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Before You Go To Africa

BOTSWANA
Visas Health issues
Currently most nationalities will not need an entry visa for a stay of less than 90 days. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid. Vaccines sometimes advised: poliomyelitis; tuberculosis; hepatitis B; rabies; diphtheria A yellow fever certificate is required if over 1 year old and having passed through or entering from an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in the northern parts of the country (Boteti, Chobe, Ngamiland, Okavano and Tutume districts) from November to June. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
April to October (winter months). April to October is winter which is the dry season. The grass is low and makes for easy game viewing. November to March is the rain season which averages 6 days of rain per month. Maitisong Festival April 16 - April 24 Gaborone, Botswana. Indoor and Outdoor Programmes to promote the performing arts in Botswana. Around 120 groups take part, mostly local but with around 20 from outside Botswana. This is the main performing arts festival in Botswana and attracts performers from around the country as well as from the SADC region.

ETHIOPIA
Visas Health issues
Currently most nationalities will need an entry visa for stays less than 90 days which can be obtained on arrival. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria; yellow fever. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; meningococcal meningitis; hepatitis B; rabies. Malaria precautionsare essential in all areas below 2000m, all year round. There is no risk in Addis Ababa. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old. and entering from an infected area. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
September to February. Hottest time is March to June. The dry season is Mid-September to Mid-June. Light rains from March to May and heavy rains mid-June to mid-September. Timket January 19 Nation Wide, Ethiopia. During Timket, the largest Christian festival in Ethiopia, revelers and worshipers dressed in their finest clothes parade through the streets in celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany. They follow priests carrying tabots (tablets representing the Arc of the Covenant) to a nearby water source where the priests perform Mass and bless the water. Great feasting, dancing, processions, and musical performances continue for two days. Timket also marks the beginning of the wedding season.

GAMBIA
Visas Health issues
Currently most nationalities will not need an entry visa for stays less than 28 days. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria; yellow fever. Vaccines sometimes advised: hepatitis B; poliomyelitis; rabies; tuberculosis; meningococcal meningitis. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old and entering from an endemic or infected area . Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
November to April. Dry season is November to April, wet season is June to September with August being the wettest month. 18th February Independence Day. Celebrated nation-wide.

GHANA
Visas Health issues
Currently most nationalities will need an entry visa. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria; yellow fever. Vaccines sometimes advised: hepatitis B; rabies; tuberculosis; meningococcal meningitis. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round. Yellow fever certificate mandatory as condition of entry. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
November to April. Coolest month is December with averages year round being 34. The wet season in the south is is May and June and September to November. The wet season in the north is April/May to October with an aveage of 15 rainy days per month. November to March is hot and dry. Fishing Festival (Bakatue) July 03 Elmina, Ghana. During the Bakatue festival, the people of Elmina welcome the new fishing season with processions and competitions. This opening of the Benya lagoon, or river, to fishing after a period of ritual closure, is an event which is held annually on a Tuesday, usually in July. At this event you'll find the village chiefs are all deck out in their finery and their family following close behind with poles that carry totems and historical figures. Plus, they carry wooden stools that have a very strong symbolic power to the people of the village. Umbrellas protect the chief as they make their procession through the village in celebration of the opening of the fishing season.

KENYA
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will need an entry visa. These can be obtained on arrival but is not reccommended as there can be considerable delays. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: typhoid; hepatitis A; diphtheria; yellow fever. Vaccines sometimes advised: meningococcal meningitis; hepatitis B; poliomyelitis; rabies; tuberculosis. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old and entering from an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas although risk is small in Nairobi and the highlands (above 2500m), all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
December to March. April and May is the main rainy season with long rains and continuous downpours. June to September is winter with an average temperature of 21. October and November is a short rainy season with an average of 12 rainy days per month. December to March is the sunniest. The migration of wildebeest and zebras leaves the Masai Mara game reserve in October/November and returns May/June. July to September is the breeding months in the Masai Mara. The Nairobi and Mombasa Carnivals. Each year, Kenya's major cities hold entertainment and music extravaganzas to celebrate the cities' birth. Members of the public are usually invited and visiting tourists too. The first one in October 1998 was incorporated with the celebration of 50 years of the Mombasa and Coast Tourism Association and over 7000 tourists joined. Entertainment, food, art and culture displays, fashion shows and other outdoor sports form a grater part of the fun filled day. The carnivals parade will start from Moi Avenue and from Fort Jesus a place that reminds one of the precious history of Kenya. It will proceed up to Mama Ngina Drive where there will be a lot of activities.

