Which Are The Safest Countries In East Africa? Should I even do an African safari tour? Is it safe? Most people consider Africa to be a far-off area that requires extensive travel. It makes sense that someone would be concerned about security and safety. But don’t worry; if you’re considering an African safari, the nations in East Africa offer chances for an enjoyable, thrilling, and secure adventure. Even when traveling within one’s own country, there is always a minor element of risk. When visiting new places, one should constantly exercise caution and use common sense. Contrary to popular belief, Africa, and particularly East Africa, is far safer than most people realize.
Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania are arguably the safest safari destinations in East Africa because of their well-developed infrastructure, anti-poaching programs, and lengthy traditions of friendliness and safari exploration.
EAST AFRICA’S SAFEST SAFARI DESTINATIONS
Kenya: widely regarded as the birthplace of the safari experience, is also among the continent’s safest nations. These are isolated incidents, despite the fact that there is political tension. Kenya’s world-class highways and rail network transport more than a million tourists annually to its wildlife parks and reserves.
For a top-tier metropolis, Nairobi’s capital is thought to be rather safe. Additionally, all you need to do to protect yourself from the elements and wildlife in the parks is to follow your guide. There’s an extra layer of security because English is widely spoken, which facilitates communication.
Tanzania: Tanzania is regarded as a safari lover’s paradise with its vivacious network of wildlife reserves. Don’t miss the vast Serengeti, home to lions in large numbers and millions of wildebeests. Mount Kilimanjaro and the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a self-contained animal kingdom, are also located in Tanzania.
When visiting Tanzania’s Arusha Town, or Dar es Salaam, one should exercise common-sense caution, as is the case with large towns worldwide. Every city has both safe and dangerous areas. Both in the cities and in the parks, your tour operator can serve as your guide.
Rwanda: Be not fooled by hostilities that occurred 25–30 years ago; Rwanda is among the safest nations in Africa. Its people have reformed their society to be more harmonious and united as a result of their past struggles.
The joy they have in showcasing their nation is evidence that the Rwandan people are glad of these revolutionary advances. The countryside is a rich green carpet of verdant mountain scenery, and Kigali, the capital, is a modern, secure city.
KEY RISKS TO BE AWARE OF WHEN TRAVELING TO/ VISITING EAST AFRICA COUNTRIES
We have found a few dangers that you should be mindful of when organizing your East Africa Safari trip. Based on our experience, the majority of East Africans are friendly and courteous to visitors. They frequently go above and beyond to ensure that you have a memorable and secure experience.
Petty crime
The East African Community claims that violence threats and small-time theft are widespread in Tanzania, particularly in Dar es Salaam. There is an increase in people stealing phones and bags from moving cars, so you shouldn’t resist. It is advised that you buy appropriate travel insurance, leave non-essential assets home, and conceal valuables in your pocket or bag to reduce this danger.
Road Safety
Any traveler through Africa should prioritize road safety. Poor driving and poor roads are the main causes of traffic accidents. It is believed that 15% of deaths on the continent are related to traffic accidents. Here are a few easy ways to keep yourself safe when driving in East Africa:
- Pay attention to and understand road signs.
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- Know which side of the road cars will drive on (for example, in Uganda, look left, and in Rwanda, look right).
- Always look both ways, regardless of which way you believe traffic should be flowing, because cars frequently drive on the wrong side of the road.
- Understand the traffic laws.
- Only use trustworthy taxi, bus, and safari operators.
- Traveling at night should be avoided.
Covid-19
COVID-19 is still a threat all throughout the world, including in East Africa. We urge that you keep up-to-date by following local news. Remember that medical services may be restricted in some nations and isolated places, and if you become ill, you may need to be evacuated to a larger city or perhaps another country. Check your travel insurance to ensure that medical and evacuation are covered, and bring suitable protective materials such as masks, hand sanitizer, and even hand soap if you’ll be in a remote region. To enter most East African countries, you must be completely vaccinated or have a negative COVID test.
Malaria
Most of East Africa is at risk for malaria. It is advised that you discuss taking anti-malarial medicine with a travel physician. Additionally, we advise you to educate yourself on ways to prevent bites (i.e., cover up, use insect repellent, etc.).
Water
In East Africa, tap water is dangerous to consume. For the length of your journey, bottled and boiling water should be provided by your tour operator. If not, most stores sell water, but be wary of vendors who may fill bottles with tap water and reseal them with glue in order to increase sales. Please remember to use single-use plastic bottles as well. Some other eco-friendly options are as follows:
- Acquire refillable 20-liter water bottles. Give the bottle to a local when you’ve finished using it so they can use it for collecting or storing water. In addition to being used for building and gardening, these bottles may be repurposed in a variety of creative ways to save landfill space.
- Buy a steri-pen or water filter.
- Buy sterilization tablets.
- Local rules and customs
European Countries has different local cultures and laws; therefore, it’s critical to know what is and isn’t appropriate. Here are a few instances:
- Because most of East Africa is a conservative region, it’s crucial to wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders, especially if you’re a woman.
- Most nations forbid the use of single-use plastic bags, which can result in fines of up to US$40,000 or many years in prison.
- Pornography is prohibited, and those found in possession of it risk fines or jail time.
- In several African nations, homosexuality is prohibited.
- It may be considered disrespectful to take a local’s photo. Always make sure to get permission before doing anything.
- It is illegal to take images of military personnel or facilities.
- Community justice is prevalent and occasionally harsh. Consider the consequences of accusing someone in the community before doing so.
- You should head straight to the nearby police station for safety if you are in an automobile accident involving a fatality or serious injury to another person. Retaliation from the community or family may become more likely if you remain at the crime site, especially if you are at fault.
- When you bring someone to the hospital, remember that healthcare is not a free service. You might be required to cover the cost of care if they are unable to pay. It’s important for you to be aware of this rather than letting it prevent someone from receiving emergency medical care.
- Make sure you do your study because there are a lot of other particular laws and traditions that you should be aware of. We will give you a list of things to know before your expedition if you are traveling with Focus East Africa Tours.
Travel insurance
Whenever possible, get travel insurance before scheduling any travel, lodging, or tours. Verifying that your coverage will cover you for anything you wish to accomplish is crucial. Before you purchase your East African travel insurance, be sure it includes the following:
- COVID: Verify that your policy offers limitless medical coverage and travel insurance for illnesses associated with COVID-19. Make sure your policy also pays for COVID-19 cancellation fees.
- Kilimanjaro: For camping and trekking without ropes, as well as mountaineering equipment up to 6,000 meters, you will require cover. Walks longer than 3,000 meters are prohibited by many policies.
- unlimited health coverage
- Unlimited evacuation coverage
- Coverage for trip cancellation, delay, and interruption (minimum equal to the entire trip cost, including airfare and other expenses)
CONCLUSION:
The greatest safety tip is probably to go with a reliable tour operator. Choose a reputable safari provider by doing some research. Check the reviews left by past Safari visitors on websites like Trip Advisor.
Your safety and security are our top priorities at Focus East Africa Tours. Amazing landscapes, an exciting world of animal adventure, and plenty of chances to interact culturally with a diverse range of people can all be found in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.
