TRAVEL TIPS

A collection of travel tips to keep the traveler in Africa up to date with the latest traveling conditions

If you would like to submit a tip for inclusion on this page, please click here

16 Aug, 2009 Refurbishment of Lusaka airport which was almost complete on June 1st is still "almost complete". Better have something to eat before you get to the airport as only coffee is available!!!

 10 Aug, 2009 The latest "scam' at Lagos's Murtala Mohammed International Airport is for kidnappers to read the names of people being met from boards held up outside arrivals and then hastily construct a new board and waylay passengers inside the terminal. Advice from authorities is to get identification of anyone purporting to meet you if you do not know them personally.

2 Aug, 2009 Johannesburg's ever resourceful hi-jackers have come up with a new ploy to get visitor's cars to stop. They pull up alongside your moving vehicle and hold up a sign that says "TOURIST POLICE - PULL OVER". There is no such body as "tourist police" within SAPS so advice from the South African police is that visitors should not stop but drive to the nearest police station or to some other populated place like a petrol station.

27 July, 2009 Departing passengers at OR Tambo airport in South Africa frequently have their luggage wrapped in plastic to avoid pilfering on route. Unfortunately, the individually operated and very efficient "wrappers" have been removed and two large, slow and inefficient machines have been installed to replace them. Get there early if you plan to have your luggage wrapped.

20 July, 2009 OR Tambo airport renovations making progress with new Immigration section now open

1 June, 2009 Lusaka airport refurbishments nearing completion

25 May, 2009 SAA check in moves to Terminal B at OR Tambo international airport in Johannesburg

24 April, 2009 Unusual scenes at Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport as passengers are waved through the Green Channel by customs agents but SAA crew are individually checked!! (This follows recent arrests at Heathrow of SAA crew with drugs in luggage)

28 Feb 2009  Police report rioting and looting in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar.

14 April, 2008 EU passport holders can now get visitors and business visas on arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Cost is $20

30 March, 2008 Problems continue with baggage systems at Heathrow's new Terminal 5. If you can travel with only hand luggage it is best to try to do so.

 24 March, 2008 The US State department has eased the travel warning on Kenya but advises potential travelers to continue to maintain a cautious approach.

21 March, 2008 Despite denials by police, attacks on passengers after arriving at Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport seem to be on the increase. The "modus operandi" is to follow the passengers to their home or hotel and to rob them when they arrive at their gate. Officials advise that if you suspect someone is following you, drive to a police station for assistance.

25 November, 2007 Dakar  The road system in Dakar is in total chaos as the construction crews (French, Senegalese and Chinese) battle to build roads suitable for the Islamic Conference early next year. If you need to be on time at your meeting better leave plenty time to get there.

22 November, 2007, Abidjan   Air Ivoire, the Abidjan based private airline, are apparently paying their flight crews bonuses based on "on time" arrivals. This translates into departures which are often AHEAD of schedule so, if you are flying Air Ivoire, forget the last minute shopping and get to the gate in time!

19 November, 2007, Nairobi Tourists now also pay for visas for entry into Kenya at Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta) airport. Price is $50 or equivalent

10 November, 2007 Gaborone. Arriving at the road borders to Botswana can be intimidating because of the queues of trucks but there is a separate queue for cars and, with the possible exception of holidays , are very quick and efficient.

 26 August, 2007 Nairobi Security restrictions on what can be carried in your hand luggage are now the same in Nairobi, Kenya as in European Airports.

26 Aug, 2007 Addis Ababa, Departure tax at Addis Ababa airport, Ethiopia has now been bundled into the price of the ticket rather than a separate charge.

23 August, 2007 Khartoum Passengers departing Khartoum airport are required to pay around $20 as departure tax...BUT this can only be paid in LOCAL currency. A foreign exchange booth is available in the departure hall but do not expect the best exchange rate.

8 August, 2007 Johannesburg  Air France advise that all flights between Johannesburg and Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris will now depart and arrive from the newly completed Terminal 2E

23 July, 2007 Johannesburg: New restrictions on what you can carry in your hand luggage have been introduced at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. These are similar to restrictions in European airports. Read more here

20 July, 2007 Luanda: A recent scam was uncovered at Luanda International Airport where drugs were being hidden in passenger's luggage AFTER they had checked their luggage in with the airline. The unsuspecting passenger then clears the luggage through customs at his destination. At some time later the passenger is accosted and relieved of his luggage by the robbers who have been alerted as to which suitcase is carrying the drugs. It is not clear if this scam is related to the spate of hijackings on travelers arriving at OR Tambo International Airport Johannesburg (see tip below) or not. Passengers are advised to check their luggage when they receive it off the carousel. If you suspect your luggage has been tampered with go through the RED channel and ask the customs officers to check your luggage.

20 July, 2007 Johannesburg: A series of hijackings have occurred involving people arriving at OR Tambo International airport Johannesburg. The modus operandi seems to be that the traveler is followed from the airport and hijacked at a convenient point or at his gate. Passengers should stay alert at all times and if they suspect they are being followed should drive to the nearest police Station for assistance.