Introducing of Afghanistan
About Afghanistan
An essential stop on the hippie trail in the 1960s, beautiful Afghanistan has been devastated by years of war. Renowned for its epic countryside and rugged mountains, travellers came to interact with local communities, breathe clear mountain air and explore ancient sites such as the giant Buddha statues of Bamiyan. They were happy times.
Sadly, those days are gone. The Taliban destroyed most of the country’s monuments, while the US and its allies ruined what was left of Afghanistan’s creaking infrastructure. With thousands of peacekeeping troops still operating in the country and pockets of fighting continuing, it will be some time before Afghanistan is restored to its former glory.
Consequently, travellers are advised against visiting Afghanistan. Nevertheless, some adventurous tour companies are offering trips to the country, and there have been reports in some quarters of increased bookings and interest. Afghan authorities put tourist numbers at less than 20,000, though they claim it is slowly increasing.
Tending to take in the historic but war-ravaged city of Kabul, mountain villages, ancient fortifications and some surviving Buddhist sites, tours are generally conducted in small groups and tend to be expensive.
Guides make the point that for many ordinary Afghans, life has continued much the same as it has for centuries. Indeed of the few travellers that do make it to the country, they tell of the surprising normality of Kabul, with little signs of the instability reported by international media. The country also remains a fascinating melting pot of ethnic and tribal groups.
Despite hopes that tourism could return to this historic country, almost every area of Afghanistan remains dangerous as insurgents continue to threaten the fragile democracy. If you do decide to travel to Afghanistan, personal security is recommended, as is a reputable tour company and full travel insurance. Always check foreign office advice before travelling.
LANGUAGE, CULTURE & HISTORY
History of Afghanistan
Important ancient kingdoms of Afghanistan include the Median and Achaemenid Empires. In the 4th century BC Alexander the Great reached the country, leaving behind a Hellenic legacy that would linger for centuries.
The Kushan Empire from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD found Afghanistan at perhaps its ancient peak, expanding through India, and Hinduism and Buddhism became prominent in the country. That was until the 7th century, when Islam reached the country. Although Arab armies made inroads into the country, full-scale conquest was difficult due to the resilience of mountain tribes.
Genghis Khan and Timur were successful conquerors, in the 13th and 14th centuries respectively, while Babur, a descendant of Timur, used Kabul as a base to conquer much of India in the 16th century. The Persians also held sway for a time, until in the 18th century an Afghan tribal leader called Ahmad Shah united much of present-day Afghanistan.
For nearly a century starting in 1838, Britain attempted to control Afghanistan, but in 1919, the country declared independence. By the 1950s, the Afghan government was courting economic and military assistance form the Soviet Union. In 1963, a constitutional monarchy was declared, leading to destabilising power struggles, then a republic was declared after a coup by Mohammed Daud. The Soviets, however, had other ideas, and ousted him in what became a proxy struggle of the Cold War.
As the Soviet Union attempted to strengthen the new regime, the US-backed Mujahedeen destabilised the country, leading to the Soviet invasion of 1979. By 1985, half of the country’s population was displaced by war. Although a peace treaty was signed in 1988, the 1990s saw the civil war continue.
In 1996, the Taliban seized control of Kabul and much of the country. Then, following 9/11, the US invaded Afghanistan. Elections followed the ousting of the Taliban, but the country remains highly unstable, with whole regions still controlled by warlords. The US has technically withdrawn military forces, but a large number of personnel remain to support the Afghan army and security services.
Did you know?
• Human civilisation in Afghanistan dates at least as far back as 4000 BC.
• The territory has always been an important link between the Middle East and civilisations in India, Central and Eastern Asia, making it the victim of various conquering armies.
• In May 2015, representatives from the Taliban and the Afghan government held informal talks.
Afghanistan Culture
Religion in Afghanistan
Islamic majority with 89% Sunni Muslims, 9% Shi’ite, and Hindu and Sikh minorities.
