Africa Travel Blog

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  • Flights from Mombasa to Zanzibar

    Flights from Mombasa to Zanzibar are a great way to get from one of Kenya’s most popular beach holiday destinations to Tanzania’s beloved Indian Ocean archipelago.

    There are several airlines that offer flights from Mombasa to Zanzibar. Some are regional East African airlines, some are Kenyan low-cost airlines, and others are larger European airlines.

    The list of airlines that fly from Mombasa to Zanzibar includes Condor, which flies from Frankfurt to Zanzibar via Mombasa, Fly540, a budget airline that offers cheap flights to Zanzibar, as well as Jetairfly, Precision Air, and ZanAir.

    There are good, reliable airlines that fly to Zanzibar, and there are not-so-good ones. Low-cost airline Fly540 is a good airline that flies high-quality planes and offers cheap flights. The airline is a good option for flights from Mombasa to Zanzibar.

    On the other hand, Precision Air is not a very good airline. It has a habit of overbooking its flights and rebooking people on later flights. Most of the time they do not notify passengers of these changes until they arrive at the airport. In light of this, only book with Precision Air if you have to.

    All flights from Mombasa to Zanzibar take off from Mombasa’s Moi International Airport (MBA). They land at Kisauni Airport in Tanzania, which is also named Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ). The Zanzibar airport is on the island of Unguja and is located just south of Stone Town.

  • Madagascar Currency

    The Madagascar currency is called the Malagasy ariary. The country’s currency used to be the Malagasy franc, but it was officially replaced by the ariary in 2005. Madagascar is the only country that uses the ariary for its currency.

    The Malagasy ariary’s ISO code is MGA. Its abbreviation is Ar.

    Each airary consists of five iraimbilanja, which are the equivalent of cents in many western currencies.

    There are a number of airary notes and coins in circulation. Notes come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000. Coins come in denominations of 1 and 2 iraimbilanja, and 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, and 50 ariary.

    When you are visiting Madagascar, you can get currency at ATMs or foreign exchange desks in the Antananarivo airport and other places in the country. Make sure to have cash on you at all times, as many places in Madagascar do not accept credit cards. Small change is good to carry, as often people will not have change for large bills.

  • Buses from Lamu to Mombasa

    Buses from Lamu to Mombasa are operated by multiple carriers. Tickets for buses from Lamu to Mombasa can be purchased from the ticket offices in Lamu Town.

    Since there are no buses on Lamu island, you must first take a 30-minute motorized dhow ride to a point on the mainland, then board the bus to Mombasa there.

    There are several buses a day from Lamu to Mombasa, all of which stop in Malindi and allow passengers to alight and stretch their legs. Buses are not supposed to stop elsewhere but often do so anyway to let passengers on or off.

    The road from Lamu to Mombasa is in disrepair. It starts out as a dirt road, making the bus ride uncomfortable. The bus also travels through territory that the Kenyan government considers to be dangerous, so armed guards travel on the bus for part of the ride.

    The total driving time from Lamu to Mombasa on the bus is supposed to be 6 hours, but it usually ends up being at least 8 hours. Some buses from Lamu to Mombasa take much longer. It’s not rare for buses to take up to 13 hours.

    Buses from Lamu to Mombasa are generally old and in poor condition, and often break down or have to stop to repair a flat tire.

    Because buses from Lamu to Mombasa are so unpredictable, it is advisable to take a flight from Lamu, Nairobi, or Malindi to Mombasa instead.

  • Best Hotels in Casablanca

    The best hotels in Casablanca can be found in various locations across the city. Some are situated along the famous Boulevard de la Corniche, and others are in the heart of the city center.

    While there are some excellent choices for accommodation in Casablanca, there are two particular hotels that I consider to be the best of the best: the Villa Blanca Urban Hotel and Hotel le Doge.

    Villa Blanca Urban Hotel – The Villa Blanca Urban Hotel in Casablanca is in a great location right on the Corniche. The boutique hotel features two restaurants, a bar, and one of the most popular nightclubs in Casablanca. Its focus on quality and providing guests with a superior experience make it one of the best hotels in Casablanca.

    Hotel le Doge – Hotel and Spa le Doge in Casablanca is a member of Relais & Chateaux. As such, it offers guests a true luxury experience in Morocco. Highlights of the hotel include its stunning Art Deco decor and its excellent Le Veyre restaurant. Hotel le Doge’s intimate charm and great service make it one of the best hotels in Casablanca.

  • Dhow Cruises in Lamu

    Dhow cruises in Lamu are a popular sunset activity in Lamu.

