 Knowledge: |
Do
some research to inform yourself a bit about your destination. Use your
library, the Internet, or purchase an African travel book. Ask friends
or relatives that have been to Africa about their experiences. |
| Find
a Tour:
|
Select
a tour that fits best with your budget, time and expectations. One week
trips to Senegal or the Gambia - or a combination of these two countries
are the most affordable. We also offer some specials during February /
March in conjuction with Black History Month. |
| Group
Tours: |
There
is buying power in numbers. Group travel is almost always more economical.
Check our departures and join a group. You will also make new friends and
be with people who share a common interest. |
Documents:
|
Understand
and comply with each country's entry documents and immunization requirements
prior to arriving. You could be denied entry into a country. You will always
need a valid passport, a ticket to leave the country and possibly a visa
to enter. Plan well in advance. It takes time to get photos taken, a new
passport issued (if necessary), to get visa(s) from foreign embassies,
to procure prescriptions, etc. Henderson Travel Services is ready to
assist you in the procurement and processing of documents, but all things
take time. |
Health:
|
See
your physician for required immunizations and recommended medication (i.e.,
malaria pills). Advise your doctor of the country(s) and regions you will
be visiting. If you intend to visit rural areas, you could require additional
immunizations and a change in malaria medications. If you are taking any
medications, make sure your prescriptions are up to date and bring sufficient
supplies for the duration of the trip. You might not find refills at pharmacies
in Africa. Do not be afraid of what you hear on TV about Africa being full
of diseases. While there may be some outbreaks of small epidemics in some
regions, it is highly unlikely that you will be traveling in those areas.
The biggest threat is malaria. With proper medication and the precaution
of insect propellent, you shouldn't have any problems. |
Cameras:
|
Bring
more film than you think you will need. Film is expensive in Africa and
what you don't use, you can always sell to someone else. Spare batteries
for cameras and other devices are a good idea - especially the exotic batteries
used by many of the newer cameras. You will want to save your memories
as either photos or videos. People are very friendly, but it is always
wise to ask first before photographing people. Don't be surprised if some
ask you for a small tip. If you tip for a photo, it shouldn't be an extravagant
amount. Photography is usually permitted everywhere except airports, anything
to do with military or police and certain government buildings. If in doubt,
ask. Mark down the serial numbers of any cameras or lenses that you bring.
On rare occasions, you might be asked to register equipment when you enter
the country, though this is very unusual. In the event any equipment becomes
lost or stolen, knowing the serial numbers might help in getting it back. |
Geography:
|
Remember
Africa is a continent and not a country. Africa is made up of 53 countries
and each one is different with diverse cultures, dress, customs, currency
and languages. Some of our tours are in countries where French is the official
language. All of our tours include guide services with bilingual guides.
One of the biggest mistakes potential travelers to Africa make is to assume
that if there trouble in Sierra Leone, it will be unsafe to travel to Ghana.
Please do not rely on world maps to give an accurate assessment of the
size of Africa. Actually, you can place the whole of the USA AND China
inside Africa. |
Pack
Wisely:
|
On
most international flights to Africa, you are allowed two bags that can
weigh up to 66 lbs. each. However, if your tour includes travel to a neighboring
country on the same itinerary, the limit might be only one bag weighing
50 lbs. Think carefully about what you really need for your trip and leave
the non-essentials at home. Chances are that you will buy some souvenirs
during your stay in Africa. That extra space will come in handy when you
are ready to go home. Occasionally some airlines experience delays on African
routes. Make sure you have a change of cloths and any other essential items
packed in a carry-on bag. |
Gifts:
|
Little
gifts are always appreciated in any African country. A simple toy, T-Shirt,
or useful item such as a jack-knife will please someone who shows you a
special courtesy or favor. You would be amazed at what you can find in
a dollar store that can brighten someone's life in Africa. School supplies
are a good idea too. Notebooks, pens, coloring books and crayons are always
in demand. Such gifts can be given to the local chief in a village who
will see that they are given to the school. And don't be afraid to pack
some old clothing that you can give to someone. Africans in impoverished
areas are not offended by hand-me-down's. Old T-Shirts, dresses, etc. are
much appreciated. And this is a way to wisely use up any additional luggage
space by including items that you will leave behind. Candy is always fun
for children, but be very discreet when you pass it out. Never do it when
a crowd is around. You might start a stampede and be mobbed. |
Shopping:
|
Henderson
Tours always include opportunities for shopping. You will find all kinds
of carvings, textiles, pottery, jewelry & other souvenirs throughout
Africa. Large open-air markets are the supermarkets of Africa. Some countries
also have special centers that showcase the arts and crafts of local people.
