travel africa....is it safe?

I would very much like to do the whole african safari thing. But I
have heard it can be dangerous in Africa. Not the wildlife so much,
but the people. What are some of the places to stay away from and what
would be the best places to travel and experience.

Just got back from a Safari in Kenya with Pollmans and had no problems.
Nairobi looked like a typical city where there were areas you would not want
to be, but on Safari you are in the country.

Go- we had a great time!


"Miles Seegmiller" wrote in message
om...
I would very much like to do the whole african safari thing. But I
have heard it can be dangerous in Africa. Not the wildlife so much,
but the people. What are some of the places to stay away from and what
would be the best places to travel and experience.

Miles Seegmiller wrote:
I would very much like to do the whole african safari thing. But I
have heard it can be dangerous in Africa. Not the wildlife so much,
but the people. What are some of the places to stay away from and what
would be the best places to travel and experience.

A safari in Africa is a wonderfull thing and for most people an
experience they will enjoy for the rest of theri lives. Dangerous? Not
if you are sensible.

Africa is often seen as third world, dangerous and since recently full
of terrorists. But mainly by people who have never left their own
country. Africa is a lot of things. There are places with all the modern
comfort and infrastructure that challenge Europe or America. And there
are wonderfully remote areas, still with the true bush feeling. And
there are dangerous spots.

Personally I feel much safer in Africa than in most big American cities.

Regards,
Hans


==================================
Hans Martens

Wildlife & Nature Photography
http://www.wildpicture.com
==================================

Miles Seegmiller wrote:
I would very much like to do the whole african safari thing. But I
have heard it can be dangerous in Africa. Not the wildlife so much,
but the people. What are some of the places to stay away from and what
would be the best places to travel and experience.

A safari in Africa is a wonderfull thing and for most people an
experience they will enjoy for the rest of theri lives. Dangerous? Not
if you are sensible.

Africa is often seen as third world, dangerous and since recently full
of terrorists. But mainly by people who have never left their own
country. Africa is a lot of things. There are places with all the modern
comfort and infrastructure that challenge Europe or America. And there
are wonderfully remote areas, still with the true bush feeling. And
there are dangerous spots.

Personally I feel much safer in Africa than in most big American cities.

Regards,
Hans


==================================
Hans Martens

Wildlife & Nature Photography
http://www.wildpicture.com
==================================

In article , Miles
Seegmiller wrote:

I would very much like to do the whole african safari thing. But I
have heard it can be dangerous in Africa. Not the wildlife so much,
but the people. What are some of the places to stay away from and what
would be the best places to travel and experience.

We found Rwanda the safest country. I felt we could set a bag down and
pick it up again an hour later. . . perhaps not totally realistic, but
that was a clear feeling.

Newspaper reported an Irish visitor murdered our second day in
Johannesburg. But he was walking downtown, at 2 am, carrying a laptop.
There are streets in Dublin where he wouldn't survive 5 minutes if he
tried such a stupid stunt. Where there are very poor, desperate people,
one needs to stay out of their reach at night. Anyone there can tell
you what to avoid, and it is not very different from here in America.

White faces stand out in Africa. As a result we received undeserved
preferential treatment on one occasion. There is a similar small chance
you might be treated badly for your white face; just pay attention and
make a little extra effort to minimize that chance. In daylight, with
people around, we felt no fear. Beggars made us uncomfortable because
they know you can afford to give more than you do, especially if you
don't give anything (our usual choice).

We hope to return, even though it may well be less safe in the future.
I'd say "Go Now" before tourists increase and prices go up. ---Ken

PS: We only traveled 7 weeks in So. Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda,
and Uganda, so I cannot comment on all the other countries.

Hans Martens wrote in message .nl...
Miles Seegmiller wrote:
I would very much like to do the whole african safari thing. But I
have heard it can be dangerous in Africa. Not the wildlife so much,
but the people. What are some of the places to stay away from and what
would be the best places to travel and experience.

A safari in Africa is a wonderfull thing and for most people an
experience they will enjoy for the rest of theri lives. Dangerous? Not
if you are sensible.

Africa is often seen as third world, dangerous and since recently full
of terrorists. But mainly by people who have never left their own
country. Africa is a lot of things. There are places with all the modern
comfort and infrastructure that challenge Europe or America. And there
are wonderfully remote areas, still with the true bush feeling. And
there are dangerous spots.

Personally I feel much safer in Africa than in most big American cities.

Regards,
Hans


==================================
Hans Martens

Wildlife & Nature Photography
http://www.wildpicture.com
==================================

The response I recieved from you Hans was exactly what I was looking
for. I also visted your website and it was very interesting. What kind
of places would you recommend to travel to if I were looking for a
bush experience?

