FAQ

There is no need to fear that Africa is not safe. From the places you visit and the locals, you will feel the warmth of the Africans. If you are prejudiced that Africa is afraid, your kindness will dispel them. However, large cities like Johannesburg and Nairobi are far from safe. Avoid going to the city center of Johannesburg and take a taxi even a short distance after sunset.

Walking, decide on a purpose as you walk at a brisk pace, while paying attention to your surroundings. It is important to avoid unpopular places and back streets, and not to talk to strangers even if you are persistent. Of course, whenever you enter an unknown land, these are the same wherever you go. Let’s enjoy looking at the articles.

At airports like Johannesburg, suitcases can be opened and stolen, so keep valuables and electronic devices in your suitcase as luggage.

The shape of electrical outlets varies by country, and you need to use a plug that matches the outlets in that country. In the African countries visited on our tours, the most common plug types are B, B3, BF, and C. Be sure to check the plug types for each country. Recently, multi-type plugs that combine all types into one are available, and we recommend using them.

The safety of drinking tap water in Africa varies by region. In many urban areas of South Africa, such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, tap water is generally safe for consumption (TapSafe).
However, in rural regions and other countries across the continent, access to clean drinking water may be limited, and tap water might not meet safety standards (Afrik21).
Therefore, it’s crucial to assess the local water quality and consider drinking bottled or purified water when traveling in these areas.

It’s common to be concerned about diseases when traveling to Africa, but with proper preparation and precautions, many health risks can be minimized. Here are some key points to consider when preparing for your trip:
1. Vaccinations

Several vaccinations are recommended, and sometimes required, depending on the country you are visiting:

Yellow Fever: Required for entry into certain countries, especially if you’re coming from a yellow fever endemic area.
Hepatitis A and B: Both vaccines are recommended as these diseases can be contracted through contaminated food, water, or blood.
Typhoid: Recommended for travelers to areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.
Rabies: If you plan on spending time outdoors or in rural areas, a rabies vaccination is a good precaution.
Meningitis: Recommended for travelers to the “meningitis belt” in sub-Saharan Africa.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap): It’s advisable to be up to date on your Tdap vaccine.

2. Malaria

Malaria is a significant concern in many parts of Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. To protect yourself:

Antimalarial Medications: Depending on the region, your doctor may prescribe antimalarial pills (e.g., Malarone, Doxycycline, or Lariam). These should be started before your trip and continued during and after your stay.
Insect Repellent: Use a repellent containing DEET, and wear long sleeves and pants to prevent mosquito bites.
Mosquito Nets: In areas with a high risk of malaria, sleep under an insecticide-treated mosquito net.

3. Traveler’s Diarrhea

Contaminated food and water can lead to gastrointestinal issues, including traveler’s diarrhea.
Precautionary Measures: Avoid tap water (unless it’s known to be safe), drink bottled water, and be cautious about eating raw or undercooked food, especially from street vendors.
Medication: Over-the-counter medications like Imodium can help control symptoms, and your doctor may prescribe antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin for severe cases.

4. Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)

This parasitic disease is contracted through freshwater in lakes, rivers, and ponds. To avoid schistosomiasis, refrain from swimming or wading in freshwater bodies, particularly in areas where it is known to be present.
5. HIV/AIDS

HIV rates are high in some parts of Africa. Practicing safe sex, avoiding the sharing of needles, and being cautious with medical procedures are essential to protect yourself.
6. Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis is more common in some parts of Africa. Avoid prolonged exposure to crowded or poorly ventilated places, especially in areas where TB is prevalent.
7. Cholera

Cholera outbreaks can occur in areas with poor sanitation. A cholera vaccine is available, but it’s most important to practice good hygiene, avoid untreated water, and eat safe food.
8. Dengue Fever and Zika Virus

Both are mosquito-borne viruses, prevalent in certain regions. There is no vaccine for either, so mosquito prevention (using insect repellent, wearing long clothes) is essential.
9. COVID-19

Some countries in Africa may have specific entry requirements related to COVID-19, such as mandatory testing or vaccination certificates. Make sure you are up to date with these before traveling.
10. General Precautions

Personal Hygiene: Regular hand washing with soap and using hand sanitizer is crucial, especially before meals and after using the restroom.
Travel Insurance: Consider travel health insurance, including coverage for evacuation in case of serious illness or injury.

Before traveling, consult a travel medicine specialist or your healthcare provider to ensure you’re properly vaccinated and informed about the health risks in the specific countries you plan to visit. This way, you can take the appropriate precautions to stay healthy during your trip.

Africa is a highly multilingual continent, with over 2,000 languages spoken. Many countries use European languages due to colonial history:

English: Common in countries like South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana.
French: Spoken in West and Central Africa, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, and DR Congo.
Portuguese: Used in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau.
Arabic: Predominantly spoken in North Africa (Egypt, Morocco, Algeria).