    Dhow cruises set off just before sunset and sail around the channel between Lamu island and Manda island.

    Most dhow cruises in Lamu last for an hour and a half and cost around 2400 KES for two people. Make sure to negotiate with the dhow operator before agreeing on a price; they never give you the best rate the first time.

    You will probably be approached by a dhow owner before you have to look for one, but if you aren’t, you can find them on the beach in front of the Peponi Hotel in Shela or on the waterfront in Lamu Town.

  • Malaria in Senegal

    Malaria in Senegal is a serious risk to all travelers. If you are planning to visit Senegal, you should make sure to take the necessary precautions to minimize your risk of contracting the disease.

    The entire country is a high-risk area for malaria, so you will need to protect yourself wherever you travel in Senegal. It is good to be prepared when you arrive so that you can be safe and healthy during your entire trip.

    Malaria is spread by mosquitoes that come out at dusk and stay active throughout the night. As such, make sure to use plenty of insect repellant in the evenings and wear long sleeves and trousers as well as shoes and socks at night. Most hotels have mosquito nets over beds, but if yours doesn’t, make sure to bring one with you when you travel to Senegal.

    Additionally, you should get antimalarial pills from your nearest travel health clinic before you travel to Senegal. Pills like Malarone should be taken one to two days prior to visiting Senegal, then taken throughout your trip, and for seven days after you leave the country. Taking antimalarials will help prevent you from contracting malaria, but no pill is 100% effective. You will still need to use insect repellant, wear appropriate clothing, and sleep under a mosquito net to avoid getting malaria in Senegal.

  • Trips from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains

    Many visitors to Morocco take trips from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains.

    Given the proximity of the mountains to the city, it is an easy trip and makes for a great escape from the bustle of the souks and the medina.

    There are several ways to take trips from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains. These include hiring a car in Marrakech and driving to the Atlas Mountains, taking an organized tour to the mountains, or going on a small group excursion.

    Whatever method you choose to get to the mountains, it is best to stay overnight for at least one night.

    The distance from the city center is far enough that doing a day trip from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains is very ambitious, but doing an overnight or several night trip is well worth it.

  • Antananarivo Airport in Madagascar

    Antananarivo airport is Madagascar’s main airport. Officially called Ivato International Airport, the airport’s IATA code is TNR, and the ICAO code is FMMI.

    The airport is served by both domestic and international flights. There are international flights to Antananarivo airport from China, the Comoros Islands, France, Germany, Kenya, Mauritius, Reunion, Singapore, South Africa, and Thailand, among others. There are also domestic flights to and from popular destinations like Antsiranana (formerly Diego Suarez) and Nosy Be.

    The airlines that fly to Antananarivo airport include Air Austral, Air France, Air Madagascar, Air Mauritius, Comores Aviation, Corsairfly, Kenya Airways, and South African Airways.

    Antananarivo airport itself is small and basic but has several shops, ATMs, car hire desks inside, and taxi stands outside.

    If you are flying out of Antananarivo in the morning, be prepared for long lines at security and minor flight delays. Air Madagascar operates many flights in the morning hours, and the congestion sometimes leads to slight flight delays from Antananarivo airport.

  • Senegal Visa and Passport Requirements

    Senegal visa and passport requirements vary from country to country. The good news is that most people can travel to Senegal with a visa that is easy to acquire before arrival.

    Travelers from most countries can obtain a Senegal visa through a third party website. All you have to do is fill out your personal information and pay a fee via credit card. Once you’ve done so, you will receive a PDF with a scannable code on it. Print out the PDF document and bring it with you to Senegal. When you arrive, hand the paper to the border officials, who will then stamp your visa into your passport.

    Regardless of whether you need a visa for Senegal, you should get a Yellow Fever vaccination before you travel.

    Remember that Senegal visa and passport requirements are subject to change at any time. For the most up-to-date information, check your country’s Senegal consulate website.

  • Visiting Tunisia Taxis from Tunis to Carthage

    Taxis from Tunis to Carthage are the easiest way to get from one city to the other and make for a good way to see the far-flung ruins of Carthage.

    Taking a taxi from Tunis to Carthage is best done as a day trip.

    Your taxi will take you from the Tunis city center to Carthage and drive you around the highlights of the ruins for the day.

    Hiring a taxi to get from Tunis to Carthage is a good idea if you don’t want to walk up and down hills all day or take the train.

    The ruins of Carthage are spread out over a long distance, and taking a taxi can save you time.

    A taxi from Tunis to Carthage for the day will cost around 70 – 80 dinars.