Africa is the fasted growing continent in the world at the moment according to the African Development Bank and almost all respected Economic Think tanks. Perhaps the greatest sign of Africa’s growth is in the Tourism industry. More and more people visit Africa for business and Tourism opportunities. Africa has always stood out because of her wildlife and natural beauty.
Africa offers travelers the opportunity to see rare wildlife species, beautiful water bodies, white sandy beaches, mountains, cultural heritage sites and so much more. More and more people are visiting Africa but before doing so, many wonder if Africa is a safe place to be in. Before discussing more about the security situation in Africa, it is important to remember that Africa is made up of 54 countries. Each country is different and it is a mistake to generalize things. Countries like Rwanda and Botswana may actually be safer to visit than many countries in the more developed world. Just like in other parts of the world, there are a few countries in Africa that are experiencing civil unrest and even wars. Sudan, Somalia, Libya and some countries in West or Central Africa may not be safe to visit as I write this article. When visiting such countries, Tourists should exercise caution and always revert back to what their embassies have to say.
That said, the majority of the countries in Africa are experiencing stable and excellent tourism destinations. Whereas all the 54 countries in Africa attempt to make security a priority, it is important that you take into consideration the following precautions to ensure that you are safe at all times when visiting Africa. These precautions are not prescribed for Africa alone but applies globally. You can read an article about the best places to see wildlife in Africa or what to consider packing for a safari in Africa.
Safety while on an African Safari
Select a trusted and reliable travel company: Whereas arranging your own trip to Africa may reduce on costs, we highly recommend using the services of a reliable Tour company – especially if you are visiting the continent for the first time. There are lots of reputable travel companies with professional staff who work round the clock to ensure that travelers enjoy their adventures and stay safe. They know the terrain, the people and where not to go. Make sure that you do your research before choosing a travel operator who will help you plan your trip. Where necessary, ask for recommendations from other people who have been on similar trips. Parents who are planning to travel with kids on safari should read guidelines on how to make the most of it.
Research about the country you intend to visit: Travelers are advised to do thorough research and read about their intended travel destination so as to be well conversant with the place and know what exactly to expect on arrival. You can also contact the national embassy of your country especially if they have an office within the intended travel destination for more information about the place. Find out what other Tourists say about the country you plan to visit. Are Tourists going there in numbers? This information will help you to avoid going to unsafe places.
Avoid moving at night or in unfamiliar places while on Safari: If you need to be somewhere in the dark of the night, make sure you are in the company of your Travel Guide to ensure your safety. Alternatively, you can consider hiring private taxi services. It’s also important that you do not ask for 
directions from strangers as they could turn out to be criminals. Be vigilant of your surroundings at all times especially while spending time in public places like shopping malls, coffee shops, busy streets, restaurants among others. In case there are riots/demonstrations going on within an area around you, make sure to leave the scene before things get violent. Do not visit informal settlements and places that haven’t been recommended by your Travel Company because your safety may not be guarantees. If you really need to be there, make sure you are in the company of a tour guide from a reputable tourism company. You might find an article about the best time to travel to Africa on safari interesting.
Watch out for Scammers: Travelers to any part of the world have often fallen victim to all sorts of scams and you don’t want to be one of them. Some of the most common ones include paying way more than the actual accommodation costs, being charged excessive transport/transfer fares or buying fake/invalid travel tickets. Avoid short cuts or middlemen/brokers who claim to offer things on a cheap. In order to prevent most of these inconveniences, it is important that you get the services of a reliable Tour Operator. You can tell that a tour Operator is reliable through the reviews that others have about them. If you are planning the trip on your own, ensure that you make all your bookings (accommodation, transport etc.) before you set off for your trip.
Avoid wearing expensive or flashy accessories: Do not openly carry expensive personal belongings to places that are crowded like busy streets, market centers and when using public transport. Crowded places are usually visited by thugs and other wrong elements. You could become their target and a victim of theft or robbery. It’s also important that you do not carry a lot of cash while traveling to Africa. Most African Countries have modern banking systems with ATMS where you can withdraw the local currency whenever you choose to.
Never accept help from strangers while using ATM machines: Travelers have often fallen victims to criminals who present themselves as good Samaritans and willing to help with financial 
transactions. Criminals may also appear to be stranded or cannot withdraw their cash due to some network problems from their service providers. They may request for your help in such cases or propose that they send money to your account and then withdraw it. Reject their request politely because you could share your secret pins or risk being framed as an accomplice to money related crimes. Watch out for beggars and children who may try to ask for financial assistance. Although it’s a good thing to help the needy, this could be a trap set by criminals to spy on you and rob you instantly or moments later after following you. Any help to the needy should be channeled through trusted organizations. Never accept to carry luggage for someone at the airport. You could be framed for dealing in illegal drugs.
Protect your Important Travel Documents: Make sure to protect your personal items like travel documents safely in your room of stay. Ensure that they are safely locked somewhere. Be wary of late night calls claiming to be from the hotel front desk office requesting for your bank/credit card details. When under such circumstances, request to speak to the hotel manager for clarity.
Visit the Doctor before Traveling: Make sure to get all the necessary medical checkups and vaccinations where applicable. This will ensure that you are in good health and fit for your travel 
experiences. Check out the relevant medical certificates required to visit your intended country such as hepatitis or yellow fever vaccination. It’s vital that you have a travel insurance to cover all the uncertainties that could happen during the trip such as accidents, sickness, trip cancellation among others. Where necessary, have a personal medical kit in your bag.
To conclude, Africa is the continent to be and you will miss out a lot if you don’t consider visiting for whatever reason in your lifetime. Africa provides unique experiences and many have had everlasting memories about their trips. That side, exercise precaution when visiting some countries. Travelers need to plan their trips with a trusted travel operator especially if it is their first time so as to have the best of their time in Africa.
