Health

Any person participating in an adventure safari must be in good health and in possession of valid medical and personal insurance. Personal hygiene is very important on tour as you are travelling together in the truck in warm to hot climates. Being ill on tour is not fun and the enjoyment of the group as a whole depends largely on everyone being healthy. It is quite normal for some people in the group to have traveler’s diarrhoea at some stage of the tour.  This is generally not serious, usually being the reaction to the food, water and the anti-malarial tablets and it can sometimes be the result of a lack of attention to basic hygiene.  If you suffer from this at any stage please inform your guide immediately.

Vaccinations

We recommend that you have the following vaccinations for Africa: Hepatitis A (Havrax), Cholera, Yellow Fever, Tetanus Booster Shot, Rabies.  Please note this guide is for information only – you should always contact qualified medical personnel for the latest requirements regarding vaccinations.  If you have entered a Yellow Fever infected area, you will be required to have a vaccination before entering into other countries.

Safety

Travelling in any country has its potential dangers and in African countries you will find that it is no different.  Due to massive levels of poverty, petty theft is common.

Basic rules apply:

• Do not bring unnecessary valuables along with you such as jewellery or expensive watches.
• Do not leave your personal possessions unattended
• Do not be reckless in your behaviour. Be careful
• Always walk together as a group, especially at night

It is also suggested that you photocopy and photograph all your travel documents and belongings and store them separately from the originals. There is a safe on each truck where you may store your travel documents and money.

Carrying Medication On Tour

It is important that you inform us of any medical conditions or prescription drugs that you are taking such as diabetes, etc. as we are sometimes too far from the nearest medical assistance.  This is especially important if your medication has to be kept at a certain temperature, we must know about this beforehand. On each truck there is a cooler box which can be used for storing the medication that needs to be refrigerated. It should be stored in a hard plastic, watertight container to ensure that it doesn’t get wet or damaged.

First Aid

All of our guides are qualified in First Aid. There is also a First Aid Kit available in case of an emergency however, we strongly recommend that you take a personal medical kit.  

Suggested contents of a personal First Aid Kit include:

• Lip balm
• Anti-histamine cream or tablets
• Sunscreen and after sun balm
• Pain killers
• Anti diarrhoea remedy
• Moisturiser
• Dehydration salts
• Elastoplasts/band-aids
• Insect repellent
• Sterile dressings
• Antiseptic cream

Water

One of the most common ailments on tour is dehydration.  You should be drinking a minimum of 2 to 3 litres of water per day, and even more during the hot summer months.  The water on tour is not always drinkable so your guides will advise you when not to drink the local water.  Bottled mineral water is available for sale at most camp sites. Your guides will point out where drinking water can be purchased. There is also a water tank on the truck, but this is for emergency use only and generally doesn’t taste very good.

Malaria

Malaria can be a serious problem in some regions of Africa, however it does not have to be a problem for you as long as you are vigilant about using your mosquito repellent and you take your malaria tablets.  Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes and is more prevalent where there are high concentrations of people and water. The main points to keep in mind about malaria:

• Prevent getting bitten by wearing clothes that cover your bare skin.  Long shirts, socks, shoes and long pants after dark – most mosquito bites occur below the knee.
• Keep your mosquito net closed and be vigilant at sunset as this is when the mosquitoes are most prolific.
• Use an effective prophylactic and speak to your doctor about options for antimalarial tablets.
• Insect repellent is the single most important line of defense.  Make sure you bring enough of an effective repellent and that you use it liberally and frequently.
• Malaria prophylactics do not prevent Malaria, but do treat it if you come down with the disease.  They also prevent you from getting seriously ill.  It is not true that Malaria cannot be cured.
• It is very important to begin taking your tablets one week before entering a malaria area, and for four weeks after leaving, as this is the incubation period.