Vetting the safety of Africa Tours

[Closet_Gamer]

Hi.

DW is excited to go to Africa. She's begun to consider locations, etc. Egypt is certainly on the list and then its off to a safari in one or more locations. I'm somewhat intrigued by maybe a couple days at one of the coast locations.

She's started researching locations and tours. We will almost certainly do a private tour and will be willing to spend a bit extra to ensure we travel in relative comfort and most importantly safety.

I'm curious is anyone has tips on vetting the safety of different tour operators?

How about safety of destinations?

Thanks!

 

[clobber]

I dunno about vetting, but I can tell you that we used Access2Tanzania a few years ago and had a stellar trip with no issues. We chose them at the time because they had/have offices both in USA and in Tanzania.

 

[athena53]

I'd recommend Overseas Adventure Travel. I haven't taken them to Africa but have taken their tours in South America, India and Nepal. They went above and beyond to get us out of Bolivia in March, 2020 when country after country was closing its borders (and there were no nonstops to North America from La Paz, where we were, because they didn't have a long enough runway for the big jets to take off from that altitude). I'd booked my own flight arrangements and they still got me out. I'm making my 4th trip with them in September and my 5th next year.

Could you elaborate on the aspects of safety that most concern you? Health emergencies? Sanitation? Criminal behavior? Political unrest? We might be able to give you anecdotes about how various companies manage risks.

 

[OldShooter]

... She's started researching locations and tours. We will almost certainly do a private tour and will be willing to spend a bit extra to ensure we travel in relative comfort and most importantly safety. I'm curious is anyone has tips on vetting the safety of different tour operators? How about safety of destinations?

Do you worry about tour operators' and destination safety while traveling in the US? Many people from other countries do, envisioning drug dealers with AR-15s on every street corner. We've been to somewhat over 40 countries and our experience is that safety can be a worry if you plan to do stupid things like wandering around alone late at night or in war zones, but statistically you are very safe almost anywhere. Exceptions: maybe Sudan, CAR, ... but the State Department's very conservative advisories can help you with those decisions. (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/) You are doubly safe by doing a private tour, where your guide/driver will be with you to steer you away from any risks.

We've been to Africa seven times. Morocco and Egypt once each, then five other trips. From memory: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, RSA, Botswana, and Namibia. All private, escorted travel except one week with National Geographic in Ethiopia followed by another private tour week there.

Our favorite operator, now good friends, is Bushbaby Safaris (https://www.bushbaby.co.za/) owned and run by Karen and Pierre Duval. They have recently branched out to run some organized group tours but the heart of the business is completely custom private tours. Karen will start with your cost targets and draft itinerary or will suggest one based on your interests. She will recommend accommodations based on your taste and you can check them out on the web. Food, too, will be to your preference. Karen and Pierre can also accommodate special interests like birding and fishing (two of Pierre's passions), distance running, history, ... Whatever you like. As far as safety, traveling with Pierre or Andrew (our experience) is like traveling with a favorite cousin. Nothing to worry about.

Unfortunately, International Travel News (https://www.intltravelnews.com/about) has shut down, but the web site is still there and searchable. Almost all material is subscriber-written, strictly BTDT with no bias except telling it like it was. I think you will find little or nothing to make you concerned about safety and you may well get some good ideas.

Have fun!

 

[brett]

Our information is 12 years old. When we retired we started with a 7 month trip. Second stop was a safari in Kruger. We started to deal with a local TA who supposedly specialized in Africa however we were not happy.

Instead, I scoured tripadvisor and came up with a local firm in RSA. I dealt directly with them, email and one facetime. So glad that we did. We also booked to Victoria Falls and Chobe on our own.

We flew from Vic Falls to Port Elizabeth in RSA. Rented a car for 2 weeks and toured South Africa on our own. No issues whatsoever. We spent four more days in Ctown. Again...no issues.

We are no in process of deciding on a two month snowbird trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar. We will probably add some time in Kenya. Safari time and lots of touring and beach time. We have no real concerns about doing this on our own and buying tours as we travel. We have been travelling this way since retiring 13 years ago.

