Best african travel guides according to redditors

87 year old hitcher I picked up: He said he has gone across every continent, except antarctica, in every direction, starting in 1962.
In Sudan, in the 70s, he gave the last of his sandwich to a dark skinned boy. He was arrested, beaten, kangaroo courted, and put before a firing squad, by light skinned North Africans not happy about him giving the bite of food to the dark skinned kid. . Ready Aim FIRE. All blanks. He told me he pissed himself, with serious thousand mile stare eye contact. They were ''just scaring him''. They put him in a van and dropped him off with his pants, and nothing else, no passport, shoes, money, nothing, in some very shitty town with no phones or cars or decent water, and told him to get his ass across the border and get out.
And here is an amazing, nail biting book about some random wandering in Africa, a true story. https://www.amazon.com/Timbuktu-Journey-Down-Niger/dp/1594867658
Well off people pack luxuriously, with a comfortable budget, planning meticulously, and end up beyond fucked with no help or hope in sight. I loved that book.
The scene with the kid and the camel skull has haunted me for 20 years.

So Botswana was taken over by the British from Germany after WW1 and administered by South Africa (under a similar apartheid reign). Botswana peacefully gained independence in 1966 (with a descendant of one of the more powerful chiefs/kings being forefront in the movement and becoming the first president.)

About 6 months after independence and sovereignty within the British Commonwealth was granted, huge diamond deposits were discovered in parts of the country.

Instead of exacerbating wealth gaps through nepotism and privatization of these, the diamonds were kept under government authority.

The revenue from these diamonds was invested in infrastructure and education to build a brighter future for the people of Botswana.

This is all from a chapter in "Whatever you do, don't run" which is mostly in Botswana.

That said, there are a lot of NGOs that are wasteful and self-indulging rather than really wanting to help. Paul Theroux does a lot of anecdotal ranting about them in Dark Star Safari, and it's a topic that guys like Beat Richner who does amazing work trying to get first-class healthcare to poor areas in Cambodia rails about really angrily whenever he gets a chance.

I didn't see your r/travel post, so I can't interact with anything that was said there.

English is less widespread in Morocco than Europe or even other Arab countries. Moroccans generally interact with tourists in French. That said, you will find English in all expensive hotels an most inexpensive ones. Most "tourist" places will speak English at varying levels, and tourist shops will speak English, especially in the big cities. However, I highly recommend getting a French phrase book. It will open a lot more doors. If you don't like learning language, or it makes you feel stupid, get the Rick Steves' French Phrasebook:

http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-French-Phrase-Dictionary/dp/1598801864/

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If you like learning languages, get something more comprehensive like Lonely Planet:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1864501529/

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If you are kind of a bad-ass, get the Moroccan Arabic phrasebook:

http://www.amazon.com/Moroccan-Arabic-Lonely-Planet-Phrasebook/dp/1740591879/

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That's actually a great phrasebook, and will let you have a rudimentary conversation with ANYONE in Morocco. Using a phrasebook is a little bit of effort, but will greatly improve your trip. Moroccans love it when you use a little bit of Arabic, especially their dialect of Arabic, so try it!

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All point-to-point taxis (Petite Taxis) have meters. You will save money by having the driver use the meter, rather than a preset price. They have to use the meter if you ask. They do have the right to charge a little extra for a bag on the roof.
The larger Mercedes taxis have set rates to travel between cities or for long travel within cities.

They cram 7 people into the "Grand Taxi", but between towns you can buy two seats if you like to make it more comfortable for you.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Taxicabs_of_Morocco

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Ramadan will be a problem. I am sorry, but it will change Morocco a lot and it will affect your trip. There will be a lot of stuff that is closed during the day, or open only at irregular hours. Moroccans will be tired and irritable, especially if they are normally smokers.

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The website for train times:

http://www.oncf.ma/

It is often down, and the English site doesn't work (although it used to work). Use the French.

Second class is fine to use. I use second class for short trips, but first class for long trips. If you buy second class and don't find a seat or change your mind, you can walk up into first class and find a seat, then buy the upgrade from the ticket checker. He will give you a receipt. In fact, you can just board the train without a ticket and buy one from the ticket checker. Have your change ready.

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Climbing Toubkal was a lot of fun. You can do it on your own, but I would at least find a guide in Imlil (where the road ends). From there you hike to the refuge on the first day, then hike up the mountain and back to Imlil on day two. If you are in really great shape, you could do it all in one day, maybe, but check the distances. This is a fairly inexpensive. I think I paid 70 dh for a night at the refuge, although they will ask for 300 or more. You have to negotiate beforehand. I paid my guide 200 dh I think for all five of us, and he was awesome so we tipped him another 100 dh or so. You can just walk in to Imlil and find a guide; they will swarm you even in Ramadan.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Jebel_Toubkal

I don't see any good prices online to give you.

