Plan a Trip to Africa, Step by Step
Visas, health, seasons, flights, budget and safety: the practical side of an African adventure.
Get a Free Africa Trip QuoteHow to Plan a Trip to Africa Without the Guesswork
When you plan a trip to Africa, the hard part is rarely deciding that you want to go. It is the practical web of decisions that follows: which visas to get and when, which vaccines and malaria tablets you need, which months suit which regions, how to fly there from the United States, what the trip will cost and how to stay safe. Plan It Africa takes those questions one at a time, with links to the official sources, so you can build a trip with confidence.
This site is about logistics. For where to go on safari and which safari style suits you — the Masai Mara, the Okavango, Kruger, Rwanda’s gorillas — see our sister site African Safari Experiences. For guided tours that include Egypt, Morocco or Cape Town, see Africa Tour Specialists.
Africa Trip Planner
A timeline from twelve months out to departure day, plus a packing list.
Visas and Entry
E-visas, electronic travel authorizations and passport rules, country by country, with official links.
Vaccinations and Malaria
Yellow fever certificates, routine shots and malaria prevention, from the CDC.
Best Time to Visit
East, southern and North Africa, the Cape and the islands, season by season.
Flights From the USA
Gateways, hubs, connections and regional flights to safari areas.
Budget
What a trip to Africa costs is driven by a few big items. Here they are.
Advisories and Safety
How to read an Africa travel advisory and stay safe on the ground.
Five Decisions That Shape Your Trip
- Region: East Africa, southern Africa, North Africa and the Indian Ocean islands are different trips with different logistics.
- Season: rain, not temperature, decides most safari timing. See the best time by region.
- Pace: two countries in two weeks is comfortable; four is rushed.
- Style: guided safari, small-group tour, self-drive, cruise or a mix.
- Budget level: the type of camp or hotel matters more than anything else; see how much a trip to Africa costs.
Africa Is Big: Think in Regions
Africa is larger than the United States, China and India combined, and distances between regions are long. Most first trips focus on one region. East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda) is the home of the Great Migration and the gorillas. Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe) combines safaris with Cape Town, the Winelands and Victoria Falls. North Africa (Egypt, Morocco) is about history, cities and deserts. The Indian Ocean islands (Zanzibar, Mauritius, the Seychelles) are beach add-ons. Ocean cruises along the coast are covered on Cruising Africa, and river safaris on Africa River Cruising.
Ready to start? Compare flights on Airfares for Less, check hotels for your gateway city on Rooms Cheap, or request a free Africa trip quote from a specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I plan a trip to Africa?
For a safari in the busiest months, or for gorilla permits, nine to twelve months ahead is common. Six months is the minimum to check passports and allow time for any vaccines; visas and electronic travel authorizations usually come a few weeks before departure.
Is Africa safe for tourists?
Africa is fifty-four countries, and safety varies widely between and within them. Millions of visitors travel safely every year. Read the State Department advisory for each country on your route, enroll in STEP and follow local advice.
Do I need a travel agent to plan a trip to Africa?
Not always, but a specialist helps a great deal on a first trip, especially for safaris where camps, light-aircraft flights, park fees and transfers have to fit together. Our specialists will quote your trip free.
More From Our Travel Network
About Plan It Africa
This site is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a trip quote through the Official Travel Directory, a travel specialist plans it with you personally — not a call center. Meet Mister Cruise →
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