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Coming To Africa: A Simple Guide

By Njideka Agbo
19 January 2018   |   1:00 pm
Africa is known for its many tourist sites. It is sometimes amusing when a stranger visits a community only to find out that the previous community speaks another slightly or completely different language. This is one of the uniqueness of the African continent. Regardless of where you want to visit in the continent, there are…

Africa is known for its many tourist sites. It is sometimes amusing when a stranger visits a community only to find out that the previous community speaks another slightly or completely different language. This is one of the uniqueness of the African continent.

Regardless of where you want to visit in the continent, there are travelling tips you should have in mind:

Learn the language: Having many languages has its ups and down yet you don’t want to be caught in the middle of any language crises. Once an African learns that you have made an effort to learn their dialect even the basics, they’d make an extra effort to help. If you don’t know how to source the basics, remember that Google is your friend.

A tour guide: A tour guide is someone who is quite familiar with the environment. It is advisable to get a local who is well versed in the traditions of the people and can show you must-visit places in the locality and if your guide says something won’t do you any harm, you are allowed to trust him.

Mr Fox Is The First British Man To Be Given A Chief Title In Obama’s Hometown In Kenya. Photo credit: Daily Mail

Learn the culture: This brings us back to the African uniqueness. Africans place value on respect and their tradition. Pay careful attention to the traditions of the people whose community you are in. You’d be surprised to find out that in some places, there still traditions that are peculiar to a people.

Smile: “You are never truly dressed without a smile”, says a Sia for the 2014 Annie musical movie. Smiling is a simple act but goes a long way. Africans are very a warm, receptive and trusting people. A little smile is enough to charm them.

Don’t tell an African that “Africa is a country”.

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