African Holiday, Health, Travel Safety & Insurance

Health: All travellers should consult their doctors before travel and get advice as to the appropriate medications and inoculations for their safari. It is important that travellers take their medications as instructed for the full duration indicated. Please note the Yellow fever inoculation is required inorder to travel to Tanzania

To help overcome the effects of long flights and avoid dehydration during your safari, we suggest drinking a lot of fluids including juice and bottled water, Coffee and tea does not count as they are diuretic. Should you feel ill during your trip, let your driver-guide or local representative know, as soon as possible so that appropriate actions will be taken.

Malaria: Is not to be taken lightly. It is a potentially fatal disease transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito. Certain factors influence the risk of contracting malaria on safari to Tanzania. For example low-lying equatorial swamp will be high-risk all year through, a dry Montana plateau set at subtropical latitude will probably carry no risk at all, and places falling between these extremes often show a marked seasonal pattern – medium to high risk in the wet summer months, low to no risk in the dry winter. Remote areas tend to be lower risk as there are fewer people to act as vectors for malaria. Our rule of thumb is to take malaria prophylaxis when in doubt. Ask your doctor for his advice.

You can also lessen the risk by avoiding being bitten. Wear long sleeves, trousers and socks and douse any exposed skin with a good mosquito repellent shortly before it gets dark (the anopheles mosquito is active at dawn and dusk), and always sleep under a net when provided. Should you experience any combination of headache, fever, nausea, flu-like aches or disorientation within three months of returning home, get yourself tested immediately – malaria responds best to treatment when detected early.

Sunburn: The African sun is very strong and harmful. Use lots of sun block and a hat particularly if you are on foot, in a boat, or in an open vehicle. That tan may look good for a few days after you get back from safari, but skin cancer is a high risk for everybody – especially fair-skinned people.

Water: It is very important that you drink plenty of water to limit the effects of dehydration, especially during the warmer months. Note that tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration. Ask your lodge/Camp manager if tap water is safe to drink. Most lodges provide bottled water.

Please Note: There are times when water is in short supply. Please limit your use of water at Hotels, Lodges and Camps by avoiding wastage where possible. If towels can be reused, hang them on the towel rack

Bugs: You will probably be bitten by lots of bugs and get lots of itchy swellings (tsetse flies in certain areas are the worst culprits). A good anti-histamine cream usually reduces swelling and itchiness. Check your body for ticks after every bush walk and at least once a day even if you are not walking.

General Safety in Africa

Are you unsettled by the bad news you see on TV regarding Africa? Remember two things. Firstly remember that bad news sells and that is why you see so much of it. Secondly remember that Africa is huge. There are trouble spots in Africa, but the areas in which you will spend time are far away from those trouble spots.

Africa is no different to the rest of the world. So if you are staying in a town or city during your trip, you should ask for advice from the local representative or hotel staff concerning safe places to visit. Walking at night is not recommended. Taxis should be arranged by the hotel and a price agreed before starting the trip. We suggest you do not wear expensive jewellery at any time during your tripble spots.

Please take precautions as you would in your home country

• Don’t wander around the streets after dark.
• Ask your hotel about unsafe areas and avoid them.
• Leave expensive jewelry at home and wear a cheap plastic watch.
• Don’t carry valuable things where you feel unsafe.
• Keep your money and passport in a money belt and out of site or in a safe at your hotel.
• Dress like a local or at least dress casually.

Our final comment regarding safety: You will spend most of your African holiday in a relatively remote and wild area that are safe and enjoyable places.

Our Policy

It is a condition of booking that the sole responsibility lies with the guest to ensure that they carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover themselves, as well as any dependants and traveling companions for the duration of their tour to Africa. This insurance should include coverage in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: cancellation or curtailment of the safari, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, damage, theft or loss of personal baggage, money and goods. Ecological Wilderness Adventures will take no responsibility for any costs for losses incurred or suffered by the guest, or guest’s dependants or traveling companions, with regards to, but not limited to, any of the above mentioned eventualities. Guests will be charged directly by the relevant service providers for any emergency services they may require, and may find themselves in a position unable to access such services should they not be carrying the relevant insurance coverage