First time in Africa
Hi folks, hoping someone here can advise me...
I'm planning a trip to Africa starting in Tanzania, ending in South Africa. I intend to transit Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana overland. I need visas for Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania, are these difficult to get? They want a travel itinerary. I'll just have one that says I'm flying into Dar es Salem, flying out of Cape Town. Some more questions... Is it still possible to travel overland from Dar Es Salem to Lusaka on the train? My country's travel report says a particular crossing between Zambia and Tanzania is closed, but I'm not sure if they meant to put that it's not possible to pass this way. I'm going first class on any train ride I take, my travelling companion and I will book all four bunks if that's the best we can get (for our own safety). What can I expect overall? I love Ethiopian food (with the bread they serve it with), is that what I can expect to eat (stuff like that without utensils) when I head south? How difficult is it to change money when entering a new country? I do believe I cannot buy some currencies before I leave here. Where is it prohibited to have any currencies when leaving? Does that include pocket change? Is there anything in particular I should bring with me (that we take for granted at home), like toilet paper? Should I be planning a specific itinerary and pre-booking hotels? Or can I find accomodations when I get some place? (Major cities and the like). Since we are travelling by train, and it's so unreliable, I'm not sure if we can stick to a plan. Is a month long enough to do this trip? Thanks in advance, S. |
First time in Africa
On Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:36:51 -0800 (PST), Sapphyre wrote:
Is there anything in particular I should bring with me (that we take for granted at home), like toilet paper? Check http://michna.com/kenya.htm#Preparations . The check lists are meant for people driving through Kenya, but most of their content applies to all travellers in Africa. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
First time in Africa
On Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:36:51 -0800 (PST), Sapphyre
wrote: Hi folks, hoping someone here can advise me... I'm planning a trip to Africa starting in Tanzania, ending in South Africa. I intend to transit Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana overland. Sounds like a lovely trip, however, I'm not sure of your intended route. I would choose between Zimbabwe and Botswana, probably preferring Botswana at the moment. What time of year are you thinking of viviting? This makes a huge difference to the countries you should visit. I need visas for Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania, are these difficult to get? They want a travel itinerary. I'll just have one that says I'm flying into Dar es Salem, flying out of Cape Town. Which passport do you hold? Many countries passport holders can get Zambian, Zimbabwean, and Botswana visas at the borders. For an itinerary, just make up a very basic travel itinerary. They won't hold you to it, and it's really just a bureaucratic bit of nonsense. Just make sure that you show a long enough time on you itinerary. Some more questions... Is it still possible to travel overland from Dar Es Salem to Lusaka on the train? My country's travel report says a particular crossing between Zambia and Tanzania is closed, but I'm not sure if they meant to put that it's not possible to pass this way. I'm afraid I can't help with train info as I have only ever used road transport in these countries. I love Ethiopian food (with the bread they serve it with), is that what I can expect to eat (stuff like that without utensils) when I head south? If you eat at local restaurants, you can expect to use your hands. In many places, they will bring you a bowl of water to wash your hands before eating. It is very bad manners to not wash your hands before eating. If you eat at more modern/international places, they will have standard utensils. Ethiopian food is very different from East African and Southern African food. Down here the staple carbohydrate is maize, while in East AFrica it is plantain (matooke), casava, and maize. Goat meat is very popular, as is chicken. As you get further south, beef becomes more popular. Personally, I am not very impressed with the food in East and Southern Africa, apart from the seafood and fish from the coastal areas of Tanzania and Mozambique. Mozambiquan food is EXCELLENT! How difficult is it to change money when entering a new country? I do believe I cannot buy some currencies before I leave here. Depending on where you are going, there are ATM's in most large centres in Zambia and Botswana, and all over South Africa. I'm not sure about Tanzania regarding ATMs as I haven't been there since 2004. Banks or Bureaus de Change are found in every city and larger towns. My advice is to NEVER change money on the street unless you are with a local who you absolutely