Africa, my Motherland has 54 countries, all different and diverse in unique ways. Tourism in Africa is beginning to thrive in many countries and If you are looking to travel to Africa, this post will give you the best tips on how to travel to Africa, the best time to visit some countries in Africa and the required shots for travel to Africa.
Africa is a beautiful continent with diverse landscapes, beautiful scenery and breathtaking views. Depending on the country you wish to visit, you will need to take precaution, get the required shots for your travel and figure out the best ways to travel around Africa.
You might be fascinated with the continent Africa, the stories, the people and the safari adventures and you might be wondering if it is safe to travel to Africa or what documents you might need to travel to Africa or what the required shots are for your travels to Africa. I hope to provide the ultimate guide on how to travel to Africa with this post.
3 Best ways to travel to Africa
There are 3 best ways to travel to Africa. They are by air, by ferry and by land.
How to travel to Africa by air
Flights to Africa takes from 3 hours to countries like Morocco to about 11 hours when you are travelling directly to Mauritius from the UK. The good news is as the tourism interest in Africa grows, more airlines are flying directly to some African countries. This makes travelling to Africa more accessible and enjoyable. Here is a list of airlines travelling directly to African Countries from The UK and Europe.
List of Direct Flights to African Countries
Direct flights to Africa from the UK
Duration
Average Cost of flights
South Africa
Virgin Atlantic Airways
British Airways
South African Airways
10 hours 45 minutes
10 hours 50 minutes
11 hours 10 minutes
from £500 per person for return flights
Uganda
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Uganda from the UK. British Airways stopped its direct flights to Entebbe in 2015.
However, these flights have one stopover from London to Entebbe.
Kenya Airways
Emirates
Qatar Airways
Turkish Airlines
KLM Flights
Ethiopian Airlines
Egypt Air
10 hours 45 minutes
10 hours 50 minutes
11 hours 10 minutes
from £450 per person for return flights
Seychelles
British Airways
10 hours 15 minutes
from £550 per person for return flights
Morocco
There are several flights that frequent Morocco daily. There are direct flights from London to six destinations in Morocco. Casablanca, Agadir, Fes, Essaouira, Tangiers and Marrakesh.
British Airways
Easy Jet Flights
Ryanair Flights
Tui Flights
All fly directly to Marrakesh.
3 hours 40 minutes
from £150 per person for return flights
Egypt
There are direct flights from the UK to three destinations in Egypt. They are Cairo, Hurghada and Luxor.
British Airways
EgyptAir
4 hours 30 minutes
from £150 per person for return flights
Mauritius
Direct flights to Mauritius takes almost 12 hours.
British Airways
11 hours 55 minutes
from £550 per person for return flights
Ghana
There are direct flights to Accra, Ghana from the UK.
British Airways
Virgin Atlantic Airways
6 hours 35 minutes
from £550 per person for return flights
Gambia
There are direct flights from the UK to Banjul.
Tui Flights
6 hours 20 minutes
from £550 per person for return flights
Tunisia
There are direct flights to Tunisia from the UK to Enfidha and Tunis.
British Airways
Easy Jet
4 hours 15 minutes
from £250 per person for return flights
How to travel to Africa by Ferry
It is possible to travel to Africa by ferry. To travel to Africa using the ferry, you will need to take the ferry from Spain to Morocco. The most popular ferry route is from Algeciras to the port of Tangier. This takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. The service is frequent and up to 25 services a day.
Another route is for you to head to Motril in Spain. Take the ferry services from Motril to Al Hoceima. From here, a 2 hour drive will get you to Fes and a further 6 hour drive will get you to Casablanca.
How to Travel to Africa by Land.
The most popular route to Africa by land is through Spain. Take a bus for Cordoba Central in Spain to Casablanca, Morocco. The bus takes 14 hours and runs a 6 times a week service for between £50 and £60.
The other option of travelling to Africa by land is through Israel to Egypt. I will strongly recommend a tour for this route however, if you are up to it, take a bus from Jerusalem Central Bus Station to Cairo. The journey will take you up to 10 hours, but the scenery by the Gaza Strip and the East Mediterranean will make it a memorable journey to have.
