Bayeth Tented Lodge
at Shamwari Game Reserve, South Africa
While adventurous U.S.
planners have taken meetings and incentive programs to
Africa, it’s a safe bet that many others have avoided the continent
based on long-held fears and myths. Nickie Fouche, president of
Amityville, N.Y.-based AfricaTours, debunks some common
misconceptions.
Myth: Africa is a
haven for third-world diseases such as malaria, typhoid, etc.
Truth: This is true
for remote parts of Africa but not for areas most tourists visit,
says Fouche. As a general rule, the one disease to watch out for in
most safari parks is malaria. To play it safe, start taking malaria
tablets (available at pharmacies with a physician’s prescription)
three days prior to visiting and then for a week after.
Several game parks in South Africa are malaria-free, though,
including Madikwe Game Reserve and most of the game parks in the
Eastern Cape, including Addo Elephant Park, Shamwari Game Reserve,
Kwandwe Game Reserve and Samara Game Reserve.
Myth: African
countries require special visas for visitors.
Truth: Some do, some
don’t, notes Fouche. Among the countries groups are most likely to
visit, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia require them; South
Africa, Botswana and Namibia do not.