Your Security and Safety in East Africa
African Spice Safaris wish to ensure that you enjoy your stay in East Africa without any undue concerns about safety and security in these countries.
The tourism industry in Kenya takes visitor safety very seriously together with all aspects of the tourist’s stay in Kenya. For this reason, the industry created a Safety and Communication Centre under the auspices of the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF), which is operated 24hrs a day to monitor visitor safety and liaise closely with the security agencies in Kenya to ensure that visitors’ safety is a high priority.
The Kenya Tourism Federation represents the leading tourism trade associations comprising the Kenya Associations of Tour Operators (KATO), Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), Travel Agents (KATA), Air Operators (KAAO), Ecotourism Society of Kenya (EK), as well as Mombasa and Coast Tourism Association (MCTA).
The Kenya Tourism Federation Safety and Communication Centre are manned by well-trained staff who are at hand to attend to any issues of concern to tourists. These include tourist security, health, road conditions, travel advisories, etc. African Spice Safaris receives regular updates from the Kenya Tourism Federation on issues that are of importance for the security of our customers and we keep in close contact with the KTF Safety & Communications Centre for Kenya security and tourist information.
General Safari Safety Tips
If you are on a guided African safari, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. Travelers in Africa should exercise the same common-sense precautions as when traveling in other developing countries or even in Europe.
Pickpockets are present worldwide and African cities are no exception, so we urge guests to be aware of shops and crowded locations. Fine jewelry should be left at home and replaced by stylish African wooden and beaded bangles while on safari. When in city hotels and bush properties, it is never wise to leave cash or jewelry unattended, even if locked in your suitcase; every lodge or hotel has safe deposit facilities for your valuables.
General Safety Tips
Tour operators make it their business to know the areas they travel in thus reducing risk to travelers. However, it is sensible to take normal precautions on your African safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas.
Travel Documents/ Money
Always have a photocopy of your passport and any visas. Also, have a list of traveler’s cheque numbers. These copies should be packed separately from the originals. It is never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash, and most urban centres (hotels, shops) do accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard are most common), and traveler’s cheques.
You might need cash for purchases at the local markets – keep this in a travel wallet, or a zip pocket.
Luggage
Never leave cameras and hand luggage unattended, whether in a vehicle or even in a hotel foyer. Never pack valuables (this includes medication), in your check-in luggage.
Personal Safety
When traveling independently on your African safari, stay informed in terms of the local news. Ask at your hotel about any unsafe areas, and codes of dress and behavior. Don’t openly carry valuables. If you must carry your passport and money, keep them in a buttoned-down pocket.
Game Viewing
Your guide will always do a safety talk with you, whether your game viewing is to be done from a vehicle, or on foot. Wildlife is potentially dangerous, but as long as you adhere to what your guide tells you, there is very little to worry about.
At viewpoints, hides, and camps, wildlife is more familiar with people and less intimidated by your presence. Never tease or corner wild animals – this may cause an unpredictable response and a potentially dangerous reaction. Never feed any animals, as this can cause them to lose their fear of humans.
Creepy Crawlies
Although East Africa is known to be home to a number of potentially dangerous species, especially snakes, scorpions, spiders, and insects, very few visitors are adversely affected. Snakes tend to be shy, and generally stay away from built-up areas.
Lodges and camps generally have insect (especially mosquito) proofing in their rooms. If you go on a walk, it is always a good idea to have comfortable, enclosed walking shoes, socks, and long trousers – just as a precaution.
Health
Many of the camps and lodges we visit have an on-staff physician to tend to minor cuts, scrapes, and ear infections. For anything beyond their scope, the services of East Africa’s famous Flying Doctors (professional aero-medical transportation in Africa) are available for purchase on every safari with African Spice Safaris.
A group of highly qualified physicians, the doctors fly throughout the East African bush, providing treatment and emergency transportation. This ensures our guests receive the quickest, most reliable medical attention and transport.
A Word About Wildlife: Luxury bush lodges and camps are located in remote wildlife regions and game reserves, hence guests should follow the directives of the lodge staff regarding walking the grounds after dark. Where necessary, escorts are provided to and from cottages to the main area of the camp.
Some bush lodges allow animals to graze on their property – please do not mistake these animals for tame pets! Any wildlife along your path should always be given an extremely wide berth; you should make no attempt whatsoever to interact with wild animals. Additionally, young children should not walk on the property unattended, especially at night.