LESOTHO
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will not need an entry visa. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: diphtheria;hepatitis A; typhoid. Vaccines sometimes advised: poliomyelitis; tuberculosis; rabies; hepatitis B. Yellow fever certificate required if entering from an infected area. Malaria not normally present. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
October and April. Main rains are between October and April. Summer is December to February and winter is June to August. Morija Arts and Cultural Festival October 04 - October 07 Morija,Maseru,Lesotho. The most important cultural event in the country of Lesotho, the festival features horse races and tripling competition, traditional and modern dance, theatre and film, choral music shows, arts and crafts, food and fashion, jazz performances, Famo and Kwaito concerts. There is also a Children's Theatre and children's activities.

MADAGASCAR
Visas Health issues
Currently most nationalities will need an entry visa for stays less than 90 days which can be obtained on arrival. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid. diphtheria. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; poliomyelitis; rabies; hepatitis B. Yellow fever certificate required if entering from, or been in transit through, an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
May to November is the cool and dry season. Best time to travel east coast: September to November as it is less rainy. Turning of the Bones (Famadihana)June 01 - Sept 30 Antananarivo, Madagascar. People in Antananarivo exhume the body of a long-gone relative and throw a family reunion. Feasting and dancing are part of the fun - this party's anything but dead!

MALAWI
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will not need a visa for stays less than 90 days. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; poliomyelitis; rabies; meningococcal meningitis. Yellow fever certificate required if entering from an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
April to November which is the dry season. May to August is the most pleasant time. Mid-August to November is the hottest months. November to April are the rainiest months. John Chilembwe Day, January 15 Nation Wide, Malawi. John Chilembwe was a missionary who led an uprising against the British back in 1915 and because of these efforts and his eventual martyrdom, he's a hero throughout the nation and is known today as one of the founders of the independence movement by the country's citizens.

MAURITIUS
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will need an entry visa. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; diphtheria. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; poliomyelitis; rabies; typhoid. hepatitis B. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old and entering from an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential only in rural areas, all year round. There is no significant risk in other areas or Rodriguez Island. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
May to November as there is less rain and it is relativly cooler. December to May are the wettest months with tropical cyclones from January to March. Cavadee January - February. The Cavadee festival is celebrated in January/February. It is one of the most impressive tamil festival. The body pierced with needles, the tongue and the cheeks pierced by pins, the back with hooks often with citrons attached or tiny mugs of purification milk, the devotees in trance and in penitence, walk while carrying the Cavadee, an arc of wood, metal or plastic symbolizing the sacred mountains, covered with flowers with at the base at each end a pot of milk. The arc is laid down in the temple at the feet of the statue of a divinity. In spite of the long walk under the hot sun, the milk should not go bad. The Thaipoosam or Cavadee is a ceremony about the purification from evil. Its origin is from the south of India and is found very far in the history of Hinduism. (Public Holiday).

MOZAMBIQUE
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will need an entry visa. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria. Vaccines sometimes advised: hepatitis B; poliomyelitis; rabies; tuberculosis; meningococcal meningitis. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old and entering from an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
April to September is the dry and cool season, which is the best time with average temperatures being 26. The rainy season is December to March. September 7 is Mozambique's Victory day which is celebrated nation-wide.

NAMIBIA
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will not need an entry visa for stays of less than 90 days. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid. Vaccines sometimes advised: diphtheria; hepatitis B; poliomyelitis; rabies; tuberculosis. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year and entering from an 'infected area'.. Travellers on scheduled flights originating outwith, but in transit through, the infected areas are NOT required to possess a certificate provided such travellers remained at the airport, or adjacent town, in transit. Malaria precautions are essential in the northern third of the country from November to June and along the Kavango and Kunene rivers throughout the year. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
April to October which is the dry and cool season. December and January are summer and very hot. Januaryr to March can have an average of eight days of light rain per month. Namibia Independence Day Celebration March 21 - Windhoek, Namibia. Namibia finally reached independence after many years of struggle and debate from South Africa in 1990. Formerly called German Southwest Africa, it's the home of several indigenous people and on this day, they celebrate their culture. Events take place throughout the country but in this, the capital, there are special performances and concerts.