How to Travel around Africa
When planning your holiday to Africa, consider how you will travel around Africa when you arrive there.
There are 7 ways to travel around Africa with the means of transportation around countries in Africa developing rapidly.
Uber
Buses – Baz Bus, ABC Coach West Africa, Coast Bus
Private Hire cars
Mini Vans
Ferry
Safari Tours
Public Buses
Uber
Is there Uber in Africa?
Yes, Uber is available in 8 countries in Africa.
Here is a list of countries in Africa where Uber operates.
Uber in Egypt
Uber in Ghana
Uber in Kenya
Uber in Morocco
Uber in Nigeria
Uber in South Africa
Uber in Tanzania
Uber in Uganda
Uber operates in 23 cities across Africa.
Here is a list of cities in Africa where Uber operates.
In Egypt:
Alexandria
Cairo
Canal Cities
Demietta
Delta
Hurghada
Mansoura
Zagazig
In Ghana:
Accra
Kumasi
In Kenya:
Mombasa
Nairobi
In Morocco:
Casablanca
In Nigeria
Abuja
Lagos
Benin City
In South Africa:
Cape Town
Durban
East London
Johannesburg and Pretoria
Port Elizabeth
In Tanzania:
Dar Es Salaam
In Uganda:
Kampala
Buses
Buses in Africa are called mini buses or coaches depending on which country you are travelling in. The mini buses or coaches are the preferred means of transportation between cities in Africa.
In South Africa, The Baz Bus is the most popular bus company offering Hop on and hop off services, Kruger Safari Tours and Travel Passes from Cape Town to Johannesburg and vice versa, Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and vice versa, Cape Town to Durban and vice versa.
The Baz Bus company uses mini buses with the capacity of 20 people. There are scheduled overnight stops in Port Elizabeth and Durban. Consider travelling in the low season for the best price and spaces in the buses. Although the Baz Buses are fantastic for all age ranges, they are most suited for the under 50 years old, solo travellers, couples and families with tweens and teenagers.
In Nigeria, the ABC Transport company is the most popular and safe way to travel across cities in Nigeria and West Africa. The ABC Transport Company offers services between cities in Nigeria and West Africa. You can get a coach from Lagos to Lome in Togo, Lagos to Accra in Ghana, Lagos to Cotonou in Benin.
In Kenya, the Coast Bus operated by Coastline Safaris provide services from Nairobi to Mombasa daily, from Mombasa to Kisumu daily, from Mombasa to Kitui daily. Check Buupass for the best way to book bus tickets in East Africa.
Private Car Hire
Using a private car hire is the most convenient way for families to travel around Africa. Although it costs more, you will be paying for the flexibility it gives you to make the best use of your time.
Minivans
The minivans are the cheapest ways to explore when you are in Africa. The load times are not static or specific, there are usually long waiting times and expect you opt to pay for an empty seat, you might be sitting and waiting for a minivan to load the last person for 2 hours.
Ferry
Ferry rides are convenient and reasonably priced ways to explore different parts of Africa. For example, I took a ferry from Des de Saalam, Tanzania to Stone Town, Zanzibar. It was a 2 hour ride. The ferry consisted of seats in different classes – The Royal class, the VIP class, the Business class and the Economy class. The fare was between $60 and $35 per person.
Safari Tours
There are several Safari Tours in many Africa countries. My top tour company for the best experience of Africa is Exodus.
Exodus have perfected the act the Safari travel and they have the best local and knowledgeable tour guides for Safari tours. They are great for:
- Family adventure lovers
- Extended families and multi-generational travel
- Group travel experience
- Option for private adventure option.
- Local experts tour leaders
- Wildlife Safari breaks
Public buses
I will recommend the public buses as the last resorts when exploring Africa. They are fantastic experiences but the noise and the number of people they take in a 20 – seat bus makes it a big no from me.
List of Required Shots for Africa Travel
Hepatitis A – Adults
Yellow Fever Vaccinations
Typhoid
Tetanus, Diphtherias & Polio
Rabies
Meningitis ACWY
Hepatitis B
In some African countries, they will refuse you entry if you don’t have the required health certificate. Ensure you book a visit to your travel clinic in quality time to ensure it fully protects you to enjoy your travels in Africa.
