Did you know that insurance is needed when it comes to African safaris? Safaris in Africa come in distinct forms ranging from nature walks, mountain gorilla trekking, wildlife viewing, chimpanzee tracking, mountaineering, boat rides, white water rafting, bird watching to cultural encounters. For any plans to undertake any of these activities, travel insurance should be a must thing for you to put into consideration. To others, travel insurance is a luxury and wouldn’t want to spend the little they have on it but the reality is that this alone serves a significant role like any other adventure you may opt to take part in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo.
Once you take travel insurance, a lot is covered against so many risks while you are on gorilla safari. Looking at gorilla safaris, only 3 countries are available for to strike your imaginations with a group of these dramatic creatures while in their natural habitat. Not even in the zoo will you find these amazing apes but only in the rainforests of Uganda, Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A hike to view a habituated family of these humble primates is so rewarding but takes you through strenuous hike via the dense vegetation of Bwindi and Mgahinga in southwestern Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda or the Virunga National Park in eastern DR Congo. Compared to game viewing where you watch wild animals while in safari vehicle a trek to view a group of mountain gorillas, you have to take a hike through the jungles of Africa. This alone means in one way you may have some injuries and the fact that treks can last for about 2 to 8 hours thus leaving you exhausted with higher chances of being injured. Equally, being the savanna plains poses a risk the fact that humans are like foreigners in these wildlife species’ habitats and anything can happen that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Travel insurance is of great value for any holiday maker especially before leaving for your actual trip in any destination of your choice. To some people taking insurance is being so careful/keen while on vacation but it is the most significant thing any intending traveler must do at any time he or she is planning for a trip. While travel destinations may seem to be safe, anything can happen just like it can happen when you are in your home country. What varies is that while you are in a new destination, it becomes a bit challenging for you to access treatment or find a solution like you could have done while back at home. Because of this, a travel insurance policy is of great value as it covers a lot in case of anything. With travel insurance you get covered and gives a peace of mind while on holiday thus adequate time for you to enjoy your vacation.
Regardless of the significance that accrue from travel insurance, you can’t take any just for sake but you need that travel insurance which suits the type of vacation/safari you wish to engage in. That said, some of the key areas one should put into consideration while searching for travel insurance cover include; the safari destination-whereby prior embarking on any a trip to any destination, you must have communicated to agency to ensure that you will be covered for each destination you intend to pay a visit. This is because some places aren’t covered in standard travel insurance and this calls for one to conduct adequate research on each tourist destination he or she wishes to explore.
You also need to consider medical. Medical cover is ideal for any trip to a new destination. It doesn’t however mean that you are to fall sick or get injured once you take this kind of insurance. In other words, you need adequate medical coverage as the basic one normally caters for minor illnesses/injuries. With adequate medical insurance, it covers even extensive injury or accident. Medical repatriation may seem costly and serves more like emergency. It mainly covers airlifts and medical evacuations back to your home country and preferably, you can spend a small amount on it.
Safari activities-in most cases, medical insurance doesn’t cover other activities such as hot air balloon safaris, white water rafting as well as other adventure activities. This means that for any plans to embark on a family trip or with friends in any of above safari activities one needs to insurance policy that covers them.
Game viewing-for most travelers on safari in Africa, priority is largely to see the big five game plus other plus others like mountain gorillas or savanna grassland dwellers. For this case, inform your insurance provider on the kind of trip you intend to take part and make sure that the travel insurance policy you take covers for such activities like game drives, nature walks or walking tours.
Personal belongings/property-each and every visitor has things and this can be money, camera and other valuables to be used while on gorilla safari. While on safari, there are also higher chances of you losing or perhaps forgetting the luggage and to be on a safer side, it is important that you cover this area.