Millions of people visit Africa every year, and most trips go smoothly. A few sensible habits and good preparation cover most of the risks. Conditions vary a lot from country to country and change over time, so also read your own government’s current travel advice for each country you will visit, for example from the UK Foreign Office or the US State Department.
Three things matter mostGet medical advice and any vaccines well before you travel, buy insurance that covers evacuation, and travel with a licensed, well-reviewed operator who knows the local conditions.
Before you go
- See a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you leave, for vaccine advice, malaria precautions and any health issues of your own.
- Buy travel insurance with medical evacuation, and read the exclusions.
- Check official travel advice for every country, and again a week before you fly.
- Register your trip with your government’s travel service if one exists, and leave your itinerary with someone at home.
- Save emergency numbers from your operator, insurer and embassy on your phone, and on paper.
- Back up your passport, tickets and insurance in cloud storage and offline.
Health
Vaccinations
Your doctor or clinic will recommend vaccines based on your route and medical history. Common ones for travel in Africa include hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus and yellow fever, and sometimes rabies, hepatitis B and meningitis. Some countries require a yellow fever certificate at the border. See Entry Requirements.
Malaria
Malaria is a serious risk in much of Africa below the Sahara, in lowland and warm areas, and it can be fatal. Some highland areas, deserts and some southern reserves have little or no risk, depending on the season. Your doctor will advise whether to take tablets and which kind.
- Take tablets exactly as prescribed, including after you return.
- Use insect repellent containing DEET or a similar active ingredient, especially at dusk and dawn.
- Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening, and sleep under a net or in a screened room.
- See a doctor quickly if you have a fever, even weeks after you return, and mention that you travelled in a malaria area.
Other insect-borne illnesses
Dengue, chikungunya and other diseases also occur in some places, and there are no tablets to prevent them. The same repellent and clothing advice applies. Tsetse flies bite painfully, and are attracted to dark blue and black.
Food and water
- Drink bottled, filtered or purified water, and use it to brush your teeth.
- Avoid ice and raw salads in places you are unsure about. Lodges and camps that serve tourists are generally careful.
- Eat food that is freshly cooked and hot, and wash your hands often.
- Carry oral rehydration salts, in case of an upset stomach.
Sun, heat and altitude
- Use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of water, even when it is cloudy.
- Altitude sickness can affect anyone above about 2,500 metres, whatever their fitness. Choose a route with enough days to adjust, climb slowly, drink water, and tell your guide at once about headaches, nausea or breathlessness. Be ready to descend. Altitude sickness can be fatal.
Water safety
Freshwater lakes and slow rivers can carry the parasite that causes bilharzia, so avoid swimming in them unless a local source says it is safe. Sea currents can be strong, and some beaches have no lifeguards. Never swim where there are hippos or crocodiles.
Medical care
Cities have good private hospitals, but standards fall quickly outside them. Carry a basic first-aid kit, your own medicines and a copy of your prescriptions, and know where your insurer’s nearest recommended hospital is.
Around wildlife
- Follow your guide’s instructions, and stay in the vehicle unless told it is safe to get out.
- Keep your voice low, your arms inside the vehicle, and never stand up in a vehicle that is not designed for it.
- Never feed or approach animals. Baboons and monkeys can bite, and steal food.
- In camp, keep your tent zipped, never keep food in it, and follow staff to and from your tent after dark.
- Respect the distance rules for gorillas and other primates. Do not approach if you are ill, because they can catch human diseases.
Personal security
- Petty theft and bag snatching happen in big cities and busy places. Keep valuables out of sight, use the room safe and do not walk alone at night.
- Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps, or ask your hotel to arrange transport.
- Carry a copy of your passport, and keep the original locked up when you can.
- Be careful with cash machines. Use ones inside banks or hotels, and cover your PIN.
- Keep your phone and camera out of sight in streets and in vehicles at traffic lights.
- Be wary of street offers of cheap safaris, tours or gems. Book with licensed operators.
- Keep clear of protests, demonstrations and large crowds, and follow local advice if an event is announced.
Getting around
Road conditions and driving standards vary and can be poor, and road accidents are one of the biggest risks to travellers. Use a licensed operator with well-maintained vehicles and experienced drivers, avoid travelling by road after dark, and wear a seat belt. If you drive yourself, check the licence and insurance rules, expect animals and pedestrians on the road, and carry a spare tyre and water. Light aircraft are common between parks, and are safe when run by licensed companies.
Local laws and customs
- Dress modestly in towns, villages, places of worship and Muslim areas. See What to Wear.
- Ask before you photograph people. Do not photograph the military, police, airports, bridges or government buildings.
- Drug offences carry severe penalties, and camouflage clothing is restricted in several countries.
- Drones are often banned or need a permit.
- Laws on same-sex relationships and public displays of affection differ from many countries, and in some places same-sex activity is criminalised. Check your government’s advice, and be discreet.
- Carry ID, and be polite and calm if you are stopped at a checkpoint.
Solo and women travellers
Many people travel alone in Africa. Choose reputable operators and accommodation with good reviews, share your plans, and trust your instincts. Dressing modestly helps you blend in, and women often find group tours or private drivers a comfortable way to travel. Avoid walking alone at night, and be careful with offers of drinks or lifts.
Travelling with children
Check the minimum age at camps, for activities and for any malaria tablets. Ask your doctor about vaccines and the risks for young children, bring a good first-aid kit, and keep children close around wildlife and water.
Digital safety
- Use a VPN and strong passwords on public wifi, and avoid banking on shared networks.
- Keep your phone updated, and enable find-my-device.
- Buy a local SIM or eSIM for data, with your passport.
If something goes wrong
- Get to a safe place, and call your operator or guide first.
- Call your insurer’s 24-hour number before you agree to major treatment, if you can.
- For theft, report it to the local police and get a written report for your insurer.
- If you lose your passport, contact your embassy.
- Emergency phone numbers differ in each country, so save the local ones given by your operator.
This is general information, not medical or legal advice. Talk to a doctor or travel clinic about your own health, and read official government travel advice for every country you visit.