11 Days Paradise in the Wilderness – Tanzania Explore: Kilimanjoro, Arusha, Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro. 11 Days Paradise in the Wilderness
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Africa is the second-largest continent well known for its diverse cultures, languages and ecosystems. It is home to 54 countries each with unique histories and traditions. The continent boasts a range of landscapes from deserts like the Sahara to lush rainforests and expansive savannas. Africa is rich in natural resources and wildlife making it a prime destination for adventure tourism including safaris and hiking. Major rivers like the Nile and Congo along with iconic landmarks such as Mount Kilimanjaro and the Victoria Falls contribute to its geographical diversity.
Culturally, Africa is incredibly vibrant with thousands of ethnic groups and languages, including Swahili, Arabic, and Hausa with its rich heritage in music, art, and cuisine reflecting its varied influences. Despite its challenges such as economic disparities and political instability in some regions, Africa continues to grow and evolve attracting travelers seeking adventure, history and natural beauty.
Traveling in Africa for adventure can be an incredibly rewarding experience although safety varies greatly depending on the region and the specific activities you plan to pursue.
Here Is a detailed overview of safety considerations when traveling in Africa
Regional Variability
North Africa: Countries like Morocco and Egypt are generally safe for tourists, though it’s wise to stay aware of local customs and avoid certain areas at night.
East Africa: Nations like Kenya and Tanzania are popular for safaris and have established tourist infrastructure. However, it’s important to be cautious of petty crime in urban areas. Stay warned to always not drive at night as you might be attacked by petty thieves in area that you are not very familiar with. Also pay attention to the traffic officers as they are very corrupt and can get you at any point as they can be any where.
Southern Africa: Countries like South Africa offer diverse adventure opportunities, but urban crime can be a concern. Rural areas are often safer but still require caution. Having a local guide on a south African safari should ideal to ensure your safety is guaranteed.
West Africa: Countries like Ghana and Senegal are considered safe for tourists while others may have political instability or health risks. Countries like Mali and Niger have experienced power struggle which has led to the instability of the countries making them high risk to the tourists planning to visit these countries
Central Africa: This region can be riskier due to ongoing conflicts in some areas, so thorough research is crucial. You should try to avoid countries like central Africa republic as it is politically instable
Health Precautions
Vaccinations: Many countries require vaccinations for diseases like yellow fever and recommend others such as hepatitis B, typhoid and malaria prophylaxis. Malaria is still a challenge on African continent. Therefore, if you are planning to go for a gorilla safari at volcanoes national park of Rwanda or Bwindi national park of Uganda. Remember to carry mosquito repellent with you
Water and Food Safety: It’s important to drink bottled water and be cautious with street food to avoid gastrointestinal issues. Some waters are duplicated and are not for human consumption. Therefore, make sure to buy water from well gazzeted areas like supermarket to avoid any complication. In case you are allergic to anything, communicate to your lodge for them to be able to plan for you accordingly.
Wildlife and Adventure Activities
Safaris: safaris will take you to some of the most popular destinations on the continents. Some of these destinations include Serengeti national park of Tanzania and Masai mara national park of Kenya where you can catch up with the wildebeest migration.
You can also go for the mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda at Bwindi national park or at Rwanda’s volcanoes national park. All these destinations are considered safe and you can do them on either a self drive safari or on a guided safari tour.
Hiking and Climbing: Adventures like Kilimanjaro hikes or trekking in the Drakensberg can be safe when guided by professionals but preparation and awareness of altitude sickness are important.
For any hiking safari, you need to be mentally and physically ready for the challenge ahead and ensure to have enough acclimatization to avoid any serious seafaring from high altitude sickness.
Local Laws and Customs
Understanding and respecting local laws and cultural norms is crucial and dress modestly in conservative areas and be mindful of photography restrictions. For instance, during gorilla trekking at Mgahinga national park of Uganda and other parks where gorilla trekking is done, you are not allowed to use a flash camera to take pictures and you are supposed to keep a seven-meter distance from gorillas.
For those going on a wildlife safari, you are not allowed to go off track during the game drive or littering the park as that might affect the conservation effort of animals natural habitats.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance covering health, theft and adventure activities is essential. Make sure it includes evacuation coverage for remote areas.
Transport Safety
The road conditions vary from place to place. Most park roads like those one of Ngorongoro conservation area and Serengeti national park are bumpy unlike the ones in city centres like at Moshi or Arusha in Tanzania. Therefore, knowing the road conditions on your self-drive safari will significantly improve your experience
Political Stability and Safety
Stay updated on the political situations of different countries. Some countries like DR Congo are experiencing physical confrontation which has resulted into the closure of Virunga national park since 2019. Other countries like Rwanda and Burundi have got their bilateral land borders closed making it impossible to drive from one country to another. Knowing such information is crucial as it will help to decide on your route plan.
Communication and Connectivity
Have a local SIM card or an international plan for your phone and share your itinerary with someone back home and check in regularly. Usually, to acquire a sim card in Africa is very easy as you only need to visit any telecommunication service provider with your passport to acquire one and stay connected through your stay. The good thing with local sim cards, they will save you from the roaming data fees.
Conclusion
While Africa offers incredible adventure opportunities, also safety largely depends on your destination, preparation and awareness. By researching thoroughly, respecting local customs, and taking necessary precautions, you can enjoy a safe and enriching safari experience.
Popular self drive safaris in Tanzania
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11 Days in Tanzania wilderness safari
25 Days around Lake Victoria overdrive
Lake Victoria is one of the greatest lakes in east Africa and it covers an area of 68,800 km² Lake Victoria is shared by three countries only supplies the source of the Nile
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10 Day gorillas, Serengeti & Lake Manyara
The 10 Days Gorillas, Serengeti and Lake Manyara Tour starts at the Entebbe International Airport to Bwindi Forest National Park
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