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Your safety in Africa

by Philip Briggs

Personal security is one of the prime concerns for many visitors to Africa, but in reality the continent is just as safe - if not safer - than most other destinations.

Philip Briggs, the much-travelled and respected author of eight African guide books, debated the question "Is Africa Safe?" He concluded that the biggest dangers were traveller ignorance and arrogance and that the continent is no more dangerous to visit than any other, provided a few simple precautions are taken.

The lack of information and the misconceptions that circulate internationally about the continent are probably the biggest problems facing tourism in Africa.

Sometimes tourists get abducted by terrorists or killed by wild animals, but in a year it's a minuscule number of the millions who travel happily throughout the continent. In fact the probability of having your pockets picked, your bag snatched or being taken by a con artist are far greater. Bradt, Footprint and Lonely Planet guidebooks all offer good security information and advice based upon the personal experience of the authors and their researchers. A review of these publications suggests that there are a number of ideas that may just help you prevent problems and get the most from your safari experience. These include:

Afore Ye Go

• Get a sit-rep. Current situational reports (sit-reps) from your local embassy, reputable tour operator, recent visitors and other knowledgeable persons are advised - and essential if visiting high-risk areas. Update this information in situ before setting off for remote parks or resorts.


• Set up contacts. Get the names and addresses of potentially helpful high-ranking officials and privateindividuals in places you plan to visit - just in case problems are encountered.
• Be contactable. Arrange places where you can be phoned and/or have mail sent. Have correspondence addressed by family name followed by first name(s) or initials - it's the custom used in many African states.
• Have a back-up. Arrange for a reliable friend at home or in a neighbouring country to provide help if needed - to send money if yours is stolen, for example. Maintain regular contact if travelling in unusual situations so that your last whereabouts are known. Leave relevant details, or photocopies, of important documents such as passport, visas, licences, travel insurance policies and numbers of bank accounts and travellers' cheques with the contact.
• Cover possible losses. Prepare additional document photocopies to carry with you. Keep these separate from the originals and spread around yourself and luggage for safety.
• Pack your bags. Discard easy-to-carry holdalls and fancy matching sets - a big and battered (but sturdy and secure) suitcase doesn't label you as a wealthy tourist and is less attractive and portable for snatch thieves. Make sure all items, including handbags and backpacks, are lockable (combination locks are safer). Pack a long chain for padlocking cases together at airports, bus and train stations. Secure your most important and valuable items at the bottom of the biggest and heaviest suitcase. Buy a lockable pouch or wallet for documents to be left in hotel safes.
• Dress with sense. Don't purchase designer safari wear. It carries a "raw tourist ripe for a rip-off" label. Likewise leave the flash jewellery and watches at home and put your fancy camera inside an innocuous-looking carry bag. Try to dress conservatively and behave like a seasoned, local "ex-pat" and thus attract less attention to yourself than the fool who openly flaunts his wealth. Ladies, pack a wrap-around skirt or sarong and a headscarf for a quick cover-up when required - visiting mosques, for example.
• Secure your cash. Don't buy an external money belt - it shouts "tourist" and is easy pickings for the slash-and-grab thief. Rather make and use cloth pouches that can be velcro-ed inside your shirtfront. Don't use open pockets, especially in trouser backs, and carry small amounts of ready cash in a zipped shirt front pocket.
• Carry no incriminating evidence. In general, journalists, hippies, gays and "oddities" receive short shift in African countries, so don't sport or carry evidence of such dispositions with you. Make sure the occupation listed in your passport is benign and that any prescribed medication is supported by authoritative documentation. Be wary of writing down names and addresses of locals you befriend on incoming flights; officials in sensitive countries may find your list and motives suspicious.

For further information about travel in Africa, visit Travel Africa Magazine

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