How to get around during your trip to Africa
Discover how to get around during your trip to Africa so that you can overcome the difficulties in transport on the continent and fully enjoy the experience of visiting one of the most representative places in the world.
How to move around Africa?
In reality, this usually depends mainly on the part of the continent you visit, since not all countries in Africa are the same and some enjoy greater advantages in the field of transport than others.
For example, if you visit South Africa you will have no problem getting around through any of the available means of transport from planes to ferries, tour buses, 4×4 vehicles, motorcycles, car rentals and more. It is even possible that starting from this place you can visit other countries of the continent, taking express flights at the airport.
On the other hand, there are other places where extreme poverty is present and transportation alternatives are more limited, so it is mainly possible that you have to travel to the place by plane, from there take land transport through unpaved roads, to live the full experience.
For example, to make a route through Uganda, people who have previously made this trip recommend that you hire the specialized services of an agency that can provide you with the appropriate means of transport, since it is likely that it will be difficult for you to find it yourself. one that satisfies you.
Similarly, when choosing the ideal means of transport or combining several of these, it is important that you organize your budget, since in most free porn countries belonging to the African continent this is usually quite expensive.
Alternatives to move during your trip to Africa
As mentioned before, there is a wide variety of alternatives to move from one place to another in the African continent, but it mainly depends on the particular country you are going to.
In poorer countries, you probably only have two options:
- Hire a travel package that includes all transportation to the places you want to visit, mainly for security and logistics reasons, since not only is it difficult to find available means of transportation, but these can be unsafe for you.
- Venture out and find for yourself the means of transport used by the local population to get around. This is recommended if you have an adventurous spirit, you like challenges and backpacking.
However, it is recommended that you do not carry valuables or too much money with you, for security reasons. In addition, try to ensure your physical integrity when taking a transport.
On the other hand, if you travel to places in Africa, which enjoy a better economic position and have multiple transport options, you will not have problems moving on your own, however you should consider that the costs are usually very high and it will be necessary to have enough money.
General recommendations to move during your trip to Africa
When moving within the african porn continent, there are some recommendations that are worth taking into account:
- Avoid pirate or unofficial transport, as they are not usually safe, but if this is not possible and you are forced to use them, try to take precautions.
- Always prefer ground transportation via paved roads, if possible.
- Avoid traveling with excess baggage, money or valuables, since for logistical and security reasons it is preferable to be discreet.
- Plan your trips in advance so that you take advantage of the time and don’t have to improvise.
It is well known that means of transportation can be difficult in Africa, due to the fact that they are scarce. However, this does not have to overshadow your experience when you visit this magical container on your vacation.
Follow the recommendations that we have presented in this post and make sure you plan your trip in advance, including lodging, transportation, tours, safaris and everything you want to enjoy, so you will have your safety guaranteed and you will not lose valuable time.
Why is transportation a problem in Africa?
Poverty abounds in most of the African continent and this affects both the population and the country in general, generating an impact on economic, tourist, industrial development and more. In general, the most used means of transport is land, represented mainly by buses, motorcycles and some private cars.
Transportation is a problem that is generated mainly by the scarcity of paved roads, which implies that transportation inconveniences, accidents, poor access, high costs and more are generated. All these general factors make transport in Africa a problem, in each of its means.
Land transport problem in Africa
As mentioned before, land transport in Africa is inconvenient because there are practically not enough paved roads and in adequate conditions for the growth of this medium.
In this sense, the same population has tried to make improvised roads from planed earth, which have not been of sufficient use for their use, since problems of time are generated in the transfer to cross them and even accidents in which quantities of people die. people every year.
The problem of land transportation in Africa not only affects the population in general who must commute daily to work, school and others, but also generates inconveniences and high costs in services, goods, recreation and more.
Any developed country must have at least enough paved roads to facilitate the economic and social sphere and to be able to carry out daily life, therefore in Africa, as long as these conditions do not exist, full development will still be a goal to be achieved.
The problem of maritime and air transport in Africa
The problem of maritime and air transport in Africa is oriented more to the issue of accessibility since not all the population has access to them for geographical and economic reasons.
However, in some localities there are improvised and traditional river alternatives that the populations use to move at low costs but with great risks.
Again, this represents a problem for the border transport of goods and services, generating an industrial, commercial and social impact. In addition, tourism is also affected by this aspect, since those who wish to visit the continent do not have free access to means of transport, scarce in Africa, and sometimes they give up traveling to these destinations.
Rail transport problems in Africa
Rail transport in Africa is currently mostly financed by China, however, this project is still under development and has only united some capitals of the main countries of the continent.
In addition, this project requires a large investment of money, labor and materials for its preparation, which implies that it is a goal that can be achieved in the long term.
The access of the general population to the railways and to the train itself is scarce, mainly for geographical and economic reasons that prevent most people from using it.
What do transport problems in Africa imply?
Transport problems in Africa cause backwardness in the country’s development, so investing in this aspect can help generate economic, social and tourism improvements.
Obviously, this is a process that can take years since Africa is the poorest continent in the world according to various NGOs.
Although many countries, like China, invest in the development of the country, nothing is free and there are always interests that must be weighed when accepting this aid.
All these factors are the cause of a transport problem that is experienced as a reality in Africa. Undoubtedly, support is required from government entities to generate favorable conditions for the development of new forms of transportation, in coordination with companies dedicated to the manufacture of this type of vehicle, for the benefit of all its inhabitants and the overall economy.