Major indigenous languages include:

Swahili: Widely spoken in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda).
Zulu, Xhosa: South Africa.
Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo: Nigeria.
Amharic: Ethiopia.

Many people speak multiple languages, mixing indigenous, colonial, and regional languages like Swahili and Hausa.

The meals provided during the tour are generally Western or international cuisine, served either buffet-style or as a set course. Many hotels and lodges offer dining with beautiful views of nature, making mealtime a memorable part of the travel experience.

Drinks are usually not included in the meal price, but for example, South Africa is famous for its wine, so we highly recommend wine lovers enjoy a glass with their meal.

In urban areas, both phone and internet services are generally accessible.

However, when you go on a safari, phone and internet connectivity may not be the same as usual. If you stay at lodges, there may be internet access in public areas, but it’s best to expect limited connectivity.

Tracing its origins, the word comes from Arabic and means ‘journey’ in Swahili, which is spoken in East Africa. For them, going to a nearby town is also called a ‘safari,’ as is going out to hunt.

Since the 19th century, the term ‘safari’ has been introduced into English by Europeans, primarily referring to the hunting of the Big Five (lion, African elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros).

Today, ‘safari’ typically refers to going on wildlife observation trips in Africa.

The Big Five refers to the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros—five popular animals on safari. The term originated during the era when Europeans enjoyed hunting and referred to these animals as the most dangerous to hunt, which is why they are still called the Big Five today.

For capturing memories during your trip, any camera will suffice, but if you want to take larger photos of animals, it’s best to have a camera with sufficient zoom. A zoom of 20x or more is desirable.

For those serious about wildlife photography, a DSLR camera capable of high-speed continuous shooting, along with a telephoto zoom lens of 400mm or more, is recommended. This setup will allow you to capture more dynamic animal photos. A standard zoom lens is fine for landscape photography. However, keep in mind that safaris can be dusty, and changing lenses can be challenging while the vehicle is moving. If possible, using two cameras to avoid lens changes will help you enjoy smooth shooting.

The best opportunities to see animals are during the early morning and late evening when light levels are low. If you want to capture beautiful shots in the dim light, a camera with strong high sensitivity and a bright lens is recommended.

First and foremost, the dust can be intense. Having a scarf or similar item to protect against dust is very useful.

Also, if dust gets into your camera or lens, it can cause malfunctions, so be sure to protect your camera from dust as much as possible. Wrapping it in a plastic bag or cloth can help. There are also products like camera wraps designed for protection, which you might find useful.

Safari vehicles can be quite bumpy. If you place your camera on your seat, be careful to avoid it falling to the floor!

You won’t be able to charge your camera during the safari. To avoid missing those precious moments due to a dead battery, it’s recommended to bring spare batteries.

Typically, the period from January to August has the highest water flow, with peak levels occurring between April and June. During this time, you can fully experience the power of the falls while getting drenched in the mist. However, if the water volume is too high, the mist can obscure the entire view of the falls. If you want to capture the full panorama in photos, it’s best to visit between January and March or June and August.

When visiting Victoria Falls, be prepared to get quite wet, so having adequate waterproof gear like a raincoat is advisable. Additionally, protect your camera by bringing a plastic bag or similar to shield it from the spray.

In many cases, it may not be possible to exchange Japanese yen for the local currency on-site. Please bring U.S. dollars or euros. When exchanging for local currency, $50 or $100 bills tend to offer better rates than smaller denominations. For U.S. dollars, please ensure that you have new bills issued since 2006. Older bills may not be accepted for exchange or may incur a less favorable rate.

Please be aware that ATMs may run out of cash or malfunction, causing them to swallow your card and not return it. It might be best to avoid using ATMs whenever possible. Consider them a last resort if there are no other options.

If you’re joining a tour, the amount you’ll need for local expenses primarily includes personal meals, tips, and souvenirs or other personal purchases. This can vary depending on individual circumstances, but for a typical stay, $300 to $500 per person for 10 days should be sufficient.
At currency exchange offices in Africa, the exchange rate may vary between new and old U.S. dollar bills, and old bills may even be refused for exchange. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare new U.S. dollar bills.

In urban areas, major souvenir shops, jewelry stores, large supermarkets, and upscale lodges typically accept credit cards, but there are times when the card readers may be out of order.

Outside of major cities and tourist areas, it’s best to assume that credit cards will not be widely accepted. VISA and MasterCard are the most commonly used, while American Express may not be accepted frequently.

In safaris with wet and dry seasons, animals migrate significantly to find water and food throughout the year. The best season for a safari is said to be at the transition between the wet and dry seasons, but the specific area where you can see your desired animals may vary depending on the season.

Dry Season

During the dry season, the grasses turn yellow, and some trees lose their leaves. With fewer hiding spots, it’s easier to observe birds and small animals. Additionally, as water sources diminish, animals tend to congregate in specific areas, making them easier to find.

