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Travel
Safety
Southern Africa is in general a safe destination
for international travelers. However, it is wise to take
certain standard security precautions while traveling. These
precautions should be applied while traveling anywhere in
the world. Following basic advice can avoid most potential
problems.
Most safaris take place in remote wildlife
areas and game reserves, away from villages, towns and cities.
This means that you will most probably not find other people
around, except those who look after your every need while
on safari! The transfers (by road, air or water) between
airports, hotels and lodges are operated by reputable companies
or by the properties themselves. This means that you will
not be unattended at any time during your safari.
A few tips to consider are the following:
make photocopies of your passport, airline tickets, driver’s
license and other important documentation. Also keep a record
of the numbers of your traveler’s cheques. These should
be kept in a safe place. Rather leave expensive jewellery
at home.
When in towns and cities, do not carry
large amounts of cash in your pocket. Keep enough for the
expenses of the day and place the rest in a safety deposit
box at the hotel/lodge or money pouch under your shirt.
Also be discreet with an expensive camera or jewellery.
Take note of onlookers and keep your possessions in sight
at all times to avoid opportunistic theft. Make use of your
hotel safety deposit box for expensive items. Never leave
baggage or personal items unattended, especially at airports.
It is best not to wander around the streets after dark.
If you are travelling in a car (self drive
safari), it is important to lock all the car doors and keep
the windows as far up as possible. Plan ahead and know which
route you intend to take using clear maps. When leaving
your car, do not leave your purse or bag lying on the passenger
seat in clear view - rather keep them in the car boot. Never
pick up hitchhikers. South Africa and Namibia and ideal
self-drive destinations.
Personal Safety: This is of concern when
you travel anywhere and Africa is no exception. As with
most big cities in the world, the central areas of the bigger
cities that you might visit (Johannesburg, Windhoek, Cape
Town, Victoria Falls, Lusaka, Lilongwe, Maun, Bulawayo,
Mbeya, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar & Nairobi) have
a criminal element that tend to prey on the unwary tourist!
Please use your common sense and take note of the following
guidelines:
Traveller
Safety Tips
Personal Safety for travellers need not
be a problem provided you follow some basic rules:
• Don't venture out on
your own in the game parks, wild animals are dangerous.
• Don't walk alone in any downtown or deserted
city suburbs at night.
• Don't be shy to take advice from locals
of what sort of behaviour should be avoided.
• Don't visit poor areas, unless in a group
led by an experienced guide or reputable tour operator.
• Don't carry large sums of money or flashy
jewellery in risk areas.
• Don't leave any valuables in rooms and
in vehicles, use deposit boxes when available.
• If challenged by a mugger, don't resist,
this helps avoids any serious bodily harm.
• Don't hitchhike
• Don't be an ostentatious tourist, ask
your hosts about appropriate dress etiquette.
• Do make friends, there are special people
here that help to make your visit more worthwhile.
Xenophobia
& Foregners
Travelers to Africa may wonder whether
they will encounter any hostility from locals and whether
Africans hate certain nationalities. The short answer to
this is a resounding NO. Generally, Africans of all races
and tribes are highly respectful and accepting of outsiders
and foreigners rarely, if ever, encounter hostile attutudes
or xenophobia (fear of foreigners) in Southern and East
Africa. Remember that Africa is politicaly non-aligned and
has a rich mix of races, cultures and religions, making
it one of the most tolerant societies amongst which one
can travel.
However, there are certain points of etiquette to remember.
Hate speech, racist remarks and outbursts are not tolerated
and will probably lead one into confrontation with locals.
Refrain from criticism of governments or authorities, particularly
at border posts. Be polite and corteous and the locals will
return the compliment.
Safety
in the Wild
Obviously, there is a certain degree of
danger when you are in the bush with wild animals. However,
you will always be accompanied by an experienced guide.
Accidents are infrequent and the camps have excellent safety
records. Provided you use common sense you should be perfectly
safe.
As your safari will bring you into relatively
close proximity with wild animals, you will no doubt want
to be sure that you are protected by insurance, should something
unforeseen happens. Too many lodges and safari operators
in southern Africa do not have enough liability insurance.
Creepies
and Crawlies
Although the region has a fair share of
venomous snakes, spiders, scorpions and stinging insects,
but surprisingly few safari goers suffer from serious attacks.
The confines of camps and lodges are usually free of risk
but people undertaking walking and mobile safaris should
be rather more wary.
Snakes
This aspect is very exaggerated. You will
rarely see a snake, but if you do, it will most likely be
from the safety of your safari vehicle. Tents and lodges
all have bug screens fitted to windows.
Of the 115 species of snake in southern
Africa only a quarter are venomous. Snakes are usually shy
creatures and only strike if suddenly disturbed or provoked.
Anti-snakebite serum is widely available
in risk areas.
Spiders
There are around 5000 species of arachnid
(spiders and scorpions) in the sub-region. Bites are invariably
more painful than dangerous and are rarely fatal to man.
Ticks
All conditions that developed from tick
bite are treatable. The most important advice for removing
a tick is to never to brush it off, this will cause the
head to remain embedded. Rather find a way to suffocate
it with ointment or a covering.
See also: Visas
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