Medical), 118 (Fire)
Currency: XAF (Central African CFA franc)

Rwanda
Capital City: Kigali
Official Languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English
Country Code: RW
Calling Code: +250
Emergency Numbers: 112 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: RWF (Rwandan Franc)

São Tomé and Príncipe
Capital City: São Tomé
Official Language: Portuguese
Country Code: ST
Calling Code: +239
Emergency Numbers: 112 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: STN (São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra)

Senegal
Capital City: Dakar
Official Language: French
Country Code: SN
Calling Code: +221
Emergency Numbers: 17 (Police), 15 (Medical), 18 (Fire)
Currency: XOF (West African CFA franc)

Seychelles
Capital City: Victoria
Official Languages: Seychellois Creole, English, French (official)
Country Code: SC
Calling Code: +248
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: SCR (Seychellois Rupee)

Sierra Leone
Capital City: Freetown
Official Language: English (100%)
Country Code: SL
Calling Code: +232
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: SLL (Sierra Leonean Leone)

Somalia
Capital City: Mogadishu
Official Languages: Somali, Arabic (Maay and Maxaatiri are recognized regional languages)
Country Code: SO
Calling Code: +252
Emergency Numbers: 888 (Police), 555 (Medical), 555 (Fire)
Currency: SOS (Somali Shilling)

South Africa
Capital City: Pretoria (administrative), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
Official Languages: Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga
Country Code: ZA
Calling Code: +27
Emergency Numbers: 10111 (Police), 10177 (Medical), 10111 (Fire)
Currency: ZAR (South African Rand)

South Sudan
Capital City: Juba
Official Languages: English (official), others recognized regionally
Country Code: SS
Calling Code: +211
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: SSP (South Sudanese Pound)

Sudan
Capital City: Khartoum
Official Languages: Arabic, English
Country Code: SD
Calling Code: +249
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: SDG (Sudanese Pound)

Tanzania
Capital City: Dodoma (official), Dar es Salaam (largest city and de facto capital)
Official Languages: Swahili, English
Country Code: TZ
Calling Code: +255
Emergency Numbers: 112 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: TZS (Tanzanian Shilling)

Togo
Capital City: Lomé
Official Language: French (100%)
Country Code: TG
Calling Code: +228
Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 118 (Medical, Fire)
Currency: XOF (West African CFA franc)

Tunisia
Capital City: Tunis
Official Language: Arabic (100%)
Country Code: TN
Calling Code: +216
Emergency Numbers: 197 (Police), 190 (Medical), 198 (Fire)
Currency: TND (Tunisian Dinar)

Uganda
Capital City: Kampala
Official Languages: English, Swahili
Country Code: UG
Calling Code: +256
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: UGX (Ugandan Shilling)

Zambia
Capital City: Lusaka
Official Language: English (100%)
Country Code: ZM
Calling Code: +260
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: ZMW (Zambian Kwacha)

Zimbabwe
Capital City: Harare
Official Languages: English, Shona, Sindebele (Ndebele)
Country Code: ZW
Calling Code: +263
Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police, Medical, Fire)
Currency: ZWL (Zimbabwean Dollar)

Airlines, Alliances & Hubs

Air Algérie (AH)
Alliance: None
Hubs:
ALG – Algiers, Algeria
EBH – El Bayadh, Algeria
MZW – Mécheria, Algeria

Arik Air (W3)
Alliance: None
Hubs:
ABV – Abuja, Nigeria
LOS – Lagos, Nigeria

ASKY Airlines (KP)
Alliance: None
Hub: LFW – Lomé, Togo

EgyptAir (MS)
Alliance: Star Alliance
Hubs:
CAI – Cairo, Egypt
HBE – Borg El Arab, Egypt
SSH – Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Ethiopian Airlines (ET)
Alliance: Star Alliance
Hubs:
ADD – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
DIA – Doha, Qatar
LFW – Lomé, Togo
LGG – Grâce-Hollogne, Belgium

Fastjet (FN)
Alliance: None
Hubs:
DAR – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
JNB – Johannesburg, South Africa

Ghana International Airlines (G0)
Alliance: None
Hub: ACC – Accra, Ghana

Kenya Airways (KQ)
Alliance: SkyTeam
Hub: NBO – Nairobi, Kenya

Nigerian Airways (UN)
Alliance: None
Hubs:
KAN – Kano, Nigeria
LOS – Lagos, Nigeria

