Safari Violence
 

A few days ago I was in the local liquor store and the owner told me of a ABC 20/20 show on Friday, July 4 detailing the machete deaths of a couple of tourists on a safari. Since my parents leave for Kenya tomorrow, I wanted to know whether this man has his facts right. Any enlightening news would be appreciated.

Hello GeorgeW,
I couldn’t find a panga (machete), but here you can buy a hoe: http://nakumatt.net//index.php?page=...t&Itemid=1

Wish your parents safari njema from me.

George, I couldn't find anything on the 20/20 website, and a Google search came up empty, as did a search of allafrica.com.

I came up with a Reuters item that reported two German tourists at a Kenyan seaside resort being killed by machete on January 28, 2008. Not a safari.

There was a show on the National Geographic Channel's "Locked Up Abroad" series recently about the kidnapping and killing of some tourists in Bwindi (Uganda) in, I believe, 1999. That's a pretty well-known event, not something new. Maybe that's what he saw?

Nyamera,
Are you back?

That might have been the Bwindi massacre in March 1999 in Uganda, as MyDogKyle mentioned. The tourists were at a place where you track gorillas, that I've been to since and it was fine, with a greater military presence.

I recall more recent news of an attack on a couple of missionaries living in one of the towns in Kenya. This would not be what tourists on safari do.

Even during the election violence, tourists remained safe, while unfortunately the local people bore the brunt of the violence.

The fact that Nyamera can chime in with her usual wit about a hoe speaks volumes. She is on safari in Kenya right now and appears to be doing fine. We hope you don't leave, Nyamera, per your wishes.

I would not worry about Kenya if your parents are on an organized safari with a reputable company. Gorilla tracking in Democratic Republic of Congo, sadly, is a different story.

Wish your parents well. You can comfortably replace any fear for them with happiness and maybe some jealousy.

Patty,
Yes, since Saturday night. Mission failed.

tinyurl.com/6zsnbs

Not sure what, if anything, was on 20/20 but here's a bit about the incident that was referenced above on NGC. Very sobering show, btw.

Your local liquor provisioner sounds like a real sweetheart.

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/289196.stm

Try this one - NY times doesn't always tiny url - sorry

As I recall, when this incident happened with German's, they weren't tourists, rather resident aliens... it was a break-in/burglary. Sadly, it probably could have happened anywhere in the world.

Even during the earlier (Jan/Feb) political unpheavals, tourists were never targeted nor hurt. Your parents should be fine.

There was a machete attack on 2 missionaires last week from Canada. They were living in a local villiage and were attached by there night watchman and a gang. Nothing to do with Safari and not near tourist area. The couple both lived and are planning on continuing there missionary work when they recover.

<b>There was a machete attack on 2 missionaires last week from Canada.</b>

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...ub=CalgaryHome

Nyamera~sorry to hear about your failed mission...I feel so bad for you but there's always next year! Hope you feel well enough to write a report.
Take care and Aloha

Or, maybe the journalist who was found murdered in Nairobi?

atravelynn wrote:

&quot;That might have been the Bwindi massacre in March 1999 in Uganda, as MyDogKyle mentioned. The tourists were at a place where you track gorillas, that I've been to since and it was fine, with a greater military presence.&quot;

If that is what we are looking for, just read Mark Ross' book &quot;Dangerous Beauty&quot;. He was the guide of the group who got into trouble.

See:
http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Beau...911&amp;sr=8-1

Thanks, Dennis. I’m not feeling well and I’ve only written the title of the report. Nyamera’s Stupidest Kenya Trip So Far. I do have some technically deficient photos. The explanation is an eye problem and a dark viewfinder …
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLan...localeid=en_US

What happened to the missionary couple is horrifying, but the risk GeorgeW’s parents will be attacked with pangas, or any other agricultural tool, is so small it almost doesn’t exist.

Hari must be thinking of this: http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/newswir...2007&amp;imw=Y

Thanks to the wisdom of the posters on this thread and a little of my own research, I am confident in my parents' safety. In fact, they should be taking off from Dulles Airport shortly.

a couple of weeks ago there were news in south african newspapers that 2 tourists were robbed while staying at ilkeliani camp bear talek village.
they lost all their photographic equipment and other valueables. but that was that was it. nobody physically hurt.

div

GeorgeW, I'm glad to hear that. I hope they have a wonderful trip!

Nyamera, it may have felt stupid to you at the time (and I'm sorry you couldn't stay), but I'm still looking forward to the stories behind those pictures! Please start another thread so your shots aren't hidden here under &quot;Safari Violence.&quot;