Planning a Trip to Africa
By Anouk Zijlma, About.com Guide to Africa Travel
Plan your trip to Africa with the resources below. There's information about visas, vaccinations, air travel, health and safety. Get inspired about where to go in Africa using the vacation planner, maps and photos. Learn more about Africa's cultures and languages before you go.
Planning Your Vacation to Africa

Africa is huge and diverse, so deciding where to go will take up a lot of your planning time. If you just want a basic introduction to what there is to see and do in Africa then the links below will help you. For more details click on the tabs "Destinations" or "What to Do".
Getting to Africa

The most important thing to look into when you plan your trip to Africa is your flight. Flights book up months in advance because there just aren't that many available. If you can't find a direct flight to the African country you want to visit, then you'll have to look into regional flights. You can also opt to Cruise to Africa. A good option for getting around several countries in Africa is to choose an Overland tour.
Photos of Africa

Seeing is believing and once you get to browse through some of these Africa photo galleries, it won't be long before you'll want to visit.
Visas, Vaccinations and Safety

Many African countries require visas in order to enter and this can take a few weeks to sort out. Vaccinations are also very important, and some of the vaccinations that are highly recommended need to be administered a few months in advance of your trip. While most of Africa is quite safe for travelers, situations do change and it's important to keep up to date with travel warnings as they arise.
- First Time Traveling to Africa?
- African Embassies in the US
- Vaccinations and Travel to Africa
- First Aid and Medical Kit for Travelers to Africa
- How to Avoid Malaria When Traveling to Africa
- Is Traveling in Africa Dangerous?
- Current Official Travel Warnings for Africa
- Women Traveling in Africa
When to Go to Africa

Planning when to go to Africa depends on what you would like to see and do in Africa. Find out below when the best times are to go on safari, when you can get the best deal on a flight, when the festivals and events are happening.
African People and Culture

Your trip to Africa will be much richer if you learn more about the local culture before you go. Even just learning how to say "hello" in the local language will enhance your experience.