What means of transport exist in Africa?
Find out what means of transportation exist in Africa, so you can have an idea about it, whether you want to travel or simply as part of the notions of general culture that everyone should enjoy.
Means of transport in Africa
The African continent is very wide and includes a great diversity of countries, however, in many of them, extreme poverty and precarious conditions abound, limiting access to certain amenities such as means of transportation.
Even Africa is the poorest continent in the world according to the NGO and this directly impacts areas such as means of transportation.
In Africa, the most common means of transport is land and is represented mainly by buses, cars and motorcycles, as far as motor vehicles are concerned, in addition, access to the rail network is little, except for South Africa, which enjoys greater benefits. in this ambit.
Transport networks are of vital importance for any country, since they allow access to goods, services, entertainment and work, however, in countries where infrastructure in the field of transport is scarce, as well as investment in it, development is limited, as is the case in Africa.
Disadvantages of land transport in Africa
The roads in most of the continent are scarce, with respect to the amount of existing population, of the rest there are only plain dirt roads as improvised roads.
This undoubtedly represents a problem, since the lack of paved roads and the constant use of improvised dirt roads generates a large number of accidents per year, in which many people die.
On the other hand, there is the factor of travel time, since in the absence of adequate road conditions, transportation in rural and even urban areas is affected, causing people to require a longer period of time to move, due to the logistical challenge it represents.
This not only affects the movement of people in general, but also that of goods and services that are distributed in the same way, through land routes. Businesses and companies are negatively impacted as a result.
Not surprisingly, the cost of transport is also high, mainly due to the precarious conditions, making the costs among the highest in the world.
These costs do not only affect the population that travels daily, but also trade, exports, services and more.
Despite the fact that the means of transport in Africa are scarce and this represents a drawback in terms of economy and the possibility of moving within the cities, it is expected that the efforts that are being carried out at this time will lead to favorable results for the benefit of the entire community.
In this sense, it should be taken into account that not only those who will make use of these means are favored, but also sources of employment that are so necessary in these countries will be generated.
The train in Africa
Currently, there are some railways linking the main capitals of countries on the African continent, mostly financed by China. Although there is an ambitious expansion plan that is committed to the growth of this means of transport in Africa, there is still a long way to go and the population’s access to the service is quite scarce compared to conventional land.
In addition, the costs are not affordable for the poorest population and this also limits its use. However, it has brought considerable improvements, including for trade, border transportation and the general growth of the continent.
Air and sea transport in Africa
Finally, although air and sea transport is present on the continent, most of the population does not have access to it, either for economic or geographical reasons, which means that its use is not really representative.
They are mainly used for commercial and mostly industrial purposes and only sparingly for recreation and general use by the African population, except for the rudimentary river boats that are common in certain localities.
Transport world africa
Learn all about Transport World Africa, a magazine from the African continent with extensive experience in the field of publications on transport and its different modalities.
What is Transport World Africa?
Transport world africa is a magazine supported by FESARTA (The Eastern and Southern African Road Transport Association) that addresses issues of transport, logistics and cargo movement throughout Africa.
With more than 30 years of experience in the market, entertaining readers who love its content, this magazine offers information on maritime, land, rail and air transport, in addition to the industries related to the field and its influence on other sectors.
This magazine that emerges from the African continent, shows that it is a place full of talent and opportunities but also of difficulties.
This magazine is distributed in more than 37 countries on the African continent, with the intention of maintaining the interest of readers in the field of transportation, industry and other aspects.
What is FESARTA?
In Africa, as in other continents, the transport of goods through the roads had been affected by the conditions of the infrastructure, the permits, the delays at the borders and the differences in the legislation of road traffic, this eventually generated a very high price for goods purchased by end users.
At the beginning of the year 1990, various transport operators, who were considered giants of the industry, made the decision to unite to form an association capable of dealing with the problems that arose mainly with the authorities, finding alternatives and solutions that would allow mobilizing goods within the continent more easily.
The Federation of Regional Road Transport Associations was founded in 1993, with representatives from Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe as members.
Later, over time, the association was joined by representatives from countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Tanzania.
After this, the association received funding from the international donor agency of Canada, in order to be able to train the group of workers who would work transporting and to cover the travel expenses of the delegations that attended the FRRFA meetings.
However, with the passing of time in 1996, the funds provided by the organization, known as Canada’s international donor agency, ran out and it is at that time that members were forced to pay the expenses to attend the meetings, which is why only 4 participating partner countries remained, these were Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Later, in 1999, Zambia also withdrew from its participation, mainly because of its economic reality and the diversification of interests. Little by little, the organization found a way to survive, not only with donations, but also with its own source of income, which would serve to cover the costs of member participation, training, and more.
Thanks to the extensive experience that the organization has acquired in the field of transport, part of its initiatives focused on supporting the magazine Transport World Africa, with the idea of ​​supporting the dissemination of information on the matter and helping FESARTA itself to grow, more independently and not just through donations from other organizations.
In addition, this endorsement served as a way to compensate for the support received at the beginning of its creation, providing users not only with entertainment but also with quality reading and content you will see.
Despite the fact that the means of transport in Africa are scarce and this represents a drawback in terms of economy and the possibility of moving within the cities, it is expected that the efforts that are being carried out at this time will lead to favorable results for the benefit of the entire community.
In this sense, it should be taken into account that not only those who will make use of these means are favored, but also sources of employment that are so necessary in these countries will be generated.