As an Africa travel resource advisory, always bear in mind that in every country you visit, you must research the local tradition, culture and laws of its people and how you should conduct yourself accordingly, particularly in unfamiliar territory. This holds just as true to Africa and all its nations. You wouldn’t want to get in trouble here as this is not the place that provides fair protection and fast solutions unlike the west.

Here are a few of things you can do – before and after you get into trouble.

Information

Inform people where you’re going and when you will be back. If you’ll be gone for quite some time, the best Africa travel resource advice is to let your embassy or consulate know about it. Inform your family and friends of your whereabouts.

Documents

Keep extra photo copies of your passport, visas, driver’s license and other important documents in the event the genuine documents get lost. Leave a copy in a safe place at home and take a copy with you. This will serve as proof of your identity should you lose your documents.

Mobile phones

Unlock you phone’s network so all SIM cards can work in it. Upon reaching Africa, buy a local SIM card and SMS your family, providing them with your new number. Get the hotline numbers of your embassy or consulate which you can call during an emergency.

Money

When in need of cash, the best Africa travel resource is a Western Union office. There are a lot of Western Union offices all over Africa. If you get mugged, robbed or need emergency cash fast, contact someone from your own country to send you some money. They can text you the details through your cell phone but you need an ID to get the money. They can also ask a test question like “What is your pet’s name?”

Police

Stay calm in case you got into a scrap with the local authorities. A lot of African police officers are poorly paid and are just about ready to take bribes. If you committed some serious crime, then you surely are in hot water. A good Africa travel resource advice is to exert your right to have your ambassador or consul present. If it’s just a petty crime or charges that were just trumped up for kicks, you can either pay the commensurate “penalty” or secretly hand over the bribe money and you’re off the hook.

Be that as it may, it is strongly advised that you do not transgress the law of the land wherever you travel. He is a wise and happy man who does not attract the attention of the law against him.