Posts Tagged ‘Africa’

5 Reasons to Get a Tanzanian Visa

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Tanzania is a beautiful, relatively stable country, and a trip there is a great way to start exploring Africa. Here are 5 great reasons to get a Tanzanian visa and go visit:

1. Mt. Kilimanjaro: The tallest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro ’s three snow-capped, volcanic cones tower over the surrounding landscape. Whether you choose to appreciate its grandeur from a distance or test your strength and endurance in an attempt to summit, the mountain is definitely worth seeing.

2. Old Zanzibar: The old stone buildings of Zanzibar are nothing if not charming. The historic center of the town preserves buildings and architectural styles that date back to the 1830′ s.  Old Zanzibar is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

3. The Serengeti:Serengeti National Park is the oldest national park in Tanzania.  It is home to over a million and a half wildebeest and 250,000 zebra. Their annual migration is a spectacle right out of “The Trials of Life.”  The northern section of the park has more hills and trees and is a perfect habitat for elephants and giraffe.

4. Kalambo Falls: Located along the border between Tanzania and Zambia, Kalambo Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Africa. Plummeting 772 feet into the Kalambo Gorge, the falls are definitely a sight to see. The area is also a fascinating archaeological site, with artifacts and other evidence of human habitation that stretches back 250,000 years.  A large breeding colony of Marabou storks live next to the falls. Interestingly, despite that old story about storks delivering human babies, the Marabou stork is actually a scavenger that eats carrion as well as preying on smaller animals and birds. In other words, a stork would probably sooner eat a baby sooner than deliver it.

5. Gombe Stream National Park- This national park is Tanzania’s smallest and is only reachable by boat. The park is home to many different types of primates, including the family of chimpanzees that Jane Goodall made famous.

If you’re an American citizen, you do need a visa to visit Tanzania. Although you can get a visa on arrival, the US Department of State recommends getting one before you leave the US, in order “to avoid long delays at entry points.”

For more information about getting a Tanzanian visa, see Tanzanian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

RushMyTravelVisa can make applying for a visa much quicker and easier. We’ll examine your itinerary to make sure you have the right travel documents for each stop, so that there are no unpleasant surprises. Then, we’ll assist you with the paperwork and expedite your application for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Tanzanian visa today!

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With a Kenya Visa, You Can Stand Face-to-Face With Wildlife On Crescent Island

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Most African wildlife parks require visitors to give wildlife a wide berth, preferably viewing them from the relative comfort and safety of an automobile or from behind  a fence. With predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas around, it’s easy to see why.

However, at Crescent Island on Kenya’s Lake Naivasha, the barriers between you and some of the largest and most beautiful animals in Africa vanish. On Crescent Island, you can get as close as you like to many of the animals, so you’re almost guaranteed to come back with great stories and spectacular photos.

In a recent article, New York Times travel writer Alexis Okeowo explains what makes the place so special:

Crescent Island rivals any zoo for diversity: zebras, impalas, giraffes, wildebeests, gazelles, waterbucks, antelopes, dik-diks, steenboks, buffaloes and several other types of animals populate the island. And because there are no predators, fences or cars, visitors can walk freely among the animals.

During her visit, Okeowo was even able to play hide-and-seek with a baby giraffe. Awwww!

It’s not all Disney out there, though. If you visit Crescent Island, remember that hippos and water buffalo, both of which live on the island, can be extremely dangerous if you make them mad or if they see you as a threat. In fact, just about any type of large wildlife can hurt you if you corner it or otherwise harass it.  Use some common sense, and remember that this isn’t a petting zoo!

To visit Kenya, Americans need both a valid passport and a Kenya visa. Here’s what you need to have to get a Kenya visa if you are visiting as a tourist:

  • 1 Kenya visa application form.  The form must be filled online and printed, as it is required to be typed no matter how neat your handwriting is.
  • 1 passport photo
  • A copy of your travel itinerary

RushMyTravelVisa makes getting a Kenya visa much quicker and easier. We offer help with the application and then expedite your visa by hand-delivering your application for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Kenya visa today!

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Travel Visa Requirements for the African Tour of a Lifetime

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Every year, National Geographic publishes a list of recommended “Tours of a Lifetime.” This year, they have several tours of Africa listed, but this “Once in a Lifetime Africa” tour from  Travcoa really stands out for its comprehensiveness and in-depth nature.