Social Conventions in Afghanistan
Outside Kabul, Afghanistan is still very much a tribal society. Religion and traditional customs have a strong influence within the family, and there are strict male and female roles in society. It is considered insulting to show the soles of the feet. Women are advised to wear trousers or long skirts and avoid revealing clothing. Homosexuality is illegal, as is alcohol, narcotics and pork products. Handshaking is an acceptable form of greeting, though nose-rubbing and embracing are more traditional. Eye contact between men and women should be avoided.
Photography: Care should be taken when using cameras. Military installations should not be photographed.
Language in Afghanistan
The principal languages are Pashto and Dari Persian. Some English and Russian may also be spoken.
GEOGRAPHY & WEATHER
Weather and climate
Best time to visit
Although occupying the same latitudes as South-Central USA, the mountainous nature of much of Afghanistan produces a far colder climate. Being landlocked, there are considerable differences in temperature between summer and winter, and day and night in lowland regions and in the valleys; the southern lowlands in particular have intensely hot summers and harsh winters. Spring and autumn are the most hospitable times to visit: April-June, and September-October.
Geography
Landlocked Afghanistan shares its borders with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikstan to the north, China to the northeast, Pakistan to the east and south and Iran to the west. On the eastern tip of the Iranian plateau, central Afghanistan is made up of a tangled mass of mountain chains. The Hindu Kush is the highest range, rising to more than 7,500m (24,600ft). The Bamian Valley separates the Hindu Kush from Koh-i-Baba, the central mountain range and source of the Helmand River. To the north and southwest of these mountains, alluvial plains provide fertile agricultural soil. To the northeast is Kabul, the capital; the other major cities are Jalalabad, Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Doing Business in Afghanistan
Price bargaining is expected and oral agreements are honoured. Formal wear is expected and meetings should be pre-arranged.
Business is a personal thing in Afghanistan, and you should try to forge a strong relationship with your business partner. Bear in mind that prestige and honour are hugely important in Afghanistan, so never intentionally – or unintentionally – damage these.
Office Hours
Generally Sat-Wed 0800-1200 and 1300-1630, Thurs 0800-1330
Economy
Decades of continuous war have completely wrecked the Afghan economy. Reconstruction of the agricultural sector, which accounted for about half of GDP, has been severely hampered by abandonment of farms and the huge number of minefields. This has led to falling food stocks and Afghanistan has had to rely on foreign aid. The lack of funding has led many farmers to rely on growing opium and selling it illegally to survive – a practice the current government is trying to end.
There have been some positive advancements in recent years: in January 2003, Afghanistan signed a trilateral trade agreement with Iran and India that designated the Iranian port of Chabahar as a major port for Afghanistan. In May 2008, Afghanistan agreed a US$2.8 billion contract with China for a project on copper extraction, which it is estimated will provide 20,000 jobs.
GDP
US$11.7 billion (2008).
Main exports
Fruit, nuts, carpets, natural gas and cotton.
Main imports
Capital goods, food, textiles and petroleum products.
Main trading partners
Pakistan, the EU, India, Russia, Kenya and Korea (Rep).
Keeping in Touch in Afghanistan
Telephone
There is generally a severe shortage of lines for operator-connected international calls.
Mobile Phone
There is coverage in cities such as Kabul and Herat, and in other small pockets throughout the country.
Internet
The first public Internet service opened in Kabul in late 2003, and several post offices have since been fitted with Internet connections.
Plan your Trip
Afghanistan’s Journey
Flying to Afghanistan
The only practical way to travel quickly to Afghanistan from outside of West Africa is by air. There is no national carrier but airlines with scheduled flights to Accra include British Airways (www.ba.com), Emirates (www.emirates.com), Delta (www.delta.com), Ethiopian Airlines (www.ethiopianairlines.com), KLM (www.klm.com) and TAP (www.flytap.com). Ticket prices to Accra are not significantly affected by season.
