How to Travel Through Africa?

Africa is the second largest continent, just after Asia. Africa is three times larger than Europe and twice as big as South America. It also has the most border crossings, with 53 countries within its territory. With so much land to cover, traveling through Africa is not an easy endeavor. Although you need to think about convenience and distances to cover, you also have to worry about safety, as many countries in Africa are in turmoil.

Step 1 - Make a list of the places you want to visit beforehand. Some countries require visas in advance, while others will give you a visa when you cross the border, either by land or via an airport. This will affect the way you travel, as you'll need to adapt to the visa regulations.

Step 2 - Fly whenever possible, especially if you need to cover long distances. Carjacking is a common problem in South Africa and other African countries. You also need to worry about bad roads, rebel attacks and other dangers, especially if you're traveling in Central Africa. Flights inside Africa are not expensive, especially if you stick to local airlines.

Step 3 - Hire a car with driver if possible. This is common in East Africa, where the economy is slightly better and private cars are available. Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and other countries are ideal places to have a driver. The roads can be dangerous, and a local driver will know what areas to avoid and the best routes to take.

Step 4 - Use the mini-vans and small buses for local city travel. They're common all over Africa. They might not be the most comfortable or safe for long-distance travel, but they're fine for exploring the city. You'll need to check information on the specific country you're visiting. For example, Ethiopia's public transportation is safe and in better shape than buses in West Africa.

Step 5 - Skip the dangerous countries. You don't want to travel through Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Sudan or Cote d'Ivoire. These countries have had problems with civil wars, rebel fights and violent conflict since the 1980s. If you need to get from Zambia to Uganda, for example, either fly or drive through Tanzania. A drive through Congo might be faster but also much more dangerous.