It promises to let you experience, in a single journey, “the vast variety and beauty at the soul of Africa.” This is made possible by flying you to and from a variety of amazing destinations on a private plane. This tour takes you to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zululand and Mozambique. You’ll visit game reserves and beaches, and you’re guaranteed to see a wide selection of African wildlife.

Of course, this kind of tour doesn’t come cheap-expect to spend about $34,900. That’s why they call it “Once a lifetime Africa”-you probably won’t be able to afford to go again!

Whether you see these countries on your own or as part of this tour, it’s important that you are prepared with all of the necessary travel visas documents-you wouldn’t want to miss the trip of a lifetime, would you? Here’s what you’ll need to visit each one:

  • South Africa- No visa needed for stays of up to 90 days. However, make sure your passport has plenty of space in the back-you need at least 2 blank pages to enter the country.
  • Botswana- No travel visa needed, but make sure your passport has at least 6 months left before it expires.
  • Zambia- You do need a visa. A single-entry travel visa can be purchased on arrival. but if you need a multiple-entry Zambian visa, you must apply in advance.  Also, check your passport-you need two blank pages to enter Zambia.
  • Mozambique- You need a travel visa, and the Department of State recommends you apply in advance even though a single-entry visa is theoretically available at the border. Your passport needs to have at least 3 blank pages. You should also get a yellow fever vaccination and bring your certificate with you when you enter Mozambique.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you plan your next trip to Africa, researching your itinerary and helping you apply for the necessary travel visas. If you need to renew your passport or have pages added to the back, our sister company RushMyPassport.com can help you obtain an expedited passport renewal.

Need a travel visa? Apply today!

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Nigerian Visa Requirements to Visit Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

This week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site is Nigeria’s Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, the last of the sacred forests of the Yoruba people. Previously, every Yoruba settlement had a sacred grove beside it, decorated with shrines and temples to the many gods and goddesses of the Yoruba religion. Today, only Osun-Osogbo remains.

The grove is said to be sacred to the Yoruba fertility goddess Osun. Adorned with 40 shrines, 2 palaces , sculptures and other sacred artwork, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.  Some of the artwork is by Austrian artist Suzanne Wenger, who converted to the Yoruba faith and worked with local devotees to restore the grove and ensure it remains protected.

Every year in August, the sacred grove is the site of a large festival for devotees of Osun and other Yoruba deities.

To enter Nigeria and visit the grove, you do need to apply for  a Nigerian visa in advance, before you leave the US.  Nigeria will not issue you a visa when you arrive at the airport. Here are the steps you will need to take to get your visa:

  • Complete a Nigerian visa application form online. A confirmation page will appear once you have submitted the online form. Print the confirmation page.
  • Pay the $112 visa application fee online, and print the confirmation form for the payment.
  • Submit a copy of a recent bank statement. The statement should show that you have enough money to support yourself while traveling in Nigeria.
  • Submit a copy of your round-trip plane tickets along with a hotel confirmation or letter of invitation.
  • If you are staying with a private citizen instead of at a hotel, include a copy of your host’s Nigerian passport.

RushMyTravelVisa can make getting a Nigerian visa easier. We walk you through the application process, step by step, and then submit your application for you to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Nigerian visa today!

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Posted in World Heritage Site of the Week | 6 Comments »

Tanzanian Visa Requirements For Tourists

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Tourism is one of Tanzania’s most rapidly-growing industries. According to Wikipedia, Tanzania’s tourist sector employs 27,000 workers and generates one quarter of the country’s foreign exchange.

Tanzania has been blessed with  a rich variety of natural and cultural attractions. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the entire continent, while the Serengeti features some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing in the world. Zanzibar features spectacular beaches, and Gombe is one of the best places to  see our wild chimpanzee cousins-in fact, it is the place where Jane Goodall first began to study the animals.

The best tourist facilities, naturally, are located in the major cities or popular wildlife preserves. However, according to the Lonely Planet guide, it is both rewarding and relatively safe to travel off the beaten path to see lesser-known gems like ancient Swahili villages and the Katavi wilderness.

