Solo travel can be incredibly empowering, but it is as well natural to worry about safety.
It is rightly true that we have all heard stories about people who travel solo to certain destinations only to end up getting robbed, kidnapped, sexually assaulted or even worse, killed.
Many cases of such has been published which has caused an increase in the decline of travels in general to certain tourist areas.
Although, we can not entirely overrule the excitements and life long dreams of traveling to beautiful places around the world, one thing we can do is help educate and equip our travel clients on how to stay safe and at alert during such voyage especially going solo.
With careful planning, awareness, and precautions, you can minimize risks and maximize your solo travel experience by taking the following measures:
1. Pre-Trip Preparation
=Research destinations: Doing a proper research to understand the local customs, laws, and potential safety concerns about your intending destination, or country you would like to visit will put you in check of what you are about to face.
= Check government travel advisories: Government travel advisories are issued by countries to inform and warn their citizens about safety and security concerns when traveling abroad. These advisories are typically provided by government departments responsible for foreign affairs. To check for government travel advisories, you can visit the official websites of your country’s department of state or foreign affairs.
=Register with your government’s travel registration service: Ensure you register with the Nigerian government’s travel registration services to ensure your safety and receive important travel advisories. Some of these Nigerian government’s travel registration services include; Nigerian Immigration Service (you can register via their website and provide required information), Nigerian Embassy/Consulate and Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
By registering with any of these services you would;
✓Receive travel advisories and safety updates
✓Get notified in case of emergencies or crises
✓Help the Nigerian government contact you in case of an emergency
✓Provide valuable information for emergency response
=Leave a detailed itinerary with friends and family: For every movement or stop you make during your journey, it is pivotal to let a family member or friend know in on it too. Your whereabouts, plans and actions during your time away should not be void of other people’s knowledge in case of unforseen circumstances that may arise.
=Invest in travel insurance: This right here cannot be overemphasized!!! This is pertinent to every traveler and tourists. Investing in travel insurance provides financial protection against unforeseen circumstances that may arise during your trip.
2. Personal Safety
=Stay aware of surroundings: Beware of places you enter, the group of people you meet and trust your instincts.
=Keep valuables secure: Carelessness is not an option as a solo traveler, or else, you will regret your journey. Be sure to keep your valuables safe and always in your sight. Always use hotel safes or lockers and don’t let your village people use you to tempt unknown thieves that may be around you.
=Use reputable transportation: Do not enter vehicles you are not sure of, especially if you are not the one that ordered for it. Ensure it is a licensed taxi or use ride-sharing.
=Avoid walking alone at night: Nope, never! This is because you are in an environment you have never been in before, and you definitely are not sure of what happens during the day, talk less of at night. So avoid moving around when it is dark.
=Keep emergency contacts handy: This is excruciatingly important, to make quick calls when the need arises.
3. Accommodation Safety; Choose reputable hotels or hostels, Research reviews and ratings of the hotel before you move in; Consider female-only dorms or rooms.(If you are a lady) and keep your room door locked.
4. Meeting New People: Ensure you Join group tours or social events packed with people like yourself. Use reputable social media groups, Attend solo traveler meetups, Be cautious with new acquaintances and always Trust your instincts.
5. Health and Wellness: Consult your doctor before traveling,Research local healthcare options, Pack essential medications, Stay hydrated and energized, finally Consider travel insurance with medical coverage.
6. Emergency Preparedness: Research local emergency services, Carry a basic first-aid kit, Keep important phone numbers handy, Know your embassy’s contact information, Stay informed about local conditions.
More so, ensure you stay Connected; Use social media to share locations, Keep family and friends updated, and Carry a portable charger.
Finally, if this is overwhelming and you are in need of proper assistance and guidance to ensure your well-being, Light Heights Global Services assures you 100% safety and will guide you through in every step of the process. Register now at www.lightheights.com or call us at 08100710298 and put an end to your worries of being safe.
We make sure you Stay informed, take calculated risks for you and help you Enjoy the freedom and growth that solo travel offers .
Happy solo travels!!!
