Don't dis Africa! Most countries are safe!

[Omekongo]

Hi Tim! I am loving your book and it is truly changing my life! I can't say that about most books. I'm on your mini-retirement/travel section and I have to disagree with one point you made. You excluded the entire 54-country African continent off your list of places to visit. I hope as I read further in this updated version that there's a correction on this. I have traveled to 18 countries, 10 have been in Africa. I've been to some of them more than once (South Africa 7 or 8 times). I have never felt safer in any country I have visited than I have in Africa.

I am American born. I've had no problems with visas, getting money, spending money, and the food and people in these countries are wonderful. You would love Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa. None of these places are like "City of Gods" in Brazil. Half the countries speak English. I've been traveling there since my college days, east to west, north to south. My wife is packing her bags and heading to Uganda for business (again) as we speak. We've never been robbed or anything. Worst thing ever happened was someone using my credit card after I left South Africa but that could happen anywhere.

Tim, your whole program is about inspiring the adventurous spirit in us all. Most African countries are very safe. Don't discourage travel to the African continent please. Most people see Africa as a country so they see Libya or Congo and think that's the whole continent. Go and see for yourself! I can recommend some great places! Most places are cheaper than Argentina too! Cheers!

[liam75005]

Nice post...


I think Tim mentionned on his blog a few weeks ago that he was going to Cape Town...

Maybe you can post a list of "nice and cheap" countries to go to in Africa... and some tips to reassure people on how to travel on the safe side ?

[AlexMoen]

South Africa is definitely on my list of places to go in the not-too-distant future. I'll be volunteering for a big cat sanctuary and going in a great white shark cage.

Do you have any other recommendations for Africa? I mostly enjoy doing things that are exciting experiences rather than sightseeing, or historical landmarks (although those can be nice to do afterward)- any ideas?

Thanks.

[phil]

Any tips by chance for Mozambique and/or Namibia? Both sound very appealing.

I'm a huge fan of Cape Town.

Jo'burg - eh its OK.

Also hung out in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar (awesome).

AlexMoen - If you like camping, check out camping safaris by a company called "Drifters". I've been on a few, and loved them. Kiteboarding, Scuba, Helicopters, Winelands, etc all fun things there.

Watch out for baboons heh. Evil beasts. I've never gotten out of a car so quickly. Was sitting in the front seat of land cruiser at a park entrance and a massive baboon tries to come in my half rolled up window. He didn't make it in that one, so he ended up coming in the back window which was wide open. They are so strong, they can easily snap your arm in half. And some nasty fangs. I jumped out, and he rummaged through bags of cookies in the back seat until he found a full one and ran off into the bushes.