For women planning a trip to Africa the number one concern is probably personal safety. But you can usually overcome this fear by either finding a travel companion or by following some basic safety rules. I've put some advice and information together for women who are considering traveling in Africa. These include the usual tips about what to wear in Muslim countries like Egypt and Morocco, how to avoid getting harassed by bored men and where to find a travel companion.

Anyone traveling in Africa should be aware of basic safety and health issues. But there's no reason for women to give up their dreams of traveling to this exciting continent just because they may not have a male companion to go with. The best thing to do is to find out what women have to say who are traveling in Africa right now, or who have just returned. The majority is very positive.

One of the first things you'll notice when you arrive in Africa is that nearly everyone has a cell phone. And I really mean everyone. That includes the Maasai warrior dressed in a traditional red shuka blanket, complete with rubber tire sandals on his feet. While tending cattle on the shimmering northern Tanzanian plains, he'll have a stick in one hand and a Nokia phone in the other. In Ghana people love their phones so much, they can actually be buried in a cell phone coffin.

The cell phone industry has revolutionized communications on the continent, and in some key areas, Africa has revolutionized the use of cell phones. This is all fantastic news. However, you may find that your own beloved iPhone is quite useless when you arrive in Africa. Your San Bushman tracker can text his wife to ask if dinner is ready, but you are likely to be stuck with no signal at all. So how do you make sure your phone will work while traveling in Africa? Read on...

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African athletes are legendary in long distance running events. In the recent London marathon, Kenyan athletes Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany won both the men and the women's race. Long distance races at the Olympics are dominated by East and North Africans. But you don't hear enough about marathons being run in Africa.

At the end of June, Kenya will host the 13th Safaricom marathon. The race takes place in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and runners will be up against non-human contestants as well, zebra, impala and maybe even a rhino or two. More than 2000 runners will take on the challenge and the money raised will go toward wildlife conservation and community projects. The mere possibility of spotting a lion while running, would certainly propel me to the finish line.

Other Marathons Taking Place in Africa in 2012/13

Running a marathon is always a great excuse to travel. So why not try one of these marathons and run in the desert, mountains, savannah, or forest. All of these marathons can be combined with safaris, treks and cultural tours.

• International Peace Marathon Kigali - Kigali, Rwanda - May 27, 2012
• Big Five Marathon - Entabeni Game Reserve, Limpopo, South Africa - June 23, 2012
• Knysna Forest Marathon - Knysna, South Africa - July 14, 2012
• Amazing Maasai Marathon (Ultra) - Mt Kenya, Kenya - September 29, 2012
• Kilimanjaro Marathon - Moshi, Northern Tanzania - March 3, 2013
• Two Oceans Marathon - Cape Town, South Africa - March 29, 2013
• Marathon des Sables (extreme 6 days) - Western Sahara Desert, Morocco - April, 2013

And for more dates and races check this African marathon calendar

_{Image © Safaricom Marathon}

You're looking at Africa's lowest geographic point. This lake lies 515 feet (155m) below sea level. It's a salt water lake, with beaches literally made of pure salt. Some of the salt banks are over 200 feet (65 m) deep. Saltier than even the Dead Sea, when you dive in you don't have to swim a single stroke, you can just float and read a book. Salt cakes everything along the shores of this lake, loose vegetation that has been blown here from far away, dead birds -- everything is crystallized in salt. And not surprisingly, no vegetation grows here. Slabs of salt are carved out of the upper crust, hoisted onto camels and donkeys, and taken over the mountains to sell in neighboring countries. These salt caravans are still going on today. Where is this?

Click here for the answer along with more information about this destination.