As travel operations and flights are resuming around the world, it’s time we update our travel security tips keeping in mind recent events. No matter what part of the world you’re traveling to, these safety tips always apply!
Nothing can ruin a vacation like an unfortunate incident. It’s best to avoid those incidents by taking safety precautions!
Here are the top travel safety tips for 2020:
Health Safety Tips
- Keep your first-aid travel safety kit with you at all times, especially if you’re going to do strenuous activities like hiking or camping.
- Get yourself vaccinated against diseases that are prevalent in the country you’re going to. For example, if you’re traveling to East Africa, consult your doctor for advice regarding vaccinations/boosters for yellow fever, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and rabies.
- Take prophylactic malarial medications. Your doctor will be able to guide you better!
- Take mosquito repellants and net beds with you.
- Don’t drink tap water because it may be contaminated. Always drink bottled water. If that’s not available, you can boil water, cool it, and then drink it.
- Keep a hand sanitizer with you at all times.
- Avoid touching your face to prevent any germs from entering your mouth, ears, nose or eyes.
Other Safety Tips
- Wear a money belt to protect your money from pickpockets. Don’t wear jewelry made of gold or silver either when you’re in public. Keep your flashy jewelry at home!
- Avoid going out alone at night. Try to walk in groups and avoid places that are known for robberies.
- Keep your electronic devices close to your body and try to take only the devices that you’ll absolutely need. Avoid taking extra devices just tablets!
- While withdrawing cash, you should be aware of your surroundings. If you see any suspicious activity, go to a safe zone as soon as possible.
- Whenever you’re riding in a car, make sure the doors are locked and the windows are up.
- Keep multiple copies of your identity documents and passport at different spots in case you lose one copy.
- Whenever you leave your hotel room, lock it properly. Get an extra paddle lock and use it to lock your suitcases.
- Make sure you’re accompanied by a guide if you’re going off the tracks to unofficial settlements or villages!
- If you’re going from one place to the other on a local taxi, make sure you have your cell phone and mobile data to track your ride on a map.
- Do your research in advance. You should know about the area you’re visiting. Read up on experiences that other travelers have had!
These are just a few general safety precautions you should take. Don’t let this discourage you from traveling and if you’re traveling solo, you still don’t need to worry. Check out why a safari in Tanzania is perfect for solo travelers!
Dealing with Local East Africa Police Officers
Make sure you talk to police officers and other personnel of high authority in a very respectful manner. In case you have trouble communicating, ask your guide to help you out.
Moreover, respect the local East African culture and religion. Do not mock them or their culture! Dress modestly and avoid wearing miniskirts or other short clothing.
Safety from Wildlife
If you’re going on a safari in East Africa, you’ll come across wild animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants, jackals, hyenas and African wild dogs. These animals are very unlikely to hurt you unless you provoke them. However, at the end of the day, they’re still wild animals, so you need to take a few safety precautions. Some of these are listed below:
- Don’t get too close to the animals and don’t try to scare them or harm them!
- Don’t provoke the animals and avoid quick, sudden movements around them that can make them feel threatened.
- While photographing animals, avoid using flash.
- Listen to your guide and don’t get out of the car in areas where you’re not allowed to!
So, what are you waiting for?
Head over to East Africa and have the vacation of your lifetime!