Tourisphere: Essential guidelines for tourists

To make your holiday or visit a memorable one either you are an outbound or inbound tourists in or to any part of Africa or West Africa in particular there are many things that should be put into consideration to guide you from any unexpected incident.

Visit The Gambia comfortably at any time, especially during the season and enjoy river cruising,, fishing, village tours, bird watching,horse and camel riding, and adventure trips.You can also have a taste of local musical events, family visits, evening entertainment, cultural orientation and  other sporting events. You will enjoy all these only with proper planning of your holiday.

Your holiday arrangement starts right from your home. Since accommodation is heavily booked during the season, in some parts of Africa, where prices can be more than double.

Therefore, it is important to book in advance and acquaint yourself with your tour operator who can avail you  some guidelines and give you more knowledge of the place you desire to visit. As a first time visitor to any place, it is prudent that you join an escorted tour where all your accommodation, excursions and so on will be handled by a professional tourist guide employed by a reputable tour operator.

To avoid abuses, never let your guard down.The  safety of your journey  begins with the  when you start  packing your luggage. Make your travel light, in that way you will be less tired and more agile to move  quickly. This would allow you to keep such luggage well within reach and sight. Your vigilance and alertness can most certainly contribute to a safer holiday.

It is good to avoid been flashy, so always dress conservatively and carry the least amount of valuables required for your trip. Leave your expensive jewelry at home. Better still, you can ask your hotel management to lock these expensive items in the hotel safe for you whenever you bring them along. It is always advisable to travel with credit card, traveler’s cheque rather than cash. And if you do carry them, it is wiser to keep record of your card or cheque details in your luggage and trust no one with it.

Avoid the use of handbags, because it is easy to get lost or  snatched away. Instead carry your valuables in either your inner pockets or a strong bag that can be hanged across your shoulder. Also a pouch or moneybag worn under your clothes could be more reliable.

Keep medicines with there original label inside boxes/containers in your luggage and the prescription of medicines in order to avoid been disturbed by the custom officials at the airport or your port of entry. Moreover, if your medication is unusual or contains narcotics, please carry a letter from your doctor testifying  your need to take the drugs. Such pre-emptive action on your part will save you of  problems with any custom officials who are amongst the best in the world not only in  Africa.

 On your arrival and departure at  the airport and or the hotel, keep your luggage in view at all times. On your arrival at the hotel or place of accomodation,  decide exactly where to park your car, if you are using one, before you offload your luggage. Always make sure that you assume full responsibility for whatever valuables you have by carrying it yourself.

The hotel, lodge or whereever you are been accommodated, ensure that you are well acquainted with the rules and regulations of the establishment,so as to protect yourself from any embarrassment, misunderstanding or confusion as a result of your lack of awareness and clarify, with the management of your hotel, lodge or wherever you stay.

Should in case you are driving yourself, it is important that you always obey the traffic rules and regulations. All countries in West Africa drive on the left side of the road including The Gambia. Road signs are in English in the Anglophone countries and French in any of the Francophone countries and they all agreed to international standards.

It is necessary to strictly abide by the speed limit which is in kilometers. Avoid  driving under the influence of alcohol or any intoxicating  substances as it is a criminal offence for any one to be  arrested for such offences. Long journeys can sometimes be  risky  without proper planning for the trip. Some times you might run out of gas so check the condition of your vehicle very well for safety purposes. And also, when driving or riding, request a vehicle equipped with safety belts, and other necessary tools to use when the need arise.

, it is  prudent that you inform your co-travelers, friends, relatives if you travel with any and your hotel staff of the route you intended to take plus your exact destination, possibly with approximate time to expect you back. Since we are in the world of modern technology, your personal cell phone should always be charged and fully loaded with credit and ready to use should there be any emergency.  Giving and accepting of help or lift should be to your best discretion. Remember not all informations about yourself should be given out without utmost judgment of whom you are discussing with.

But to acquire more knowledge about your visiting destination, traveling via public transports could be   more colorful, informative and enjoyable because it will help you to experience more. It is vital that a tourist guide from your tour operator is by your side.

Which means it is not advisable that you use public transport on your own  ,unless you are a frequent visitor of your destination (place of visit). Watch out how you spend and always make your calculation before leaving your hotel if you are not familiar with the currency in use and never exposed your purse or  the content of your luggage to others.

You should always take note of   the address to keep you inform about where you are going before leaving your hotel or place of abode if you find it difficult to remember or pronounce the name of the area you are going to. This can easily be shown to cab drivers or the passers by for easy recognition and direction to avoid getting yourself lost. Better still, you can make a verification or request for more information from the hotel staff or your tour guide.

Avoid making a sudden friendship with unknown faces or people as this can endanger your life. Also do not isolate yourself much if you are traveling without a tour guide. Instead  sit among the respectable male and female passengers in the vehicle  in case you are going for long distance.

Remember to know some useful phone numbers for emergency purpose. Example of such are police emergency number, your hotel or accommodation number, your tour guide or tour operator’s number. These will greatly safe you time and trouble.