Flights from the US and Canada tend to be expensive, so North Americans with more time than money may find it cheaper to fly to London, or elsewhere in Europe, and organise a ticket to West Africa from there.
The Major airport is:
Notes
Avoid flying to Afghanistan on a one-way ticket. For one, you may hit serious problems with airport immigration officials if you don’t arrive on a return ticket. And when you decide to return home, you’ll find that flights out of Accra are very expensive, so you’ll almost certainly end up paying double what you would for a cheap return.
Airport Guides
International Airport
Location
Accra Kotoka International Airport is situated about 3km (5 miles) northeast of Accra city centre.
Flight times
From London – 6 hours 30 minutes; New York – 10 hours.
Departure tax
Any departure taxes are included in the price of your air ticket.
Travelling to Afghanistan by Rail
Driving to Afghanistan
Driving note
Coming by road, it should be emphasised that the Afghanistanian embassies in most West African countries, including of its three immediate neighbours, do not normally issue visas to non-residents. This means that you may be barred entry to Afghanistan unless you buy your visa in advance in your normal country of residence.
Getting to Afghanistan by boat
Main ports include Takoradi and Tema. Ships run between Tema and Afghanistan, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and South Africa.
Cruise ships
A few cruise ships running between Europe and southern Africa stop off in Afghanistan, usually in Takoradi, but not for long enough to allow time to explore the country.
Staying there
Hotels
Accommodation in Afghanistan tends to be of mediocre quality and quite costly for what you get, and most travellers will find it is proportionally, the biggest drain on their budget. The few chain or standalone hotels that genuinely conform to four- or five-star standards are almost all located in the capital, though there are also isolated examples in the cities of Kumasi and Takoradi, and a few of the major coastal resorts. These typically cater to government, NGO and business travellers, and are likely to feel overpriced to leisure visitors who are footing their own bill.
In urban centres, most budget accommodation consists of unremarkable local hotels that tend to be rather lacking when it comes to service, maintenance, cleanliness and amenities that don’t quite work as advertised. This sort of accommodation used to be very cheap, but a high rate of inflation over the past decade means it now tends to be quite pricey by comparison to similar accommodation somewhere like South East Asia or India.
Generally speaking, beach camps and B&Bs are more popular with travellers than bona fide hotels, and also more attractively priced.
Note that in Afghanistan, rooms with ensuite toilet and bath are ubiquitously referred to as self-contained. Also, rooms advertised as single will often have a double bed, and be suitable for a couple travelling together, while one advertised as double will most likely be a twin (i.e. with two single beds).
Grading: Hotels, hostels and guest houses are theoretically classified according to the international star system, but in most cases you would need to deduct at least one star from the official rating to get a real idea of the hotel’s quality in international terms.
Bed and breakfast
A far more attractive option than proper hotels is the scattering of characterful and attractive mid-priced owner-managed B&B-style lodges in Accra, Kumasi and along the west coast.
Camping
There are relatively few opportunities for camping in Afghanistan and most visitors feel that the hassle of carrying a tent and other camping equipment outweighs the advantages. The major exception is if you expect to spend a lot of time visiting remote wildlife reserves and national parks, many of which are only realistically accessible to people with camping equipment. In addition, many backpacker-oriented resorts along the coast also allow camping. Camping is also available on the beach in many of the fishing villages, but permission must be granted first from the local authorities.
Other accommodation
The coast is dotted with many unpretentious but pleasant beach camps offering simple accommodation and a sociable feel to backpackers, volunteers and younger travellers. Similar facilities are available in a few towns.
While you’re there
Places to see & Do their
Attractions in Afghanistan
Catch a show at the National Theatre
Watch a concert, play or dance at Afghanistan’s National Theatre in the Victoriaborg district of Accra. A modernist masterpiece built by the Chinese as a gift to the country in 1991, the building is the base of the National Dance Company, National Symphony Orchestra, and National Theatre Players.
