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Big in Africa: 5 Things to do before traveling to Africa
This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.Japan is certainly a weird, wacky and wonderful place. But, every once in awhile you need to take a break from the madness in the hopes of getting perspective on the rest of the world. So, it is with great pleasure that I kick off the first installment of Big in Africa, a special edition and limited-time only column dedicated to traveling through the African continent...
Few destinations in the world strike fear in the hearts and minds of concerned parents quite like Africa. (Don't worry Mom - I'm staying safe, wearing clean underwear and not talking to strangers!)
But, the continent is arguably one of the best places on the planet for adventure travelers, especially if you're easily jaded by the commercialization of the global tourist trail. After all, Africa certainly isn't for wet behind the ears beginners, but it needn't be the sole reserve of leather-skinned veterans.
So, without further adieu, here is a quick and dirty list of 5 things to do before traveling to Africa.
1) Get your shots. If you have a fear of needles, than you might want to think about heading somewhere more tame, like Cancun. Before heading out, you're going to need jabs for all sorts of illnesses that yo
u've probably never heard of. But, just because they're obscure, doesn't mean that they can't turn your internal organs into a smoothie.2) Get your meds. Malaria sucks. Trust me - I've had it twice. On that note, be sure to get a good prophylactic from your doctor, and be sure that you understand all of the potential side effects. Malaria meds can induce day-time hallucinations that are more vivid than recreational drugs, but they're preferable to having your joints seize up like an old Ford.
3) Get some gear. Never underestimate the importance of a solid internal frame backpack, especially since you're going to be wedded to it for weeks / months on end. A sturdy tent and a sleeping bag is also a good idea, as are comfortable and non-flashy outdoor clothing. And, while I could easily write an entire post on the importance of good footwear, I'll simply say that's worth every dollar to invest in good boots.
4) Do your homework. Needless to say, Africa is a freakin' huge place. You literally need several lifetimes to explore the continent, and it's impossible to overstate the incredible diversity of experiences tha
t can be had there. Read some books, check a few travel forums and focus on a country or two that peaks your interest. Africa is not Europe - don't expect to hit up 15 destinations in two weeks!5) Have an open mind. Africa will blow your mind, so check all your preconceived notions at home and get ready to have your third eye opened and properly squeegeed.
Stay tuned - there is more Big in Africa to come...
** All images courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project **
Filed under: Africa, Big in Japan
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick Hawkins Jul 1st 2008 11:04AM
Immunizations are your friend. For those who need to get them from scratch, it'll probably cost in excess of $500.
Caroline Jul 1st 2008 2:35PM
I took Malarone anti-malaria tablets b/c I was afraid of the hallucinations. But I still had crazy intense dreams and would wake up at night with anxiety.
Everything is HARDER to do in Africa (at least, where I was). It's hard to get money out. It's hard dealing with companies. It's hard dealing with immigration. It's hard to make a photocopy.
But it's beautiful. It's magnificent. And it's so worth it.
Neto Jul 1st 2008 5:21PM
Uh...Were you not in Africa when you were "Big in Egypt"? How come Japan, Jordan, Israel, and every other place get billed as individual countries but Africa, as usual, is conceptually reduced to nation-state status? If you suggest that people "focus on a country or two," then maybe you should refer specifically to the country or two that you plan to visit and call your column "Big in Mozambique" or "Big in Benin" or wherever your itinerary happens to take you. And yes, I do believe travel blogs to be a quite appropriate venue for political correctness.
Tyler Jul 2nd 2008 12:46AM
The "Big in X" thing is wearing a bit thin.
Brenda Jul 1st 2008 7:43PM
Have shots - will travel! I just got back from South Africa, so I'm looking forward to your blog. Caroline is right, it is beautiful and magnificent!