Be conscious of your own security and that of the vehicle – be sure to lock the vehicle when unattended and do not leave any valuables in plain sight.
In the cities and towns you may notice that there is a system of “unofficial” parking attendants who will tell you where to park, guide you into the appropriate bay, and will then watch your car whilst you go into the shops. Get their name, and when you return back to your car, pay the attendant a 'tip' as a thank you for watching your car. It is all about peace-of-mind.
If possible, avoid travelling at night (abandoned/unlit vehicles, pedestrians and stray animals could present a danger).
Large antelope or other wild animals (even hippo and elephant) crossing the road can also be a hazard in certain areas.
Drive safely and take heed of speed limits."To adventure is to live. To break the shackles of habit and custom, to shake free from the ordinary and the mundane is to make life a never ending journey of discovery and reward." - Clive Walker
Some dangers..
Africa has a number of diseases that have been eradicated, or do not occur, in the developed world – diseases such as polio, cholera, typhoid and yellow fever are still prevalent in some African countries and you should be wary. Malaria is certainly a threat, while bilharzia, and African sleeping sickness are uncommon. Both Ebola and the Zika Virus appear to be under control, but the latest Covid-19 pandemic is a cause of concern until a viable vaccine can be found.
Whilst the list of diseases is long, the risk to you as a safari goer should not be over-stated. Please read the recommendations offered below, and be sure to consult your local doctor or health professional before you leave home.
Here are some of the dangers to be aware of:
The African sun
Always take precautions against the persistent overhead sun. Proximity to the equator makes the African sun particularly strong and dangerous so ensure you use the highest level of protection. A sun hat, sunblock, lip balm / chap stick, moisturising creams and insect repellents are essential when travelling in Africa. Be especially wary during water-based activities like canoeing or rafting, as the reflection off the water adds to your exposure. Most open 4x4 game drive vehicle will have a protective canvas roof – but not all.
Malaria
Malaria is a common and potentially deadly infection in hot, tropical areas of the world. The disease is caused by a parasite introduced into the bloodstream from the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. When properly treated, a patient with malaria can expect a complete recovery.
Firstly, check with your Africa travel specialist whether you will be travelling through any malaria areas on your itinerary. Not all, but many of the safari lodges and camps are likely to be in such areas. If you are travelling with young children then you may already have discussed this with your travel agent and chosen areas which are malaria-free.
There are several preventative medications to combat malaria but it is important to check with your local GP or travel clinic as to the correct one for where you are going. Be sure to start taking your malarial prophylactics well before you leave home. A small percentage of people can have adverse reactions to certain brands – it is best to find out before you leave and not while on safari! And don’t forget that you need to continue to take the prescribed dosage for at least 4 weeks after returning home (check the instructions).
Just as important as preventative prophylactics is to take active measures to protect yourself from being bitten at all. This is definitely the most effective means of avoiding malaria – if they don’t bite you then you can’t get malaria! Generally mosquitoes start feeding at dusk – so, from just before dusk, clothing should be worn that covers the arms and legs. In addition, a mosquito repellent should be applied on exposed areas. It is a good practice to spray inside your tent before you zip up on the way to dinner – by the time you return the smell would have dissipated and all the mosquitoes that were lurking inside will be dead.
Pregnant women (and children) are especially vulnerable to malarial infection. In fact, pregnant women are twice as attractive to malaria-carrying mosquitoes as non-pregnant women. This is mostly due to a warmer skin surface and the fact that pregnant women exhale a greater volume of air. Be more cautious.
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis)
Bilharzia is common in the tropics where lakes, streams and dams (still water) harbour bilharzia-transmitting snails. Parasite larvae develop in snails from which they infect humans, their definitive host, in which they mature and reproduce. There is no prophylactic available against bilharzia but treatment is now readily available in pill or injection form (a drug called praziquantel). The condition can be unpleasant so it is better not to swim in rivers, streams or dams, particularly where the water is stagnant or used by local villagers as a laundry or bathing area.
African sleeping sickness (Nagana)
Sleeping sickness or African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease which affects people and domestic animals. The disease is transmitted by the tsetse fly which is endemic to many parts of Africa. Although a serious threat to local populations, the incidence amongst visitors is extremely low. Symptoms include severe headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue and malaise.
Tsetse flies are relatively resistant to standard insect repellents and can bite through light clothing. They are attracted to bright and also very dark colours and to clouds of dust such as that kicked up by a herd of buffalo – and moving vehicles! Their bite can cause severe discomfort (itching and swelling) and they are extremely difficult to kill (you can squash them between two fingers and they just get up and fly away!). My advice is, when travelling through a tsetse area (generally a woodland), to remain vigilant and use your hat to brush them out of the vehicle (and keep an eye out on the necks and exposed skin of others in your vehicle). In my experience, the more you try to kill them, the more replacements fill the void – spend the energy keeping them away from you and only kill those trapped inside (if you are in an enclosed safari vehicle).
Yellow Fever
This infection is caused by a virus carried by monkeys and then transmitted by mosquitoes to humans. The symptoms are a short, mild fever often leading to jaundice, failure of the liver and kidneys and eventually death. The yellow fever vaccine is effective and is valid for life (the WHO recently amended this from being valid for 10 years). The vaccination is generally only available in specialist clinics or hospitals and children, people over 65 years, and auto-immune sufferers should discuss the potential side-effects with their doctor.
Yellow Fever is the one immunization that is required when travelling to most West African countries as well as Uganda and Rwanda (and is still listed by the WHO as occurring in Kenya).
Following advice by the World Health Organisation (WHO) South Africa has become especially vigilant, and if you travel from any of the countries above they will request to see your Yellow Fever Certificate and refuse entry should you not be able to supply it (or insist you have the inoculation then and there!).
It is therefore advisable to have a valid yellow fever certificate if arriving at your destination from or via ANY of the following countries in Africa:
The Yellow Fever Endemic Zone in Africa includes Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Togo, Benin, Sao Tome and Principe, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somali, Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.
Medical reasons not to receive the vaccine:
Infants under 9 months must not get immunized without consulting a doctor.
Adults