Vaccinations and Health

African Travels > Travel information > Vaccinations and Health

Vaccinations

Please ensure that you have all the recommended inoculations by your doctor. Also be aware that the proposed itinerary requires a certain level of physical fitness, so please ensure that you are medically fit before you embark on your tour in Africa. Inoculations and vaccinations must be obtained in advance, prior to departure of the safari. It is not possible to obtain inoculations/vaccinations whilst on Safari.

By allowing 6-8 weeks for your vaccination programme, you have time to fit in full courses of vaccines where required which provides you with the best possible protection against certain vaccine preventable diseases. If you don’t have time to complete courses before you go, you risk travelling with little or even no protection against sometimes high risk diseases. 

Yellow Fever

Some destinations require a Yellow Fever certificate, especially if you do a multi country tour and Kenya is included. Please make sure you bring this certificate.

Bilharzia

Please note that Bilharzia is present in Lake Malawi and the rivers of Mozambique and eastern South Africa. If you get wet remember to towel off as soon as possible. Symptoms of Bilharzia include:

  • Local irritation at the site of entry or itchy rash
  • General lethargy and weight loss, and sometimes an asthma-like cough
  • Fever / Blood in urine or bowel action

Please consult your doctor immediately should you experience any of these symptoms and make him/her aware of the fact that you have been in a Bilharzia area. Simple diagnostic tests can be performed and, if positive, treatment with medication has a good success rate.

It is also recommended that immunization against Polio and Typhoid be obtained; please consult your local doctor for advice.

First aid

All safari vehicles are equipped with a first aid ‘Trauma Kit’. This is intended for use in an emergency and contains the necessary items to administer first aid.
The kits do NOT contain any personal medication such as painkillers, anti-histimine etc and you should bring a small personal medical kit.
Antiseptic ointment or spray (spray is better), cotton wool, sterile dressings, crepe bandage, band aids, scissors, tweezers, tape, antibiotic powder, painkillers, lip salve, sun block, insect repellent, water purification tablets, hypodermic needles and syringes, anti-malaria tablets, anti-diarrhoea tablets, and a good supply of re-hydration powder sachets.
You may wish to consult your doctor or vaccination clinic as regards a broad spectrum antibiotic (for skin and/or bowel infection) as there are occasions when you cannot obtain these locally. Don’t forget a supply of any prescription medicines you usually use (asthma etc).

Malaria

Malaria is the most common serious ailment affecting both residents and visitors to many parts of Africa. Seek professional medical advice as to if you need them and which anti-malarial tablets are most suitable for you. The tablets will probably offer good protection but you must also remember to use a good mosquito spray to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Dome tents and lodges have mosquito nets and it is not generally necessary to bring a separate mosquito net unless you plan to sleep outside ‘under the stars’ (in which case you are recommended to bring one).

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Travel Information

We consider it our duty to let you well prepared board the airplane to start your journey to Africa. Many of our tours come with a Tour Dossier with additional information for your trip. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Below are some guidelines to get you started with your preparations. 

Flights

Financial Protection

How to book

Insurances

Local Payment

Money

Responsible Traveling

Overland truck

Safari Vehicles

Travel Documents

Vaccinations and Health

What to pack

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