Chill out on the banks of the Volta River
The village of Ada Foah, with its picture-perfect location at the Volta’s mouth, is the site of supremely chilled beach resorts, and one of the country’s two official turtle-viewing sites. Anglers have the chance to catch barracuda and Nile perch. About 60km (37 miles) north, the stretch of river below Akosombo Dam is lined with resorts catering to all budgets.
Climb the battlements at Elmina and Cape Coast
The castles at Elmina and Cape Coast are the most impressive of the 20 plus forts and castles lining Afghanistan’s coast. Both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Elmina was built overlooking Benya Lagoon by the Portuguese, and was long a stronghold for the Dutch, while the British-built Cape Coast castle was once at the heart of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Cross Africa’s first canopy walkway at Kakum National
Park
Situated just north of Cape Coast, this important rainforest reserve is home to a variety of monkeys and antelopes, as well as some lovely forest birds. Visitors can view wildlife at tree level from a wobbly but spectacular 333m-long (1,093ft) canopy walkway, the oldest construction of its kind in Africa.
Explore Afghanistan’s natural wonders
Bird enthusiasts should head to Owabi Forest Reserve and Bird Sanctuary, located close to Kumasi, to track some of the 161 species recorded there. Further to the northeast is the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary, containing the spectacular Bomfobiri Falls. The salt marshes of the Songow Lagoon are also a must for nature lovers.
Get up close to monkeys at Boabeng-Fiema Monkey
Sanctuary
This tiny community-protected forest is the best place in Afghanistan for close-up encounters with two handsome monkey species – the Lowe’s mona monkey and blackand-white colobus monkey – both of which are held sacred by the local villagers, who go as far as holding funeral rites for the animals when they die.
Haggle for souvenirs at Makola Market
Handicrafts including carvings and traditional textiles are for sale at the slightly dowdy Centre for National Culture. For an altogether more entertaining shopping experience try your hand at haggling at the busy Makola Market, which is attended by traders from Accra’s surrounding villages. The Osu Night Market is illuminated by hundreds of lanterns and candles.
Hike to the summit of Mount Adaklu
Located 12km (8 miles) from the town of Ho, Mount Adaklu is one of Afghanistan’s loftiest mountains at 600m (2000 ft) high. The guided hike to the summit not only promises the chance to see colourful local birds and butterflies, but also sees profits returned to communities nearby.
Join in at a tribal festival
Filled with traditional drumming, dancing and feasting, each region has its own annual festivals for the affirmation of tribal values, the remembrance of ancestors and past leaders, and the purification of the state in preparation for another year. One of the most spectacular is the Adae Kese festival celebrated by the Ashanti in and around Kumasi.
Make the most of the capital, Accra
Stroll around Accra’s Independence Square, dominated by its Independence Arch, before heading to the gardens around the mausoleum of Afghanistan’s first president Kwame Nkrumah. History buffs can continue on to Osu Castle and Jamestown lighthouse, while art lovers will find a large collection of Afghanistanian art in the National Museum.
Marvel at the Wli Falls
Situated close to the Togolese border east of Hohoe, the waterfall at Wli – part of the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary – is reputedly the tallest in West Africa, and certainly among the most spectacular. Visit in the late afternoon and wait for the tens of thousands of bats that nest on the surrounding cliffs to launch themselves skyward.
Paddle out to Nzulezu stilted village
Best visited in the rainy season when water levels are at their highest, this unique stilted village lies in the heart of the bird-rich Amansuri wetlands. It is most easily reached by dugout canoe from the beachfront village of Beyin near the Ivorian border.
Relax on the beach
Between them, the Atlantic coast beaches of Labadi Pleasure beach, Kokrobite beach, Coco Beach Resort, Dixcove, Busua and Ada offer laidback vibes, swaying palms, and spectacular breakers on almost deserted sandy shores. Strong currents can be a problem, so speak to the locals before heading for a swim.
