COMING TO THE BEATIFUL CONTINENT …WHAT TO ARM YOURSELF WITH

Trips to motherland can be a bit tangy and unnerving. Abimbola Johnson lays down the basics on what tourists need for an African safari.

Africa is the most beautiful continent in the world. The continent of Africa remains one of the hottest regions of the world with a large portion of it experiencing drought and desert encroachment. It is where 1 billion people of the world call home. The landscape and the vegetation are as diverse as the facial construct of the people. A sizeable part of it is arable but yet a chunk of it is not – the Sahara desert is one of these areas. But the tourism boards, tour operators and the locals have since learned to put this area to use. There are now organized expeditions through the African deserts- this is done using Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

Many cite the warm people of the continent as the major reason they prefer the region to other areas of the world. In sub Saharan Africa it is commonplace to hear of traditional titles been conferred on visiting tourists. There are no regions of the world that roll out drums (literally speaking) to welcome visitors like it is done in Africa. They are serenaded and treated like royalty by the locals during their stay. Tour operators make a stopover at the palace of the traditional ruler an integral part of the tour. It is during these moments that tourists are able to gain firsthand experience of what life in the locality is like.

However, most times many tourists are ill prepared for this mother of all trips. They do not know what to come along with to the beautiful continent.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare yourself for an exhilarating trip to the ever-shining continent.

1.     Sandal – so that your feet can breath as you navigate the various tourist destinations.  For maximum comfort, it is best to wear sandals and foot wears that are aerated.

2.     Sun hat or better still a straw hat, the wider the diameter the better.

3.     Sunglasses, sunglasses, sunglasses – Africa is the land of the sun, so expect  so much  of it. It can be uneasy at times for the first timers. The sunrays can be discomforting and harmful to the eye. It is ideal that you use sun glasses when outdoor throughout your stay. Sun up sun down the heat is stinging.

4.     Light clothing-tie and dye, batik, woodin. Many of the ethnic clothing are done with the weather in mind. So when coming obtain a few and you will never be wrong. They are obtainable at some of the duty free shops at the airports’ arrival terminals.

5.     Sunscreen – the climate is hot and a Caucasian visitor will find it harsh on the skin.  It is expected that you include a sunscreen cream in the list of items you are travelling with if at all you want to maintain your skin colour. Nevertheless, if you want to do what many foreign tourists like doing this days -skin tanning / sun baths; omit it entirely from your list. Come and bask in the African sun and bear the marks of motherland.

6.     Designer water – Africa can guarantee you enthralling sites and destinations but not excellent drinking water. Admittedly, there is water in most of the region but it is best to arrange for the water you will be drinking prior to your departure. If you have a designer water that you are accustomed to, you can come along with as many bottles as you will possibly need during the duration of your stay.

7.     Rugged footwear-The terrain is rough you will need a pair of cleats or boots to effectively navigate it.  Nature trails can be exhilarating and yet challenging. Be prepared.

8.     Sport Utility Vehicle – Whether it is the Sahara desert or the safari parks. The roads are not in good state of repair, but often times, the road are left in their elemental state in order to ensure the whole thing is natural. Only expect the access road to be paved so when you go in,  you are sure to encounter nature in its crude form.

9.     Camera- you will need one to record memorable moments as you try to ‘conquer the earth’. Experiences are nothing without a camera; but with a camera no matter how poor the quality, you can always relive the moments. Many of the scenes in most African destinations are worth capturing. You will not forgive yourself if you fail to go with it.

10.    A  Filofax- you will need it to record how things went, take down contacts, phone numbers , emails and all that.  It will come in handy if you are into memoirs. In the world of today, record keeping is so central as it allows for easy access to facts, information and figures.

11.    Get local knowledge – Now, here is the most important piece. Before or during your trip learn to say a few of the words in the local language. The internet is a veritable tool you can explore.  You can start by learning the greetings. In most part of West Africa, from Liberia to Nigeria, the form of English spoken on the streets is Pidgin English. It helps you to, at least, start, sustain and end a conversation successfully, and at the same time earn their respect. Get a map of the  town or city you are visiting, also get info on the places you are visiting prior to  visiting a site. But if you are touring with a tour operator you are in luck as you will be supplied all this and more.