Air Mauritius (MK)
Alliance: None
Hub: MRU – Port Louis, Mauritius

Royal Air Maroc (AT)
Alliance: None
Hubs:
CMN – Casablanca, Morocco
RAK – Marrakesh, Morocco

RwandAir (WB)
Alliance: None
Hubs:
COO – Cotonou, Benin
KGL – Kigali, Rwanda

South African Airways (SA)
Alliance: Star Alliance
Hubs:
CPT – Cape Town, South Africa
GRJ – George, South Africa
JNB – Johannesburg, South Africa
PLZ – Port Elizabeth, South Africa

TAAG Angola Airlines (DT)
Alliance: None
Hub: LAD – Luanda, Angola

Air Seychelles (HM)
Alliance: None (Etihad Airways (ET) Partner)
Hubs:
CDG – Paris, France
SEZ – Victoria, Seychelles

FAQs

Do I need a visa to travel to Africa?
The visa requirements for traveling to Africa vary, as each country has its own entry regulations. Some countries may allow visa-free entry for certain nationalities, while others require a visa for all travelers. We strongly encourage you to check with your countries provided by government immigration websites. For US citizens, check the U.S. Department of State website’s visa section here. Some countries may overlap on the lists below, in which case, you should follow the most restrictive rule:

Visa-free for ECOWAS nationals
- Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
No Visa Required for Short Stay
- Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Visa on arrival or e-visa available
- Angola, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Uganda
Visa Required in Advance for certain nationalities
- Algeria, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Western Sahara

Is it customary to tip in the USA?
Tipping customs vary across the region.

Tipping is common and expected (5% to 15% of the bill in restaurants, taxis round up the fare, in hotels, tip hotel staff who provide additional services, such as porters and housekeeping)
- Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo
Tipping is less common or discretionary
- Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
Tipping customs may vary
- Libya: tipping in upscale restaurants 10-15%, round up taxi fare, small tips for hotel staff
- Western Sahara: influenced by local cultural norms, restaurants you round up, taxi or hotel staff no tipping is necessary

What is the legal drinking age in Africa?
The legal drinking age in almost all countries is 18 years old. There are some countries where age is not clearly defined and the sale and consumption of alcohol is actually restricted or prohibited in some areas. Those countries are: Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan and Western Sahara.

Do I need to rent a car to get around Africa?
Whether you need to rent a car depends on your destination and travel plans. You should consider whether public transportation can effectively cover your intended destinations. In capital cities and major urban areas, you may find reliable public transportation and ride-sharing services. If you plan to visit rural or remote areas, renting a car may be necessary, as public transportation options may be limited.

South Africa and Nigeria are two countries that have well developed public transport. Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique are countries we strongly recommend renting a car.

What side of the road do people drive on in Africa?
In the majority of the countries, people drive on the right side of the road, with a few exceptions. In Cape Verde, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles people drive on the left side.

What is the legal age to rent a car in Africa?
The age for renting a car is typically 21 years old. However, specific policies may vary by rental agency, and some agencies may have additional fees or restrictions for drivers under 25. It’s essential to check with the individual rental agency for their specific terms and conditions regarding age requirements and any associated fees for underage drivers.

Are there specific travel restrictions or regulations I should be aware of for Africa?
Understand the local currency, banking practices, and any restrictions on currency exchange or transactions. Many countries may have health-related entry requirements, including vaccinations and health screenings. Check with the respective embassies or official government websites for the latest health regulations. For the latest travel advisories, entry requirements, and health and safety guidelines for your destination on the U.S. Department of State website’s travel advisories section here.

What is the general etiquette when greeting someone in Africa?
In general, greetings in the African countries often involve a handshake, verbal greetings, and the use of respectful titles. Maintaining eye contact is seen as a sign of respect, but cultural variations exist. Greeting elders with deference is common across many cultures. Sensitivity to gender-specific customs and variations in greetings may be observed. Here are some specific gestures worth noting:

- Morocco: A warm handshake is common, and it may be accompanied by traditional Arabic greetings.
- Nigeria and Senegal: Handshakes are common, and greetings are often accompanied by inquiries about well-being.
- South Africa: Handshakes are common, and in some communities, a slight bow or nod may be included.
- Ghana and Kenya: Handshakes are common, and a verbal greeting may involve asking about the other person’s family