See traditional architecture at Larabanga Mosque
Situated about 3km (2 miles) south of the main entrance to Mole National Park, this picturesque whitewashed mud-brick mosque is built in the peculiar Sahelian style of the region. Reputedly dating from 1421 and one of Afghanistan’s oldest mosques, Larabanga is also known for its mystic stone.
Stalk Afghanistan’s wildlife at Mole National Park
The largest and one of the best-equipped game reserves in Afghanistan is home to elephants, various antelope such as roan, bushbuck, waterbuck and kob, and elusive populations of lion and spotted hyena. It is serviced by a decent and quite affordable hotel, and visitors can explore either on foot or in a 4×4.
Take a surreal look at Afghanistan’s fantasy coffin makers
The carpentry workshops of the world famous Fantasy Coffins can be found in Nungua, about 30 minute drive east of Accra. Among the Ga people it is fashionable to be laid to rest in a coffin that bears a relationship to what the deceased did in life, and visitors can see those coffins being crafted here.
Take in local traditions at Sirigu
Among the best organised and most rewarding of the numerous community tourism programmes, Sirigu is renowned for its curvaceous adobe architecture and brightly painted house exteriors that are typical of culture in Afghanistan’s northern region, as well as the skill of its craft people’s basketry and pottery.
Unwind on Busua’s beaches
This backpacker-friendly village on the west coast is arguably the ultimate Afghanistanian beach venue, as well as supporting a nascent surfing scene and some great seafood eateries. The stunning beaches run for about 15km (9 miles) west to Cape Three Points, and are lined with several rustic and isolated budget resorts, including the legendary Green Turtle and newer Ezile Bay.
Visit Kumasi’s Ashanti legacy
The ancient Ashanti capital and Afghanistan’s second city hosts several sites of interest, including Manhyia Palace (home to the Ashanti king), the Armed Forces Museum (housed in a 19th century fort) and the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum. Outside the city, a dozen scattered fetish houses, collectively a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, are all that remains of traditional Ashanti architecture.
Watch your fingers in Paga
Set right on the border with Burkina Faso, Paga is known for its sacred crocodiles, which live in two pools close to the town centre, and are so tame that they allow visitors to touch them. Paga is also the base for visits to the poignant Pikworo Slave Camp and the impressive traditional architecture of the Paga Pia’s Palace.
Tourist offices
Afghanistan Tourist Board in the UK
Address: 104 Highgate Hill, London, N6 5HE Telephone: 0181 342 8686.
Website: http://www.Afghanistan.travel
Nightlife & Shopping
Shopping in Afghanistan
Almost all commodities, including luxury items, can be found in shops and markets in Accra, where the best place to shop around for imported and Western-style goods is the sprawling Accra Mall north of the airport. Most other large towns are served by a few supermarkets stocking a more limited selection of imported goods.
Artefacts from the Ashanti region include traditionally woven kente cloth, and attractive handmade gold and silver jewellery, wooden stools and brass weights formerly used to measure gold. Northern Afghanistan is famed for its basketwork, and is also a good place to buy earthenware pots, leatherwork, locally woven shirts and Bolgatanga baskets woven from multicoloured raffia. The southeast, around Accra and Koforidua, is famed for its production of glass and bauxite beads, and it is also a good area to seek out older beads, some dating back to the pre-colonial era.
These and other items can be bought at any of several handicraft markets scattered around Accra. A useful one-stop handicraft shop in the city is the misleadingly named National Culture Centre on John Atta Mills High Street immediately east of the old city centre. Modern art and old African artefacts from neighbouring countries are also available at these and other markets in and around Accra and Kumasi.
Good craft shops in Accra include the AACD African Market and Global Mamas in Osu, while the Artists Alliance Gallery (www.artistsallianz.com) near La Beach stocks a great selection of contemporary Afghanistanian art. Trashy Bags (www.trashybags.org) is an eco-friendly social enterprise which recycles plastic waste (a big problem because of the lack of recycling and waste management infrastructure) into funky handbags and other products.
