Choosing a holiday destination can be tough sometimes. Make a wrong decision and you could end up on a vacation from hell. Just ask anyone who visited Sri Lanka during the tsunami of 2004, was on the paradise island of Bali during the terrorist attack in 2002, or one of the many who have witnessed fatal shark attacks off the Great Barrier Reef. But the freak fatalities in these destinations pale in comparison with the death rate in many other places on the tourist map. It’s amazing to think that tourism exists in the most deathly countries on the planet, and yet in today’s world of global travel, the doors to travellers are open in even the most hostile and impoverished nations. So, while the tourists are sat gazing at the crystal waters, taking snaps of animals on a safari, or visiting colonial ruins, all around them folk are dying due to disease, war, and extreme poverty. According to the
CIA World Factbook (here are the top ten places with the highest mortality rate on the planet (as of July 2009). Amazingly, all of these countries have resorts and activities for tourists. In fact, many are using tourism as a way to aid recovery in these areas. If you’re planning a trip to any of these places, it’s best to get some independent advice first. Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel advice section for further details:
www.fco.gov.uk # 10 Central African Republic
Death rate: 17.84 per 1,000 per year
Things to do
See elephants and gorillas in the Dzanga-Sangha National Park Visit the Toutoubou Falls near Berberati Look for the mythical African Mbuti pygmies Take cover from ambushes Enjoy the hospitality in one of the country’s many refugee camps
What the brochure says
“If it’s the ‘real’ Africa you’re looking for, Central African Republic (CAR) may be it. A country of staggering rare natural beauty, with some of the world’s most amazing wildlife” – Lonely Planet
www.lonelyplanet.com What they don’t tell you
The idyllic waterfalls and lush forests might make you think the CAR is an unspoilt paradise land, but try telling that to the locals. The country is one of the poorest in the World - it was given a rating of 0.352 by the Human Development Index, giving the CAR a rank of 178 out of 179 countries. While you’re out gorilla watching, be sure to look out for guerrillas too. The country has suffered years of unrest and the neighbours aren’t particularly friendly either. The CAR is bordered with war-ravaged Sudan, Congo, Chad and Democratic Republic of Congo.
# 9 Djibouti
Death rate: 19.10
per 1,000 per year
Things to do
Take in the bustling nightlife of Djibouti City Pay a visit to the eerily beautiful Lac Abbé Go snorkelling with whale sharks Enjoy the sights of sounds of the only US military base in sub-Saharan Africa Experience the thrills and spills of diarrhoea by sampling the local water
What the brochure says
"The Country has a number of unsoiled and isolated beaches which can provide a unique getaway. Other attractions include the geographical nature of the Djibouti countryside which features; ravines, lakes and plains.”
www.africaprofile.com What they don’t tell you
Djibouti offers a “unique getaway” not only for tourists, but also for refugees from neighbouring Somalia and Ethiopia. Rather than head for the sandy beaches though, these holidaymakers opt to live in temporary shacks in crowded Djibouti-ville. Here, the street children dine out on food from the trash can in an area where unemployment has reached 50% and disease from poor sanitation continues to ravish the population.
# 8 Afghanistan
Death rate: 19.18 per 1,000 per year
Things to do
Visit the site of the famous Bamiyan Buddhas niches, standing 180 meters tall Explore the ancient cities built by Alexander the Great Go trekking among the Kyrgyz and Kuchi nomads Take a trip to a terrorist hideout on the Pakistan border Go landmine-spotting Go poppy picking and help the local illegal opium trade
What the brochure says
“Afghanistan is fast becoming the latest destination of choice for those travellers who want to discover exotic places undiscovered by the hordes of tourists.”
www.travbuddy.com What they don’t tell you
Yes, it’s a wonder why Afghanistan isn’t thronging with tourists given its natural wonders and hospitable people. Perhaps holidaymakers are being put off by the bloody war that’s been raging between Allied forces and Taliban insurgents since 2001. If you venture out of your hotel for a spot of sight-seeing be sure to watch out for land mines and various other types of unexploded ordnance. Caving is a popular extreme pursuit in Afghanistan, and is all the rage among members of Al-Qaeda, who like to keep away from the hustle and bustle of the US-occupied cities.
# 7 Mozambique
Death rate: 20.07 per 1,000 per year
Things to do
Sample the delicious locally-caught fresh seafood in the capital, Maputo Swim with dolphins on the splendid beaches of Ponta do Ouro Visit the Ilha of Mozambique and learn about the history and culture of Mozambique Kick back in the harbours and watch boats loaded with hashish and heroin set off for Europe Go on a road trip with people traffickers
What the brochure says
“Welcome to Mozambique, the land of smiles!”
www.mozambiquetourism.co.za What they don’t tell you
It must be hard to keep a smile on your face when you live in an area where the Human Development Index is one of the lowest in the World, and life expectancy and infant mortality rates are among the lowest anywhere. In a country where child malnutrition is on the rise, many young Mozambican men have opted to travel away from the land of smiles. According to the CIA, they are trafficked to South Africa for farm work and mining, while women and girls from rural areas also head there “for domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation”.
