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.