Hi Miles, I lived in Africa South Africa working for 1 year. I am planning
on going back and doing an overland sometime but not sure when.

I went on a walking safari and seen Lion on Foot. It was amazing being
about 20 meters from a lion on foot and no truck or fence. The guide had a
rifle but has not had to use it in his 25 years of business.

Email if you like

Robert
"Miles Seegmiller" wrote in message
om...
Hans Martens wrote in message
.nl...
Miles Seegmiller wrote:
I would very much like to do the whole african safari thing. But I
have heard it can be dangerous in Africa. Not the wildlife so much,
but the people. What are some of the places to stay away from and what
would be the best places to travel and experience.

A safari in Africa is a wonderfull thing and for most people an
experience they will enjoy for the rest of theri lives. Dangerous? Not
if you are sensible.

Africa is often seen as third world, dangerous and since recently full
of terrorists. But mainly by people who have never left their own
country. Africa is a lot of things. There are places with all the modern
comfort and infrastructure that challenge Europe or America. And there
are wonderfully remote areas, still with the true bush feeling. And
there are dangerous spots.

Personally I feel much safer in Africa than in most big American cities.

Regards,
Hans


==================================
Hans Martens

Wildlife & Nature Photography
http://www.wildpicture.com
==================================

The response I recieved from you Hans was exactly what I was looking
for. I also visted your website and it was very interesting. What kind
of places would you recommend to travel to if I were looking for a
bush experience?

Miles Seegmiller wrote:
The response I recieved from you Hans was exactly what I was looking
for. I also visted your website and it was very interesting. What kind
of places would you recommend to travel to if I were looking for a
bush experience?

You can have such an experience in many places in eastern and southern
Africa. East Africa has majestic landscapes and at some places the
biggest numbers of animals. Southern Africa has spectacular places too.

Personally I loved the remoteness of Botswana. The feeling of being
there all alone and not seeing other toursists. Camping in the
wilderness with wild animals wandering through your campsite whenever
they like. Some places in Zambia might even have a more remote feeling.

It will depend on how you want to travel (alone selfdrive, private
safari, tour company, in a group) and how much you are willing/able to
spend. And spending more does not always improve the bush experience!
But if you would rather sip chilled champagne from a crystal glass at
sunset than just have a can of beer or coke while watching the very same
sunset.....

Also South Africa has a lot of great places for a true bush experience.
In all price ranges.

Regards,
Hans


==================================
Hans Martens

Wildlife & Nature Photography
http://www.wildpicture.com
==================================

(Miles Seegmiller) wrote in message . com...
I would very much like to do the whole african safari thing. But I
have heard it can be dangerous in Africa. Not the wildlife so much,
but the people. What are some of the places to stay away from and what
would be the best places to travel and experience.

My wife and I have been to Africa 4 times and are planning a 5th.
Safety has never been a problem for us. We just use common sense and
avoid situations that could get us in to trouble with people. Our
experience is that most Africans are very friendly. The biggest risk
on safari is doing something stupid like walking around alone at
night. Animals can and do harm people that get in their way. Pay
attention to your guides and use common sense. Make sure to get all
the innoculations recommended by CDC or your travel clinic. One of
our favorite remote places is the Nyika plateau in northern Malawi.
In Zambia we particularly liked the South Luangwa National Park (fly
into Mfuwe). Botswana is great but take a lot of money - it tends to
be one of the more expensive African destinations. We have also found
that it is less expensive to book a private safari than to go on a big
name group tour. You get a very personal experience and can stop when
you want and change plans easily. You will have to put in some up
front time with organizational details. Have fun! Chris

In article , Chris
wrote:

We have also found
that it is less expensive to book a private safari than to go on a big
name group tour. You get a very personal experience and can stop when
you want and change plans easily. You will have to put in some up
front time with organizational details. Have fun! Chris

Wife and I sticking out the pop-top safari van were accompanied only by
our driver-guide (and a cook on days we stayed overnight in tent camp).
The private tour was about the same price as a group tour, but
customized to be exactly what we wanted for 10 days. Best fun we ever
had.

I emailed a few days ahead to a major hotel (Nairobi Safari Club) and
told them we wanted to stay a couple of nights and asked if they would
hook us up with a safari tour operator, and that we were "on a budget".
The tour operator (Maimuna of Matembo Tours) came to the hotel and
listened to our desires an hour after we arrived. Next morning she
presented OUR itinerary and the price total with breakdown. Halfway
through our safaris a couple of adjustments had to be made, very fair,
for our benefit, and with our approval. I don't think we will ever be
so happy again. ---Ken