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Tip: few places will want to give you change. You will get large bills out of an ATM, then need to break them in convience stores (called a "Ha-noot") or other places that might have change. Keep some small change ready for taxis and tips.

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There are camel excursions closer to Marrakesh, so you probably won't have time to go all the way to Merzouga, but that desert is pretty awesome. An overnight excusion into the desert is fun:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Merzouga

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A lot of the ferry traffic in Tangier goes through the new port, which is harder to get to than the old port using public transportation. Know which company you bought a ticket from, and which port you need to go to.

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Lonely Planet forums are hit and miss, but worth a visit:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/morocco/forum

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Let me know what else you need.

The first thing you need to evaluate is why you are writing / publishing the book. Is your audience better served if you write it as an article? Are you thinking of giving it as a 'free' giveaway? Are you hoping to make $$ galore? You may find that there is a Better way to achieve the same goal. The time it takes usually varies from a month to anything close to half a year ( depth dependent ). Self publishing can only take you so far. If you are serious about writing something useful and lasting , you will want to hire a publisher's services.

I recently did something similar, about hiking Kilimanjaro , and I did this in tandem with my blog. Some of these questions were on my mind too. In the end, do ensure that you're giving useful info to those who buy your book, because they will be spending money on it.

Paul Theroux wrote about his Cairo to Cape Town adventure in Dark Star Safari.

It's an excellent read. I would highly recommend it.

According to the book, the trip was difficult and at times extremely dangerous. He mentions being stuck in Egypt for quite some time (several months, I think) because he wasn't able to get the necessary paperwork to enter Sudan. Nowadays, with the state of Sudan, it might very well be worse.

Theroux mentioned specifically the difficulty of crossing the border of Ethiopia and Kenya, reporting that his vehicle had been shot at from close range. Somewhere later in the book, after a series of near death experiences in Matatus, dalla-dallas, and other forms of public transport, he swore them off.

I have deep respect for Theroux, who spend a great deal of time in Sub-Saharan Africa working as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi, then teaching at Makerere University in Kampala. So I understand that his concerns don't just stem from the normal white-tourist-goes-to-Africa reaction. This isn't his first rodeo and when he says things are bad, they probably are.

That having been said, I do know people who have traveled throughout Africa, including a guy who biked around West and Central Africa. Most of the continent is safe, as long as you avoid trouble areas. People will definitely let you know if the place you are going to is dangerous. There are obvious areas that you should probably avoid unless you are running around with a UN escort (Southern Sudan, Eastern Somalia, Eastern DRC, Northern Nigeria, a few others). Also, I have no idea what state Egypt and other North Africa countries are in right now as far as travel is concerned.

Here are some resources that might help:

Irish guy bicycling around Africa

I have a journalist friend who traveled around West Africa. She had a blog called Inkslinging in Africa, but I can't seem to find it now. She is writing a book about her adventures, so maybe that's why. Hmm

Here's a blog from some Polish folks who drove from Poland to Cape Town. They have a blog in polish, but Google will translate it into readable english.

A quick google search on traveling through africa seemed to net a mix of useful tips and Africa overland tour packages. Oh well.

Good luck!

Here are all the local Amazon links I could find:


amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

amazon.com.au

amazon.in

amazon.com.mx

amazon.de

amazon.it

amazon.es

amazon.com.br

amazon.nl

amazon.co.jp

Beep bloop. I'm a bot to convert Amazon ebook links to local Amazon sites.
I currently look here: amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.com.au, amazon.in, amazon.com.mx, amazon.de, amazon.it, amazon.es, amazon.com.br, amazon.nl, amazon.co.jp, if you would like your local version of Amazon adding please contact my creator.

Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux. A fantastic read.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Star-Safari-Overland-Capetown/dp/0618446877

Good websites with interesting and weird info are great time suckers. Since you’re into Disney, check out Yesterland and Lost Epcot!

If you’re into crafty nonsense, maybe make a vacation planner!

I’m also a huge fan of wasting time with logic puzzles.

Edit cos I thought of more:

Make tiny paintings!

Idk how to link it but download the Sky Guide app and get lost in the stars. Seriously, it’s fascinating.

Well said. For more info, check out 'Dark Star Safari', which is a great read about travelling overland from Cairo to Cape Town. It has numerous stories about how foreign aid has proven ineffective for decades:

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Star-Safari-Overland-Capetown/dp/0618446877

I would suggest reading something like culture shock! Egypt. It depends whereabouts you are in the country.

