Cheap flights to Africa

With an ancient history dating back to 3300 BC, Africa has an indefinable mystery and allure surrounding it, and each country within this large continent differs dramatically. The North African countries – Morocco, Egypt or Tunisia are closer in culture to the Arab countries, whereas South Africa is a multicultural melting pot with strong Dutch and British roots. Most of the other countries including Nigeria, Sudan and Mali retain their rich African heritage.

Coming off a flight to Africa is an experience that even the most jaded visitor never forgets, but it’s important to plan your trip right since it is such a vast continent. If you’re interested in a trip to safari then visit Kenya for the most impressive wildlife and the best organised tours. Or if history is your forte, where better to revel in the past than the ancient land of the pyramids and pharaohs? Visit Egypt for an experience of a lifetime. But if your idea of the perfect holiday is to spend lazy days on unspoilt beaches, then book flights to Africa’s popular island – Zanzibar in Tanzania.

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Africa climate

The weather throughout the African continent is generally the same: warm year round. But the North African countries including Egypt and Tunisia tend to be extremely hot between the months of June and September. High season is from September to April when the weather’s milder.

When is the best time to fly to Africa?

The best time for game watching and safari is in mid-summer, specifically July when the rainy season is over.

South Africa enjoys its high season in December and January when hoards of tourists visit its cities but flights and accommodation are pricier during this period. Try to avoid visiting in from September to January when the gale winds blow wildly.

Countries closer to the Indian Ocean, Tanzania and Mauritius for example, have a heavy tropical rainy season that runs anywhere from January to March or even until June in some countries. For the best weather book a flight to Africa anytime between June and October but try to avoid the scorching heat from December to March.

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How long is the flight to Africa?

When travelling from Singapore on flights to Africa, you will be departing from Changi International Airport (SIN). Three popular destinations for cheap flights to Africa are Johannesburg, Nairobi and Cairo. There are direct flights from Singapore to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (JNB), with a flight time of around 10h 40min. When you book flights to Africa, keep in mind that there are no direct flights to either Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Cairo International Airport (CAI) from Singapore. When you book flights to Africa, you can look at one-stop options to either of those cities with Etihad and Emirates. Expect to travel around 14h 40min to Nairobi and about 13h 50min to Cairo.

What is the best way to travel around Africa?

Given the size of this continent, flying is a viable option for getting around. When you compare flights to Africa, keep in mind the difference of cost in terms of time or Africa airfare. Egypt, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria are the four anchor points of the continent, spanning north, south, east and west, which is very much reflected in the patterns of air travel between these countries. Popular city pairings for Africa flight deals include Johannesburg to Cape Town, Nairobi to Mombasa and Cairo to Alexandria.

What do I need to do before my flight to Africa?

As you search for deals on cheap flights to Africa, make sure that you have a passport that is valid for at least six months from your date of return to ensure you don’t run into any problems at passport control in either Singapore or Johannesburg and Cape Town. Singaporean citizens do not need a visa to visit Southern Africa so that’s a bonus when you decide on flying to Africa. You do not need a yellow fever vaccination for South Africa, but if you’re also taking in neighbouring countries like Mozambique, it’s a good idea to chat to your doctor about preventative measures for malaria. You will also need either a cell phone with a great camera or an actual camera to document your trip.

What are some things to do in Africa?

You should definitely consider an iconic safari which would mean a trip to the Kruger National Park. Also, you’d be remiss if you didn’t take in Cape Town with its gorgeous beaches and Table Mountain. When you book flights to Africa, see if you can get a special from JNB-CPT, or even to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), which is the closest major airport to the Kruger Park. The pyramids in Cairo and the Serengeti in East Africa are also options.

What is good to know if travelling to Africa?

• History buffs should head to Tunisia where they’ll find ancient Roman ruins in Carthage and Roman mosaics in the Unesco World-Heritage protected Medina. Libya is another fascinating North African country that boasts remnants of Greek and Roman civilizations. And Egypt, of course, is undeniably the mecca of archaeologists and historians.
• Many travellers would pick the Caribbean when searching for a beach destination, but Africa has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, for example, has some of the best diving and fishing in the area. While the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania has been dubbed “paradise” by many visitors because of its turquoise waters.
• Zebras running in the wild, elephants brushing up against your jeep; these are the images of safari, and Kenya offers visitors an authentic safari experience in game lodges and tented camps. Less popular than South Africa, but virtually untouched, is Botswana – home to the spectacular Okavango Delta. Here, you’ll find a 5,850 sq. mile inland flood plain filled with waterways, forests, islands and stunning wildlife.
• If Lawrence of Arabia ever inspired you to ride on a horse through the endless desert, then you’ll get your wish in Mali. This West African country sits on the edge of the Sahara, the world’s largest desert, where nomads and camels ride in from the legendary city of Timbuktu.
• Safaris, beaches, nightlife and history: South Africa combines them all seamlessly. Head to Cape Town and visit the infamous Robben Island prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned under Apartheid. Then take the cable car up to Table Mountain and enjoy the sensational views of the city.

Thinking of planning a safari holiday in Africa? We’ve found the best safari destinations in Africa and beyond in our Safari Holidays travel tip.