21/06/2025
7 MYTHS ABOUT TRAVEL TO AFRICA
Myth 1: Africa is a country
First, some geography. Africa is not a country; it is a continent. In fact, it is the world’s second largest and second most populated continent and—this may come as a surprise—it is larger than China, India, the (contiguous) United States and most of Europe combined
At roughly three times the size of the United States, the vast African continent is home to 54 countries, 9 of which are renowned for their world-class safaris. From the timeless, sand-swept dunes of Namibia’s Namib Desert and the tree-dotted plains of Kenya’s mighty Masai Mara, to the lofty peak of Mount Kilimanjaro and the meandering waterways of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, each African country boasts its own unique charms and wildlife encounters.
Myth 2: Africa is dangerous
Deep, dark Africa is a lot safer than you think. Like any destination, travelers should always have their wits about them and be vigilant, as they would anywhere else. That’s just common (travel) sense.
Whether you’re an apprehensive, first-time traveler to Africa or a seasoned Africa addict, planning your itinerary with an experienced travel specialist and travelling with a respected and well-established local operator offers peace of mind, not to mention convenience, security and seamless logistics.
With the right operator, your entire journey from arrival to departure can be organized so that you don’t have to think (or worry) about a thing. You can be warmly welcomed as you step off the plane and escorted through the arrival procedures. You’ll be assisted with your luggage and whisked off to your private transfer. Every last detail will be looked after en route so that you can relax and simply enjoy the ride.
Do remember though, that “this is Africa”. Flights and transfers may operate on “Africa time”, there may be queues and there may be bumps in the road (literally). Arm yourself with a good book, some headphones and a positive attitude. This is Africa and you’ll look back on every part of the adventure fondly.
Myth 3: wild animals roam the streets
Surprising that people actually envision this as the norm in Africa, but no, for the most part, the wild animals much prefer their natural habitat to congested urban areas. Of course, wildlife will roam where it pleases and there are always exceptions to the norm.
Myth 4: women shouldn’t travel alone to Africa
Africa is safer than you think and solo female travel is widely accepted, encouraged and enjoyed across the continent. The key to comfort, security and peace of mind here lies in selecting an established, trusted local operator that will ensure your safety and enjoyment at all times throughout the journey.
Private transfers can be arranged, personal guides can be booked (providing both a social and highly informative element to city escapes, historical sites and cultural community visits) and meals can be shared or enjoyed privately.
Safaris, by nature, are quite social, with up to eight hours a day spent on a safari vehicle with other guests who often become lifelong friends. Small group journeys also offer the perfect mix of socializing and security, along with that soulful and necessary privacy and quiet time.
Myth 5: there’s no Wi-Fi in Africa
When we travel, the aim should be to disconnect from technology, deadlines, meetings and to-do lists and to reconnect with the natural world, each other and indeed ourselves. The goal should be to wander where the Wi-Fi is weak; however, with remote work and digital nomadism now rapidly becoming our norm, many travelers simply need to stay connected.
Due to the remote location of many of Africa’s lodges and camps, internet connectivity can and will be intermittent at times. This is to be expected. That said, many private transfer vehicles are Wi-Fi-enabled for those long drives and most properties do have Wi-Fi connection. It may not be as reliable, or as fast, as the one you have at home, nor will 100% connectivity be guaranteed at all times, but you will be able to keep in touch with work and home while you’re exploring Africa.
There are plenty of reliable options for travelers looking to work from holiday (an increasingly popular trend to emerge from the pandemic). The caveat here is to connect to technology only when absolutely necessary. Zoom into a meeting here and there, find a beautiful table with a view while you answer emails, update your social media (but don’t obsess over it) and text your loved ones, but be present in your surroundings and try not to miss out on any of the fun.
Every traveler to Africa will agree that if you allow yourself to truly disconnect from the insatiable, demanding clutches of technology and connect with nature and your surroundings, you’ll find a much deeper, more meaningful connection. Every time.
Myth 6: Africa is always hot and sunny
Given the sheer size of Africa (see myth 1), it’s not surprising that each country’s climates, temperatures and precipitation differ. There are rainy seasons, droughts, rare desert rains and some places even get the occasional dusting of snow. Although African summers can be scorchers and the winters are far milder than their northern counterparts, it is not always hot
Myth 7: African food is boring
Food is an integral—and enjoyable—part of travel. Meals are meant to be lingered over and slowly devoured and going back for seconds (thirds, fourths … who’s counting?!) is always encouraged. Often some of the most memorable travel moments come in the form of a delicious impromptu snack shared en route, a celebratory drink served at sunset or a dessert savored under the stars.
# https://karibuglobalexpeditions.com/
# https://shalomafricadestinations.co.ke/
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