Africa Travel Tips

• All reserves have a set of rules that you need to follow to ensure your safety. Many of the animals you'll come across, particularly lion, hippo, elephant and buffalo, are dangerous. Stay in your car and keep a reasonable distance - especially with elephant - in case you need to beat a hasty retreat!
• Africa has its fair share of poisonous snakes - though they are rarely encountered. When they are, they usually try to get away as quickly as possible. But if you're planning on doing any walking, wear boots, socks and long trousers as a precautionary measure - and always watch where you're about to tread.
• Ticks are another unwelcome aspect of going walking in the bush. Boots, socks and long trousers will help keep them off you.
• Don't swim in rivers and lakes where there are hippos and crocodiles. Also, many rivers and lakes in Africa host a parasite called bilharzia.