Top Health Tips for Africa Travel
Here are some top health tips you will need for your travel to Africa. Preparation is key when you are planning your travel to any part of Africa. Here are 7 important things you will need for your travel to Africa.
Sun Protection: Temperatures in countries in Africa vary and can rise to about 52 degrees Celsius. Take sun protection accessories like sun-glasses, sun hats and light long-sleeved clothing.
Antimalarial Medication: Antimalarial medication is used to prevent and treat Malaria. Visit a travel clinic in wonderful time before you travel and follow the recommended dose and the cause of antimalarial treatment.
First Aid Kit: Take a first aid essential kit that will have products like hand sanitisers, alcohol swabs, iodine wipes, hydrocortisone, antibiotic ointment, antihistamines, digital thermometer, latex gloves, bandages, paracetamol and lip balm.
Yellow Fever Vaccination: Yellow Fever is a serious infection spread by mosquito. I recommend a Yellow Fever vaccine for people from 9 months of age who are travelling to countries in Africa where Yellow Fever is found and to countries in Africa where Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required. Get a Yellow Fever Vaccine at least 10 days before you travel to allow enough time for the vaccine to work.
Water-borne Conditions: Take care to avoid food and water-borne conditions such as stomach upsets and traveller’s diarrhoea. To prevent Water-borne illness, take drinks served in unopened, factory-produced cans or bottles. Avoid food prone to contamination such as salads, uncooked fruits and vegetables and food exposed to flies.
Clothing – Wear light breathable fabrics and long-sleeved comfortable clothing.
Footwear: Pack sturdy shoes for walking and breathable shoes like sandals and flip-flop.
How to travel to Africa: Final thoughts
Make your travel to Africa a memorable one. Take the required shots for Africa travel to maintain your health and research your destination before you go.
The people of Africa are friendly, support their local community if you can, be generous with tips, respect their culture, language and customary, leave footprints and not graffiti. Enjoy your travel to Africa!
If you have questions about travelling to Africa, please ask in the comments, I will try my best to answer them and if you have travelled to Africa, please share your experience with me in the comments.
70 thoughts on “How to Travel to Africa – 3 Best Ways”
Going on a safari trip in Africa has been on my bucket list for such a long time. Oh hopefully one day soon!
That is great. We actually organise Safaris to Africa. Check out our dates to see if it works for you.
This is an amazingly informative post. I have only been to Mauritius till now. I was supposed to go to Morocco last year which got cancelled for some reason. I would love to spend more time visiting the countries and going on safaris. I was also supposed to go to Seychelles which I couldn’t unfortunately. I need to plan for them again.
Oh, I hope you finally make it to an African Safari or to Seychelles. Such gorgeous places.
Now, this is a useful guide for travelling to Africa! I love taking ferries and Tanzania to Zanzibar connection sounds really interesting, I’m already designing a trip in my head heh… Also, thanks for sharing those bus companies, sometimes it can be difficult to find good and reliable ones.
Yes, you are right. When visiting a new country in Africa, it is always better to go with recommended bus companies and services. It helps you feel safe.
I’ve visited Africa only once (Egypt), and it was fairly easy to travel to. I live in India, and I just hopped on a flight to Abu Dhabi and then Cairo.
I was planning my next trip to South Africa when the lockdown hit and I don’t know when I will visit there again 🙁
It’s great you have had the chance to visit Africa. When you are planning your next visit to South Africa, get back to travel about the best way to travel to Africa.
This is such a detailed guide to Africa. Absolutely loved the way you have segregated air, land and water. Very useful information about Uber as well. I am bookmarking it for my future travel. Morocco and Egypt are high on my bucket list. Thank you for this guide.
Thanks, Parnashree. It is always useful to know which countries have Uber for ease of movement. I am glad you found this post on how to travel to Africa useful.
This is an incredibly helpful post! I am planning a trip to Africa and this will definitly come in handy. The list of required vaccinations is great, I will keep that handy and make sure that I get everything that I need to be traveling. I would hate to be turned away for not having the proper documentation. I appreciate the list of where Ubers are active as well, it will be useful for determining how to get around the country. A safari is a must (obviously!) so I will have to look in to Exodus to find one that will work for me and my daughter. This post is making me more excited about my trip and more prepared!
