Vacation in Africa – 4 Things to Consider As You Plan

2012-04-05T02:27:00.000-07:00

Vacationing in Africa, as in any destination, is always a wonderful, exciting experience. This is true whether it's your first, second or third trip. What is important to remember is that every country and destination is different, with laws ,culture and customs.

Follow the tips below to enjoy a pleasant vacation in africa.

1.Learn the basics of the local language

While in the process of planning your trip to Africa, spend some time to learn phrases in the major language or languages used in African destination you are planning to visit. Some important things to learn could be greetings, road signs, how to ask where the bathroom is located, how to ask for a police officer, and how to ask about medical facilities. You also want to learn how to read signs in buildings. If there is a fire alarm, you want the exit, not the bathroom!

Still on the language, if the African destination you will be visiting uses any of the major world languages like French (most west and central African countries), Arabic (northern Africa ), Swahili (Eastern and southern countries), Portuguese, German (Namibia), you might consider taking a translation tool with you. There are translation apps for smart phones and electronic translation devices. It doesn't hurt to also take a dictionary, just in case your batteries are low.

2.Learn About the local customs and traditions

Do some research to learn local customs. If spitting on the sidewalk is a crime where you are going, you should learn that before you get arrested in a foreign country. For example if burping in a restaurant is encouraged, you can take care to not embarrass yourself by staring or commenting negatively if it happens in your presence. Another excellent example of culture clash is the arrest of a woman in the United States who left her infant in a stroller outside a store. In the woman's home country this is not only accepted, but also common. She was eventually released, at which time she retrieved her child from social services and went back to her home country. Imagine if you were an American in her country, and had called the police to report babies unattended in carriages outside a shop. You would be embarrassed when you learned that you wasted the officer's time.

3.Tipping Practice in Africa

Find out what the tipping practices are in the country you plan to travel. In most parts of Africa it is customary to tip every service person you come into contact with. But as with any rule, there will always be exceptions, to the extent of being considered insulting. So it is a good idea to learn how you should tip to avoid any misunderstandings. Also, learn how much it is customary to tip. For example, If you are considering a safari in Tanzania, you might learn that US$5 is acceptable to a porter at the airport, and so do not want to tip US$30. Likewise, you will be surprised to learn that most persons providing travel services in Africa would prefer to be tipped in hard currencies – US$, Pounds or Euro, because of strength when exchanged for the local currencies.

4.Be Polite, Considerate to accommodating to the local people

When you are vacationing overseas, Africa included, remember that you are visiting someone's home. The people who live where you are traveling are kind enough to allow you to visit and enjoy what the location has to offer. Grumbling because the locals do not speak your language is rude. Be polite and considerate. If you do not understand something, people are generally happy to help as long as you are being respectful.

Remember that traveling to Africa may be a once in a lifetime experience. Learn all you can before taking off on your African adventure. Enjoy your vacation, and make the most of each day under the African sky with the tips listed above. Africantravelhub.com is a resource that can help you with you planning of your trip.

African Travel Hub Presents The Most Affordable Way to Enjoy Kenya Safaris

2011-04-18T02:13:00.000-07:00

Kenya is one of the few places in the world where it is still possible to witness an amazing diversity and abundance of wildlife and get a thrill and memories that you will enjoy for years to come.

This safari destination is recognized throughout the world as the original home of safari travel. And this recognition is not an exaggeration. Earlier travelers and even famous authors like Hemingway and Robert Ruark agreed in their memoirs that Kenya was a glamorous travel destination. Other iconic persons like Theodore Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill kept Kenya shining and prominent. By 1920s, even Hollywood had discovered Kenya, and begun to publicize it throuhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifgh the silver screen.

As a safari destination, Kenya protects its wildlife and natural resources. There are over 50 areas, designated as national parks and game reserves. These are areas totally or partially dedicated to the protection of wildlife within the borders.

Many wildlife lovers across the world still pursue the dream of a safari to Kenya. But sometimes they are not able to enjoy the safaris due to costs. For those seeking to do a safari in Africa, and specifically to Kenya, but also have the price as an important consideration, Africantravelhub.com offers an ideal way to realize their dream. Set or fixed departure safaris offer an excellent opportunity to experience the best of Kenya’s wildlife.

About Fixed Departure Safaris and how it works
Set or Fixed departure safaris are operated according to a set schedule in terms of dates and itinerary. The dates and days of commencements are set in advance so that individual travelers can pick a date of choice and buy a seat. The safari program is also fixed in terms of length, choice of lodges and hhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifotels. A well-designed fixed departure program would be one based on popular destinations that most travelers seeks. In the case of Kenya, Masai Mara Game reserve features prominently as such a destination. Other destinations are Amboseli and Lake Nakuru.

African Travel hub offers 8 set departure safaris that visit some of the most interesting wildlife areas in Kenya. The diversity is also seen in the form of budget. One can choosehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif from tented type of accommodation to hotel-type lodges.
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3 Days Budget Camping Masai Mara – a bus safari to Masai Mara Game reserve with accommodation in buhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifdget semi-permanent camp.

3 Days Masai Mara Standard Camping Safari – a bus safari to Maasai Mara National park with accommodation in permanent tents with en suite rooms.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

3 Days Masai Mara Lodge Safari – a bus safari to Masai Mara with accommodation in hotel-type, concrete wall lodges with en suite facilities.

4 Days Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara – this safari goes to Lake Nakuru National park and then http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifMasai Mara Game Park. Accommodation is in a combination of safari lodges and permanent tents.
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5 Days Kenya Highlighhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifts Safari – this one takes you to the Aberdare National park, then to Lake Nakuru park before ending up at Masai Mara Game reserve. Lodging is in lodges or permanent tents.

6 Days Kenya Highlights Safari – travel to Amboseli National park, Lake Nakuru Park and Masai Mara reserve.

7 Days Kenya Highlights Safari – This one goes to Samburu Game reserve in the north, then to Aberdare Park, Lake Nakuru and ends with Maasai Mara.

How it works
There are set dates of departures for each of the safaris
Interested individuals and agents look and see if the safari itinerary fits into their liking. Then they also check to see if seats are available on the date suitable to them.

Besides the fixed departures offers, African Travel Hub gives a variety of options including tailor-made individual safaris at affordable prices. All other wildlife safari services including transfers, hotel bookings and flights are provided by African Travel Hub.