Comment

Speak to your doctor before you travel - get accurate and current advice on inoculation requirements and any recently recognized medical precautions that may be necessary.  There are a few "definitive" websites listed below - visit them before finalizing your safari plans.

Common medical concerns on safari include the following:

Malaria: caused by a mosquito borne parasite, malaria is endemic in all of our main safari areas.  From experience we've found the worst time of year for malaria generally from mid February to the end of June.  The incidence of malaria diminishes as the season gets drier and cooler but there is still a risk even at the end of the dry season before the new rains.  The best precautions are physical barriers in the early evenings and at night (long trousers and sleeves, 30% plus deet-based repellents, mosquito nets).  You need to watch for the symptoms for several months after your return home - it's important to get treatment very quickly if you've contracted malaria.  If you develop flu-like symptoms then get a quick and simple blood test without any delay to be on the safe side.  [...more from CDC, Department of Health (UK)]

Diarrhoea: a common problem when travelling in Africa.   We've seen advice recommending that even salads should be washed in bottled mineral water?!  That's extreme, the reality is that food preparation and presentation in some of the remotest camps is better than the fare you'll get in many well known hotels in Europe and North America.  Just be sensible about what you eat and drink, and bring suitable medication in case.   [...more from CDC]

Sunburn: The African sun even during our southern winter from May to July is fierce.  Aside from the long term risks of skin cancer, a bad sunburn could spoil a safari.  The greatest risk of serious sunburn is on the lower Zambezi canoe safaris, white water rafting at Victoria Falls and on walking safaris.  There's no need to get extreme with precautions unless you're particularly sensitive to the sun.  Be sure to bring a hat, long sleeves, strong sun barrier that suits your skin type and sunglasses.  On canoe safaris a towel or "kikoi" covering the legs is essential.  

Medical services:  Even the remotest camps are reasonably well geared to handle minor mishaps in terms of first aid practitioners, trauma kits etc.  In the event of a serious accident, Johannesburg in South Africa is the only real option for immediate high care evacuation in Southern Africa.  Ensure that you have adequate medical insurance - as a rule the remoter and less developed the destination, the more expensive the evacuation.

Required inoculations: Hepatitis A and cholera for Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana.  If you've traveled from another country where yellow fever occurs then you may be required to produce an International Certificate of Vaccination especially in East Africa. (Yellow fever occurs in the north west of Zambia - none of our featured safaris are run in this area.)  [...see CDC updates]

Some valuable web sources for medical guidance

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Destination updates, reference materials, current news, special needs travel info, traveling with children, excellent checklist, hotline numbers...
• MedicinePlanet: San Francisco based team - premier health resource for travelers, visit the Adventure Travel Center or get specific updates ...subscribe to this site...
• US State Department: medical information for Americans traveling abroad, includes a very valuable listing of addresses of Med-Evac and Travel Insurance companies plus additional regional tips etc.
• British Department of Health: Simple but comprehensive advice for British subjects traveling abroad with extensive introductory material, planning and treatment advice

External links are included on this page - please take note of our disclaimer

[ Home ] [ Up ]