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 Living in Africa

The Essential Expatriate Resources

Map of Africa.

  Expatriate Resources and Articles on Africa

 Global Expatriate Resources


Africa is a vast and diverse continent with many natural resources and incredible cultural diversity. But after centuries of economic exploitation from colonial powers, most African countries still struggle to achieve political, financial, and social stability. Rebel groups operate in many countries, and ethnic and religious conflict is widespread. The political instability in some countries makes it difficult for expatriates to go to Africa, but notable exceptions exist.

Botswana, for example, has been a relatively stable democracy since its independence in 1966. It has a rapidly growing economy and low inflation. South Africa has demonstrated robust economic growth and political stability since the end of apartheid. However, wealth is not equally distributed, and there remain issues concerning poverty and crime. As Africa's wealthiest and most developed nation, South Africa attracts international business, expatriates, and students.

The competition by the likes of China, Russia, and the United States for the vast resources in Africa is now more intense than for any continent on earth.

The Association of American Residents Overseas (AARO), which relies on figures from the U.S. government, among other sources, estimates that over 230,000 Americans living in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Because the African continent still attracts only a relatively small number of expatriates from Europe and North America, we currently offer specific country information for Egypt and South Africa, but intend to expand the coverage.

We have compiled resources and first-hand articles about Africa for current expatriates and those who dream of moving to and living on this incredible continent, which is rich and complex in every way. — Living Abroad Contributing Editor

 Featured Articles on Living, Working, Studying, Traveling and Volunteering in Africa
Riding camels in Morocco. Teaching English and Living in Morocco
by Lucas M. Peters
Living in Cape Town South Africa. How to Live and Work in Africa: A Growing Continent for Expatriates
by Volker Poelzl
South Africa Cape How to Enjoy Cape Town on a Budget: 12 Must-Dos in South Africa’s Mother City
by Senior Contributing Editor Lies Ouwerkerk
Volunteer in South African preserve. Volunteer at a South African Game Preserve
by Lisa Chavis
Chad Wodaabe festival. Annual Festival of the Wodaabe in Chad: Courtship Rituals and Beauty Contests
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Living in Cairo. The Magic of Living in Cairo: City of Paradoxes
by Naira Bonilla
Children in Northern Kenya. Uncovering Tribal Life in Northern Kenya
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Volunteer in Ghana. A Day as a Volunteer in Ghana
Kenya foster child. The AmeriKenyan: Straddling Two Worlds in Nairobi. Kenya
by Anena Hanson
Volunteer in Kenya. Volunteering and Living in Kenya
by Anena Hansan
South Africa elephant. Camping Safari in Northern South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe
by Lies Ouwerkerk
South Africa Cape cycling. Cycling South Africa’s Cape and Winelands
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Travel in South Africa. Five Unforgettable Adventures in South Africa
by Ted Campbell
Zimbabwe elephant. Why Zimbabwe is the Best Safari Destination for Ethical Travelers
by Rebecca Shapiro
Safari in Botswana. Journey Botswana: New Safaris Are Lessons in Ecology
by Rob Sangster
Camping safari in Tanzania. Camping in Africa Brings You Closest to the People, the Culture, and the Wildlife
by Janet Williams
Travel in North Sudan. Cruising Through the Magical Desert of Northern Sudan
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Woman in South Angola. Tribal Encounters in Remote Southern Angola
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Woman in Cameroon. Time Travel in Northern Cameroon: Living Among the Dupa
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Men on camels in Mauritania. Traveling Along Mauritania's Ancient Caravan Routes
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Griot Kora in the Gambia. Kora Sounds from the Griot Compounds: The Gambia
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Festival on Niger with man dancing in blue. The Annual Festival on the Niger in Mali
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Market in Madagascar. Visiting the Tribes of Madagascar
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Adventure in Morocco. Adventures in Morocco's Magical Sahara Desert
by Friedel Rother
Senegal car rapide. An American Living in Dakar, Senegal
by Robert Chatfield
Senior group travel in Morocco. Senior Small Group Tour Visiting the Berbers of Morocco
by Sarah Massey.
Couscous in Tunisia. Hospitable Tunisia and its Tantalizing Cuisine: "A Moveable Feast" For the Budget Traveler
by Lies Ouwerkerk
Adventure Travel with Tuaregs in Mali. Among the Blue Men: Travel, Ritual, and Adventure with a Tuareg Nomadic Tribe in Mali
by James Michael Dorsey
Three Shared Experiences in Ethiopia. Three Shared Experiences in Ethiopia
by Anita Howard
Early mankind in Tanzania. The Hadzabe of Tanzania: Visiting My Own Ancestors
by James Michael Dorsey
Climbing Kilimanjaro in Kenya with a Maasai Elder.

