How to travel safe

Apart from nature’s allure, visitors can also feel the friendly atmosphere while traveling in Africa, no matter whether they are elderly and traditional, like the Xus, or young and adventurous like Wang.

“Hospitable South Africans helped me out when my car stalled on the road,” Wang wrote in her blog. “I was overwhelmed by the kindness, charm and hospitality of the people.” She said she did not encounter any of the violence and crime reported in the media.

Xu said at the Kruger National Park in South Africa, they were assigned two local guides. Besides helping the couple observe the wildlife, the guides were also “dedicated to protecting us [from possible animal attacks] along the way,” adding to the feeling of being cared for.

“Most of the fears are created by [lack of correct and efficient] information,” said Brouwer. South Africa, he added, has always attached great importance to the safety of tourists and providing a better and safer tourism environment.

He has some advice for tourists visiting South Africa: choose an accredited travel agency for group travel and be safety conscious while traveling, like you would in any other part of the world.

He would also like to ask Chinese travelers not to carry too much cash with them. In South Africa, their payments can be made through Unionpay, the Chinese bank card that is being accepted in more and more foreign countries.

Li says Chinese tourists lack safety and legal awareness. His advice is that prior to any trip, especially overseas ones, travelers should make detailed contingency plans, just in case.

yunan@chinafrica.cn