IS AFRICA SAFE?
We think so. Obviously certain countries are not as safe as others and we do not advise travel to them but taking the countries covered into account we have the following comments to make.
South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland - safe as long as you don't go into squatter camps, do foolish things like giving lifts to hitchhikers or stopping where crowds appear unruly. Common sense is all that is needed. Keep car doors locked at all times. Hijackers hang around stop streets etc. Stay alert at all times. In some places stones may be thrown at vehicles. When this happens move on quickly. Be careful of stray animals in rural areas and at night. In Lesotho you may encounter ice on roads in winter.
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Mozambique - generally pretty safe as long as you don't drive at night. Again, all that is needed is common sense. Do not exceed posted speed limits anywhere. Be careful of people walking in the road at all times of day and night paying no attention to traffic - this applies to all of Mozambique. Few local vehicles have proper lights and will stop in the middle of the road without warning any time of day or night. When leaving the road you are in danger of Land Mines in certain areas - don't tempt your luck. NIGHT DRIVING IS VERY DANGEROUS. MAKE SURE YOUR VEHICLE HAS ALL NECESSARY SIGNAGE TO AVOID FINES.
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Botswana & Namibia - we regard these countries as being very safe. Common sense is all that is needed. Night driving in Botswana is dangerous due to stray animals and wildlife. I make this update note regarding Botswana - beware of stupid and corrupt POLICE - demand receipts for everything.
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Zimbabwe - needs careful watching because of volatile politics at present. Probably one of the cleanest of all countries in Africa. Standards are generally very high but deteriorating. WATCH PROCEEDINGS CAREFULLY IF YOU TRAVEL ON A BRITISH OR AMERICAN PASSPORT. Make sure you have access to fuel supplies. The country's finances are going down the toilet very rapidly at present with high inflation and shortages. Fuel when available is expensive and of dubious quality (Blend?).
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Zambia & Malawi - generally safe, but exercise greater caution in certain areas (cities). In the bush it is very safe. Avoid areas adjacent to Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola when in Zambia. Zambia is full of magic people who will go out of their way to make you welcome!! Make sure you have access to fuel supplies in Zambia - they have been known to run out of diesel. Lusaka has high levels of theft.
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Democratic Republic of Congo & Angola - VERY high risk areas, not for the faint hearted (you might end up in the "cooking pot") - risk excessive at present BUT IMPROVING. BEWARE LAND MINES IN ANGOLA - PROBABLY THE MOST HEAVILY MINED COUNTRY IN AFRICA.
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The Gambia - very safe, interesting out of the way tourist destination, rather inaccessible.
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In general, we believe Southern & Central Africa are as safe as anywhere else provided people are not stupid.
The rules are very simple to follow.
- Don't go into unlit areas or squatter camps, particularly at night - this applies everywhere (for Americans this is the equivalent of skate-boarding through Harlem in a Klu Klux Klan outfit)
- Don't argue with the Military, Police or Immigration officials, this is DUMB!
- Exercise patience - Africa's pace will not change for YOU!
- Make sure your paperwork is in order and carry copies of all important papers. Only hand over copies, not originals
- Don't flash money or jewelry - people are very poor and will be tempted to help themselves
- Don't just help yourself - ASK before photographing people or places like bridges, airports or government buildings
- Treat people with respect no matter who they are and do not try to change them
- Don't be loudmouthed and avoid religion and politics
- Don't give money or sweets to kids - they become a menace and will probably turn nasty when they get older
- People with AK47's are normally called "sir" (cur).
- Obey the law of the land. Most laws apply everywhere so all that is needed is common sense and ask when you are not sure
- Africa is not a "Gay Rights" continent. You can get jailed in Zimbabwe. We agree with them in this regard
- Public nudity by whites is frowned upon in most countries in Africa, more particularly the predominantly Muslim countries or areas
- Politics is a taboo subject generally and there are many quaint laws regarding insulting Presidents, National Flags, Emblems etc. Just let politics alone at all times
- Bribes are BAD NEWS - please don't pay bribes and spoil it for those who follow you
- Leave your drug habit at home - African jails are not nice places to visit under any circumstances
Firearms are carried by "total morons" when traveling internationally in Africa. Leave them at home and stay out of trouble. Use one for self-defence or ANY OTHER REASON and you will end up in the CELLS - THAT'S for sure!
HEALTH MATTERS
Africa is the "bug" continent and one would be wise to remember this. Simple rules will keep you safe most of the time.
- ALL African public toilets leave a great deal to be desired - even in hotels they can be bloody horrendous. The concept of clean toilets is not readily understood. Best keep to the bush where possible as this will normally be far the best solution
- Obtain whatever inoculations are available and keep them up to date - Hepatitis A & B are important shots - others are:
Tetanus, typhoid, Diptheria, Polio, Meningitis, Yellow Fever, Jap Encephalitis and Cholera. It is better to get your jabs at home than from some official at an African destination. Keep your "Yellow Book" up to date.- Take your anti-malarial tablets - YOU ARE NOT "AFRICA TOUGH". Use anti-bug soaps and sprays. Mefliam is a good anti-malarial in Southern, Central & East Africa
- Avoid potential sources of HIV/AIDS - this is the scourge of Africa. Paying for sex is "suicidal" and only for those who have a "death wish"
- Carry a comprehensive 1st aid kit and take drip sets, needles and syringes with you -
(if you are paranoid!!)- Take out Travel Insurance with Medical Evacuation cover
- Don't eat food from roadside vendors or you will probably (95% chance) lose a lot of weight very rapidly and enjoy a lot of discomfort - beware sea foods (prawns, crayfish etc.). An old adage - " Eat a prawn & shit till dawn" rings a bell. If you buy from roadside vendors watch them cook it. This will save grief.
- Take what special medication you need with you and avoid travel if you need regular medical treatment, have HIV/AIDS or allergy problems. Good medical facilities are few and far between and generally understaffed or under supplied with equipment or drugs
- Beware of contaminated water in all areas. Tap water is not necessarily safe in all countries.
- Use bottled or filtered water or treat it by boiling or with pills or drink bottled water
- Dig for water in dry river beds if necessary. Avoid water where people live "up stream"
- "Fresh" is a "very loose" expression when it comes to buying food - be careful
- Remove ticks when you feel them and check yourself daily - tick bite fever is not at all funny. Use Vaseline or something to cut off their air - the heads can make nasty sores if left behind
- Putsi flies are not a joke - they lay eggs on your clothes and the larvae bury themselves under your skin. Put Vaseline on them - this causes them to gasp for air and work their way out so you can just squeeze them away. Try to get your clothes ironed with a very hot iron - this wipes out the eggs.
- "Chigger"/"Jigger" fleas are nasty little beasties which you will pick up by walking barefoot where they exist. They lay their eggs under your skin and itch like hell - dig them out with a needle - its the only way
- Keep yourself clean - it works for me
- Avoid synthetic clothing where possible and keep to cottons and wools - fewer rashes will occur in the heat
- Please report South African chain stores selling sub-standard produce in countries you visit. In is not in our country's best interests that these irresponsible groups dump inferior goods at high prices on our neighbours. This is morally wrong AND THEY WILL NOT LIKE "MENTIONS" IN TRAVEL MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS ETC