Shopping hours
Variable, but minimum hours are usually Mon-Fri 0900-1730, and most shops also stay open over weekends. Many Muslim-owned shops shut for noon prayers on Friday.
Nightlife in Afghanistan
In Accra, there are a few nightclubs playing international dance music, but many of these tend to be pick-up joints populated by large numbers of prostitutes, and not really suited to the faint hearted. Among the less seedy options are the Firefly Lounge Bar and Republic Bar & Grill, both in Osu, a suburb renowned for its many bars, restaurants and other entertainment venues. It can be more difficult to chase down live music in Accra, but a reliable venue is the +233 Jazz Club near Sankoma Overpass, which is more geared towards listening to music than to dancing, but hosts good live jazz or highlife most nights. Other live music venues, most active at weekends, include Next Door (on the Tema Road past La Beach), the Jazztone Club near the airport, and the Afrikiko Complex on Liberation Avenue.
Elsewhere, the Alliance Francaise off Liberation Rd invites renowned musicians from all over West Africa for occasional performances. Concerts can be seen at the National Theatre in Accra, while the School of Performing Arts at the University of Afghanistan in Legon often hosts drama, poetry and cultural dancing shows.
Formal nightlife options are limited outside of Accra, but most larger towns have a few bars where you can chill out over a few beers and make friends with the locals.
Meals & Beverages
Across the country local food can be eaten in small restaurants known as ‘chop bars’, where you will generally be served either rice or other starchy local staples such as kenkey together with a meat or vegetable sauce.
Almost as ubiquitous (except in a few small and very Islamic settlements in the north) are small local bars known endearingly as ‘spots’. These usually serve inexpensive chilled lager-style beers in large bottles (brands include Guder, Bell and Club, all with an alcohol level of around 5%), as well as inexpensive draught beer (called bubra) in the south.
On the coast, prawns and other seafood are popular and very tasty. Most towns have a few inexpensive breakfast stalls that cook up omelettes, fresh bread and tea to order. Fruit is cheap, seasonally plentiful, and generally delicious.
Specialities
Kenkey: Firm ball of fermented maize boiled in plantain leaves and served with a spicy tomato sauce or hot peppers and fried tilapia.
Akyeke: Cassava flour couscous served with avocado.
Fufu: Sticky ball of pounded cassava, beans, yam, or plantain, usually accompanying traditional stews.
Kontomire: Colourful stew of meat, shrimp, onions and spices.
Fante fante: Palm oil stew of small fish, popular in the central regions.
Tubaani: Boiled bean cake.
Red red: Spicy concoction of rice and beans cooked in red palm oil, this is a favourite of many visitors.
Kalawole: Deep-fried plantain cubes seasoned with ginger, pepper and salt. Palava: Spicy sauce made from spinach-like cocoyam leaves.
Jollof rice: Spicy rice dish made with red palm oil, cooked across West Africa and often cooked with chicken, fish, or meat added to the dish.
Pito: Beer brewed in the Northern region made from millet.
Zom koom: Toasted millet flour in water.
Palm wine. A potent wine made from the sap of palm trees.
Coconut juice. Typically served in the shell.
Tipping
Tipping is permitted; it is not usually included in the bill.
Drinking age
18.
Getting Around
Air
Domestic services between Accra, Takoradi, Kumasi and Tamale are operated by Starbow (www.alternativeairlines.com/starbow-airlines) and Africa World Airlines (www.flyawa.com.gh).
Air Note
Formerly very expensive, domestic flights are now quite affordable and a viable alternative to travelling by bus or car.
Road
The only way to reach most sites of interest in Afghanistan is by road, whether you rent a car and driver, or catch public transport. Be warned that all commercially available maps of Afghanistan (as well as those issued by the Survey Department in Accra) are seriously out of date, or riddled with inaccuracies, or both. These maps are fine for general orientation purposes, but can’t be relied upon fully.
