Health and Medical Guidelines for Travelers to Africa Safaris
Prophylactics and inoculation - Malaria
Malaria remains endemic in some African destinations and there is no vaccine yet, for malaria. It is therefore important to consult a qualified GP for advise, prescriptions and directions on what medication you can take before you travel.
Vaccinations that may protect you against any local diseases is also recommended. Find out what you need in terms of vaccination before you travel.
There are also countries and destinations that demand immunization certificates against certain diseases and will not allow entry without this certificate. The most common disease in this category is Yellow fever. Check with the travel agent or embassy to verify.
Other diseases to be aware of in African include
Cholera Tuberculosis, Bilharzia, Dengue Fever and Sleeping sickness
Sometimes, other rare, but dangerous diseases – like the Ebola fever - break out in some destinations. It is important to keep abreast with any travel alerts or warnings about such instances.
See This Health & Travel Website for More Information About What You Need For Your African Travel
HIV/ Aids Risk in Africa while on Vacation
HIV /Aids is widespread in Africa. It is important to remember that AIDs Virus is not transmitted through day-to-day social like hand shakes, touching, sharing or bus, train or plane or even swimming together. Neither can it be transmitted through air, food or water.
The AIDs virus is spread through the exchange of infected body fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. If HIV-infected blood is present in saliva, there may be a risk of transmission. It can also be transmitted through contaminated blood or contaminated blood products, such as through a blood transfusion or organ donation.
Avoid casual sex – Vaginal, Anal or Oral
If you must have sex with a stranger/new partner use a good quality condom correctly.
Do not share personal items like toothbrush, razorblades and shavers
Do not share or recycle needles and syringes. Instead pack enough for your travel
Avoid any body-piercing procedures – tattooing, ear-piecing while on travel
Unless in a life-threatening situation, decline blood-transfusion and injection treatment if the safety of the donated blood is doubtful.
Drinking Water
Avoid drinking water from the tap. You can buy bottled water in most lodges and camps. Soda, beer and other beverages can also be purchased at lodges and camps throughout the safari.
Travel Insurance and Evacuation
It is highly recommended that all travelers take appropriate personal insurance cover during their travel to Africa. For some regions in Africa – like the East Africa you may also consider taking the flying doctor’s society offer. In the event of an accident or serious illness while on safari, the society will fly you (subject to the spot assessment by the medical team ) by an air ambulance to Nairobi for admittance to hospital.
Medical Facilities
Most major towns and cities in Africa have excellent medical facilities. The farther away you are from the major towns, the less reliable they medical facilities are.
Most hotels, camps and lodges have a doctor on call who is experienced common travel related ailments.
Terrorism / Civil Unrest / Kidnappings/ Local Crime
Travelers to African destinations must be vigilante against any potential dangers that may be present from terrorist activities, internal civil unrest, regional boundary disputes etc
On terrorism and civil unrests, travelers should generally for any travel alerts and warnings that are issued periodically by the US state department. While traveling, visitors are reminded to remain alert on their surrounded and also remember that crowded tourist areas have been the target of past terrorist activities.
If traveling to areas with potential risk of terrorist activities, it is important to check if the hotels and resorts employ reasonable security procedures and physical setback that can deter terrorists.
Local civil unrest my result from political disputes or election disputes. Travelers should be cautious when traveling to a destination at a time of such disputes.
Local crime and kidnappings are rare but may still happen. Incidents of pick-pocketing, purse snatching and other petty thefts occur. Travelers are therefore advised to take caution and not to leave valuables such as cash, jewellery in tempting situations.
Travel Alerts are issued for more short-term unrest in specific countries. Current travel alerts issued by the US State Dept. can be found here. At the time of writing, travel alerts had been issued for:
Generally Africa represents more than a third of all countries that have travel warnings in place, but most of them aren't exactly tourist hot spots.
Enquire and Request a Quotation for a Safari Here
Related Travel Planning Articles