Travel Guides: All Countries, Africa.
 |  | Fact File : Africa |
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| | | Africa | | Did you know?
The word safari means "journey" in Kenya, in Namibia elephants have adapted to living in the desert and Zambia's Ngonye Falls are almost as big, but hardly as famous, as Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls.
Language
Swahili and English are the main languages in Tanzania and Kenya and English is also widely spoken in Uganda and Zimbabwe. English, Mandinka, Wolof and Fula are the Gambia's main languages.
Visas
UK passport holders require a three-month tourist visa to visit Kenya. Three-month visas are not needed for Zambia if travelling as part of an organised tour. No visas are required for Zimbabwe, Namibia, Senegal or the Gambia.
Getting there
There are numerous direct flights to South African destinations, direct flights to Zimbabwe's capital Harare, to Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya, to Zambia's capital Lusaka, to Banjul in Gambia and to Dakar in Senegal. South African Airways flies via Johannesburg to Namibia's capital Windhoek. Check Foreign Office trave alerts at www.fco.gov.uk before booking your flights.
Flying time from London
Six hours to the Gambia and between eight and 12 hours to other destinations.
Getting around
Inexpensive, efficient buses and trains connect major towns and cities in Zimbabwe. In Kenya, popular local transport is by matatu, brightly coloured minibuses. In Zambia, trains run from Lusaka south to Livingstone and north to Kitwe and are preferable to buses for long distances. Buses and bush taxis are recommended in Senegal and the Gambia. Buses and trains link major cities in and around Tanzania and ferries run from capital Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia islands.
Currency
Zimbabwe dollar, Namibian dollar, Kenyan shilling, Zambian kwacha, CFA franc in Senegal and dalasi in the Gambia, Mozambique metical, Malawian kwacha, Tanzanian shilling....
Costs
Prices vary greatly from country to country, but as a rough guide: bottle of beer 25p-£1; moderate restaurant meal £3-£15; roll of camera film £1.50-£6; four-mile taxi ride £2-£5; litre of petrol 25p-60p.
Weather
Zimbabwe's summer (Europe's winter) sees average highs of 15-26C/60-80F while winter temperatures (Europe's summer) average 7-25C/45-78F. Kenya's weather varies between regions. The Central Highlands and Rift Valley have the most agreeable climate, averaging 10c-26C/50F-78F throughout the year. Coastal spots tend to be humid with highs of 21C-30C/70F-86F, but sea breezes help. Zambia's wet season runs from November to April, May to August is cool and September to October can be very hot, but with good game viewing. August is the Gambia's wettest month with 20 inches of rainfall on average. May to March are hottest, with highs of 20C-32C/68F-90F. Tanzania has a long wet season from mid-March to May and a shorter rainy season in November to January. The coolest months are from June to October, and the warmest are December to March.
Time difference
None in the Gambia and Senegal, they're on GMT. Between one and three hours ahead of GMT elsewhere.
International dialling code from the UK
Zimbabwe 00 263; Namibia 00 264; Kenya 00 254; Zambia 00 260; Senegal 00 221; the Gambia 00 220l; Mozambique 00 258; Tanzania 00 255.
Voltage
220V in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Senegal and the Gambia, 240V in Kenya, 220V-240V in Zambia, 220V-240V in Mozambique.
Opening hours
These vary greatly, but as a rule shops open from 8am and close between 4.30pm and 5pm on weekdays, with an hour's break for lunch between 1-2pm or until 2.30pm. Banks tend to open at 8am and close at lunchtime, but times can vary from day to day. On Saturdays shops typically open from 8am-1pm, with banks keeping roughly the same hours.
Health – Before you go
Hepatitis A, polio and typhoid vaccinations are recommended for Zimbabwe and Namibia. No jabs are compulsory for Kenya, although tetanus, diptheria, polio, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies and cholera may be considered. For Zambia, hepatitis A, polio, typhoid, anti-malarial tablets and yellow fever vaccinations are recommended. Similar jabs are suggested for other African countries. Always consult a GP for the latest advice about inoculations at least a month prior to departure, if possible.
Health – When you are there
Medical services in Zimbabwe are quite good and tap water there is considered safe to drink. Private medical care is of a relatively high standard in Namibia. Tap water should not be drunk in Kenya and fruit should be peeled before being eaten. In Zambia malaria is endemic and tourists should stick to bottled water as drinking water must be boiled or filtered first. Adequate medical insurance, including cover for repatriation in an emergency, should be arranged before departure. Avoid swimming or paddling in fresh water in Senegal as bilharzia is present.
Warnings
Don't display valuables, keep important documents in a safe place and ensure you have copies separately. Be aware, get a guide if you are uncertain and check the latest Foreign Office travel alerts before departure at www.fco.gov.uk/travel or by calling 0870 6060290.
Emergency
Zimbabwe: fire 993 99, ambulance 994 99, general 999 99. Namibia: general 1011.Kenya: police 99. Zambia: 999. Senegal: Dakar police 628 1700. The Gambia: ambulance 16, police 17, fire 18.
Customs
In the Gambia and Senegal the majority of people are Muslims so modest dress is recommended. Zambians also appreciate modest dress and frown upon public nudity and displays of affection.
Pets
African countries are not yet part of the PET Travel Scheme overseen by the Environment Department, so pets travelling there would need be quarantined for six months upon their return to Britain.
Tipping
A service charge of 10% is added to most restaurant bills in Zambia. Kenyan restaurants usually add 5%-10% to tourist restaurant bills and expect to pay from around £1.50 per day in tips to safari guides. Tipping is forbidden in Namibia's parks and reserves and is only expected in upmarket tourist businesses, when 10% is ample. In Zimbabwe a 10% tip is adequate unless already included in the bill.
Tourist offices
Kenya Tourist Board, 36, Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9EU. Tel. 020 7202 6373. Zimbabwe Tourist Office, Zimbabwe House, 429 The Strand, London, WC2R 0QE. Tel. 020 7836 7755.Namibia Tourism Board, 6 Chandos Street, London, W1G 9LU. Tel. 020 7636 2924. Zambia National Tourist Board, 2 Palace Gate, Kensington, London W8 5NG. Tel. 020 7589 6655.The Gambia National Tourist Office, The Gambian High Commission, 57 Kensington Court, London W8 5DH. Tel. 020 7376 0093.
More
Take a look at our South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt factfiles too.
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