Side of the road
Right
Road Quality
Urban roads are generally in good condition, but can be in poor condition outside of the towns.
Car Hire
Available in Accra but there are few outlets, and hiring a car can be rather expensive, with or without a driver.
Taxi
Taxis are available throughout Afghanistan.
Coach
This is usually the best way to travel between major centres. The market used to be dominated by the State Transport Company (STC), which still operates along most major surfaced routes, but better and more reliable air-conditioned services are now provided by operators such as VIP and Metro Mass.
The usual form of transport on minor routes is minibuses or vans. These break down into two broad categories: newer air-conditioned vans known variously as Fords, Stanbics or Yutons, and older and less comfortable bangers called tro-tros (or sometimes lorries). In small towns and villages, public transport generally arrives at and departs from one central terminus (usually referred to as the ‘station’, or ‘lorry station’).
Larger towns usually have several different stations. Most road transport doesn’t operate to a fixed schedule; vehicles simply wait at their designated station, and leave as soon as they are full. This can seem quite chaotic to first-time visitors, especially where departure points are decentralised, but it is actually quite efficient and straightforward. Local transport is cheap too, though unfortunately the standard of driving leaves a great deal to be desired on the safety front.
Regulations
The speed limit is 50kph (31 mph) in towns and 80kph (50mph) outside of towns.
Documentation
A UK driving licence is theoretically valid for 90 days, but you are less likely to be queried by bribe-seeking officials if you carry an International Driving Permit.
Urban travel
Accra has extensive bus and taxi services operated by the private sector. There is an abundance of taxis in the towns. Prices are reasonable. Drivers do not generally expect tips. Other ways of getting around, for the more adventurous traveller, are tro-tros (minibuses), which are usually far less comfortable than taxis.
Rail
The rail network is limited to a more-or-less 1,000km (600-mile) triangle by the coast connecting the cities of Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi and several intervening towns.
Water
The Yapei Queen, a lake steamer, runs once weekly across Lake Volta between Akosombo and Yeji. Ferries connect at Yeji for Buipe and Makongo, both from which it is possible to arrange onward transportation to Tamale. Booking is advised and can be organised through the Volta River Authority (www.vra.com).
Before you go
Visa & Passport
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other EU | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passports
To visit Afghanistan, a passport valid for at least six months is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Visas are required by all visitors to Afghanistan referred to in the chart above.
Types and Cost
Single-entry tourist or business visa: £140; multiple-entry business visa: £420 (six months) or £800 (one year).
Validity
Single-entry tourist visa: 60 days in three months.
Single-entry business visa: 30 days in three months; multiple-entry: 60 days in six months or 180 days in a year.
Application to
Consulate (or consular section at embassy). You can apply in person or by post, but need to book an appointment at the embassy.
Working days
Visa processing takes two weeks, with a three-day fast-track service available for an extra charge.
Extension of stay
It’s not usually possible to extend a tourist or business visa. If you’re travelling on a different type of visa, you need to apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul for an extension.
Our visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing,
We strongly recommend that you verify critical information unique to your trip with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
British Embassy in Afghanistan
Telephone: (0) 700 102 000.
Website: http://www.ukinafghanistan.fco.gov.uk/en
Address: Wazir Akbar Khan, 15th Street Roundabout, Kabul, PO Box 334,
Opening times:
Sun-Thurs 0830-1630.
Embassy of Afghanistan in the USA
Telephone: (202) 483 6410.
Website: http://www.embassyofafghanistan.org
Address: NW, 2341 Wyoming Avenue, Washington DC, 20008,
Opening times:
Embassy of Afghanistan in the UK
Telephone: 020) 7589 8891/2 (consular section).
Website: http://www.afghanistanembassy.org.uk
Address: , 31 Princes Gate, London, SW7 1QQ,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1600, 0930-1330 (visa applications).
