Safety in Africa

Trip Start Dec 12, 2006
1
53
66
Trip End Mar 15, 2007


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Egypt  ,
Thursday, February 22, 2007

After meeting tons of solo travelers, I've come up with a mental list of todos to be safe and happy in Africa.

1) Look poor. Many people in Africa are poor, but are still exposed to American and western television. If you are listening to an ipod, they will see it and want it. If you have a regular routine, they may follow you and take your ipod and other valuable items by force. I practice this by not washing my clothes for several weeks and looking dirty.

2) Hide your money- Hide your money in many different places and carry at least 2-3 ATM cards. One on your person and one in your bag. In many places in Africa, you need to carry cash, especially US dollars. Split the cash and be sure it's in a safe place. I practice this by having a decoy wallet with just the daily cash and a $20 USD bill. If I'm mugged, I'll give them this wallet and I think most thugs will be happy.

3) Travel with a buddy. Con-men find approaching solo travelers easier than 2+ travel partners. Find someone to travel with! It's more fun as well!

4) Get locks and a secure bag. I got a MetroSafe bag from Pac-safe.com a while ago. They make daypacks now with their secure features now. These seem to be resistant to most thieves since most don't have bolt cutters. The professionals won't be deterred, of course.

5) Pretend you don't speak English.
If you don't speak English, most people won't bother you. The downside of course is that it may encourage some to rob you since you can't report them to the police very easily.

 
Print this entry Cairo hotels