Obviously women are treated differently in this culture, but "off the beaten track", if you are a woman travelling alone, Muslim men should not talk to you; and you should not talk to them. You should not really even smile or make eye contact with men you don't know and they will do the same.

Cairo and such is far more "modern", we have visitors here from Cairo all the time, women in bikinis and all sorts - it's kind of a mixed bag. So, even in the worst case scenario, you should be left alone. It would make it tricky however, if you needed to ask someone something.

Travelling with a guy in arabic countries will make your life a lot easier, as men will be able to address him while you stand quietly at the back :P You can of course, socialise with Egyptian women. It might be worth you both wearing a ring on your wedding fingers also.

That's really a rough guide for "off the beaten track". In most tourist areas, you'll be fine to operate normally, within reason. Obviously, have some respect for local culture and cover up (I don't mean full Burka, but shoulders and legs is a good start - and will stop you attracting unwanted attention). Egyptian people are generally very polite and respectful as long as you don't go out of your way to cause bother.

Appearing local and being with a white boyfriend shouldn't pose you any problems at all.

Egypt is obviously in flux at the moment, but I have many friends coming and going around Cairo and Luxor. Read the travel advice, I would recommend avoiding Tahrir Square on Fridays in Cairo, or when you know any demonstrations are planned. Apart from this, I only suggest you enjoy your visit :)

Little-known gem: The Passionate Nomad: The Diary of Isabelle Eberhardt.

It will be fun but you better be careful how you turn down food because it has meat especially in the North. It's pretty insulting to turn down food or drink especially if you suggest it is because it has meat.

Grab this book.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1784770345/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_NAm-AbDX4QEG9

Always come to agreed to price with a cab or tro-tro (sp?) before you get in. Cabs don't pay till you arrive.

Don't give money to anyone begging even if you feel bad. It's a common scam.

Don't pay first asked price and assume you are getting ripped off because you probably are. If have a local have them haggle for you.

Always get a receipt for hotels and if you are ordering goods.

Prepare for the possibility to be hit on a lot.

Only eat steaming hot food unless you want super shits or typhoid fever.

Get your yellow fever vaccine or you are not getting in without the proof.

Don't pay a bribe ever.

Do try to go to Mole.

Check out Kente cloth but those small pieces of fabric should be only like 5-20 cede. I bought like 3 yards for $35 USD. Just remember the fancier the pattern the more it costs.

Prepared to have your bags checked randomly on the road by police so don't have anything illegal, or embarrassing, in there. They probably will leave you alone unless they think you are coming from near the border and smuggling.

The people are generally friendly. Have fun but don't be stupid either.

Here's some examples from a quick search on ExpeditionPortal.com:

http://www.doubledutchworldsafari.com/ddws301/main.php

http://www.amazon.com/Africa-Road-Trip-LandCruiser-Australians/dp/1495912086/

Traveling around Africa doesn't mean you hit every country, just like traveling across the US doesn't mean you hit every state. Part of being a smart traveler is avoiding regions with war, famine, etc.

I lived there for a while and you can do it for dirt cheap (once you're there) if you are willing to stay in cheap hotels and travel by car! Although as OP pointed out, the roads are terrible and going to the local hotels and eateries can be intimidating as a foreigner. We typically stayed in hotels that cost about $5-10/night (some of them pretty cool, like beach huts), and average meal cost was about $1 for Malagasy food or $5-10 for something fancy. The Bradt guide was our bible for travel planning.

1. Well, when it comes to preserving our language it is just passed down from one generation to the next. My parents grew up speaking Nubian as their first language and they were taught by their parents and so on. With how arabized we are sadly starting to become, I myself am amazed we were able to preserve our spoken language.Even when I think a lot of us haven't been taught to speak our language there are always villages that make it a job to teach their children the language.As for written, we haven't been able to keep our written language as much as most of don't really know but there are that do. Found this https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iIqLeuCWqj0/maxresdefault.jpg
   
   
   
2. It is really sad to see. Nubians are such a vital part in Egypt's history and it is the origin of Egypt yet we are never discussed. It's so strange. I can even argue that Egypt goes out of it's way not to acknowledge us. Did you know they tried to take Nubian out of the name of the Nubian Museum? In general it's saddening. As far as I know, Nubians don't learn about their culture or history in school.
   
   I like these books http://cairo.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.5743/cairo/9789774164019.001.0001/upso-9789774164019
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Nubian-Ethnographies-Robert-Fernea/dp/0881334804
   
   mainly about our lives before and after resettlement.
   
   There are so many things I wish I can discuss because there is a lot.
   

Dark Star Safari, A travelogue I was unable to put down.

