HEALTH AND SAFETY
What Vaccinations Do You Need Before Your Safari?
Presuming that you are fit and healthy with no underlying medical conditions, there are no compulsory vaccinations necessary when visiting most of the top safari destinations in Africa.
Remember, it’s always advisable to check with your doctor and/or local travel clinic to get the most up-to-date health recommendations before you embark on your holiday of a lifetime.
The only exception is Yellow Fever which you will need if you’re travelling to outlying, rural areas of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You’ll be asked to show your Yellow Fever Card on your arrival at the point of entry.
Our Safari Destinations Are Safe
All our scheduled and custom safaris and safari lodges we recommend to you are of a standard where food preparation, drinking water, services and facilities are top-notch and pose no risk at all to your health and safety. Most of the remote lodges have evacuation structures in place in the unlikely event of a health emergency.
If, however, you intend travelling to remote, rural areas where health and sanitary conditions are not optimal, other vaccinations may be recommended – please ask your health professional for advice.
Malaria Risks and Prevention
While it’s always recommended to take malaria prophylaxis when visiting high-risk areas, especially if it’s your first exposure, the first precaution is always to simply avoid being bitten in the first place.
Malaria is also seasonal. The risk is lowest during the dry season, which also happens to be the best game viewing season – win : win situation! Most safari lodges have mosquito nets, ceiling fans and airconditioning which also help to prevent being bitten.
The rainy season in East Africa is when the risk of malaria is highest. Those at high risk (e.g. immuno-compromised, lack a spleen, pregnant or children under five), should take extra precaution while on safari. Please ask us and we’ll be happy to give you recommendations.
Prevention Methods
- Take extra care when the sun sets, mosquitoes are busiest at dusk. Cover up and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants or skirts. Less skin exposed means fewer areas to bite!
- Wear loose-fitting clothes in earthy, neutral colours like khaki and beige. It’s accepted that dark colours, especially black and navy, attract mosquitoes and other insects as it’s great camouflage for them.
- Make use of any mosquito coils, mosquito mats and liquid insecticides available – either from your lodge or bring some with you.
- Make use of mosquito nets, window and door screens provided by your lodge – they are great protection.
- Shower more frequently to ward off mosquitoes attracted by sweat and body odours.
- Avoid using highly-scented, floral fragrant toiletries which also attract them.
- Use repellent sprays and lotions. These are always more effective than stick applicators. Repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) are still the most effective way to prevent mosquito bites. Re-apply every several hours.
- Other aromatic oils and candles can deter mosquitoes but have yet not been proven to prevent bites, e.g. citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, lavender essential oil, vinegar, garlic.
Health Insurance
It is wise and highly recommended, to purchase a comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.
As much as most safaris are trouble-free and we do not wants to dwell on the thought of any incident or inconvenience while on holiday, taking out insurance can give you some peace of mind.
The travel insurance policy should include both travel and medical benefits and cover at least flight cancellation or delay, trip cancellation, curtailment or delay, damage, theft or loss of personal baggage and photographic equipment.
Medical benefits should include cover for all overseas medical costs, including hospitalization and medical evacuation. The latter includes transport required to get you to a hospital in the country you are visiting, to better medical facilities in Africa, or all the way back home.
Please find out in advance whether your insurance company will make direct payments to medical service providers abroad or will reimburse you later for any expenditure made. This is vital information as explained below.
Treatment Costs
All consulting doctors, labs, hospitals and any other medical service providers in Africa require immediate upfront payment. Hospitalization and surgery at international standard hospitals in Africa can be extremely expensive. More so are medical evacuations. International evacuations are in the range of tens of thousands of US dollars.
This means that you may find yourself unable to access such services should you not be carrying adequate insurance cover or dispose of readily available financial means.
Flying Doctor’s Cover
In all my safari packages I include a cover with AMREF (African Medical and Research Foundation) Flying Doctorsfor each participant. Flying Doctors provides excellent and reliable air ambulance evacuations to international standard hospitals in East Africa, only for medical emergency/ life-threatening cases. Hospitalization and repatriation costs are not included in this cover.