As always when you travel to parts unknow you do have to use your noggin, listen to the locals, and always be prepared when plans to not go as anticipated. It is a long flight but about the same as Thailand where we have spent 5 of our winters to date.

 

[UpQuark]

I'd also be interested in peoples experiences with road safety in Kenya and Tanzania. Right before Covid happened I'd put a downpayment on a safari and bought plane tickets, but I never went, first due to covid and then due to wondering what the traffic accident rate is (I'd read a review of someone's trip to Africa where they recommended flying to parks because of how bad their experience was with the risks trucks took passing on the roads or something like that).

This was the company I was going to use (but can't recommend either way since I never went):
https://www.africanbudgetsafaris.com/budget-lodge-safaris/kenya-tanzania-lodge-safari/

 

[mpeirce]

You might read the travel advisories from the US state department at

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

I really enjoyed visiting South Africa over a decade ago, but I'm not sure I'd go today. They are under a Level 2 advisory: "Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime and civil unrest".

They also are experiencing regular blackouts in many areas. This is common in many parts of Africa, but it's getting worse lately.


Egypt is under a Level 3 advisory: "Reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism."


Kenya is Level 2. The travel advisory goes into more detail with specific areas to avoid. "Exercise increased caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk."


Africa is a beautiful place and (most) of the people are friendly and interesting to meet, but certainly go in with your eyes open and exercise caution.

 

[OldShooter]

I'd also be interested in peoples experiences with road safety in Kenya and Tanzania. Right before Covid happened I'd put a downpayment on a safari and bought plane tickets, but I never went, first due to covid and then due to wondering what the traffic accident rate is (I'd read a review of someone's trip to Africa where they recommended flying to parks because of how bad their experience was with the risks trucks took passing on the roads or something like that). ...

I don't recall anything special except that there were no paved roads in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Natron, type areas. Traffic was almost 100% pop-top Toyotas with a few buses. We flew into Arusha, then our driver picked us up and we headed for Serengeti Park. Somewhere along the way the asphalt transitioned to unmarked dirt. Traffic was unremarkable for a third world country; nothing like, for example, India. From Tanzania we flew to the Masai Mara area of Kenya. Again unmarked dirt roads. From there we flew to Nairobi which features fairly typical, to say nightmare, third world city traffic.

When we travel we try to avoid short hop flying. First, getting to/from airports is a hassle and wastes time, but more importantly to us is that we don't see the country when we're flying. Cumulus cloud tops look pretty much the same anywhere in the world.

 

[levindb]

In 2019, DW and I contacted Carol Peterson of Nature Encounters Tour and Travel. https://www.natureencounterstours.com/

We spent 5 weeks at 7 different safari locations. The whole trip was AMAZING, but one thing we remembered was that Carol had people at EVERY location to meet us and take us to our next stop. We would be met at the airport and have someone walk us to our hotel across the street...or drive us to our cabin/tent...we were never left alone and we felt very safe the entire time.

We were not part of a large tour group, just the 2 of us, and we flew to most locations on small planes from airports with dirt runways...where someone would have to chase the elephants away so the plane could take off.

We visited Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. I can provide more details if needed...but I would highly recommend Carol and going to multiple camps to get a broad exposure to the wildlife in Africa.

 

[grasshopper]

10 years ago in Johannesburg, we felt safe enough to walk to dinner. Other than that we had curb to curb service. And our national park guide in Zambia carried a really big rifle. This was a walking safari, so we walked from camp to camp. Only 5 folks altogether, very nice time, The Bushcamp Company. Walked 4-5 hours a day, than a dusk/night game drive in a vehicle. Only the big 4, no rhinos.

 

[savory]

A lot of us have travelled many places. Most of our travel is self directed using local guides typically not for safety but expertise. We often use local transportation or car rentals. I can only recall 2 incidents of crime and one bonehead thing we did to ourselves.