RWANDA
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities, except for US citizens, will need an entry visa. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria; yellow fever. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; meningococcal meningitis; poliomyelitis; rabies. Yellow fever certificate mandatory from those over 1 year old as a condition of entry. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
June to September which is the dry season. There are two wet seasons which are October to December and March to May. July 1st is Independence Day. July 5th is Unity Day.

SENEGAL
Visas Health issues
UK, US and Canadian citizens are expempt from obtaining an entry visa for stays less than 90 days. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria; yellow fever. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; meningococcal meningitis; poliomyelitis; rabies. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round (except in the Cape Vert region from January to June). Yellow fever certificate required if entering from an infected area . Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
January to April which is the dry and cool season. Rainy season is mid-June to mid-October with an average of 10 days of rain per month. The Islamic (or Hejira) calendar is a full 11 days shorter than the Gregorian (western) calendar, so public holidays and festivals fall 11 days earlier each year. In March for the next few years, Ras as-Sana is the Islamic celebration of the new year. Moulid an-Nabi celebrates the prophet Mohammed's birthday around May. Ramadan is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (presently towards the end of the Gregorian calendar year), commemorating the month when the Qur'an was revealed to Mohammed. Out of deference, Muslims take neither food nor water until after sunset each day. At the end of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr), the fasting breaks amidst much celebration. Other festivals include the Grand Magal pilgrimage and celebration, held in Touba 48 days after Ras as-Sana, and the Paris-Dakar Rally, a 10,000km (6200mi) motor race that ends in Dakar around the second week of January.

SEYCHELLES
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will not require an entry visa for stays of less than 30 days. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A. Vaccines sometimes advised: poliomyelitis; tuberculosis; hepatitis B; diphtheria; rabies. typhoid. Yellow fever certificate required if entering from or been in transit through an infected area. Malaria not normally present. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
May to September which is the cool and dry season. November to March is the rain season which are sunny days followed by heavy rainfall. Round Table Beau Vallon Regatta, August/September. An exciting event of yacht races, beach tugs-of-war, swimming competition and, of course, a competition of eating and drinking. Creole Festival Seychelles, October. A yearly event in the last week of October, marked as the biggest festival event of the year. Artists from all over the region gather to display their artworks and perform Creole music, dance and plays. Basically it is a joyous day to celebrate the heritage. It is also the best place to shop for Creole handicrafts, while enjoying the festival of street theatre, literature, photography, puppetry and dance.

SOMALIA
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will need an entry visa which can be obtained on arrival. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria; yellow fever. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; meningococcal meningitis; rabies. Yellow fever certificate required if entering from an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
December to March which is the dry season. The wet and dry seasons are not always clearly definable. There are two wet seasons which are April to August and November and December. June 1st is Independence Day.

SOUTH AFRICA
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will not require an entry visa for stays of less than 90 days. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; poliomyelitis; rabies; diphtheria. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old and entering from an infected area . Malaria precautions: mainly in low altitude areas of northern and eastern Mpumalanga (including Kruger National Park and other game parks in the region), Northern Province and north-eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal as far south as the Tugela river. Epidemics occur during the warmer and wetter months of October to May. The tourist centre of Sun City is not normally malarious nor are the game parks close to this resort. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
September(Spring) and April (Autumn). Best time to travel Kruger Park area: July to Mid-October as it is dry and cool. November to March has summer rains and thunderstorms. Rustlers Valley Spring Equinox Celebration, Sept 19 - Sept 21 Ficksburg, Free State, South Africa. The Spring Equinox Celebration in September is a small, intimate gathering integrating ancient cultural and modern technological music in a three-day dance party. You'll find storytellers, body painters, drummers and jugglers during the day. The nights will be filled with fire and dance accompanied by eclectic world music, outrageous ambient and other exploratory beats. Rustlers has been collaborating with West African drummers for the past four years. Performances by three West African Drum Masters will form the core of this year's celebration.