# 6 Liberia
Death rate: 20.73 per 1,000 per year
Things to do
Sample the many nightclubs, restaurants and bars of the capital, Monrovia Take a tour of the huge Firestone Rubber Plantation Track down the rare pygmy hippo in the Sapo National Park Take in the sights and sounds of a violent demonstration Tourists with a taste for danger should try walking the streets of Monrovia alone after dark
What the brochure says
“Liberia will offer intrepid adventurers a fascinating glimpse into what was previously a wonderfully hospitable and fascinatingly enigmatic society. Liberia’s artistic traditions – especially carved masks, dance and storytelling – rivalled those of anywhere on the continent, and traditional culture was strong.”
www.lonelyplanet.com What they don’t tell you
Many may miss out on Liberia’s famed hospitality because travellers are advised against all but essential travel to Liberia. According to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, that fascinatingly enigmatic society is now rife with violent crime and public order incidents. Of course, plucky tourists can choose to ignore this advice and go and sample the delights of one of Africa’s poorest country, which is still feeling the effects from a decades-long civil war.
# 5 Zambia
Death rate: 21.34 per 1,000 per year
Things to do
Experience the spectacular Victoria Falls Go big game hunting Taking a rafting trip along the Zambezi Play with the crocodiles, poisonous snakes and hippos Take home some counterfeited US dollars
What the brochure says
“Acknowledged as one of the safest countries in the world to visit, Zambia's welcoming people live in peace and harmony. The Wildlife is superb and some of the finest Safaris on the planet are available from our fine lodges and safari companies.”
www.zambiatourism.com What they don’t tell you
Zambians are sure to give tourists a really warm welcome. The fact is, they need the money because they are among the poorest people in the World. In fact, around 60% of the population lives on less than $1.25 per day. Couple this extreme poverty with one of the largest HIV and AIDS pandemics anywhere on the planet, and it becomes amazing to think how peace and harmony can exist in such conditions.
# 4 Sierra Leone
Death rate: 21.91
per 1,000 per year
Things to do
Go snorkelling and fishing in the Banana Islands Monkey around at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary Visit Old Fourah Bay College, the oldest university in West Africa Make friends with the armed guards at the many illegal roadblocks Peruse the state controlled newspapers in a country with the 121st least-free press in the World
What the brochure says
“An inspiring country with tremendous potential; from the tropical paradise of rain forests to white sandy beaches, Sierra Leone's heritage, history and sophistication happily co-exist with nature to create a unique harmonious ambience.”
www.visitsierraleone.org What they don’t tell you
Don’t expect any bingo parlours, tea dances or bridge clubs in Sierrra Leone – the average life expectancy of the country is just 41, so it’s not really geared to the needs of OAPs. The “harmonious ambience” touted by the National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone may seem strange to many given the fact that the country is ranked lowest in the World on the Human Development Index, and has recently played host to a civil war that claimed 50,000 lives.
# 3 Lesotho
Death rate: 22.20 per 1,000 per year
Things to do
Go bird watching and see the rare bearded vulture, black eagle and steppe buzzard Go pony trekking in the Lesotho Highlands Explore the craft markets of Maseru Hand out condoms Get car-jacked in Maseru
What the brochure says
“Tourism in Lesotho is booming. Lesotho’s formidable terrain is created by the sheer walls of the Drakensberg and Maluti mountains, which give sanctuary to a unique developing nation. The friendly Basotho are one of the few mountain peoples in Africa and have developed a rich culture, often in isolated villages.”
www.drakensberg-tourism.com What they don’t tell you
While tourism booms in Lesotho so too does HIV infection in the country. According to the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group, 23.2% of the population over the age of 15 are living with HIV – one of the highest in the World. Don’t expect to see too many kids out playing either, because Lesotho has significant levels of child labour, and is in the process of formulating an Action Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (APEC)
# 2 Angola
Death rate: 24.08 per 1,000 per year
Things to do
Visit the Museum of Armed Forces Fall in love with African art at the Humbi-Humbi gallery Check out the huge, yet deserted Parc Nacional de da Kissama Enjoy a game of ‘dodge the landmine’ Get kidnapped in the Province of Cabinda
What the brochure says
“Angola is an ideal tourist destination for many travelers coming from all parts of the world. There are several tourist attractions in Angola. During your tours to this country, visit the Museum of Armed Forces, the National Museum of Anthropology and also the Humbi-Humbi art gallery. Good hotels in Angola are always in high demand.”
travel.mapsofworld.com What they don’t tell you
If you fancy sampling a nasty tropical disease, Angola is the place to come. Epidemics of cholera, malaria, rabies, and hemorrhagic fevers are common diseases in widespread parts of the country. Tuberculosis and HIV are also rife in lots of places in Angola. Even if you manage to dodge all this disease you might not make it as far as home if you try to fly with an Angolan airline. The EU has refused permission for all airlines from Angola to operate services to the European United because they failed to meet international air safety standards.
# 1 Swaziland
Death rate: 30.83 per 1,000 per year
Things to do
See rhinos, lions and antelopes at the Hlane Royal National Park Take in the picturesque scenery of the Ezulwini Valley Take home some local handicrafts from the Malkerns Valley Top up your tan in the drought-hit lowveld Experience the electrifying thrill of being struck by lightning
What the brochure says
“Swaziland might be among the smallest countries on the continent and one of Africa's remaining monarchies, but there's more than novelty value on offer here. You can almost feel South Africa's undercurrents of tension fade away when you cross the border into friendly, easy-going little Swaziland, making it a relaxing stopover on the trip between Mozambique and South Africa.” -
www.lonelyplanet.com What they don’t tell you
Swaziland may be small but it does have a knack of ‘winning’ unwelcome records. The country has recently overtaken Botswana to become the country with the World’s highest known HIV prevalence rate. It is also one of the highest rates of people struck by lightning per capita in the World, so be sure to take some rubber-soled shoes on your trip to the planet’s most mortal destination.
