A family holiday in East Africa?

A family holiday in East Africa?

As with any holiday, to get the most out of your East African experience, you’ll need to make sure you’ve packed accordingly. The weather can get hot all year round so it’s important to take warm weather clothing, like designer shorts for boys, short sleeve shirts and sandals. It’s also a good idea to take certain medical supplies with you, such as rehydration packs, in case of stomach bugs, sun tan lotion and anti bacterial hand lotion.

A family holiday in East Africa?

East Africa

In all, there are 20 nations that make up the region of East Africa. These countries are often grouped by geopolitics, however, the various regions can also be broken down by geography. Along the east coast is the area of The African Great Lakes, comprised of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi. Meanwhile, Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea are collectively known as the Horn of Africa, the northern territory of East Africa. Madagascar and Mozambique are in the south east, separated by the Mozambique Channel, while further out in the Indian Ocean are the island nations of Reunion, Mayotte (technically overseas territories of France), Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles. At the extremities of East Africa are Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the south, with South Sudan in the North.

Vaccinations and Visas

You’ll need a separate visa to enter into the various regions of East Africa. You should apply for these several months before you set off on holiday, just to make sure that they are processed on time. With regard to jabs, you can find out which vaccinations you’ll need with a consultation at your local doctors surgery. You should take any paperwork related to your inoculations when you go on holiday, proof of certain vaccinations, such as yellow fever, are required before entry is granted into many countries in East Africa.

Kenya, 2012

Main attractions

The region of East Africa is blessed with an array of natural gifts, with stunning landscape and an iconic range of wildlife. One of the most popular pursuits in the area is to go on safari. The Masai Mara in Kenya is perhaps the most famous safari region in the world, however, in Uganda and Tanzania you can also see the Big Five of Africa: the lion, African elephant, Black rhino, Cape buffalo and the leopard. Tours are available in Ethiopia to visit the Omo River region, which is home to over 45 different ethnic groups. Meanwhile, the beaches of Madagascar are some of the most beautiful in Africa.

Accommodation

Franchise accommodation can be found in the centre of the various countries of East Africa, however, when on safari, camps are available for visitors, offering some of the peaceful nights under the star, a world away from the popular conceptions of Africa.