SOUTH AFRICA
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will not requir an entry visa for Itlay for stays of shorter than 90 days. EU passport holders can come and go as they please. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters sometimes advised: hepatitis A (not normally for package tourists). Malaria not normally present.
Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
September(Spring) and April (Autumn). Best time to travel Kruger Park area: July to Mid-October as it is dry and cool. November to March has summer rains and thunderstorms. Rustlers Valley Spring Equinox Celebration, Sept 19 - Sept 21 Ficksburg,Free State,South Africa. The Spring Equinox Celebration in September is a small, intimate gathering integrating ancient cultural and modern technological music in a three-day dance party. You'll find storytellers, body painters, drummers and jugglers during the day. The nights will be filled with fire and dance accompanied by eclectic world music, outrageous ambient and other exploratory beats. Rustlers has been collaborating with West African drummers for the past four years. Performances by three West African Drum Masters will form the core of this yearís celebration.

SWAZILAND
Visas Health issues
Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid. Vaccines sometimes advised: diphtheria; tuberculosis; poliomyelitis; rabies; hepatitis B. Yellow fever certificate required if entering from an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in low lying areas (mainly Big Bend, Mhuome, Simunye and Tshaneni) all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
April and May and August and September. Winter months are May to August. The hottest months is October with temperatures being in the 40. The temperatures vary considerably from the lowlands to the mountain ranges. Reed Dance (Umhalanga) Aug 26 - Sept 02 Lobamba, Swaziland. This women-only celebration is a traditional coming-of-age ceremony with lots of singing and dancing.

TANZANIA (INCLUDING ZANZIBAR)
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will need an entry visa which can be obtained upon arrival, but is not highly suggested as there can be considerable delays. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria; yellow fever. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; meningococcal meningitis; hepatitis B; poliomyelitis; rabies; diphtheria. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old and entering from an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas below 1800m, all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
January and February and June to October which are the dry seasons. March to May is the main rainy season. November and December have short rains. Best time to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro: July to October and December to March. Outside these times coud have rain and wind. The migration of wildebeest and zebras leaves the Masai Mara game reserve in October/November and returns May/June. July to September is the breeding months in the Masai Mara. Dar es Salaam Music and Dance Festival Sept 17 - Sept 23. This is a competitive festival of ethnic music and dance featuring performers from all across the mainland of Tanzania.

UGANDA
Visas Health issues
Most nationalities will require an entry visa which can be obtained on arrival. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria; yellow fever. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; meningococcal meningitis; poliomyelitis; rabies. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old and entering from an endemic or an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
December to March which is the main dry season. Wet seasons are March to May and October/November. Nation Hero's Day, June 09, Nation Wide, Uganda. This event is held to honor and celebrate the lives of the country's famous and beloved patriots.

ZAMBIA
Visas Health issues
Canadian and Australians will not require an entry visa. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; poliomyelitis; rabies; yellow fever; meningococcal meningitis. Yellow fever vaccination recommended for western districts, but there are no vaccine certificate requirements. Malaria precautions are essential in all areas, all year round. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
April to October which is the dry winter season. Makes for great game viewing. November to March is the main rainy season. Zambia Youth Day August 12, Nation Wide, Zambia. The wonder of youth and children is cause for a celebration at this event. Plus, the children don't have to go to school. Celebrated nation-wide, the event in Lusaka is one to remember.

ZAMBIA
Visas Health issues
New Zealanders will not require an entry visa. Most other nationalities can obtain an entry visa on arrival. Visa requirements often change, so always check with the consulate for the most up-to-date information. Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; typhoid; diphtheria. Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; hepatitis B; poliomyelitis; rabies. Yellow fever certificate required if entering from an infected area. Malaria precautions are essential in the Zambezi Valley (including the Victoria Falls) throughout the year, and in all other areas below 1200m from November to June. Risk is small in areas above 1200m including Harare. Always check with your local health professional 60 days prior to travelling.
When to travel Festivals
April to October which is the dry winter season. November to March is warm but also the rainy season with high humidity. Zimbabwe International Book Fair July 27 - Aug 03 Causeway,Harare, Zimbabwe The Zimbabwe International Book Fair, is the largest and most important book fair in Africa, held annually during the first week of August in the beautiful Harare sculpture gardens. Each year, the event has a focused theme, in 2001, it was the African nation of Senegal and the theme of "Transformation." Prior to the book fair, there will be a series of discussions on a subject within Africa.
There will also be The Market Lane, a shopping walkway off of Julius Nyerere Street, near the Live Literature Center, which enhances the link between books,. arts and culture. The Market Lane features books, clothing, arts, crafts and refreshment for sale.