One of the downsides to going to Africa is the preparation- while a trip to the UK usually just involves purchasing a ticket and hopping of the plane that is not the case for Africa. That being said if you are well organized it really is easy to go through the extra steps.
Getting there part one: The visa:
Countries have a fun way of getting back at each other for treatment of citizens and that is the visa process, since African visitors are forced to apply for travel visas to come to America the same is required of Americans going there. The price of the visa usually correlates so that both countries are charging the same amount (between $30 and $100). Luckily for US citizens however, you are much more likely to get a visa going there then any African is coming here (sorry Claire!). While some countries allow you to purchase a visa at the airport others require you to have it before leaving so it is worth checking with the country's embassy first. Also if you are like me and have an unforeseen night in Nairobi because you missed your connecting flight, there are often transit visas that are cheaper and easily granted if you are only in country for 24 or 48 hours. Even if you can get your visa upon arrival I HIGHLY recommend getting it in advance anyway. For one it is cheaper, two in Africa things move pole pole (slowly) so you can end up spending a lot longer in the immigration line then you would if you already had it (in Zambia they even let me through the diplomatic line they were so pleased that I already had mine). Also know that when applying for your visa they usually will want to know where you are going to stay as well as proof that you are leaving the country so you need to book your flight and have your hotel confirmation before the application.
Vaccinations: Thanks to all the super fantastic bugs that are in Africa (one time I found a neon-orange furry thing it was pretty cool). It is in some cases recommended and in others required that you have vaccinations. Yellow fever is the big one: countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and others will not let you in the country if you do not have proof of your yellow fever vaccination (only the Kilimanjaro airport ever checked me). While I have not confirmed this, my friend swears a Kenyan airline flight from Dubai to South Africa (which does not require the yellow fever vaccination) told the Nairobi stop over group that they would need to have it. So if you are even stopping over in one that requires a vaccination I advise that you get it. The shot is a good investment anyway because they are good for ten years and after your first trip to Africa you are going to want to go back pretty much immediately.
The other absolute necessity would be malaria tablets, I personally have taken doxy both times (makes you have fun rashes in the sun and does a number on your tummy). I have not found it too difficult to take but in this case talk to your physician about what is right for you. If taking the malaria tablet gives you horrible reactions and ruins your holiday I have known people to skip taking them (NOT a doctor don't take my word for it). With a lot of bug spray and good use of your mosquito net you can combat most chances for a bite anyway. However the bugs are way worse in the rainy season so please be aware of the time you are going and the risks involved. George Clooney has had malaria a few times and he has not found it fun. Like I said, I know people who have gone without and been fine but it is not recommended.
Aside from these two necessities the rest is up to you and you ought to consider the kind of situation you will be in when determining what other shots to get. I got Hep B and Hep A because after two shots you are good for ten years and it is worth the investment. I also got the meningitis vaccine when I knew that Northern Ghana had had an outbreak and that I would be working with children. I have never had the rabbis shots because the hurt the most and I really dont plan on playing with any stray dogs. Another aside about the rabbis shot- without a shot you have 24 hours to find a doctor, with one of the five shots you have 48 hours to get the next one. There are five shots in total I believe.
Transportation
It never hurts to have your big transport requests arranged for before you leave (to and from airport & hotel). There are not fancy official cab stands at African airports the way there are at JFK so it is kind of just a mad house of people hoping to get you to be your customer. While your physical safety is unlikely to be threatened (well maybe Nairobi also known as Nai-robbery). Instead what they are likely to do is charge you about ten times the amount of the actual fare for your riding. Saying that though they tried to rip us off all the time in Ghana and charge us a whole 2 cidis for a twenty minute ride (think $2) instead of the actual 90 cents it costs. So while you will be ripped off if you dont know the cost of the fair, it is nothing like what NY cabbies can do to your wallet. Another way to prepare before you go is simply ask the hotel how much a cab ride should cost (you always agree on the fare before getting into the cab). Once you tell a cabbie you know how much the ride costs and wont go for anything other than X they will usually just laugh it off and take you for that amount.
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