Tourists planning to explore Africa this festive season have a new reason to travel with confidence. Rescue.co, a leading emergency response provider, has launched Safe Travels, a comprehensive emergency assistance plan designed specifically for both domestic and international travelers. With coverage spanning urban centers, safari parks, and remote regions, Safe Travels ensures safety, swift response, and peace of mind for adventurers across the continent.
Traveling in Africa presents unique risks, especially for adventure enthusiasts venturing into rugged terrains and remote locations. Rescue.co’s Safe Travels plan addresses these challenges with specialized emergency services for high-risk activities. Whether climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya, exploring the Maasai Mara, or venturing into secluded coastal areas, travelers can rely on rapid, professional support for emergencies like altitude sickness, injuries, or unexpected illnesses.
Rescue.co has strategically positioned air evacuation resources near popular destinations to handle emergencies promptly. Caitlin Dolkart, Co-CEO of Rescue.co, expressed the company’s mission:
“As travel picks up during this festive season, we’re excited to offer travelers the reassurance of Safe Travels, a service that extends beyond traditional emergency assistance. Our goal is to empower travelers to explore Africa with confidence, knowing they have immediate access to lifesaving help anywhere on the continent.”
Safe Travels offers a wide range of emergency assistance services, ensuring travelers have access to lifesaving help in any situation:
1. Ground and Air Evacuations
- With a fleet of 67 fixed-wing and 7 rotary aircraft, Rescue.co guarantees rapid medical evacuations.
- A 100% success rate and response times of less than one hour for wilderness rescues highlight their operational efficiency.
2. Roadside Assistance
- Travelers benefit from services like towing, fuel delivery, and vehicle support, with response times averaging just 25 minutes across Kenya.
3. 24/7 Medical and Security Support
- Rescue.co’s round-the-clock operations are managed by a team of highly trained doctors, paramedics, and security experts, ensuring immediate response in high-risk situations.
James Savage, Managing Director of Savage Wilderness, emphasized the importance of the service:
“Many travelers assume their insurance covers emergency rescue operations. However, this is often not the case. In most situations, insurance coverage only begins once you’ve managed to get yourself to the hospital. For anyone coming to Kenya or East Africa, whether for adventure, safari, or business, Rescue.co’s cover is invaluable. It provides peace of mind that Rescue.co can get them to a world-class facility within a very short period of time.”
At the heart of Safe Travels is Flare, Rescue.co’s advanced technology platform that connects travelers with over 1,000 first responders, including ambulances, air support, and roadside assistance providers.
Key Features of Flare:
- Real-Time Coordination
- Flare minimizes delays by prioritizing the closest responder, ensuring precision and speed.
- Smart Dispatch System
- Using real-time data, the system assigns the most suitable emergency team based on location and needs.
- Hospital Database Integration
- Flare’s self-built hospital database ensures patients are transported to facilities with the right equipment and specialists, depending on the time and nature of the emergency.
Through its Kenya-based dispatch hub, Rescue.co coordinates a network of over 800 ambulances and 70 aircraft, ensuring help is always within reach across the continent.
Rescue.co’s operations are supported by a team of seasoned medical and emergency professionals, including a former US Army flight paramedic. The team provides:
- 24/7 air support with tele-guidance.
- Ground coordination for seamless rescue operations.
- Emergency medical care to ensure the best outcomes during crises.
Safe Travels offers flexible membership plans to suit different traveler needs:
- $25 for coverage within Kenya for 30 days.
- $50 for East African Community (EAC) regional coverage.
- $125 for continent-wide coverage, excluding Sudan and Somalia.
These affordable rates make Safe Travels accessible to a broad range of travelers, from adventure seekers to business professionals.
In many African nations, the absence of a universal public emergency response system like 911 or 999 poses significant challenges. Safe Travels bridges this gap by offering a private, reliable, and technologically advanced emergency response service.
Caitlin Dolkart reinforced the importance of Safe Travels:
“By providing this service, we’re not just offering emergency assistance; we’re redefining what it means to travel safely in Africa. Travelers can now embark on their journeys knowing they have the best possible support system at their fingertips.”
Safe Travels by Rescue.co is a testament to the company’s commitment to enhancing safety and security for tourists across Africa. As travel surges during the festive season and beyond, this innovative emergency response plan is poised to redefine the travel experience on the continent.
With a reliable network, cutting-edge technology, and highly skilled personnel, Rescue.co ensures that travelers can explore Africa’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures without compromising their safety.
