Expert: Vicky Stirling - 1/11/2011

Question
Hello.  I have been to Europe, North America, and Asia to a few countries for fun.  I am 28 years old, African American, and I always travel alone.  I really would like to visit a black african country where I can feel safe.  I carry a small camera around with me and make video jounrals of all the countries I travel to.  I want to travel to a country where I can freely record withouth having to worry about being targeted as being affluent and possibly be robbed.  I always keep my money in a money belt which is under my clothes and I try to keep my camera in a front pocket.  The US state department has warnings about countries but I would rather ask someone that has been there.  What countries in Africa do you recommend I visit where I can enjoy myself and not have to worry about the possibility of crime.  Thanks.

Answer
What country in the world can you go to and not worry about crime!?? You can travel anywhere in Africa as long as you are sensible ie dont wander around on your own at night or flash your cash around. You will no doubt be keeping to the tourist areas and like any robbery its unlucky if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, unless you are doing something stupid. Always take local advice if you are walking around or travelling from a-b they will know always know best. I have hitch hiked, driven and taken public transport up and down the whole continent and I have been robbed once but it was totally my own fault.
Dont let anyone put you off Africa it is an amazing continent. You will create a bit of curiosity in more out of the way places being African American but that will be in more rural areas. Nothing bad they will just think you should speak their language and be curious that you live in America.

Always be careful with videoing and taking photos of local people as they dont really like having their picture taken in rural areas they are suspicious of cameras but if you ask and they say yes then that is fine but they make then ask you for some money. Always the oppertunists!

Have fun
all best
vicky