trust. If you are going to be carrying US Dollars, make sure you have the notes with the larger head in the design. I don't recall the date after which the larger head is used, but older notes are often NOT accepted, even at banks. Where is it prohibited to have any currencies when leaving? Does that include pocket change? The only country in the area that actively tries to prevent you from removing their currency is Angola. I have never had a problem with taking small amounts out of the countries you will be visiting. Is there anything in particular I should bring with me (that we take for granted at home), like toilet paper? Toilet paper (I always take a few spare rolls, but I'm in a Land Rover) is available in all larger centres. Your best friend will be a South African supermarket chain called "Shoprite". You can buy almost any western requisite at Shoprite including shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products, safety razors, breakfast cereals, health foods (limited), etc. There is a Shoprite in all major cities in the region where you can stock up for the next leg of the journey. Should I be planning a specific itinerary and pre-booking hotels? Or can I find accomodations when I get some place? (Major cities and the like). Since we are travelling by train, and it's so unreliable, I'm not sure if we can stick to a plan. This depends on the time of year that you plan to travel. If it's out of season, I wouldn't pre-book any accomodation. The only thing you can plan in Africa is your arrival date. Any plans made after that WILL change. ;-) Is a month long enough to do this trip? Yes. You could easily make the trip last a lot longer, but 4 weeks is a good length. I highly recommend that you include Mozambique, but you will need to self-drive to have the best time there. Thanks in advance, S. Regards, Marc |
First time in Africa
"Hans-Georg Michna" wrote in message ... On Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:36:51 -0800 (PST), Sapphyre wrote: Is there anything in particular I should bring with me (that we take for granted at home), like toilet paper? Check http://michna.com/kenya.htm#Preparations . The check lists are meant for people driving through Kenya, but most of their content applies to all travellers in Africa. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. Hans, when I was preparing for my recent safari to kenya and asked for help on this NG, your web site was an absloute godsend, I printed it off and took it with me...thanks so much for sharing that with everyone! -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
First time in Africa
On Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:58:47 -0000, the_niner_nation wrote:
"Hans-Georg Michna" wrote in message .. . Check http://michna.com/kenya.htm#Preparations . The check lists are meant for people driving through Kenya, but most of their content applies to all travellers in Africa. Hans, when I was preparing for my recent safari to kenya and asked for help on this NG, your web site was an absloute godsend, I printed it off and took it with me...thanks so much for sharing that with everyone! Nice to hear that. Thanks! I'm always open for improvement proposals. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
First time in Africa
www.toursa.com
"Sapphyre" wrote in message ... Hi folks, hoping someone here can advise me... I'm planning a trip to Africa starting in Tanzania, ending in South Africa. I intend to transit Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana overland. I need visas for Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania, are these difficult to get? They want a travel itinerary. I'll just have one that says I'm flying into Dar es Salem, flying out of Cape Town. Some more questions... Is it still possible to travel overland from Dar Es Salem to Lusaka on the train? My country's travel report says a particular crossing between Zambia and Tanzania is closed, but I'm not sure if they meant to put that it's not possible to pass this way. I'm going first class on any train ride I take, my travelling companion and I will book all four bunks if that's the best we can get (for our own safety). What can I expect overall? I love Ethiopian food (with the bread they serve it with), is that what I can expect to eat (stuff like that without utensils) when I head south? How difficult is it to change money when entering a new country? I do believe I cannot buy some currencies before I leave here. Where is it prohibited to have any currencies when leaving? Does that include pocket change? Is there anything in particular I should bring with me (that we take for granted at home), like toilet paper? Should I be planning a specific itinerary and pre-booking hotels? Or can I find accomodations when I get some place? (Major cities and the like). Since we are travelling by train, and it's so unreliable, I'm not sure if we can stick to a plan. Is a month long enough to do this trip? Thanks in advance, S. |
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