“I am not used to group travel - what sort of people do you get and what is the nature of your group travel?”
If you are not really into group travel but haven’t got the time to organise your own trip on the ground then you are the type of person I had in mind when first setting up From Here 2 Timbuktu.
My target market was people who have done the independent travel thing but now don’t have the time it takes to organise a trip to far and distant places off the beaten track. They want that closeness to the country that one gets doing independent travel, but haven’t got the time available to take 2 months out of their lives.
“What is the average age?”
My clients’ ages have ranged from 20 to 70. I’d say the average for my overland, Mali and Cameroon trips is between 35-40.
For my Cruise Senegal trip the average age is slightly older. This trip is more luxurious, has no very long journeys and is very relaxing so appeals more to those who want a holiday with a sense of travel.
So far I have found that all of my groups have gelled remarkably well. I have never had a difficult client who has stood out against the rest. I put this down to there being something in common between people who have the impetus to want to travel across the desert or to West Africa. So if you are reading this you pretty much qualify to fit in.
Is it Safe?
I could write a book on this. My view is that this is part of the cultural block the west has always had around Africa. If you want to read more about my opinion please go to “Western Double Standards - aid, trade and security”.on my Blog.
In terms of personal safety, I can confidently say you are far less likely to be physically aggressed or have anything stolen from your person than you are in any country in the west. Wherever you go in Africa you have a whole community of people looking out for you. As a visitor and a guest you are highly respected and valued.
You will never be taken anywhere where there is active political upheaval. The best approach is to listen to word on the ground. People know when an area is safe or not. You will not be taken anywhere where your safety could be compromised.
What about health?
I so rarely get ill in Africa. Much less than I do in the UK. It is not like Asia where everyone gets ill. I drink water from the tap in all my destination countries and I have never had a water related illness. Some people get a slight climate adjustment reaction at the beginning of their trip, as can happen anywhere.
Most tours take place in low malarial seasons. Mali and Senegal are in lower risk regions. Cameroon is higher risk but as long as you follow best practice advise you are likely to avoid malaria.
If you were unfortunate enough to pick it up, it is a curable disease. The trick is to catch it early - which you will because I have had it and know the symptoms - and treat it quickly. I always carry treatment drugs with me.
