The Size of Africa Put in Perspective

It is important to understand the size of Africa for better planning of your trip to Africa. The tendency is to think or talk (especially the media) about 'Africa' as a single place. The continent of Africa is 54 independent countries with different political systems.  Tourism plays a huge role in most countries economies and are alert to provide a safe environment for travelers as well as their citizens. 

The Sheer Size of the African Continent

• Massive landmass: Africa is the world’s second-largest continent.

• U.S. comparison: It is three times larger than the United States.

• Africa spans approximately 11.73 square miles and makes up 20% of the world's total land area.

Travel and Geopolitical Realities

• Isolated events: What happens in one country rarely affect neighboring nations. We do understand concerns and it is always better to discuss those concerns with your experienced safari consultant. Safety is always a primary issue. It is also important to understand if there is some type of disturbance (as an example) in Senegal, does not affect your trip to South Africa.

• Flight limitations: Direct, frequent flights between different countries can be limited.

• Transit time: Moving between regions often requires long flights or connections.

• Planning necessity: Vast distances, limited flights demand careful itinerary coordination. Born Free will assist with total coordination.

Example of distances:

• Nairobi to Johannesburg - 2,400 miles
• Nairobi to Casablanca - 5,900 miles
• Nairobi to Cairo - 2,200 miles
• Nairobi to Kigali, Rwanda - 500 miles
• Nairobi to Kinshasa, DRC - 1,500 miles
• Arusha, Tanzania to Nairobi - 160 miles
• Arusha to Entebbe, Uganda - 1,500 miles
• Arusha to Johannesburg - 2,200 miles
• Johannesburg to Cairo - 3,900 miles

Open Wildlife Borders

Strict rules and visas are required to travel between African countries, To protect the wildlife natural order, there are massive, unfenced ecosystems that allow animals to roam freely. The safari countries in Africa rely on collaborative cross-border wildlife efforts.

• East Africa: The Great Migration moves seamlessly between Kenya and Tanzania.

• South Africa: Kruger National Park shares open borders with private reserves.

• Conservation focus: The continent relies on deep, collaborative cross-border wildlife efforts.

"See it All" Travel Planning Mistake

The Mistake: Trying to visit too many countries in one trip is exhausting.

The Risk: Spending your time packing, unpacking, and sitting in airports.

The Outcome: Returning home feeling like you need a vacation and not remembering all that you saw.

The Solution: Focus on one or two regions for a richer, more enjoyable experience.

Share your concerns openly with your experienced safari consultant to build a secure, seamless itinerary.

Information gathered through various sources, including details found here.