Africa Travel and Vacation Guide

Your Choices for Accommodations Can Make or Break Your Trip

Your selection of lodging can affect the success of your vacation to Africa. In some instances, it may even be the most memorable part of the holiday.

Do not discount the fact that choosing the right hotel can make your trip memorable, while staying in the wrong lodgings can wreak havoc on your vacation to Africa!

The good news is that the Internet now supplies a vast array of resources, reviews and details about the best lodging in Africa, as well as the best deals available.

We always start our hotel exploration with a reputable reservations and information site, such as Hotels.com. Not only does this prevent wasting a lot of time, but we can see a comprehensive view of what accommodations are available in Africa and can very easily see which ones are good candidates based on prior visitor comments.

How to Select the Right Kind of Hotel

In advance of taking a trip, we recommend you to ask yourself some critical questions that will assist you in selecting the right lodging at the right price.

• Is it important to you to spend minimal time getting back and forth to sites and events?
• Are you willing to spend more time on public transportation and taxis in order to save on lodging? If this is the case you can normally get a cheaper lodging on the outskirts.
• Are you seeking a place steeped in local culture? Smaller independent inns are often some of the most historic and lovely ways to experience the local culture.

These are important questions to ask before selecting your accommodations. We would suggest that you give some thought to how you will use your hotel to get the most from your Africa vacation experience before deciding on where to stay.

When searching for lodging it is also important to decide upon the kind of accommodations and conveniences that suit your desires and needs. If you will not be spending much time in your room, and therefore you likely care less about the amenities than you do about the location, then we encourage looking for lodging near the sites in Africa that you are planning to visit.

Our favorite accommodations booking site is Hotels.com, which presents more than 70,000 properties globally, supplies detailed lodging reviews, photos and provides a price match guarantee. There are several other companies, but we haven’t found one that is as comprehensive and simple to navigate.

Stay at a B&B for a Friendly Lodging Experience

If you enjoy the company of strangers and a traditional meal then consider staying at a Bed & Breakfast in Africa. These accommodations create an experience very much like staying with old friends and often times the proprietors can share a wealth of knowledge and tips on the local sites, dining options, and customs. And likely the breakfast provided will be gourmet style.

When we are looking to book a B&B, we prefer to use BedAndBreakfast.com. Its search capability includes a global network of country inns, B&Bs, guest houses and farm stays.

Keep in mind that these properties are ordinarily located in more rural places and may not be near to mass transportation. If you will be traveling by car then this is a splendid option.

How About a Home Exchange Program?

If you enjoyed the movie “The Holiday” then you probably have an idea of how appealing swapping homes can be.

If you plan to remain in Africa for a while and you yourself reside in a attractive vacation area (or you own a second home in a desirable location) then you might think about swapping your home with someone from Africa who is interested in visiting your region.

Staying in someone’s home in Africa allows you to live like a local (not a tourist) and can end up costing you nothing. You will ordinarily have full use of laundry and kitchen facilities and enjoy the comforts of staying in a cozy home and neighborhood. This option is also considered environmentally smart because it doesn’t require additional local resources to accommodate non-residents. And a frequently ignored benefit is that while you’re in someone else’s home that someone else is in your home–perhaps watering your plants, picking up your mail, and generally dissuading thieves which prey on vacant homes.

Check out HomeExchange.com for access to their worldwide network of homes for exchange. A one year membership is required but they guarantee that if you don’t find an exchange within your first year they will extend your membership for another year. If you are interested in learning more about the specifics of selecting and getting in touch with prospective home exchange candidates Home Exchange Academy offers a special reference guide.

When you are already paying dearly for flights exchanging your home with another traveler can be an easy way to limit the full cost of your vacation. If you are feeling like you just cannot afford that trip to Africa you may want to reconsider!

Lodging for the Super Tight Budget

If you are on a strict budget (perhaps you’re a student) and hoping to get the most economical accommodation (given that it comes with a bed and bathroom) then you should consider what are known as hostels. Hostels are available in many countries and often provide separate areas for couples and/or seniors. There are several hostels available in Africa to select from. These may be reserved with HostelWorld.com.