Long gone are the days when the only sides of Africa that you could experience were those which made their way onto the itineraries provided by popular holiday and local tour companies. These days, the existence of some excellent independent information sources - both in print and on the internet - have made travelling the world's second-largest continent considerably easier. Big names in the world of travel literature such as Lonely Planet and Rough Guides produce books giving a complete lowdown on Africa's most popular visitor destinations. Basic maps are often included in guidebooks but for more detailed versions, companies such as Globetrotter offer some excellent comprehensive maps. The internet contains a wealth of information about visiting Africa; some sources are reliable and up-to-date while others are not so accurate. Popular travel blog sites are perhaps the best source of honest information out there.
