14 things you need to know before backpacking Africa
21.07.2023 - 08:19
/ roughguides.com
For intrepid and adventurous backpackers, the enigmatic African continent will always possess a particular allure. But Africa is not for the faint-hearted, and even more seasoned travellers will undoubtedly face a steep learning curve during their time here.
From dealing with deadly fauna to falling foul of dodgy juice, here are some of the things you need to know before you embark on the adventure of backpacking Africa.
Contrary to common stereotypes, Africa is an immensely diverse continent of 54 countries, a billion people and 2000 languages. Don’t be that person that walks off the plane in Johannesburg already decked out in your safari overalls. And don’t be fooled into thinking that you’ll ever really “backpack Africa” – at best, you’ll probably see a small fraction.
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Throughout most of Africa, public transport runs on a very different timetable from what you might be used to. The buses and trains don’t always leave when they’re scheduled to – they generally leave when enough people fill them. That can often take a very long time.
Dades Gorges pass, Morocco © cornfield/Shutterstock
If you’re using public transport to get around, you may well need to expand your concept of what this means. Minivans, trucks, motorbikes, bicycles, steamboats, horses and carts, donkeys and camels all form part of Africa’s informal public transport networks.
Africa’s astonishing flora and fauna is one of the main draw cards for many visitors, but both are to be treated with the utmost respect if you want to come home alive and in one piece.
When a marauding lion or elephant wanders through your campsite, you’ll realize just how vulnerable most of us are outside of our comfort zones. Listen to the locals and respect the rules.
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Africa absolutely dwarfs Europe. In ten hours, you can get from London to the south of France; 10 hours driving in South Africa will barely get you across a single province.
Also, in many parts of Africa “main road” is a very subjective term, making the already long distances an even more epic undertaking.
© Anna Om/Shutterstock
Most people choose to backpack through Africa during the cooler, drier winter months. But in so doing they unwittingly accept that fine red dust will enter every corner of their luggage, and every orifice of their being.
“I’m a vegetarian” is not a phrase that exists in many African languages. Meat and maize porridge are the two main staples for most Africans, and apparently chicken is actually a vegetable.
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