Listening to the Silence: Climbing Kilimanjaro and Encounting a Maasai Elder in Kenya
by James Michael Dorsey

Maasai tribe. Walking with Markus
by James Michael Dorsey
An exorcism in Burkino Faso. The Accidental Spirit: Experiencing an Exorcism in Burkina Faso, West Africa
by James Michael Dorsey
Desert safari in Egypt. A Desert Escape in Egypt.
by Nicole Feliciano
Zulu huts in South Africa. Finding Community at a Tomb Unveiling: A Sacred Zulu Ritual in South Africa
by Amanda Penn
Malawi. The Motherland
by Amanda Formoso
Microfinance internships in Ethiopia. Internship with an Ethiopian NGO
by Sara Cornish
Volunteer in Namibia. Top Volunteer Sending Organizations in Africa
by Zahara Heckscher
Volunteer in Zambia as Student. Volunteer Service in Zambia: A Little Goes a Long Way
by Marissa Sutera
Volunteer in South Africa caring for penguins. Volunteer in South Africa Rehabilitating the Penguins of SANCCOB
by Jane Stanfield
A volunteer program in South Africa dedicated to helping rehabilitate penguins to be sent back to the wild.
Volunteer teaching English in Namibia. Ten Ways a Teaching Certificate Helped Me Teach in Namibia: Lessons Learned as a Volunteer Teacher
by Morgan Canup
Gorillas in Uganda. Gorilla Conservation in Uganda: Volunteering with the Peace Corps
by Thor Hanson
Working as a volunteer to ensure the responsible care of an endangered species.
Sensible Rules for Safe Travel in South Africa: Tips to Enjoy a Culturally Varied and Naturally Beautiful Country
by Pearl Harris
Teaching English in Africa: Volunteer Opportunities Abound for Young and Old
by B. Susan Bauer
The Real Peace Corps
by Matt Brown
Volunteer in South Africa’s Lion and Safari Park
by Sergio and Pat Pastore
Volunteer Effectively in Nigeria: The Key is Thinking Grassroots
by Lola Akinmade
Aluminum Recollections in Nigeria
by Elizabeth Bernays
Interview with Seun Kuti of Nigeria
Market Hopping Around Lagos
by Lola Akinmade
A Glimpse into Nigerian Culture on the International Stage
by Lola Akinmade
24 Hours in Dakar, Senegal
by Irene Abdou
Volunteering to Teach in Ghana with Global Volunteers
by Carole Katz
Volunteering in Zambia: Sharing Knowledge With Local Farmers and Learning From a New Culture
by Marianne Stamm
Kidnapped in Rwanda: How to Be a Responsible Travel Activist
by Robert Powell Sangster
Traveling Responsibly in West Africa: For Those Who Seek Raw Adventure Writ Large
by Jason Motlagh
Independent West Africa Travel Planner
by Terry Redding
The Fulani of Burkina Faso and Niger: The Heart of a Nomadic People
by Irene Abdou
Lost in Marrakesh, Morocco
by Kevin Dimetres
Food Markets in Rabat, Morocco
by Beebe Bahrami
Feasting in Fez
by Beebe Bahrami
A Diary in Tunisia in Words and Images
by Irene Abdou
Education from the Streets of Giza
by Alexander Breimann
Coffee Bay: Discovering the Culture of the Xhosa People of South Africa's Wild Coast
by Tanya Linnegar
A Visit to Soweto, South Africa
by Lucy Corne
Study French and Wolof in Dakar, Senegal
by Katie Krueger
Study Abroad in South Africa
by Adam Karlin
Study Abroad Living and in Ghana
by Isabel Dickinson
Study Abroad in Tanzania: On Borders, Bananas, and Being Back
by Danae Roumis
Studying and Living in Cairo and Traveling in the Desert Dunes of Egypt
by Rachel Tobias
A High School Summer in Egypt Studying Arabic
by Connie Ip
Life Lessons in Ghana
by Lauren Elliott 
Ethiopia And Eritrea: Wonders of the Horn
by Chris Shinn
Finding Community at a Tomb Unveiling: A Sacred Zulu Ritual in South Africa
by Amanda Penn
A Report from Northern Uganda: Excerpt from Traveling Fellowship Update
by Kristin Anne Fleshner
Living in Nampula, Mozambique: Just Left of Paradise
by Caroline Cowan
An Exorcism in Zambia
by Guy William Volk
A Report from Northern Uganda
by Kristin Anne Fleshner
The Timkat Coffee Club
by Joanna Griffin
A Return to the Smallest Country in Africa
by Miranda Paul
Coffee: A Universal Language
by Jenny Williams
From an Ethnic to an African Island
by Sandra Jackson-Opoku
A Review of the Book "Choosing Africa" written by B.Susan Bauer
by Volker Poelzl
Mouth to Mouth
by Kristianne Huntsberger
Letter from Ethiopia: Visitors to Africa’s “Best-Kept Secret” Receive Rich Rewards
by Dr. Clay and Dr. Joanna Hubbs

