Regional Guides: Africa

Overview of Africa

The continent of Africa is the world's second largest continent after Asia, with a total surface area, including several surrounding islands, of 30,313,000 square kilometres. It stretches from 40 degrees latitude in the north to 34 35' degrees south and has 54 independent countries - 48 mainland and 6 island states - with an estimated total population of 700 million.

The economic powerhouse of Africa, south of the Sahara Desert, is South Africa. Through its well developed infrastructure and deepwater ports, South Africa handles much of the trade for the whole southern African region. In 1970 its immediate neighbors, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho, and latterly Namibia, signed the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) enabling them to share in the customs revenue from their trade passing through South African ports.

Africa Parties to the Hague Evidence Convention

South Africa
Morocco
Full List of the Hague Evidence Convention Parties

Currency

Money

In many African countries, inflation is high and exchange rates are unpredictable. Although prices in dinars, shillings, rands, kwachas, pulas, etc. may rise from month to month, exchange rates normally keep pace, so what you pay in 'hard currency' (e.g. U.S. dollars or euros) remains pretty much the same. However, it's important to remember that prices invariably increase.

Credit cards

Credit or debit cards are handy for expensive items such as tours and flights, but most agents add a hefty 10% surcharge. It's therefore usually cheaper to use your card to draw cash from an ATM, if they exist. If there's no ATM, another option is to withdraw money from a local bank using your card, but be warned - this also incurs a charge of around 5%, and can be an all-day process, so go early.

Exchanging money

You can exchange your hard cash or travellers checks into local currency at banks or foreign-exchange bureaus in cities and tourist areas. For cash, bureaus normally offer the best rates, low (or no) charges and the fastest service, but what you get for travellers checks can be derisory – if they're accepted at all. Travellers checks are more readily accepted at banks, but while rates may be OK, the charges can be as high as 10% or 20% –plus you're often looking at a good half hour of queuing.

Travellers checks

Although ATMs are handy, they sometimes don't work. Cash is widely accepted and gets good rates, but cannot be replaced if lost. That's where travellers checks come in. They can attract poor rates and slow service (and in some countries are not accepted at all), and are often a pain to deal with, but they do have a major advantage of being replaceable.

Security Isssues

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Africa because of the high level of serious crime.

Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

The rate of HIV/AIDS infection in South Africa is very high. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection.

Global Security Updates

Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
Organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy.
Register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency.
Subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.

Tipping Rules

In Africa it is customary to tip 5-10%. Of course high-end international hotels may appreciate a higer percentage.

Transportation

If you want to call a taxi, your hotel or the nearest tourism information office can recommend a reliable service.

Country Specific Information

Major Cities in Africa

Cairo, Egypt
Lagos, Nigeria
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Johannesburg-Ekurhuleni, South Africa
Khartoum-Umm Durman, Sudan
Alexandria, Egypt
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Casablanca, Morocco
Cape Town, South Africa
Durban, South Africa

Major African Airports

Johannesburg, South Africa
O.R. Tambo International Airport
JNB

Cairo, Egypt
Cairo International Airport
CAI

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport
SSH

Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town International Airport
CPT

Hurghada, Egypt
Hurghada International Airport
HRG

Casablanca, Morocco
Mohammed V International Airport
CMN/GMMN

Nigeria, Lagos
Murtala Muhammed International Airport
LOS

Nairobi, Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
NBO

Durban, South Africa
King Shaka International Airport
DUB

Tunis, Tunisia
Carthage Airport
TUN

Useful Links

Hotels

Agoda Hotel Search in Africa
Lonely Planet Africa Hotel Search

CIA

CIA Factbook Page

U.S. Embassy

United State Embassies Around the World

Electrical Requirements

Detailed List on Voltage Requirments