Little Ongava: Privacy on the Namibian plains
Travel health advice for your African safari
The health dangers in Africa can be overstated. However, it is important that you are well informed and adequately protected before heading off on safari.
Key health precautions to consider before your safari.
An exciting adventure awaits, but it’s essential to prioritize your health and safety by taking necessary precautions, including vaccination recommendations and addressing potential health concerns before you head off.
1. Consult with a healthcare professional several weeks ahead of your safari
Before traveling to Africa, consult with a healthcare professional or travel medicine specialist to discuss your itinerary and specific health concerns. They can provide personalized advice based on your medical history, destination, and planned activities.
2. Routine vaccinations & other recommended vaccinations for safari
Ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date before traveling to Africa.
Make sure you consult a specialist travel doctor 4-8 weeks before you travel. Your doctor will ensure that your routine vaccinations are up to date and advise on other vaccines required.
These may include vaccinations for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, influenza, and varicella (chickenpox).
Depending on your destination and activities, additional vaccinations may be recommended, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, and polio. Discuss your itinerary with a healthcare professional to determine which vaccines are appropriate for your trip.
3. Yellow Fever vaccination
Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into many African countries, and some may require proof of vaccination upon arrival. Even if not required, it’s highly recommended due to the risk of yellow fever transmission in certain regions. The vaccine should be administered at least ten days before travel to ensure full protection.
Yellow Fever is not considered a risk in most of the countries in East and Southern Africa. However, proof of vaccine is required if you are travelling from a country where Yellow Fever occurs, sometimes even if you are only in transit. Some countries, including Kenya and South Africa, require a vaccination certificate even for travelers from countries not known to have high risk of Yellow Fever. In particular, South Africa requires vaccination certification for anyone arriving from Zambia.
Talk to us about the Yellow Fever vaccine and be sure to let your doctor know your entire itinerary.
For more information on recommended vaccinations by country see:
4. Malaria prevention on safari
Malaria is a significant concern in many parts of Africa, including popular safari destinations. You can take malaria prevention measures, such as taking antimalarial medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider, using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing and pants, and sleeping under mosquito nets.
Insect bites can not only be irritating but also carry the risk of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever. Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and consider wearing long clothing treated with permethrin to provide additional protection. Sleep under mosquito nets and use screens or nets in safari lodges and tents to minimize the risk of mosquito bites.
Malaria is always a concern in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the period from mid-February to the end of June and in the hottest regions (including Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools, Okavango Delta, Zambia and the coastal regions of East Africa).
Consult your doctor about prophylactic drugs such as malarone or doxycycline for prevention. But be aware that most of sub-Saharan Africa is now considered chloroquin resistant.
The safari camps and your guides will help with on the ground prevention, offering insecticides, mosquito nets and mosquito coils. Use them!
5. Travel insurance that covers your health on safari
A safari is going to take you to remote places. If anything happens that requires more that basic first aid, it is likely you will need to be evacuated to Johannesburg in South Africa. We strongly recommend that you have a travel insurance policy that covers this eventuality.
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes coverage for medical emergencies, evacuation, and repatriation. Ensure the policy covers activities such as safari excursions and provides access to quality medical care in the event of an emergency.
Click here for more information on recommended insurance while on Safari.
We’ve partnered with Manulife and you can check out their travel insurances options by clicking here or the banner below.
6. Your health while on safari
Most vehicles and lodges carry a first aid kit, but we strongly recommend that you bring along a personal kit. Consider including: lip balm, anti-histamine tablets, sunscreen, water purifying tablets, pain killers, anti-diarrhea remedy, rehydration salts, Band-Aids, insect repellant, sterile dressings and antiseptic cream.
We’d like to mention insect repellant again. Insects carry malaria and other diseases and the best way to avoid these diseases is not to get bitten. We strongly recommend you use insect repellant at all times when on safari. In the early morning and evening, when insects are more active, take extra care by wearing a long sleeved shirt and trousers.
Take care where you swim and always listen to the advice of your guides and camp staff. Bilharzia, or river blindness, can be contracted by swimming in infested waters. Naturally, you will also want to avoid encounters with crocodiles and hippos.
Please remember to stay hydrated and wear sun-protection clothing, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses and of course sunscreen. The African sun can be quite strong for those not used to it!