Travel Insurance Africa and South Africa

>> Before you go, make sure you have the best travel insurance.

Africa is hauntingly beautiful, but also high risk.

When you're talking Africa, you're talking Table Mountain in the south to The Sahara and the pyramids in the north - and a whole lot in between - totally new experiences, people and terrains. It was Australian adventurer, Alby Mangels, who reportedly said, "Travel hasn't satisfied an appetite. It has created one!" The same could also be said for Africa.

Still - you haven't come to this page for an Alby Mangels, but for advice on travel insurance. South Africa, for starters, has been issued with a warning by DFAT to take more than average care of both yourself and your possessions. Warnings such as these mean you're advised to skip the budget options and go straight to more comprehensive travel insurance. Backpackers, this also applies to you. In general it comes down to the areas you travel, but it's a precaution you'll be glad you took if trouble does find you.

With dozens of countries located within Africa, best advice is to go onto the DFAT site to check individual country updates. But for all travel within greater Africa - iTrek highly recommend either our Gold or Platinum cover. These levels also keep you covered if you're travelling on to other destinations with similar status such as Pakistan and parts of India, and parts of Asia and South America.

For all hospital, medical and evacuation emergency situations we work in hand with AIG, the world's biggest insurance and financial company. One of the many great benefits of AIG Travel Assist is their ability to make payment guarantees to hospitals. In Africa this could be handy as a number of hospitals won't deal with insurance companies and require your personal payment. To be sure, have a life line to cash available and/or the contact details of the Australian embassies and be sure to take your travel insurance documents with you.

When you buy travel insurance online, compare what other companies have to offer first, then check out our depth of cover and you'll know what great value iTrek provide. For those travelling from Africa to Australia and haven't taken out travel insurance, Australia cover is available via iTrek.

As an added bonus, with any level of our 12 or 18 month policies you receive a FREE Lonely Planet Shoestring Guide when you pay for your travel insurance. Africa is one of the destinations you can choose from with others including South East Asia, the UK and Europe, Australia, China and more.

For our other insurance policies, please visit our travel insurance page.

>> It Might Be Handy To Know...

• If you've hired a car and are buying petrol, it's appropriate to tip the service station attendants.
• Steam locomotives are still used extensively in South Africa, one of the few remaining countries in the world. The Pride of Africa holds luxury status so it could be a great opportunity for a trip back in time.
• Many of the residents of Africa can not only speak a number of the African dialects but one or two European languages as well. Better brush up on your language skills before you go.