A speciality of West Africa is the individually tailored clothing you can
have made. While most of the time, you can dress casually on our tours
- there might be occasions where you will want to "go African": one more
reason to leave all those outfits at home and have new ones made during
your trip. Use good judgement when buying objects that might come from
animals on the endangered species list. These include many animal skins,
snake skins, crocodile, tortoise shell and ivory. The US Customs Dept.
might confiscate such items on your return. |
Money:
|
Changing
money in Africa is a fairly simple process as long as it is cash. Unlike
America, ATM's are few and far between. It can also be difficult to change
Travelers Checks. Those few who do accept them usually charge a high commission
rate for the service. Most of the hotels will accept credit cards for room
incidentals, but credit cards are seldom accepted in rural areas or by
most souvenir vendors. It is best to bring US dollars in cash. The larger
denomination notes such as $100 and $50 will bring a better rate of exchange.
Make sure your bills are free of defects such as torn corners. Such bills
might not be accepted. Once you are in Africa it is best to change money
right away. Henderson guides will assist you in this process and get you
the best rate. After you have changed money, don't carry more than you
think you will need during any given day. If you leave money in your room,
you should stash it in several different secure areas of your luggage.
For the most part, hotel employees are scrupulously honest, but it pays
to be careful. Some hotels have safes or deposit boxes at the desk. Consult
the currency exchange website on our Links page to get up to date information
on exchange rates. |
Climate:
|
West
Africa has a tropical climate the year round. Casual dress is the order
of the day. Shorts are acceptable in most places, but are not allowed in
some religious places. A few long-sleeve shirts or blouses are useful for
evenings if you are outside where mosquitoes lurk. One dress-up outfit
should suffice and you can always get some African clothes ready-to-wear
or tailor made during your trip. Remember that West Africa is really HOT
at some times of the year. Be sure to bring a hat and sunglasses. Sandles
and a compact umbrella can be useful too. Don't forget your bathing suit!
South Africa is relatively tropical too, but can be cool during their winter
(our summer) months. |
Electricity:
|
The
power standard for most African countries is 220V. Remember to bring any
adapters that might be necessary for appliances. It is best to use battery
operated devices when possible. You will definitely need an adapter to
recharge batteries for video cameras. It is also wise to bring along a
small flashlight such as the popular Mag-Lite. Sometimes there are brief
power outages and a flashlight is also useful if you take a stroll after
sunset. |
Impressions:
|
First
time visitors are often disturbed by the poverty they might see. Poverty
is an unfortunate condition of developing countries. You will see substandard
living arrangements, the effects of diseases such as polio - and a lack
of basic necessities in some areas. Begging is not uncommon in some places.
It's OK to offer money to the unfortunate, but you are not obligated to
do so. Remember that you alone cannot save the world. And most importantly,
bear in mind that Africans are very proud people. Their hospitality and
the warm welcome you will receive will help balance any discomfort you
might experience. |
Tipping:
|
Tipping
is not an official policy in most African countries, but it is expected
and it forms a vital part of the income of workers in the hospitality industry.
In Ghana, for instance, the annual average income for a family can be less
than $500. At hotels, porters should receive the equivalent of $1 per bag
and chambermaids $1-$2 a day. For meals, 10% is about average unless already
included in the bill. At the end of the trip it is customary to tip the
driver and guide. Drivers at about $1 per day and guides from $1-$2 per
day. Other people you may want to tip would include hairdressers, tailors,
seamstresses, etc. This, of course, is just a guide. You are welcome to
tip anyone more if you feel they have done an exceptional job for you. |
|
 |
Passport |
|
Immunization
Certificate |
|
Medications |
|
Camera(s)
- Serial numbers written down. |
|
Sufficient
Film |
|
Extra
Batteries - CD Player, Cameras, etc. |
|
Gifts
& Give-Aways: School Supplies, Clothing, etc. |
|
Sunglasses |
|
Swimsuit |
|
Sandles |
|
Flashlight |
|
Plastic
shopping bags (2 or 3) |
|
Electricity
Power Adapters |
|
Compact
Umbrella |
|
Reading
material for the plane |
|
Personal
Hygiene items - cosmetics, etc. |
|
Spare
Expandable Bag |
|
|
