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Visa and Other Entry Requirements
A valid, unexpired U.S. passport is required for travel to all
countries in Africa. In addition, most countries in sub-Saharan
Africa require U.S. citizens to have a visa. If visas are required,
obtain them before you leave home. Be particularly attentive to
visa requirements for countries you may transit en route to your
country of destination. If you decide to visit additional countries
en route, it may be difficult or impossible to obtain visas. In
most African countries, if you arrive without a visa, you will
not be admitted into the country and will have to depart on the
next plane. This can be extremely inconvenient if the next plane
does not arrive for several days, the airport hotel is full, and
the airport has no other sleeping accommodations.
The best authority on a countrys visa and other entry requirements
is its embassy or consulate. The Department of State publication,
Foreign Entry Requirements, gives basic information on
entry requirements and tells where and how to apply for visas.
You can order a copy for 50 cents from the Consumer Information
Center, Pueblo, Colorado 81009. Foreign
Entry Requirements is also available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html.
Allow plenty of time to apply for visas. An average of two weeks
for each visa is recommended. When you inquire, check the following:
Restricted Areas
A visa is good only for those parts of a country that are open
to foreigners. Several countries in Africa have areas of civil
unrest or war zones that are off-limits to visitors without special
permits. Others have similar areas that are open but surrounded
by security checkpoints where travelers must show their passport,
complete with valid visa. When traveling in such a country, keep
your passport with you at all times. It is recommended that you
leave photocopies of your passport, including copies of those
pages containing visas, at your hotel or in some other safe location.
No matter where you travel in Africa, do not overstay the validity
of your visa. Renew it if necessary.
If stopped at a roadblock, be courteous and responsive to questions
asked by persons in authority. Outside major cities, try to avoid
travel at night. For information on restricted or risky areas,
consult Department of State Consular Information Sheets or, if
you are already in Africa, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
If you plan on spending an extended period of time in a country,
register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
In some areas, when U.S. citizens are arrested or detained, police
or prison officials fail to inform the U.S. embassy or consulate.
If you are detained for any reason, it is your right to speak
with a U.S. consular officer immediately.
Health
Health problems affect visitors to Africa more than any other
difficulty. For
travel health information on the Internet, visit the Centers for
Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) home page at
http://www.cdc.gov. The CDC also provides recorded information
on their international travelers hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)
and by fax at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299). Additional
general information can be found in the U.S. Public Health Service
book, Health Information for International Travel, available
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs
or by calling (202) 512-1800.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome or AIDS, is epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. In its December
2000 AIDS Epidemic Update, the United Nations AIDS/World
Health Organization Working Group on Global HIV/AIDS/STI Surveillance
reported that 25.3 million adults and children are living with
HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. 3.8 million people were newly
infected, mainly through heterosexual contact. HIV is found primarily
in the bodily fluids of an infected person. It is spread through
intimate sexual contact, needle sharing among intravenous drug
users and transfusions of infected blood and blood clotting factors.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver transmitted through
activities resulting in the exchange of blood or blood derived
fluids and/or through sexual activity. Meningococcal disease (bacterial
meningitis) is an infection in the lining of the brain or spinal
cord. This is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs
near you, as is tuberculosis, both of which are significant risks
in crowded, confined spaces.
Many diseases are transmitted through the bite of infected insects
such as mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ticks and lice. Travelers must
protect themselves from insect bites by wearing proper clothing,
using bed nets, and applying the proper insect repellent. Mosquitoes
are most active between dusk and dawn. Malaria is a very serious,
sometimes fatal, parasitic infection transmitted to humans by
mosquitoes, and is endemic in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
Travelers at risk for malaria should consult with a doctor for
advice on whether or not it is necessary to take Mefloquine or
an alternative drug as a preventative measure. Yellow fever and
Dengue fever are prevalent viral infections also transmitted by
mosquito bites.
Food and waterborne diseases also cause illnesses in travelers,
most frequently diarrhea. Drink only bottled, chemically treated
or boiled water. Avoid ice cubes. Unless you are sure that they
are pasteurized, avoid dairy products. Eat only thoroughly cooked
food. Vegetables and fruits should be peeled or washed in a purifying
solution. A good rule of thumb is, "If you cant peel it
or cook it, dont eat it." Severely ill individuals should
receive immediate medical attention.
Schistosomiasis is an infection that develops after the larvae
of a flatworm penetrate the skin. Water treated with chlorine
or iodine is virtually safe and salt water poses no risk. The
risk is a function of the frequency and degree of contact with
contaminated fresh water for bathing, wading or swimming. It is
often difficult to distinguish between infested and non-infested
water. Swimming in fresh water in rural areas should be avoided.
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the central nervous
system. The virus is introduced by an animal bite. Any animal
bite should receive prompt attention.
Some countries have shortages of medicines. Bring an adequate
supply of any prescription and over-the-counter medicines that
you need to take. Keep all prescriptions in their original, labeled
containers.
Some medical devices, such as insulin pumps, may not be available
in some countries. Those travelers requiring these devices should
take spares. In addition, certain formulations of drugs, such
as insulin, may not be available. Be aware of alternative substitute
formulations. There are instances where "type A" of
insulin is available locally, but, not "type B" or "type
C," which may include the kind that the traveler may currently
be taking.
Medical facilities may be limited, particularly in rural areas.
Should you become seriously ill or injured abroad, contact the
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. A U.S. consular officer can
furnish you with a list of local hospitals and English-speaking
doctors. Consular officers can inform your family or friends in
the United States of your condition. Because medical coverage
overseas can be quite expensive, prospective travelers should
review their health insurance policies. Doctors and hospitals
expect immediate cash payment in full for health services in many
sub-Saharan countries. If your policy does not provide medical
coverage overseas, consider buying supplemental insurance. It
is also advisable to obtain insurance to cover the cost of medical
evacuation in the event of an emergency, as this can be extremely
expensive.
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