In Mozambique, a purse snatcher grabbed at a friend's purse. She held on and he kept running. In Lisbon, we boarded a public trolley. We were returning from the Camino with our hands full. A group of men tried to snatch DW purse. They were not successful and jumped off the car at the. next stop. It was disappointing that no other passenger helped us.

Finally, in Evora Portugal we forgot where we parked our car. The local police were amazing. They drove us around for 10 minutes and we found where we parked it. They would not accept any money from us

Perhaps, we have been lucky. We are cautious but not over cautious. But. the tradeoff has been more local contact and a less structured travel arrangement which works well for us.

BTW, another source for researching safety is Peace Corps reports. If volunteers are still in country, it could be considered safe. The info may also suggest areas within a country that Volunteers are instructed to avoid.

 

[Closet_Gamer]

I dunno about vetting, but I can tell you that we used Access2Tanzania a few years ago and had a stellar trip with no issues. We chose them at the time because they had/have offices both in USA and in Tanzania.

Thanks. Good to know!

 

[Closet_Gamer]

I'd recommend Overseas Adventure Travel. I haven't taken them to Africa but have taken their tours in South America, India and Nepal. They went above and beyond to get us out of Bolivia in March, 2020 when country after country was closing its borders (and there were no nonstops to North America from La Paz, where we were, because they didn't have a long enough runway for the big jets to take off from that altitude). I'd booked my own flight arrangements and they still got me out. I'm making my 4th trip with them in September and my 5th next year.

Could you elaborate on the aspects of safety that most concern you? Health emergencies? Sanitation? Criminal behavior? Political unrest? We might be able to give you anecdotes about how various companies manage risks.

Cool. Will check them out.

I'm mostly worried about crime/terrorism/political unrest. I think sanitation/health emergencies are more easily researched. But if you're going to put yourselves in a tour operators hands, you want to know that they are legit.

We did an excursion with Wild China many years ago and they were fantastic.

 

[Closet_Gamer]

Do you worry about tour operators' and destination safety while traveling in the US? Many people from other countries do, envisioning drug dealers with AR-15s on every street corner. We've been to somewhat over 40 countries and our experience is that safety can be a worry if you plan to do stupid things like wandering around alone late at night or in war zones, but statistically you are very safe almost anywhere. Exceptions: maybe Sudan, CAR, ... but the State Department's very conservative advisories can help you with those decisions. (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/) You are doubly safe by doing a private tour, where your guide/driver will be with you to steer you away from any risks.

We've been to Africa seven times. Morocco and Egypt once each, then five other trips. From memory: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, RSA, Botswana, and Namibia. All private, escorted travel except one week with National Geographic in Ethiopia followed by another private tour week there.

Our favorite operator, now good friends, is Bushbaby Safaris (https://www.bushbaby.co.za/) owned and run by Karen and Pierre Duval. They have recently branched out to run some organized group tours but the heart of the business is completely custom private tours. Karen will start with your cost targets and draft itinerary or will suggest one based on your interests. She will recommend accommodations based on your taste and you can check them out on the web. Food, too, will be to your preference. Karen and Pierre can also accommodate special interests like birding and fishing (two of Pierre's passions), distance running, history, ... Whatever you like. As far as safety, traveling with Pierre or Andrew (our experience) is like traveling with a favorite cousin. Nothing to worry about.

Unfortunately, International Travel News (https://www.intltravelnews.com/about) has shut down, but the web site is still there and searchable. Almost all material is subscriber-written, strictly BTDT with no bias except telling it like it was. I think you will find little or nothing to make you concerned about safety and you may well get some good ideas.

Have fun!

I don't worry about the US because I live here and have traveled much of the country, speak the language, and the government/crime management here is quite consistent. (Though even then, its good to have someone who knows which parts of most American cities are best avoided or you will find those drug dealers and AR-15s. I just had friends from the UK visit and went out of my way to drive them personally, lest an Uber driver take them through parts of the city best currently avoided.)

