Africa & Middle East > Zimbabwe > Zambezi National Park > Victoria Falls > Articles > Are Safaris Safe?

Considering the backdrop of volatile politics and great poverty in Africa, accounts of armed robbery, muggings and even murder are perhaps unsurprising, but when they involve tourists it begs the question “Is it safe to go on holiday in Africa?”. Within the last two years tourists have been shot by robbers on the beach at the Kenyan coast; gunned down during the raid by Rwandan extremists on the gorilla safari camp in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda; killed by lions in Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe; and blown up by unexplained bombs in Cape Town. Not all of these tragic incidents relate directly to safaris but their nature makes for alarming head-lines.

There is no denying Africa’s unsettled nature. Of late, Kenya has seen a spate of armed hold-ups of four wheel drive vehicles when they stop at traffic lights, whilst in Johannesburg many people live in fortified houses behind successive tiers of security guards, electric fences, guard dogs and steel doors, often with an inner cordon within the house isolating their bedroom. Tribal conflicts flare up throughout the continent from time to time. Accepting all of the above, lurid tabloid accounts of disasters can provide a distorted picture of the danger’s involved in going to Africa. Travel in Third World areas will always carry an attached element of risk but before getting matters out of perspective it would be worth remembering that African coverage of British news in the past two years would have included IRA bombs in the City of London, bombing of gay pubs in Soho, the Waterloo train disaster and Stansted hijacking.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice Line 0171 238 4503 provides excellent detailed information covering the political situation and security state of countries with recommendations of any areas that are best avoided by visitors.

Wildlife related incidents are rare and usually the result of carelessness or stupidity. Most wild animals, even predators like lion, are naturally wary of man but if you scare them, separate them from their young or challenge them by aggressive action or getting too close you may provoke their natural defensive reaction which may be to attack. It is not advisable to walk in the bush without a guide unless you are highly experienced and however you are travelling, follow the advice of the guide. Investigations of incidents with hippos or crocodiles on the Zambesi invariably reveal that the clients ignored their guide. It is perfectly safe to camp in the bush but you should always ensure that your tent is properly closed when you go to sleep.

Before setting off on safari it is important to get up to date medical advice. Thames Medical (0207 902 9000) provides customised Health Information Packs cost £8.50, specific to areas, including advice on suitable safari equipment (ie. impregnated mosquito nets), travel health equipment (everything from treatments for diarrhoea to sterilised syringes), protection against malaria, immunisations and Fact sheets on how to avoid the main health hazards: malaria, bilharzia, rabies, hepatitis, HIV, Dengue Fever. Thames Medical can also arrange for private consultations, give all inoculations and supply medical equipment. Alternatively, MASTA Traveller’s Healthline (0906 8 224100), validated by the London School of Medical Hygiene and Tropical Diseases, have a highly recommended telephone help-line which provides medical advice.

The foremost medical concern is the spread of malaria and increasing reports of chloroquine resistant strains. Medical experts stress the importance of prevention through the careful adherence to an approved prophylaxis regime, the use of impregnated mosquito nets and mosquito repellent, covering up exposed flesh between dusk and dawn when the anopheles mosquito is most active, and swift reporting of suspicious symptoms. It is essential that anyone travelling to Africa should have comprehensive medical insurance including medical repatriation in case of sickness or injury.

One other area of particular concern is road safety. Drivers should exercise great caution on both public roads and bush tracks. It is a regrettable fact that African driving standards are generally poor, road conditions are often appalling requiring vehicles to swerve around potholes, and many African vehicles lack lights, brakes and reliable steering. To minimise the risks adopt a defensive approach to driving, cut your speed well below that which you would normally use and never, except in an emergency, drive at night.

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