Anti-malarial drugs are surprisingly inexpensive here in the UK. On the NHS, they are about £2.5 a week + £11 dispensing fee.

Interesting that some Arabic is spoken. I have a slight knowledge of the language.

I certainly will give their native languages a go! I really do want to integrate as smoothly as possible into their culture and way of life.

I've just bought myself this book on Ghana as it was recommended to me.

Well, they weren't all 5 year-olds, but in his book Africa Alone* a guy who is driving his Toyota Land Cruiser from the Sahara to the tip of South Africa describes a situation where he was cornered by a group of children who were begging and began throwing rocks at him - it was a long time ago when I read it but as I remember he feared for his life.

A couple of other notes about the book:

• He describes taking some photos in a train station somewhere and then being interrogated for some hours accused of being a spy since photographing train stations was illegal - when I read this I marvelled at how backward, primitive and oppressive it was to 1) consider a stupid train station a "military installation" and 2) to harrass people for just taking pictures of something anyone could walk into and see. 20 years later and we don't have to go to the middle of nowhere in Africa for the same.
  
  
• He said he never saw "aid" flour/grain being given away (even though each 25/50lb bag was marked with "UN... blah, blah not for sale"), it was always being sold by men to village women and whenever he approached and asked for a price he was waved off.
  
  
• There is one point when crossing a river in his vehicle and he and it are about to go under and he paints a vivid picture of how the people stood on the river banks watching his imminent death without compassion or empathy. (justy so)
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Africa-Alone-Odyssey-American-Traveller/dp/0962251518/ref=sr_1_2/103-4983480-5543055?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187063404&sr=1-2

That’s an awesome reason for a contest! Gifting does the heart good so I get it. I have a travel journal on my list and some other items under $5. Thanks for the contest! journal

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBGPI3G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_wjE2BbEA9RG6G

This is the book (not me posting about it on amazon)

Another America: The Story of Liberia and the Former Slaves Who Ruled It

The Liberia Travel Guide 2016 - Kindle only

Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War

You should also post this message at The Liberia Subreddit

For anyone looking at this thread, Dark Star Safari is on sale on Kindle right now for $2.99: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Star-Safari-Overland-Capetown-ebook/dp/B008R2K5L2/

I only found out after seeing this rec, so thanks for posting it!

> We have spoken to the heads of several large charitable organizations that are doing more for the world than your cynical mind could ever fathom.

Exactly my point. Have you talked to anyone that lives in Kenya? How about South Africa? Morocco? People in charities need charitable contributions so they can maintain their jobs. That's like asking George Bush or Obama if Government is necessary: of course they're going to say yes.

> We have heard stories, first hand from people who would not be alive today if it weren't for organizations and the good people who work for them.

Have you stopped to ask why they're starving over there? I'll give you a hint: it's because of terrible governments, brutal dictators, civil wars (due to government), and charities that make their situation worse.

Also, what you haven't heard about is the millions of people that die from starvation because donated food put them out of business. That's what I mean when I say unintended consequences. You're only looking at one side of the coin. Have you ever heard of the broken-window fallacy?

> You care about manipulating economies toward future financial improvements.

I care about the government stopping the manipulation so that VOLUNTARY economies can flourish. It's call the Free Market.

> We care about giving water to a thirsty child.

I care about teaching that child skills so that she can get a job and quench her own thirst.

> and for you to say that giving medical aid to the sick is wrong, or that advocating for justice for a young girl living in sexual slavery is wrong - or that anything we will be doing is wrong - just because some professor wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal whining about the money that is given not working fast enough?

You can't just cherry-pick which sources you respond to. Taken collectively, there's overwhelming support for most charities to stop donating money.

> I dropped out of college because I was tired of hearing people like that professor and you hiding behind statistics when I can see with my own two eyes what is really going on. You keep feeding people lies. We will work to spread the truth.

You can start spreading the truth by acknowledging that paternalistic/maternalistic is the worst kind there is. Again, I've agreed with you that Short, Specific, and Goal Oriented charity is Preferable. If you agree with that, then that's great!

Here's another book you should check out: Dark Star Safari.

Lastly, stop taking everything so personally. I'm just trying to inform you about which types of charities are more beneficial than others, the problem with unintended consequences, the economics of aid, etc.

I didn't really want to argue about this, and again I apologize if I came off too negative. But if you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Before I leave, here's a few final videos that I think are important to watch: Here's an excellent video series by Milton Friedman. Here's a video by John Stossel about having the 'Freedom to Prosper.' Another video about Freed Trade and the Poor. [Taking care of the Poor in a Free Society.] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azDiUln3WU4) Here's another good one.

If you want to start changing the world, start be abolishing governments. That's a charitable message I can get behind.