Africa on a Budget

Africa on a budget is now achievable. No longer do you need a country estate, a speech impediment and a trust fund to visit one of the greatest continents on earth and shoot large endangered animals.

Of course, it's not as simple as saying I wish to go to Africa, here's my well-earned dosh, book me a holiday. First, bear in mind that Africa covers a whopping 11.7 square million miles (about three times as big as Europe) with some 53 separate countries. And quite a few people live there, just under one billion is a recent estimate.

Africa ranges from Morocco in the north, which is a short strip of water away from Spain, to South African down at the bottom, which is rather more than a strip of water from the Antarctica. To travel from top to tail is around 5,000 miles.

Senegal lies at its Western most tip (next stop the Caribbean) and the east, Somalia (next stop India). It includes countries which are already well serviced with tourism, like Egypt and its mummies, to ones which appear almost nightly on the news bulletins, like Zimbabwe, with more noughts on its bank notes than the England XI score sheet.

A bonus for when traveling there is less jet lag. Although you might fly some 6,000 miles from London to Johannesburg, you'll only have to put your watch forward two hours. Travel 6,000 miles west from London to the U.S., and you'll be back some six hours.

The great thing about Africa, is that whatever you want from a holiday, it can provide, and nowadays on budget.

Egypt offers the Pyramids, a chance to float down the Nile in comparative splendor, or some sun-lounging time at their superb coastal resorts. South Africa is not short on culture and tip-top holiday resorts, whereas you might fancy a wild safari break in Kenya.

Flights from London to Joburg can be snaffled for just £158 return (excluding taxes) and Cape Town £210 (flying quite soon). Cheap tickets are plentiful on the South African routes, but to get to Cairo, the magical capital of Egypt, requires a bit of forward planning to get the best prices, say around five to six months, but still respectable at around £350. It's a little more expensive for Nairobi, Kenya, at just under £400.

As to what you do when you're there, some 12 days at the famous Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh, when your days are spent soaking up the sun, seeing the Nile and visiting some of the country's plentiful historical monuments, can be got for less than £500 per person. And a Kenyan safari and beach holiday can be also acquired for around £500 per person. Move on down to South African and your £500 will buy you around four nights in a lodge on a game reserve.

Africa on a budget is perfectly feasible and the great thing is, you don't have to feel like a student on a gap year. Enjoy.

< back