Debunking Myths about travel to Africa
THE MOTHER CONTINENT MAY BE MYSTERIOUS, BUT SHE IS WIDELY MISUNDERSTOOD WHEN IT COMES TO TRAVEL…
Africa is a soul continent. One can’t quite put the finger on exactly what it is, but somehow Africa’s intoxicating kaleidoscope of dream-worthy landscapes, iconic wildlife, intriguing cultures, soulful music, and starry nights grab hold of one’s soul. Once you’ve experienced the heart of this ancient land, chances are, you’re incurably hooked.
Yet many who have not yet ventured to this captivating continent still hold the ‘mythconception’ that ‘deep, dark Africa’ is dangerous, dirty, and backward, which couldn’t be further from the truth. The Mother Continent may be mysterious, but she is widely misunderstood. It’s time to set the record straight and bust these myths about travel to Africa.
Africa Is A Country
Let’s get the most pervasive yet silliest myth out of the way first. Many people seem to be of the opinion that Africa is a single country as opposed to a continent full of a diverse range of countries and cultures. There are 54 countries in Africa.
A softer, more insidious version of this myth is the vaguely held assumption that African countries are all roughly the same in terms of language and culture, thus holding that Africa might as well be a country. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as between 1,500 and 2,000 languages in Africa spread out over 54 distinct countries. Africa most certainly is not a country; it is the second biggest continent in the world!
Africa is dangerous
Deep, dark Africa is a lot safer than you think. Like any destination, travelers should always have their wits about them and be vigilant, as they would anywhere else. That’s just common (travel) sense.
Whether you’re an apprehensive, first-time traveler to Africa or a seasoned Africa addict, planning your itinerary with an experienced travel specialist and traveling with a respected and well-established local operator offers peace of mind, not to mention convenience, security, and seamless logistics.
With the right operator, your entire journey from arrival to departure can be organized so that you don’t have to think (or worry) about a thing. You can be warmly welcomed as you step off the plane and are escorted through the arrival procedures. You’ll be assisted with your luggage and whisked off to your private transfer. Every last detail will be looked after en route so that you can relax and simply enjoy the ride.
Do remember, though, that “this is Africa.” Flights and transfers may operate on “Africa time,” there may be queues, and there may be bumps in the road (literally). Arm yourself with a good book, headphones, and a positive attitude. This is Africa, and you’ll look back on every part of the adventure fondly.
There is a ‘best’ time to go on safari
Contrary to popular belief, there is no ‘best’ time to go on safari. Mother Nature plays by her own rules, and no matter the season, there is always an element of beauty (and surprise).
Bear in mind that no two seasons, no two days, and in fact no two game drives are ever the same in terms of the sights, smells, landscapes, and wildlife interactions. Every season has pros and cons, from weather and watering hole frequency to vegetation and views.
The beauty of going on a safari is that Mother Nature is, and always will be, utterly unpredictable. Each season, day, and drive have its own unique appeal. Expect the unexpected, and don’t let the dates or seasons hinder your desire to go on safari.
The Great Migration can only be seen in July & August.
There’s so much more to the Great Migration than just the widely documented Mara/Grumeti River crossings that typically take place from July to September. While these on-the-edge-of-your-seat sightings are as unforgettable as they are nerve-wracking, what many travelers fail to understand is that this migratory trek of hungry herbivores is a year-round occurrence.
The Great Migration never stops. It is a journey as old as time, and each season comes with its own special highlights.
Africa is not for children
There are some pervasive myths related to Africa’s suitability as a travel destination for families with young children. Firstly, we’d say that it’s impossible to generalize about Africa in this way as there is an almost endless range of destinations to visit on the continent.
We’ve found that children often make the most engaged and captivated safari guests. They tend to be even more impressed by the animals, and the landscapes than their parents are, and a safari is perhaps the best way to teach your children to love and respect nature. A journey to the African continent, to witness its wildlife and engage first-hand with its cultures, is infinitely more educational than any textbook at school.
There are countless award-winning, family-friendly safari lodges, island properties, and city escapes for parents to choose from. And when it comes to safari, there are strict safety measures (and childminding services) in place to ensure family safety and enjoyment.
There are age restrictions on safari (typically age six and above); however, families can opt for a private vehicle (at an additional cost) to ensure the whole family can go for short ‘bumbles’ together to learn about the habitat and view safe wildlife close to the lodge.
The animals want to eat you.
This is perhaps one of the most commonly asked questions from first-time safari-goers. No, the animals do not want to eat you. During the initial game, drive will soon become apparent that the wildlife is largely uninterested and unperturbed by the safari vehicle and its two-legged occupants.
Yes, some insects bite, venomous snakes, and predators are on the prowl. Africa’s wilderness areas are home to some very dangerous creatures; however, they typically keep their distance so long as humans keep theirs.
