You have to realise that my husband’s experience is different because he stays at the best hotels and can afford the best ‘rent a friends’ money can buy. There is also usually an ‘Agent’ there to meet him to help him through the customs area of the airport. You won’t have anyone with any paperwork of any sort meeting you at borders. Don’t take my advice as gospel. I am telling you what a wealthy, connected, extremely experienced international traveller’s experience is like. The area you are going through will be speaking French, Arabic and English. I would brush up on French, if I were you. Your German isn’t going to help you unless you get as far south as Namibia. haha.
Of all the countries he went to, he said the people of the Congo were the nicest… NOT the country East of the river, not the DRC, but the other Congo.
Just read up on which currency is best.. I think Euros will get you through most places, exchange where you can, there will be banks. Exchange costs should only be about 2%. ASK before you hand money over the counter. Getting some West African Manat…(?I think they are called?) at the first available bank. Don’t bet on any ATMs. Fancy hotels will take your credit card. Stick together. Be respectful. Girls, cover your heads in muslim countries, like in West Sahara and Mauritania. These are not places to try to make feminist statements. Westerners have been kidnapped all along the area you are travelling, so don’t think this is a Zipity Do Da walk in Disneyland.
These trips I am talking about happened before the Egyptian and Libya coups. Anti-Western sentiment is now rather unpredictable, so for heavens sake, be careful. My husband’s company had a man in Egypt when the revolution was going on. It was MEANT to be hubby, but he traded jobs for some reason. He got out OK, but these things are rather hairy. Make sure you know where to go if you get into trouble. Know the Embassy and Consulate addresses or any other addresses of international corporate offices where you think they could help if there is any trouble. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to contact them in advance and ask advice.