Traveling safely in Africa: Safety on safari, in camps & cities

A trip to a possibly still unfamiliar continent understandably raises many questions about safety on safari: Are the cities safe? What happens if you encounter a lion or an elephant in the middle of a national game park? Can wild animals get right up to your accommodation? And what should you do yourself to ensure a safe and relaxing safari in Africa?

Let us put your mind at ease right away: A well-organized African safari is not an adventure where you suddenly find yourself alone in the middle of the wilderness. On organized safari with Greenway Nature Tours Africa, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide for most of your trip.

Our representatives will meet you at the airport.
Your driver or safari guide will accompany you during the tour.
For many activities, rangers or specially trained guides are also available to assist you.
There are staff members in the accommodations whom you can contact at any time.

To ensure you know what to expect before your safari, we have assembled the most important questions about safety on a safari in Africa for you:

Of course, Africa is a continent with many different countries and regions. And a safari in Africa deliberately takes you into nature and the habitat of wild animals. So, a few basic rules should be observed.

How safe is a safari in Africa?

It is difficult to make a general statement about safety and security in Africa.

It is vast continent with than 50 countries. And the situation can vary from one country to another, and even between regions within the same country.

At Greenway Nature Tours Africa, we organize safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. We are based in Uganda and we regularly visit the destinations we offer and keep in touch with our local partners and contacts. This helps us stay informed about what is happening in the areas you plan to visit.

However, please note that the security situation can change. So, it is important to always consult the latest official travel and security advisories for the specific country and regions you plan to visit before traveling. Should your trip not be possible as planned due to the current situation, we will of course inform you.

Safety in cities

On many of our Africa safaris, you spend very little time in larger cities. Usually, you are there only when you arrive, before your tour begins, or before your return flight. Generally, the same basic precautions you would take in other major cities around the world apply here:

Do not openly display valuables: Avoid showing expensive jewelry, watches, or large amounts of cash in public.
Carry only the cash you need: When traveling, only take as much money with you as you expect to need.
Use your accommodation’s sate: If possible, store extra cash, important documents and valuables in the safe at your accommodation.
Avoid crowds: Avoid political gatherings and protests, as situations can change quickly.
Be careful at night: Avoid walking alone after dark, especially in sparsely populated or unfamiliar areas. Use organized transfers for necessary journeys whenever possible.
Take precautions in the vehicle: When driving through busy city areas, keep the doors locked and the windows closed or only slightly open, particularly in heavy traffic.
Take care of your personal belongings: Do not leave bags, mobile phones or other valuables unattended.

Well organized travel with Greenway

When you travel with Greenway, your transfers are arranged in advance. We pick you up from the airport and take you back when your trip ends. We also arrange your transfers to your accommodation and each destination on your itinerary. Your driver-guide takes care of getting you from A to B.

This means that you don’t have to worry about transportation or onward travel, especially when arriving in a country that is unfamiliar to you.

How safe is it in the middle of a national park?

If this is your first safari in Africa, being so close to wild animals may fee unusual at first. You are in the middle of the habitat surrounded by lions, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, and many other wild animals. Sometimes, they may be only a few meters away from you.

That is exactly what makes an African safari so fascinating.

However, that does not mean you are left to find your own way through the wilderness.

During a game drive, your safari guide knows the animals, understands their behaviour and is familiar with rules of the respective national park. Your guide also knows how to respond to different situations and when to give the animals more space.

Therefore, one of the most important rules on safari is very simple:

Listen to your guide or ranger and follow their instructions.

Furthermore, the following applies:

Never get out of the vehicle during a game drive without explicit permission.
Do not attempt to attract or feed animals and keep a safe distance.

Walking safaris, gorilla trekking and other activities

In Africa, not every safari takes place in a vehicle. On walking safaris, gorilla trekking tours, or other guided activities, you explore nature on foot.

However, even here you don’t just set off alone.

On these activities, you are accompanied by appropriately trained guides or rangers. You are also subject to the rules of the respective protected area. Before you start, you will usually receive a detailed briefing on how to behave and what to do if you encounter wildlife.

Here too, the instructions of the guides and rangers always take precedence.

Learn more about gorilla trekking.

Are lodges and safari camps safe?

There are different types of accommodation on safari, and they do not all look the same.

Lodges are similar to hotels. They usually have permanent buildings, private rooms and facilities such as a swimming pool, restaurant or spa. Some are quite large, while others are small and intimate. Depending on their location, lodges may be fenced or have other measures to separate the accommodation from the surrounding bush.

Tented camps offer a different kind of safari experience. The tents can be spacious and often have their own bathroom, shower and toilet. Facilities depend on the category, ranging from simple and authentic to very luxurious. Some camps even offer personal butler service. Many tented camps are located inside or close to national parks. Some are not fenced, and for many guests, this is precisely what makes the safari experience so special. Wild animals can then roam freely around the camp or wander through the surrounding area.

However, this does not automatically mean that a camp is “more dangerous”. The crucial thing is to follow the rules of the respective accommodation.

Use the night escort service: In many tented camps, guards or askaris will accompany you between your tent or room and the communal areas.
Do not go into the bush alone: Do not leave the camp or lodge grounds on foot on your own.
Keep your distance from wild animals: Never feed, lure, or harass them.
Please follow the instructions of the staff: The employees are familiar with the surroundings and will inform you about the relevant safety rules.

Our tip: If you are unsure about anything, ask briefly at check-in which rules apply, especially after nightfall.

Should one be afraid on a safari?

No. Fear should not be your companion on a safari. But you should always respect nature and the animals you encounter.

A safari brings you close to nature in a way that few other holidays can. You watch elephants in the wild. You might hear lions roaring at night. Or see the first animals right outside your accommodation in the morning. It is precisely these moments that makes a safari such a special experience.

At the same time, it is important to be aware that you are in the animals’ natural home and to behave accordingly. And you are not on your own. Guides, drivers, rangers, accommodation staff, and our local partners will accompany you throughout your trip. And of course, the Greenway Nature Tours Africa team is also available to answer any questions you may have about your safari.

This allows you to concentrate on what it’s really about:

To experience Africa, enjoy nature and return home with many unforgettable impressions.

Traveling safely in Africa: Safety on safari, in camps & cities