Shaun Delport
Registered
A caution to all Divers and travellers going to Africa for vacations, Mozambique in particular.
I will not go into the sordid details of what happened to this young 20 year old girl except to say it was an unnecessary death if a few basic guidelines were followed.
I have extensive travel experience in Africa. For the past 17 years I have worked in African countries as an expat and have had friends die due to not following advice. Just recently in Ghana, a young friend, 26, Nick Udal, passed away as a result of poison spiked drink and our other friend with him survived after some time in hospital.
Due to the nature of touring Africa, safety, the cultural and religious diversity, political turmoil, natural diseases, infections and personalities you might encounter, I would strongly recommend the following guidelines to at least minimize the risks to yourselves and others in your groups:
All laws, rules and regulations of the countries visited shall be adhered to at all times.
No activity will be done without prior assessment of the risk of said activity by the Tour Leader or group.
Any excursions into the bush, villages, towns or ocean shall be done in groups only.
When leaving your camp area the group shall report to the Camp Manager with the following information: Destination, Mode of transport, Expected time of return, a national policeman escort and a cellular phone with camp contact number.
Call camp when destination is reached. Call camp when leaving destination to camp.
When frequenting a local pub, bar or night club, a national policeman shall accompany the group.
When consuming alcohol outside of the camp area, the group or an individual within group, shall not become incapacitated as a result of alcohol. It causes problems for others in the group.
When consuming alcohol outside of the camp area, the group or an individual within group, will pay for each round of drinks as they are delivered to your group. Do not run a bar tab.
When consuming alcohol outside of the camp area your drink shall be sealed and opened in front of you or opened by you. Do not leave drinks unattended.
When leaving the camp area to go local shopping or pub crawling, take only the cash you think you might need, in local currency. Put it in your front denim pocket.
You will have many “friends” on your travels. Do not invite “friends” to your camp area or lodgings for any reason.
Africa has a high HIV infection statistic. Need I say more?
Malaria is endemic to most countries in Africa; hence, malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Consult Diving Doctor on which prophylaxis meds are suitable for diving.
Mozambique is going through some Renamo rebel against Frelimo Government activity. Several incidents have involved attacks on civilians and public transport. Check travel advisory of countries on your trip.
It is long-winded but if it helps someone it was worth it.
Also try and meet up with a trusted local, could be someone on SB, to travel with in their home country.
Safe travels and diving.
I will not go into the sordid details of what happened to this young 20 year old girl except to say it was an unnecessary death if a few basic guidelines were followed.
I have extensive travel experience in Africa. For the past 17 years I have worked in African countries as an expat and have had friends die due to not following advice. Just recently in Ghana, a young friend, 26, Nick Udal, passed away as a result of poison spiked drink and our other friend with him survived after some time in hospital.
Due to the nature of touring Africa, safety, the cultural and religious diversity, political turmoil, natural diseases, infections and personalities you might encounter, I would strongly recommend the following guidelines to at least minimize the risks to yourselves and others in your groups:
All laws, rules and regulations of the countries visited shall be adhered to at all times.
No activity will be done without prior assessment of the risk of said activity by the Tour Leader or group.
Any excursions into the bush, villages, towns or ocean shall be done in groups only.
When leaving your camp area the group shall report to the Camp Manager with the following information: Destination, Mode of transport, Expected time of return, a national policeman escort and a cellular phone with camp contact number.
Call camp when destination is reached. Call camp when leaving destination to camp.
When frequenting a local pub, bar or night club, a national policeman shall accompany the group.
When consuming alcohol outside of the camp area, the group or an individual within group, shall not become incapacitated as a result of alcohol. It causes problems for others in the group.
When consuming alcohol outside of the camp area, the group or an individual within group, will pay for each round of drinks as they are delivered to your group. Do not run a bar tab.
When consuming alcohol outside of the camp area your drink shall be sealed and opened in front of you or opened by you. Do not leave drinks unattended.
When leaving the camp area to go local shopping or pub crawling, take only the cash you think you might need, in local currency. Put it in your front denim pocket.
You will have many “friends” on your travels. Do not invite “friends” to your camp area or lodgings for any reason.
Africa has a high HIV infection statistic. Need I say more?
Malaria is endemic to most countries in Africa; hence, malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Consult Diving Doctor on which prophylaxis meds are suitable for diving.
Mozambique is going through some Renamo rebel against Frelimo Government activity. Several incidents have involved attacks on civilians and public transport. Check travel advisory of countries on your trip.
It is long-winded but if it helps someone it was worth it.
Also try and meet up with a trusted local, could be someone on SB, to travel with in their home country.
Safe travels and diving.
Sad.
