Really Nice Vacations

I read “Staying Out of Trouble” from Africa Travel and I have extracted some salient points Jerry shared at his blog here. These tips are good insight and besides, we should really take the cues from a native.

1) Avoid being too distinguish

Of course, the main hassle will be to try and fit in as much as possible so as to avoid standing out which could lead to you being a target for hustlers and hawkers mostly in tourist areas who will be trying to sell you everything from safaris, or accommodation to even drugs depending on where you are in Africa. No need to wear old clothes in the name of trying to fit in. However with clean or new clothes lots of luggage, a little awkwardness, and if you are white skinned you’ll stick out like a sore thumb.

2) Avoid spending in the first few days

To minimize on your chances of being conned or talked into buying stuff,you might neither want nor need, avoid buying stuffs like curios or souvenirs for the first few days or until you at least have an idea how much stuff costs. If you must, try bargaining because often hawkers and street vendors might initially offer you goods at outrageous sucker prices.

3)Avoid danger zones

It should be a bit comforting to know though that even in cities with the worst reputations for crime in Africa, namely Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg, only a handful of travelers run into real problems. In fact, travelers to Nairobi are often left wondering what on earth all the fuss about safety was about when it’s time to leave … … There are certain areas a tourist or traveler should always be wary of. These areas are bus stations, crowded market places, the streets around ferry ports or docks, and places with poor or nonexistent street lighting. In there areas, avoid walking with jewelery and if you have lots of cash on you, be vigilant and avoid any action that might signify to someone that a particular pocket has got valuables or a certain hand or backpack has got cash because pick pockets tend to target these.

4) Avoid carrying cash

Speaking of cash, avoid carrying cash. Most countries in Africa now have ATMs and you can search if the African country or city you are traveling to has ATMs this list is for visa electron card holders. Most of Africa’s ATMs tend to be either inside banks, or in shopping centers with security guards. Avoid lingering around once you have with drawn and take the same precautions you would take while withdrawing money anywhere. Although chances of being robbed are slim should you be mugged, don’t resist, since the thief might have a knife or a gun. It should be over in an instant and you are unlikely to be hurt. You should go to the police station for a statement but don’t expect that the police will do a great job in getting your property back. Most of these policemen are often under paid, lack the resources or have more important stuff to deal with than investigate your “precious” camera.

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