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 Facts and Information on Africa

BBC News World: Africa provides country profiles on history, politics, economic background, and recent news about Africa.

CIA World Factbook: Africa contains country profiles with background information about Africa.

The Consular Information Sheets: Travel Warnings by the U.S. Department of State, provide useful information for travelers and expatriates on all African countries, including Travel Publications (general travel advice), and much more.

Nations Online Project: Countries of Africa is a destination guide to countries of the world including information and resource links to all African countries.

Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, provides useful history, political, and other information about Africa in general, with links to specific countries.

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 Expatriate Websites and Resources for Africa

Expat.com: Living in Africa as an Expatriate is a worldwide directory of blogs related to expatriate life, with listings for several countries in Africa.

Expat Arrivals: Moving to Africa offers a section that includes resources, and helpful advice on moving and living in most countries in Africa.

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 News and Media in Africa

Africa.com provides "carefully selected news," articles, guides and other resources about the African continent, including country-by-country guides.

AllAfrica distributes over 2000 news and information items daily from over 130 African news organizations as well as their own reporters to an African global public.

BBC News Africa is a daily updated news source covering Africa by one of the most prominent news organizations in the world.

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 Recommended Reading on Africa
Lonely Planet Africa
Lonely Planet West Africa 
Lonely Planet East Africa 
Lonely Planet Southern Africa 
Lonely Planet Africa on a Shoestring
Fodor's The Complete Guide to African Safaris: with South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Victoria Falls 
Rough Guide to Game Parks in Africa
History of Africa
Great Kingdoms of Africa
Ancient African Kingdoms
Africa: A Biography of the Continent
Fate of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence 
Africa Overland: 4x4-Motorbike-Bicycle-Truck

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 Travel Information for Africa

Lonely Planet Africa makes it easier for travelers to deal with the daily challenges independent travelers face on the vast continent: how to get around, where to stay, where to eat, and much more.

Rough Guides Travel Guide Africa describes various attractions and destinations, while also providing practical travel tips about transportation, safety, and other travel essentials.

Morocco Travel Guide offers information for visitors about many destinations in the country and help using the variety of languages.

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