I am excited for you too. Africa is such a beautiful continent that I feel we need to amplify more about. Exodus Travels are absolutely fantastic and you can check them out here.
Wow, you listed the complete things needed for Africa travel. I would love to travel there…maybe soon!
Thank you, Agnes. I am an expert on how to travel to Africa. I try to visit every summer for 6 weeks. I hope you get to visit a country in Africa soon.
Seeing this different side of africa from what i know, this is very beautiful and captivating.
Thank you, Rose. I know the media does not amplify the unique things about Africa but I am trying to change that and show Africa to the world in the hope that they see the beautiful side to Africa. I’m so glad you have found Africa beautiful.
I’ve been invited to visit a friend in South Africa and I’m going to make it happen asap. She lives in Jeffrey’s Bay where the Billabong Surf Competition is held every year.
That is absolutely amazing. I hope you have an amazing time there. If time permits, make sure you go to a Safari Park where you can see the big 5.
My sister loves to travel, and Africa is on her bucket list. I’ll share this with her!
That’s fantastic. I hope your sister gets to visit Africa soon.
I have always wanted to visit Africa. Thanks for sharing some insights into traveling there.
Thank you Jenn. I hope this post on how to travel to Africa helps your planning further.
I would love to travel to Africa. I have never been anywhere out of North America.
The top African tourist destinations will be a great start for you to start your planning to Africa. If you feel you would rather go with a company, Exodus Travel is my recommended company. You can check them out here.
I always dreaming that someday I will be able to visit the African Safari. Africa has been always on top of our travel list.
That’s fantastic. I hope you use this post has a starting point for your planning and if you need further help, pop me an email. I will be happy to help.
Beautiful and uplifting post in these current situations! I have visited some of the African countries and hoping to visit the rest when things are better and safe to do so. I really enjoyed this amazing and easy to read the post. You’ve used bullet points and columns to highlight different aspects e.g. which airline someone can use for each destination.
Thank you
Thank you Habib. I am an expert on Africa travel and wanted to make sure you all get the best available information.
I love to travel and have been to more than 30 countries and only Morocco in Africa. Did not realize Mauritius and Seychelles were part of that continent. You have written a beautiful, lovely piece here. It makes me want to pack up and go. Thanks for this wonderful article.
Thank you, Jerry. Yes, Mauritius and Seychelles are part of Africa and they are part of the most desirable places to visit in Africa.
A trip to Africa is on our bucket list. This is such a great reference and advice.
That’s great that you plan to visit Africa someday. I hope you use this information as a starting point.
What a perfect guide! Ive only been to Egypt few years ago but I would love to go back and explore this amazing continent! Theres so much to see there! I am glad to know there’s uber or buses and stuff so you don’t have to just stay in one resort ( like I did 10 years ago in Egypt 🙂 ) Those heathy tips are so important!
Thank you. I’m so glad you found this guide useful and yes, although I love all-inclusive holidays to some countries in Africa, Nothing beats exploring the culture and the sights outside the hotel. Africa is also getting easier to explore.
I hope I’ll get the opportunity to travel and explore Africa someday. It’s always fascinating to visit a foreign country and learn its culture.
Oh yes, I hope you get to explore Africa soon.
We loved the small taste of Africa travel that we got. It was an amazing introduction. We have not yet visited Morocco. So I love the idea of taking the ferry from Spain. Good to know that Uber is available in many spots. We have found Uber to be a great option when public transportation is not a viable option. Thanks for the recommendation on a company for safari tours. Safari would be a bid draw for a return visit to Africa. Luckily after trips to Africa, China and South America all of our vaccinations are up to date! Of course except the new virus rampaging the world!
Visiting Morocco from Spain is very popular, the ferry rides are frequent and with a short drive, you get to explore amazing areas in Morocco. You are right, Uber provides that alternative when public options are not readily available. The company I recommended for Safari Adventures is called Exodus and you can check them out here.
Wow! You truly know your stuff, this is very detail. I love how you conceptualize your article. It’s a great help for everybody who wish to travel there.
Thank you, Gervin. I am an expert on Africa Travels. I tend to visit regularly so I have all the insiders tips and tricks up my sleeves.