This season coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeests (Kenya: July to September / Tanzania: December to February), offering unique sights specific to the dry season.

Wet Season

In the wet season, new shoots emerge, and greenery flourishes. The presence of herbivores seeking food increases, along with predators targeting these herbivores. Depending on the timing, this season may also coincide with the birthing period for many animals, allowing for emotional scenes to be witnessed. Seeing newborns is a unique experience of the wet season.

常見的疫苗包括A型肝炎、B型肝炎、傷寒，有些地區則需要接種黃熱病疫苗。請查閱美國疾病管制與預防中心（CDC）或世界衛生組織（WHO）的各國疫苗建議，並在旅行前向醫院諮詢。

中南美洲的許多地區對旅客來說是安全的，但仍需保持警惕。請事先了解您計劃前往的國家或城市的安全狀況，且避免攜帶大量現金，旅行途中需要並特別注意周遭環境，尤其是在大城市中。

每個國家都有自己的貨幣（例如：墨西哥比索、巴西雷亞爾、阿根廷比索）。不過，在某些國家，尤其是觀光勝地（如巴拿馬、厄瓜多），美金是被廣泛接受使用的。但還是建議您攜帶當地貨幣以便應付小額交易。

在大城市和觀光景點，大部分都是可以使用信用卡的，不過在鄉下或小城鎮，建議還是身去帶一些現金會比較方便。Visa跟MasterCard最常見，American Express有些地方可能不收，可以多加注意。

大城市的提款機是很普遍可以看到的，但在鄉下或偏遠地區會比較少見。建議您可以在大城市或較大的城鎮先提領現金，如果有計劃要前往較偏遠地區時，則需要帶些當地貨幣備用。

中南美洲很多地方的自來水不能直接喝，特別是在鄉下，建議您飲用瓶裝水或過濾水。不過，像智利和阿根廷的大城市，自來水通常是安全的，可以放心喝。

大城市的醫院和醫療設施通常還不錯，但鄉下地區的醫療資源可能比較有限。建議您可以選擇購買旅遊保險，確保您在緊急狀況發生時可以有保障。可以先記下當地的緊急聯絡電話，隨身帶個簡單的急救包，會比較安心。

中南美洲主要的語言是西班牙文和葡萄牙文（巴西）。在主要的觀光區域，尤其是飯店和景點導覽，英文也是常見的。如果能在出發前先學一些基本的西班牙語或葡萄牙語，會讓你的旅行更順利，也能更方便溝通。

大多數國家都有國際漫遊服務，不過費用可能會比較高。你可以考慮購買當地的SIM卡，或是向您的電信公司申請國際漫遊計畫。很多飯店、咖啡廳和公共場所也都有提供免費Wi-Fi。

在餐廳用餐一般會習慣給10%的小費，而有些餐廳則會直接在最後結帳金額加上服務費，因此結帳前記得先確認一下帳單。給飯店人員、導遊和司機小費也很常見，金額則沒有固定。

電壓和插頭類型是什麼？
拉丁美洲各個國家的電壓和插頭類型各不相同，沒有統一。大部分國家使用220V（像是阿根廷、巴西），而墨西哥則使用110V。建議您可以帶個萬用插頭轉換器，這樣可以確保你的電子設備都能順利充電。

許多秘魯和玻利維亞的熱門旅遊景點都位於海拔約3,000公尺或更高的地方。剛到達時，由於身體無法適應大氣壓力的變化，可能會出現高山症的症狀。常見的症狀包括頭痛、消化不良（食慾不振、噁心、嘔吐）、疲勞、嗜睡、失眠、頭暈和輕微頭昏。

以下是一些預防措施，提供您參考：

• 走路的速度要比平時慢（絕對不要跑步）。
• 保持充足的水分攝取，並攝取一些糖分（例如橙汁和可口可樂，它們能同時提供這兩者）。
• 避免泡熱水澡，選擇溫水淋浴。泡熱水澡會提高心跳速率，可能會帶來危險。
• 定期做深呼吸，讓大腦獲得更多的氧氣！
• 留意不要暴飲暴食，因為消化食物會消耗胃部的氧氣，可能會引發頭痛。

攜帶植物種子或水果進入加拉帕戈斯群島是完全禁止的。雖然機場和港口的檢查比較鬆散，通常是依靠自我申報，但一定要記得不要帶任何種子或植物過去。就算只是一顆小小的種子，也可能會對島上的生態造成大影響，希望大家都能夠有自覺，一起守護當地的環境生態。

若是搭乘國內航班飛加拉帕戈斯，托運行李的重量限制是23公斤，手提行李則是7公斤。超過這些限制會有額外收費，建議還是攜帶輕便行囊即可。參加潛水遊船的人則沒有限制行李重量。