Getting around in Africa

Home » Web Guides » Travel » Africa Travel

In This Guide

Most Popular

Africa Travel

Thanks to the continent’s unparalleled wildlife and unique cultures, Africa has become a popular vacation destination. This Africa Travel Web Guide points you to resources for everything you’d want to know about travel on this continent. The sites within offer an introduction to Africa’s history and the daily life of its people, discuss transportation and accommodation options, and provide advice and opinions from those who have traveled to Africa in the past.

Expand All Guide Sections

General Africa Travel Resources

Because of Africa's size, seeing the entire continent in a single trip is nearly impossible. It ... read more »

Travel Requirements for Africa

When it comes to Africa, there is a lot you should know before you go. Learn about the practical ... read more »

Getting to Africa

Getting to Africa may not be the most pleasant experience if you are traveling from the United ... read more »

Hotels in Africa

Africa has a wide spectrum of places to stay. Stay on a guest farm, at a youth hostel, or in a ... read more »

Getting around in Africa

Africa is a huge continent and the infrastructure throughout its many countries is often inconsistent. While countries like South Africa may have superb systems of roads and rails, most of the continent does not. These sites help you navigate Africa's terrain, by land or air.

Dulcinea's Insight

Web sites for traveling throughout Africa are scarce. Your best bet is to consult a specific guide for each African country you plan to visit. Also, embassies and tourist centers are invaluable.

For a clear map of the different regions with their respective countries, view this interactive Web page from Africa Action.

go to site »

The American Public Transportation Association lists a selection of transportation services available throughout Africa.

go to site »

When you land at an African airport, do not try to hail a cab yourself; uncertified drivers have been known to take advantage of tourists. Use the information booth at the airport to find legitimate transportation. For additional transportation tips, consult National Geographic.

go to site »

Dulcinea's Picks

For flights ...

iTravelnet has a directory of airlines in Africa. The countries in which the airline operates are listed underneath the name of the airline.

go to site »

Africapoint.com is a travel agent specializing in Africa. Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the company has offices throughout the continent. Africa Point services trips to Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Ghana. This one-stop booking site can also help you find a flight, hotel, and car.

go to site »

For trains ...

RailServe.com is one of the few sources on the Web with a substantial number of railroad listings for Africa as a whole. There is a link for each rail service company, both intra- and inter-country, with one-line descriptions of the routes covered for a quick review, or more detailed descriptions if you click on the railway name.

go to site »

The Man in Seat Sixty-One is a unique site created by a man who loves travel and trains. He provides valuable first-hand information about getting around by train and ship. Although the site is not well organized or well designed, there are good tips and essential facts to be found here. Click any African country on the left side of the page to learn about available train travel.

go to site »

Rovos Rail is a train designed to provide guests with a uniquely luxurious experience. The trains, which take passengers on a few different routes throughout southern Africa, offer sightseeing and expeditions. The site also describes safaris and golf trips available through this service, which focuses on the pleasure of the excursion rather than on transportation.

go to site »

Shongololo Express mainly traverses southern Africa, making stops in Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, and Tanzania. Like Rovos Rail, the Shongolo Express Web site shows how luxury train travel can be combined with the beauty of Africa.

go to site »

For budget travel and biking ...

Coast to Coast is a helpful Web site for budget travelers in southern Africa, with especially great resources for backpackers. This section of the site focuses on finding inexpensive ways to go from coast to coast in southern Africa. There are plenty of tips for traveling by car, bus, train, and plane, on the cheap.

go to site »

The International Bicycle Fund has a guide to biking through Africa. Although the site isn't pretty, it's one of the only places to get information on bicycling through Africa. You'll find explanations of biking possibilities for each country, including routes and other pertinent resources, such as bike safety for children. IBF stresses that biking through Africa is not as dangerous as it is often made out to be.

go to site »

For South Africa ...

The International Marketing Council of South Africa provides thorough and essential information about traveling through the nation. In addition to maps, you'll find sections for driving, buses and trains, domestic flights, and more.

go to site »

South African Tourism has a section with information to help you get around the country. Content is succinct, offering just the essentials for each form of transportation. Although the site promotes tourism, it offers blunt advice and honest critiques. Scroll down for a list of safety and security precautions on the bottom of the page. Links to additional transportation sites-like airports and bus stations-are also provided.

go to site »

For advice on traveling through Africa ...

Virtual Tourist has a transportation section in its "Africa Travel Guide" comprised of blog-type entries and photos posted by travelers. Entries are detailed and insightful, covering buses in sub-Saharan Africa and shared buses, among other topics. Although the postings are not organized very clearly, you can sort them by "Best Rated" in terms of usefulness, or "Most Recent."

go to site »