Essential African Safari Travels Safety & Health Tips For You!

Want to know what you need to know about staying safe during your African safari travels? You've come to the right place!

Find peace of mind & answers to your questions about staying safe & healthy while traveling in Africa.

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The following African safari travels advice is based on our numerous African safari vacations & extensive business travels throughout Africa.

Since moving to South Africa in 1993, we’ve been on over 80 African safaris.

We hope that you’ll benefit from the insights we’ve gained from my wife being a local, from us living here, from us going on all types of African safaris, and from us traveling extensively throughout Africa on business.

Enjoy An Amazing African Safari - What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy photo courtesy of Michael Poliza

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African Safari Travels - Tips On Staying Healthy

Water Precautions For Your African Safari Travels

• In South Africa and Namibia, the water from the tap is safe to drink. Elsewhere in Africa bottled water is available and should be drunk instead. Make sure the bottles have not been opened.
• On safari, always ensure that you drink lots of water. Day time temperatures can be high, even in winter, and you don’t want to suffer from dehydration.

Sun Precautions For Your African Safari Travels

Sunburn is also something to look out for. Always wear a hat with a brim – to cover your ears and neck – and ensure that you bring a good supply of suntan lotion.

Health Precautions For Your African Safari Travels

Except for large parts of South Africa, malaria is prevalent. Safari lodges all take precautions. These precautions include mosquito nets, and sprays. You should take anti malaria tablets, and wear long sleeve shirts and long pants at dusk and early morning when mosquitoes are most active.

Yellow Fever Precautions

Yellow fever is common in East Africa. A certain type of mosquito carries yellow fever. Since yellow fever is contagious, many countries require travelers to get a yellow fever inoculation. You need to be inoculated at least 10 days prior to travel. You will get a certificate.

Bilharzia Precautions

Bilharzia is a waterborne parasite carried by snails and occurs in stagnant water. So lakes, dams, and slow flowing rivers are likely habitats. Follow the advise of your guides concerning swimming.

If you are traveling extensively in remote areas, you might also consider Hepatitis A and B, and tetanus shots.

Click here to find the CDC travel immunizations recommendations-- the USA’s Center for Disease Control - recommendations for travel immunizations for Africa

African Safari Travels - Tips On Staying Safe

General Safety Tips For Your African Safari Travels

• If you are on a guided African safari, listen to your guides. They are experts, follow his advice and ask questions if you are unsure of anything. This minimizes your chances of encountering problems.

• Before game drives or walks, your guide will tell you what to do to stay safe on while game viewing. If you do what he tells you then there is little to worry about. You need to remember that wildlife is beautiful but potentially dangerous.

• Exercise caution even if you encounter animals that have become habituated or seemingly used to people. Such encounters would occur at hides, view spots, and camps. Never feed or corner any animal, no matter how small.

• Snakes tend to be shy and avoid areas where human use. Lodges and camps generally have insect (especially mosquito) proofing in their rooms. They also have insect repellant. If you go on a walk, it is always a good idea to comfortable, enclosed walking shoes, socks, and long trousers.

General Safety Tips In Cities

Follow normal precautions when in a major city – such as don’t go to isolated areas, don’t carry large amounts of cash, expensive items like cameras, watches, and jewelry. Ask for and listen to the hotel staff’s advice regarding safe areas to walk, visit. Take cabs when they tell you to do so, don’t assume because a place looks safe it is.

In our opinion, East and Southern Africa is generally a safe area for tourists; many areas are no less safe than at home. However, when in cities, the same precautions should be taken as in any large city in the world.

The following advice is most applicable to all large cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Nairobi & Mombasa. • Please keep your rental car doors locked at all times and wind up windows in slow traffic to deter hawkers and beggars.• Don't carry all your essential documents and travelers checks with you. Leave valuable jewelry, spare money and your passport in your hotel safe. • When possible, park in the hotel car park or in public parking lots. • Try not to leave anything in your car when it is parked, except in the trunk. Don't leave handbags, even in the trunk.• Do not give rides to hitch-hikers.• Get hotel staff to call for or hail a taxi. Never get in a minibus taxi (township taxi).• Avoid driving through former homelands (in South Africa) or past squatter camps late at night.• Do not enter township or slum areas, unless part of an organized tour.

Having said this, it is very unlikely that you will encounter any serious crime or violence in the tourist areas you will be visiting. However, pay attention and keep these precautions in mind at all times.

African Safari Travels - Tips On Travel Documents & Money

• Make and bring a photocopy of your passport, and any visas.

• Make and bring a list of traveler’s check numbers. Keep these copies separate from the originals.
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash.
• Most hotels and stores accept credit cards (Visa and MasterCard are most common), and traveler’s checks.
• You might need cash for purchases local markets – keep this in a travel wallet, or a zip pocket.
• You should use ATMs to get the best exchange rate.

Other African Safari Travels Tips

• Don’t leave cameras and hand luggage unattended.
• Never pack valuables (including your medicines), in your check-in luggage. Always have such items with you in your hand luggage.
• Independent travelers should be aware of the local news.
• Ask hotel staff about unsafe areas, and dress codes. Don't openly carry valuables.
• If you must carry your passport and money, keep them in a buttoned-down pocket.

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