Leave a copy of your itinerary with family and/or friends and contact information for your country contact if you made one.  Also leave a copy of your passport identification page, airline tickets and credit cards you plan to bring.
        Anything you would hate to lose
        Valuable or expensive looking jewelry
        Irreplaceable family objects
        Unnecessary credit cards
        Unnecessary items that you routinely carry in your wallet
        Leave a copy of the serial numbers of your travelers checks with family
        or friends

Research the Present Conditions of the Country or Countries You Plan to Visit

The Department of State's Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world.  The sheets inform you about entry requirements, currency regulations, unusual health conditions, the crime and security situation, political disturbances, areas of instability and special information about driving and road conditions.  The sheets also give you the addresses and telephone numbers for U.S. embassies and consulates.  I find the sheets to be very good, even though a little over cautious, but I suggest that you check them out.  They can be found on the Internet.  At www.travel.state.gov

  You may also call 202-647-5225 or from your fax machine 202-647-3000 and listen for directions on how to proceed via fax.

When to Go 

          Conventional wisdom says travel to Africa during the cooler months and avoid the rainy season that runs from May through October north of the equator and November through April south of the equator.  I say go when it is most convenient and when you can get the best deal.

E-Mail Contacts 

          The Internet is widespread in most West African cities. There are Internet Cafes, computer centers, tele-centers and business centers that have the Internet as well as fax machines and telephones for international calling.  You can monitor your e-mail while traveling as well as send e-mails to your family and friends.

Bring Items to Trade 

          You can save a considerable amount of money is you bring items to trade in exchange for souvenirs, arts and crafts etc.  Used American clothes are big in Africa.  They seem to like jeans, shoes, nice shirts and children's clothes.  African people know good quality so do not bring junky clothes and please have them dry cleaned.  Bring to trade your barely used clothes that you do not wear much or that gift you received last Christmas or birthday gift that you never used.  On one trip to Senegal I traded some jeans, linen shorts and sneakers (tennis shoes is the term for sneakers for those not from the East Coast) and received some very nice artwork in exchange.

International Driving Permit 

          If you plan on renting a car and driving while in Africa you will need an international driving permit (IDP).  Most countries accept an international driving permit but do not recognize a United States driver's license.  The IDP functions as a substitute for your U.S. driver's license and allows you to legally drive in over 150 foreign countries and virtually all of Africa.  However, while you are in the U.S., you must use your U.S. driver's license and not your IDP.
            Before you depart for Africa you can obtain an IDP from an Automobile Association such as the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.  They are the only authorized issuers of IDPs in the US.   In order to qualify for an IDP, you must be at least 18 years of age and posses a valid driver's license.  When you apply, you must present two passport sized photographs, show your driver's license, and pay a $20.00 fee.  Be careful, as there are a lot of scam artists that are issuing unauthorized IDPs for fees that are in excess of the $20.00 fee.

Tips for Driving Safely in Africa 

        Try to avoid driving at night outside of major cities because there may be no streetlights on the road and it gets very dark in Africa. (I have done it but don't you do it).
        Always carry a reflective triangle with you in case you have to stop on the side of the road.
         Familiarize yourself with that particular country's driving rules.
        Always wear a seat belt.
        Find out if your country requires a road permit, if you have one
        If you rent a car get liability insurance that is at least equivalent to what you have at home.
        Find out who has the right of way at traffic circles.
        Get a driving map so you will not get lost.
        When entering your vehicle be aware of your surroundings.
        Do not pick up hitchhikers or strangers.

Embassy Contact 

          It is advisable to register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate while you are in Africa.  They can help you out if you have any problems. When you go to the embassy they will make a copy of your passport, ask you to fill out a paper, which asks for pertinent information such as, where are you staying in that country and how you can be contacted.  You are a taxpayer, therefore the embassy is there to serve you.  They have a lot of useful information about the country you are in and are a valuable resource.  Please see table four for the listings of selected U.S. Embassies in West Africa