Tanzanian visas are required for American citizens. You can get one ahead of time or at the airport on arrival. Either way, here’s what you need:

  • 1 Tanzanian visa application form
  • 2 passport photos
  • A copy of a  recent bank statement
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate
  • A travel itinerary. If you don’t have one yet, you can substitute a bank statement showing a minimum balance of $2,000.
  • If you’re going on an organized tour, you will need a letter from the tour operator showing you are paid in full.
  • Your US passport, which be valid for at least 6 more months after the date you obtain the visa.

Many travelers prefer to have all their visas in order before they attempt to travel so far from home. RushMyTravelVisa can help you by researching your itinerary, ensuring that you have the necessary paperwork for each stage of the journey.  You’ll also get one-on-one attention and help from a knowledgeable visa specialist, reducing the chance of common application mistakes that can delay the Tanzanian visa process.  Finally, we hand-deliver your visa application to the appropriate embassy or consulate to keep processing times as low as possible.

Apply for your Tanzanian visa today!

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Cameroon Visa Requirements For Tourists

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Since the 1970’s, Cameroon’s government has been encouraging the development of the country’s tourism industry, which has been growing slowly but steadily.

There’s a lot to love about Cameroon-fascinating people, flawless beaches, and an amazing variety of wildlife. What keeps people away? According to Lonely Planet’s guide to the country, “Cameroon’s tourist industry is a victim of geography. It sits in a tough neighbourhood, bordered by some problematic countries.”

According to the US Department of State, Cameroon also has a high crime rate, so do be careful, especially if you decide to venture out of the well-known tourist industries.

However, these cautions aside, Cameroon does have a lot to offer the careful traveler.  Cameroon encompasses a diverse variety of habitats and cultures, so much so that Cameroon’s government describes the country as ” “Africa in miniature.”

US citizens traveling to Cameroon need a valid passport and a Cameroon visa, plus evidence of yellow fever vaccination and shot records.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for a Cameroon visa:

  • 2 Cameroon visa application forms
  • 2 passport photos
  • Your yellow fever vaccine certificate
  • A copy of your itinerary
  • A copy of a recent bank statement or someone, either at home or in Cameroon, who is willing to vouch for you and provide financial support if needed.

You must apply for your visa in advance-you can’t just pick one up on your way into the country. RushMyTravelVisa can help you with your Cameroon visa application by connecting you with a trained visa specialist who will walk you through the process, step by step, and provide you with clear, easily comprehensible instructions.

Once we’ve helped you with the necessary paperwork, we’ll deliver your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Cameroon visa today!

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Visas for Mountain-Climbing in Cameroon

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Mt. Cameroon is the  tallest mountain in West Africa. The still-active volcano soars 13,500 above sea level. Occasionally, it erupts. According to the Cameroon Consulate to Australia, the last major eruption happened in March of 1999. The volcano also erupted in 1982, interrupting the filming of the movie Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan.

Tourists can climb Mt Cameroon with the help of guides and porters.  To schedule a trip, you should contact the Mount Cameroon Ecotourism Organization office:

The Mount Cameroon Ecotourism Organisation
P.O.Box 60 Buea S.W.P.
Email: mountceo@iccnet2000.com

What’s it like to climb Mount Cameroon? For a detailed description of a climb with some excellent pictures, check out Ann Bowker’s description of her climb up the mountain a few years ago.

Also, as you plan your trip, bear in mind that it’s a tradition to bring a message in a bottle to leave at the top (although if you follow Leave No Trace guidelines, you may want to disregard that tradition). Finally, the Cameroon consulate  advises climbers to “beware of stone-throwing monkeys.” Sheesh…and I thought the squirrels in my front yard that like to hurl acorns were a problem!

In addition to food, water, sleeping gear and perhaps a helmet to guard against rocks to the head, you will also need a Cameroon visa to make the climb.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for a Cameroon visa:

  • 2 Cameroon visa application forms
  • 2 passport photos
  • Your yellow fever vaccine certificate
  • A copy of your itinerary
  • A copy of a recent bank statement or someone, either at home or in Cameroon, who is willing to vouch for you and provide financial support if needed.

You should have your Cameroon visa in hand before you leave the US. RushMyTravelVisa.com  can help you fill out the paperwork for expedited visa service.

Apply for your Cameroon visa with us today!

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