Listen to your guide at all times. Urth. Expedition expert guides are trained intensively to observe and understand animal behavior and to practice sensitive wildlife viewing. The vehicle will be positioned unobtrusively to allow a respectful distance, ensuring guest safety and respect for wildlife.
Africa is Full of Disease
This is another common myth, and it perhaps has the potential to scare more people in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic. As we’ve said above, Africa is a truly vast continent, with a huge variance when it comes to healthcare and health resources. This disparity of wealth and resources has resulted in the occasional epidemic in parts of Africa. But specific parts of Africa struggling with HIV or Ebola do not mean that visitors are in danger of contracting a disease.
In fact, the African continent has had one of the lowest infection rates of Covid-19. When traveling to Africa, specifically on a safari, you are immersed in nature, away from any crowds,…one of the safest trips you can take! :)
Africa is not Suitable for Solo Travelers.
We know we’ve talked a lot about safety and danger on this blog, so this is the last myth about danger in relation to traveling in Africa. Myths about the safety of women solo travelers bear mentioning here — especially given that women have proven to be more voracious and ambitious travelers than me in recent years. Of course, it’s always worth noting that there are always risks associated with leaving your home and exploring the world. But we would like to argue that Africa is not inherently more dangerous for solo female travelers than it is for male travelers.
There is little to no evidence that Africa is less safe for women to travel around Africa’s top tourist destinations than it is for men. Just as Tanzania, Namibia, Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi (to name but a few) are safe for male travelers, they are also safe for female travelers. It’s also worth noting that all of our safaris are privately guided - which means that you will have your private driver-guide with you from the moment you step off the plane. You will never have to look for a transfer or find your way through a strange town by yourself. On top of that, you will have the support of your accommodation staff, and anyone else responsible for ensuring you have a great trip.
All of Africa is Poor
This myth comes from an understandable place, as many countries in Africa do struggle with poverty and wealth inequality. The myth that poverty prevails throughout the entire continent of Africa is also propagated by well-meaning aid campaigns such as Save the Children and Water Aid, which work to relieve specific parts of Africa. These charities do great work bringing awareness to people all over the world who want to help. But not all of Africa is poor, and not all of Africa is in need of charity. For many countries in Africa, the best thing you can do is to book a vacation there, bringing a little spending money and an open mind.
In some ways, many of the tribal civilizations in Africa cannot be considered poor or wealthy according to Western standards. This is because they have a different way of life that does not rely on markets and the economy. But in terms of quality of life and community, they could be considered very wealthy indeed. Take the Maasai people who live in northern Tanzania…the Maasai have a rich, complex culture and are renowned as warriors and cattle rustlers. Nowadays, many of them welcome visiting their villages to experience their traditions, culture, and lifestyle. The Maasai might not be considered rich by anyone’s meaning of the word, but they do not consider themselves poor, either.
African Food isn’t Very Good.
Honestly, we have no idea where this myth originated, but it’s something we often read or hear from people considering taking a trip to Africa. There is a general opinion (from people who haven’t visited) that African food isn’t very good, and this is baffling for several reasons. Firstly, ‘African food’ isn’t a viable category of food, just as ‘European food’ doesn’t really mean much when you consider the difference between German food, Italian food, French food, Polish food, etc. Africa’s range of cuisines is just as diverse, so any generalization about ‘African cuisine’ just doesn’t hold water at all.
Additionally, most visitors find many of Africa’s different cuisines to be very tasty. South Africa has some of the best barbeque food in the world, Ethiopian stews are varied and delicious, and Tanzania’s island of Zanzibar has access to many of the world’s most exciting spices coming over from the Indian subcontinent and from further across Asia.
Africa Doesn’t Have Access to Wi-Fi.
Lastly, this myth could also be extended to a general assumption that Africa’s technology isn’t up to the standards of other continents across the world. The reality is that most places in Africa have Wi-Fi, smartphones, 4G, and any of the other trappings of modernity you might rely on.
However, while Africa does have Wi-Fi, many of the wilder, remote areas people visit on safari do not have coverage. But this is the same in national parks in the UK, Ireland, North America, and Europe. No one trekking through the middle of a forest in Europe or climbing a mountain in the US expects to have access to a seamless internet connection. The same goes for safaris in Africa. Many of the safari lodges, however, will have decent Wi-Fi connections.
That said, we encourage you to turn your phones off as much as possible! Just because you have access to the internet, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t jump at the chance to enjoy the benefits of a digital detox. Our safari holidays in Tanzania are the perfect way to embrace nature and get away from your phone and computer screens for a few days.
Africa is enchanting, spellbinding and truly unforgettable. It is a playground for all ages. The sun can be intense and the wildlife sightings unpredictable, but the adventure itself is deeply meaningful.
The animals don’t want to eat you—but the bugs might. Arm yourself with some sunscreen and a good insect repellent, but be warned that the most voracious bug of all is the Africa bug. Once bitten, forever addicted. You’ll fall in love with Africa’s charm and you will want to return. Often.