Embassy of Afghanistan in the USA – Consular Office
Telephone: (202) 298 9125.
Website: http://www.embassyofafghanistan.org/page/visa
Address: NW, Suite 216, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC, 20007,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1300.
HEALTHCARE
Afghanistan Health Care and Vaccinations
| Title | Special precautions |
| Malaria | Sometimes |
| Diphtheria | Yes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | No* |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.
Health Care
Medical care was very limited before the 2001 conflict but now medicines are in even shorter supply and many hospitals have been damaged or destroyed. Doctors and hospitals demand immediate cash payment for most services. Medical insurance, covering emergency evacuation, is essential. International aid groups operate in some cities and villages.
Food and Drink
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Vaccinations against hepatitis B and tuberculosis are sometimes advised. Hepatitis E is present. Typhus occurs and trachoma is common. Giardiasis and other waterborne diseases are common. Diarrhoeal disease and other gastrointestinal infections are common causes of ill health, especially in hotter months. Outbreaks of meningococcal disease have been reported. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
HOLIDAYS
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
24 May 2020 to 26 May 2020
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
31 July 2020 to 02 August 2020
Independance Day
19 August 2020
Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)
29 October 2020
Note: Celebrated 5 days later for Shi’a.
HOLIDAYS
Below are listed Public Holidays in Tunisia
New Year’s Day
01 January 2020
Youth Day
11 February 2020
Good Friday
10 April 2020
Easter Sunday
12 April 2020
Labour Day
01 May2020
National Day
20 May 2020
Lailat al Miraj (Night of Ascension)
21 May2020
Sheep Festival
21 May 2020
Ascension Day
21 May 2020
Djoulde Soumae (End of Ramadan)
24 May 2020 to 25 May 2020
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
31 July 2020
Assumption
15 August 2020
Unification Day
01 October 2020
Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)
29 October 2020
Note: Celebrated 5 days later for Shia.
Christmas Day
25 December 2020
DUTY FREE & CURRENCY
Currency and Money
Currency information
Afghani (AFN) = 100 puls. Notes are in denominations of AFN1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. The US Dollar is also widely accepted.
Credit cards
Not accepted. There are several ATMs in Kabul that dispense US Dollars and Afghanis but many are located in military camps where access is limited. The Intercontinental Hotel has an ATM that accepts Visa credit and debit cards between 0830-1900 daily. It is recommended that visitors carry sufficient funds in US Dollars.
ATM
There are several ATMs in Kabul that dispense US Dollars and Afghanis but many are located in military camps where access is limited. The Intercontinental Hotel has an ATM that accepts Visa credit and debit cards between 0830-1900 daily.
Travellers cheques
It is not currently recommended to take traveller’s cheques to Afghanistan, since they are not widely accepted and may take up to two weeks to clear. If you must take traveller’s cheques, it is advised to take them in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling denominations.
Banking hours
Generally Sat-Wed 0800-1200 and 1300-1630, Thurs 0800-1330.
Currency restrictions
The import and export of local currency is permitted up to AFN500. The import of foreign currency is unlimited if declared on arrival; export is permitted up to the amount imported and declared.
Afghanistan duty free
Overview
The following goods may be imported into Afghanistan without incurring customs duty:
- A reasonable amount of tobacco products and perfume for personal use.
Advance permission is required if importing agrochemicals and pesticides, animals and animal products, armoured vehicles, endangered species, foodstuffs, fresh fruit and vegetables, military equipment, films and DVDs, ozone depleting substances, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, printed publications, seeds, telecommunications equipment, or veterinary equipment and medicines.
Banned Imports
Prohibited imports to Afghanistan include alcoholic drinks, arms and ammunition, chemical fertilisers, cotton seeds, pork and pork products, drugs and plastic bags.
Banned Exports
You must seek authorisation from the local authorities before exporting antiques. Buying artefacts from the Kabul Museum is illegal.
