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Lesotho
Lesotho is a developing country surrounded on all sides by the
Republic of South Africa. Facilities for tourists are limited.
Visas are required and should be obtained at a Lesotho diplomatic
mission abroad. However, some Americans have obtained visas without
difficulties at the immigration office in Maseru after entering
the country from South Africa. Although basic medical facilities
and medicines are available in Lesotho, medical attention should
be sought in South Africa if possible. The political situation
has been stable for the last two years and is expected to remain
so in the near term. Travel at night and travel in local mini-vans/taxis
is dangerous. Travelers up-country in winter (May-Sept) should
be prepared for cold weather and snow. Street crime, car jacking
and break-ins are common in Maseru and can occur elsewhere as
well. Credit cards are only accepted at a few establishments in
Maseru. The local currency, the maloti, is pegged to the South
African rand, which is accepted everywhere in Lesotho. Tap water
is not reliably potable.
Liberia
U.S. citizens are warned to avoid travel due to unsettled security
conditions. Liberia is a West African country that has suffered
internal strife for the past several years. Tourism facilities
are poor, and in some cases, non-existent. Travelers are required
to have a visa prior to arrival. Evidence of yellow fever vaccination
is also required. An exit permit must be obtained from Liberian
immigration authorities upon arrival. Medical facilities have
been disrupted and medicines are scarce. Monrovias crime rate
is high. Foreigners have been targets of street crime. Lodging,
water, electricity, fuel, transportation, telephone and postal
services continue to be uneven in Monrovia.
Embassy
of Liberia Web Site: http://www.liberiaemb.org
Madagascar
Madagascar, the "Great Red Island," is a developing
island nation off the east coast of Africa. It is a living museum
offering endless fascination to the zoologist and botanist. Antananarivo,
the capital, enjoys a temperate climate but the island has a wide
range of microclimates ranging from rain forests in the northeast
to desert in the southwest. Facilities for tourism are available,
but vary in quality. Visas are required; a 3-month non-renewable
tourist visa is available at the airport. Evidence of yellow fever
immunizations is also required for all travelers who have been
in an infected zone 6 months prior to their arrival here. If you
will be traveling outside of Antananarivo, malaria prophylactics
are highly recommended. Check with your insurance company to confirm
whether your policy applies overseas, including provisions for
medical evacuations, as medical facilities are minimal and many
medicines are unavailable. Most crime in Madagascar is non-confrontational
(pickpockets, snatch and grab, burglary) and travelers are reminded
to be aware of their surroundings and not to carry valuables openly.
There is little political unrest in Madagascar but travelers are
reminded not to photograph political gatherings or demonstrations,
especially in towns outside Antananarivo as this may put one at
risk of arrest. Roads outside of the capital are generally not
kept in good repair and tend to be narrow and winding with many
one-lane bridges. Travel at night on these roads is not recommended
due to the possibility of serious accidents.
Embassy
of Madagascar Web Site: http://www.embassy.org/madagascar/
Malawi
Malawi is a developing African nation. The country had multiparty
democratic elections in 1994 and 1999. Facilities for tourism
exist in major cities, resort areas and games parks, but, are
limited and vary in quality. Medical facilities are limited and
not up to U.S. standards. Medicines and medical equipment are
in short supply. Lake Malawi is not bilharzia-free. Dress code
restrictions, which applied to all visitors in Malawi, are no
longer in effect. Travelers may wear comfortable clothes, but
may wish to dress modestly, especially when visiting remote areas.
Petty crime including pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs
in urban areas. Residential crime and vehicle thefts are on the
increase. Road travel at night, particularly outside the three
major cities is not recommended due to the high number of serious
road accidents. Major credit cards are generally accepted for
payment of hotel bills. It is forbidden to take more than 200
kwacha (Malawi currency) out of the country.
Mali
Mali is a West African nation with a democratically elected system
of government. Facilities for tourism are limited but developing.
A visa is required. Evidence of a yellow fever vaccination is
also required. Medical facilities are limited and many medicines
are unavailable. Petty crime, including pickpocketing and purse
snatching, is common. Incidents of banditry and vehicle theft
have been reported along major travel routes, near the principal
cities and in smaller towns, especially in the far north. Victims
have included foreigners. The roads from Bamako to Mopti, Douentza,
Koutiala, Sikasso, and Bougouni, and a few other roads are paved.
Otherwise, road conditions are poor, particularly in the rainy
season from mid-June to mid-September. Driving is hazardous after
dark, and nighttime travel may be dangerous. Photography of military
subjects is restricted; however, interpretation of what may be
considered off limits varies. Other subjects may be considered
sensitive from a cultural or religious viewpoint and it is helpful
to obtain permission before taking pictures. The Malian currency
is the CFA franc which is exchangeable for French francs at a
fixed rate. Exchange of dollars in cash or travelers checks is
slow and often involves out-of-date rates. Use of credit cards
is limited to payments for services at only two hotels in Bamako.
Cash advances on credit cards are performed by one bank in Mali,
the BMCD Bank in Bamako, and only with a VISA credit card. International
calls are expensive and difficult to make outside of Bamako. Collect
calls cannot be made from Mali.
Embassy
of Mali Web Site: http://www.maliembassy-usa.org
Mauritania
Mauritania is a moderate Muslim republic located in northwestern
Africa. A visa is required, as is evidence of yellow fever immunization
and proof of sufficient funds. Facilities for tourism and
internal travel are limited. Medical facilities in Mauritania
are limited, and medicines are difficult to obtain. While Mauritania
is safer than most African countries, petty crime exists, and
the regions bordering Morocco and Mali may be hazardous due to
land mines and banditry. Local currency may not be imported or
exported. Dollars, especially $100 bills, may be easily exchanged
in exchange offices or banks. Credit cards are only accepted in
a few hotels in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Cash advances on credit
cards and collect calls are not available from Mauritania.
Mauritius
The Republic of Mauritius has a democratic stable government
and a growing economy. Facilities for tourism are highly developed.
Although the spoken languages are French and Creole, English
is the official language. An onward/return ticket and evidence
of sufficient funds are required for entrance to Mauritius. U.S.
citizens do not need visas for a stay of three months or less
for business or tourism. Petty crime is common in Mauritius.
U.S.
Embassy Web Site: http://usembassymauritius.mu/
Embassy
of Mauritius Web Site: http://www.idsonline.com/usa/embasydc.html
Mozambique
Mozambique, a less developed country in southern Africa, ended
a 17-year civil war in October 1992 with the signing of a peace
agreement between the government and the rival rebel group. Facilities
for tourism are severely limited outside of Maputo. Travel by
road outside of the major urban areas is possible; however, road
conditions vary greatly. A visa is required and must be obtained
in advance. Evidence of a yellow fever and cholera vaccination
is also required. Medical facilities are minimal and many medicines
are unavailable. Maputos special clinic, which requires payment
in hard currency, can provide general non-emergency services.
Economic conditions in the country, spotty police protection and
years of war have caused an increase in violent and armed robberies,
break-ins and auto thefts. Victims, including members of the foreign
community, have been killed. Traveling alone or at night is particularly
risky. Currency can be converted at locations authorized by the
Mozambican government. Currency conversions on the black market
are illegal and very risky. Credit cards are not widely accepted
in Mozambique. Some merchants prefer to be paid in U.S. dollars.
Embassy
of Mozambique Web Site: http://www.embamoc-usa.org
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