Stealing camera equip or other valuables?
 

Hi,
I hate to ask but is it the general rule to never leave any equipment in the room or on the floor while you eat etc,? I always carry my cash in a pouch around my neck but now with all this equipment, I thought I'd ask. We're at Serena, Treetops, Mbalageti camps and properties--not that it makes a difference. Also, do you leave your wedding rings/jewelry beind? Sound silly but I thought I'd ask. Thanks.

It's always advisable not to leave valuables unattended, especially in environments where the sale price of a camera is higher than the monthly salary for many workers.

Of course, the vast majority of staff are honest, honourable individuals but, as in any population, there are individuals who will see, want, take.

In larger properties it's much easier for thiefs to operate anonymously compared to really small and intimate camps with small and mostly static staff teams.

I do often leave items in my room but lock them securely inside a case or large, sturdy bag - though even that is not complete protection since the bag itself can be taken.

But I never leave them lying around on the bed in my room/ tent or on an unattended dining table whilst all fellow diners are at the buffet.

I wear my normal every day jewellery which is a wedding band, one other silver ring and another silver chain and pendant but these are never removed, ever so no chance of lost and unlikely to be held up and robbed for them.

If you have flashy jewellery OR tend to remove it overnight or to wash hands I'd think twice about taking it at all.

All these things are worth asking. I bring my camera to meals since there might be a good photo op. If you have big lenses and other equipment, I've never seen anyone bring such items to meals. They probably lock them in a bag in the room.

I wear my wedding band and a $30 watch every day in Africa. No other jewelry.

We recently discovered a product called pacsafe. Its a stainless steel mesh bag that colapses and is pretty lighweight. The bags come in a couple of sized large enough for a suitcase or backpacks of various sizes. You can lock the whole deal to part of the bed or some other fixed part of the Tent or furniture. We don't leave our most expensive camera body alone but with some larger lenes we have no choice. This makes us feel a little better, particularly in the larger lodges. You might want to look at it online.
Chuck

Keep your jewelry simple. I too just wear my wedding band and watch. I usually take costume jewelry but do buy local jewelry when I get there.

Cash - always carry this with you. Same goes for all your important documents. Carry a pouch around your neck at all times.

Cameras - if you have this all in one camera bag, carry it with you. And like atravelynn said, you have to be prepared all the time for a photo-op.

Tanzanians are warm, kind and friendly people. There have been reports of staff finding large sums of money left behind and returning it to the clients. But no temptation is the best policy.

Mbalageti Serengeti is a great place.
Enjoy!

If you do decide to leave your camera behind during meals, remove the digital media. This way, should someone have sticky fingers, you don't loose those pics already taken. It's also a good idea to have a back-up camera, whether digital or film, even disposables. If for no other reason, wh at if your main camera is damaged by dropping, water or just acts strange... nowhere to have it repaired if out in the bush.

I wear in Africa the same everyday jewelry as I do at home, even diamond ring and earrings and necklace. Tempting fate? Maybe, but I'd be more uncomfortable without them, besides all is insured. But generally, stay away from chunky and noisy jewelry, especially while on game drives. Pack some costume jewelry, or wear items you buy. It's nice to get out of safari tan for dinner if you so wish and these items add something special.

For buffet meals, usually breakfast and lunch, though the Serena's have for dinner also, if traveling with a partner, one should go to the buffet while the other keeps an eagle eye on the other's belongings. Not unlike when going thru security at airports.

Just use common sense.

We have a pacsafe too - we've never used it in Africa (because, thus far, we've stayed at smaller places and/ or carried our valuables with us anyway) but we did use it in India recently - we had a 24+ hour train journey and wanted to be able to secure our camera backpack effectively. A bit of a pain to use but worth it.

I just insured all my camera equip, and still take it always with me.. don't wont to be at risk not able to take photo's during safari...brr. beter safe then sorry ;)

as one who has had their entire bag (including passport, cash, clothes, tickets etc.)stolen from a tent as we were canoeing, (later recovered) I don't leave anything of value in the room, just carry it in a backpack which doesn't leave my sight.

Okay, this is kind of what I thought. Thanks for your input, including the pacsafe. I think I'll just live with my equipment the whole time!

Yeah, I take it with me everywhere. Then, I forget and walk away without it!!! As a manly man, I'm not used to carrying a purse or bag like a lady. I have to make extra mental notes to remember to pick it back up.
regards - tom

What Tom mentions is something to be cautious about. I've done that same thing--walk off and leave my camera or whatever at the dining table. And I'm not even a manly man. I try to wrap the strap of the item around my foot so there is a tug on my ankle if I leave without picking it up.

Yep, I myself have lost my bag but never had it stolen!!! The couple times I did leave it I recognized it quickly and went back and got it. But still . . .
Wrapping the strap around a foot works. Also, a habit I use is to every time after setting down then leaving, or whatever, when I get up I ask myself - how many bags do I have ? Do I have one, does Carolyn have one, does she have her sunglasses?
What might work good is a tiny wireless "tether". That is, if I get further than say 20 meters from the bag an alarm goes off in my pocket. But don't know of any such thing.
regards - tom
ps - Lynn, thank God you're not a manly man :-)

Yes, wireless luggage alarms do exist - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rimax-Wirele.../dp/B0002RPYRU

Never tried one though.

Just curious, has anyone ever had anything stolen while at aWilderness or Kwando Camp in Botswana?

Silverback,

At these Bots camps, i generally leave my camera and gear all over the place without a worry....in the lounge area, in the room, forget to take it from the lounge after a tiring day etc etc., nope not concerned about theft. Infact, a lot of camps dont have an in-room safe.

Hari

Thanks Hari, that's what I would have expected. I suppose the larger lodges/camps are a different matter. What do all of the serious photographers with big lenses and lots of expensive stuff do at these larger camps?

My same experience in Botswana. No safes, no locks on tents. People leave binocs and cameras all over the common areas.

My same experience in Zambia.

Larger lodges/camps? My large equipment always stays in the room. If there's a lockable wardrobe, fine. If it's not I hide my bag and lenses under a blanket, or put them under the bed. I don't use any safe. The last thing I would do is carrying all this stuff to the restaurant. People who are doing this often appear to me like carrying a big banner above their heads - "Valuable equipment! We don't trust you! We're afraid!" Maybe this behaviour attracts the potential thief as well.

I also let most of my equipment behind if doing a canoe or mokoro tour. Chances that the boat overturns and you loose all your stuff are much bigger than theft in the camp.