It is good to have a plan when it comes to transportation. There are definitely a lot of options.
You are right when it comes to moving around Africa, you definitely need to plan out and consider the options available.
It is a great post with lots of valuable tips! Very helpful when planning a trip to Africa. I dream of a safari in Africa. But I haven’t decided yet about which country to start. I was only in Morocco & Tunisia. So, the best is still waiting for me. It’s great that there is an Uber in so many countries!
I hope you enjoyed your holiday to Morocco and Tunisia. They are both popular destinations o visit. If you are deciding on going on Safari. it is a great idea to start with Rwanda. It is an off the beaten path destination and the cost is less cheaper than the other countries.
There are some countries in Africa that I would like to visit one day. Thanks for sharing these tips with us!
Thanks, Catalina for checking it out. When you are ready to visit Africa, the resources here will help you with your plans.
Wow,this is such an informative and helpful post. I will definitely share this.
Thank you Chris. I love to share quality information about Africa
Hi Bolupe,
I’ve only been to Johannesburg once and I loved it. My sister’s husband is from there so I had the privilege of visiting the less tourisy places. The people were friendly and learnt much about the culture!
I would love to go again, maybe you could share abit on a hiking trip for friends to enjoy safely?
I know South Africa has really amazing views, I’d love to enjoy the nature there soon.
Cheers.
SAM
Thank you Sam. You are lucky you have family from South Africa. I will definitely be brewing up a post on a hiking trip in Africa.
This feels like a one stop ideas station for how to get to Africa, which I love all the different options and the tips. Oh and uber who would have thought they had expanded so much! I was looking for see if it was in Luxor, I was kind of pleased it wasn’t as I love their horse drawn carriages along the front. Really easy to understand and one for a bookmark. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you Phil. I must admit, I am passionate about Africa and I love to share information on how to travel safely around Africa. Yes, you’re right, there are some parts of Africa where you won’t want Uber because of the culture.
I would love to visit Morocco or Egypt. My husband really wants to visit a French speaking part of Africa.
That’s great. French is the second most popular language in Africa after Arabic. You will be spoilt for choice on which French-speaking country you should visit. If you need any help, let me know and I will be happy to help.
Thank you for sharing this information. I would love to visit Africa.
Great Tasheena. I hope you get to visit Africa soon.
This is a wonderful and very informative post about travel to Africa.
It has always been my dream to travel to Africa. I would love to visit Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and also Morocco and Egypt. Mauritius also looks like a dream destination. I hope to make that dream come true one day.
I just have one concern. Do all African countries require the vaccinations? I am extremely allergic to certain components of vaccinations and I may get some bad and even dangerous reactions to them … When I was a baby, the doctor told my mother to stop all vaccinations because of my extreme reactions, so now as an adult, I am worried about that. What can I do in this case? Few doctors believe me, but the allergies are very real …
I’m sorry to hear about your Allergies. Not all African countries require vaccinations. Countries like Morocco and Egypt do not require vaccinations. Check out my post on the best family holiday to Africa and Health tips to Africa. It explains which countries need Vaccinations.
I am open to visiting all places in the world thanks for giving me so many tips so that I can arrange my trip to Africa.
What a fantastic plan. I’m glad you got some tips for visiting Africa.
This is so helpful. I’d love to get to Africa one day. We’d be all about relaxing by the water.
Haha, the beaches in Africa are definitely a plus with the warm weather.
This is some amazing information! I’ve pinned this to my Around The World board.
Thank you Rena. I hope you get to visit one day.
Ever since I saw the Casablanca movie when I was little, I’ve always wanted to visit Morocco. Almost every place in Africa seems like a fairy tale setting to me. My second pick would be Egypt because I used to be obsessed with the history.
Oh yes, Morocco is absolutely beautiful and the first-hand history you will experience in Egypt is truly memorable.
This is so in depth! I would love to go to Africa one day. I have heard there are a lot of beautiful things to see.
You are right Jennifer. Africa has lots of beautiful things to see. There are many uncharted paths too.
There are so many places in Africa I’d like to visit someday. Hopefully I get there someday!
I hope you do Robin. If you need any help, I will be happy to offer useful tips.