Medical issues
on safari...
We strongly
advise you to consult your doctor before you travel to
Zambia and get accurate and up-to-date advice on current
inoculation requirements. Your doctor may also advise you
about any recently recognized medical precautions that may
be necessary.
Common medical
concerns on safari...
Malaria:
is caused by a mosquito borne parasite, malaria is endemic
in Zambia, but experience has found that the worst time of
the year for malaria is generally from mid February to the
end of June. The incidence of malaria diminishes as the
season gets drier and cooler but there is still a risk even
at the end of the dry season before the new rains. The best
precautions are physical barriers in the early evenings and
at night (long trousers and sleeves, 30% plus deet-based
repellents, mosquito nets). You need to watch for the
symptoms for several months after your return home - it's
important to get treatment very quickly if you've contracted
malaria. If you develop flu-like symptoms then get a quick
and simple blood test without any delay to be on the safe
side.
Diarrhoea:
is a common problem when travelling anywhere in Africa.
There is plenty of advice recommending that you clean food,
even salads, with bottled mineral water! But the reality is
that food preparation and presentation in some of the
remotest camps is better than the fare you'll get in many
well known hotels in Europe and North America.
We would say just be sensible about what you eat and drink
and bring suitable medication just in case.
Sunburn:
From May to July (our southern winter) the African sun is
fierce. A bad sunburn could not only spoil your safari, but
be a long term risk of skin cancer. There's no need to get
extreme with precautions unless you're particularly
sensitive to the sun. Be sure to bring a hat, long sleeves,
a strong sun barrier cream/spray that suits your skin type
and wear sunglasses.
Medical services:
Even though our camps are remote we are reasonably well
geared to handle minor mishaps in terms of first aid
practitioners, trauma kits etc. In the event of a serious
accident, Johannesburg in South Africa is the only real
option for immediate high care evacuation in Southern
Africa. Ensure that you have adequate medical insurance - as
a rule the remoter and less developed the destination, the
more expensive the evacuation.
Required
inoculations: for
Zambia are currently Hepatitis A and cholera. If you've
travelled from another country where yellow fever occurs
then you may be required to produce an International
Certificate of Vaccination when entering Zambia.
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