When I travel overseas (including Europe, etc) I am always cautious. Even in a pre-arranged car in Italy, I will turn on my iphone map to ensure that the driver is taking a logical route to the destination. I had a slightly hair raising experience in Malta and another in China that have re-enforced for me how quickly things can go from interesting to being very, very exposed.

The private, escorted trips you've taken are very much what we plan to do. Did Wild China many years ago and they were great.

We will definitely check out Bushbaby Safaris.

Thanks!

 

[Closet_Gamer]

Our information is 12 years old. When we retired we started with a 7 month trip. Second stop was a safari in Kruger. We started to deal with a local TA who supposedly specialized in Africa however we were not happy.

Instead, I scoured tripadvisor and came up with a local firm in RSA. I dealt directly with them, email and one facetime. So glad that we did. We also booked to Victoria Falls and Chobe on our own.

We flew from Vic Falls to Port Elizabeth in RSA. Rented a car for 2 weeks and toured South Africa on our own. No issues whatsoever. We spent four more days in Ctown. Again...no issues.

We are no in process of deciding on a two month snowbird trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar. We will probably add some time in Kenya. Safari time and lots of touring and beach time. We have no real concerns about doing this on our own and buying tours as we travel. We have been travelling this way since retiring 13 years ago.

As always when you travel to parts unknow you do have to use your noggin, listen to the locals, and always be prepared when plans to not go as anticipated. It is a long flight but about the same as Thailand where we have spent 5 of our winters to date.

Thanks. Two months is a long time!

 

[Closet_Gamer]

You might read the travel advisories from the US state department at

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

I really enjoyed visiting South Africa over a decade ago, but I'm not sure I'd go today. They are under a Level 2 advisory: "Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime and civil unrest".

They also are experiencing regular blackouts in many areas. This is common in many parts of Africa, but it's getting worse lately.


Egypt is under a Level 3 advisory: "Reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism."


Kenya is Level 2. The travel advisory goes into more detail with specific areas to avoid. "Exercise increased caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk."


Africa is a beautiful place and (most) of the people are friendly and interesting to meet, but certainly go in with your eyes open and exercise caution.

Thanks. The advisory service is interesting. To OldShooters point, they can be a bit conservative because they tend to sweep the whole country with a brush, but I do think they are useful. The Egypt terrorism thing is very much on my mind.

 

[brett]

You might read the travel advisories from the US state department at

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

I really enjoyed visiting South Africa over a decade ago, but I'm not sure I'd go today. They are under a Level 2 advisory: "Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime and civil unrest".

They also are experiencing regular blackouts in many areas. This is common in many parts of Africa, but it's getting worse lately.


Egypt is under a Level 3 advisory: "Reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism."


Kenya is Level 2. The travel advisory goes into more detail with specific areas to avoid. "Exercise increased caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk."


Africa is a beautiful place and (most) of the people are friendly and interesting to meet, but certainly go in with your eyes open and exercise caution.

We do not put a lot of stock in those advisories. In our view many of them are nothing more than CYA.

Our first trip to Thailand was during a so called Level 2 advisory. We contacted an resident expat through tripadvisor for info. He was shocked at that rating and did not understand why.

We decided to go and the snow bird trip was wonderful. So much so that we returned for five more winters.

Over the years we have had far better local data from the likes of BBC and Aljazeera articles. I believe that there are many sources of travel info that are far, far better than those State Dept. advisories.

We have had the same experience with travel to Turkey and Greece over the years.

 

[mpeirce]

We do not put a lot of stock in those advisories. In our view many of them are nothing more than CYA.

Our family has been touched by both overseas serious crime and terrorism, so we are mindful of warnings.

Many areas are fine, until suddenly they aren't.

 

[brett]

It would be interesting to see how the State would rate some of our domestic destinations if they used the same parameters that they use on overseas locations.

We are doing a month of independent travel in Morocco for a month in Sept/Oct. And possibly two months Jan-March this winter. We did not even bother to check the Govt websites. There was more than enough up to date and accurate traveler data on other sites.