Planning an African Safari? Here’s What You Need to Know About Staying Healthy

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of an African safari—witnessing majestic lions in the Serengeti, tracking gorillas in Uganda, or watching the Great Migration unfold in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. These once-in-a-lifetime adventures are a bucket list dream for travelers around the world.

But before you grab your binoculars and safari boots, don’t overlook the most important part of your preparation: your health and safety. Safaris often take place in remote regions where access to medical care is limited, and exposure to unfamiliar diseases is higher.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top travel health risks to be aware of when embarking on a safari—and how to prepare and protect yourself.

1. Malaria

Safaris often include dusk and nighttime activities near waterholes or rivers—prime environments for malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes.

Prevention tips:

• Take malaria prevention medication before, during, and after your trip

• Sleep under permethrin-treated mosquito nets

• Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dusk and dawn

• Use insect repellents with DEET or icaridin

2. Traveler’s Diarrhea (TD)

Travelers’ diarrhea is the most predictable travel-related illness and is very common on safari. It’s often caused by consuming contaminated food or water.

Causes include:

• Bacteria: E. coli (ETEC), Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, Shigella

• Viruses: Norovirus, Rotavirus

• Protozoa: Giardia, Cryptosporidium

Prevention tips:

• Avoid tap water and ice—drink sealed bottled water

• Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (≥60%)

• Avoid raw fruits/veggies unless peeled by you

• Consider Dukoral, an oral vaccine that protects against Cholera and ETEC (a common cause of TD)

3. Typhoid Fever

Caused by Salmonella Typhi, this illness is spread through contaminated food or water and is a risk in many safari regions.

Vaccination options:

• Oral vaccine (Ty21a): For travelers 5 years and older, good for 7 years

• Injection (Vi vaccine): For travelers 2 years and older, good for 3 years

Prevention tips:

• Get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before travel

• Follow the same food and water precautions as for TD

 4. Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)

This disease is caused by parasites in freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers. Activities like swimming or river rafting (e.g., on the Nile River) can expose you.

Prevention tips:

• Avoid swimming or wading in any freshwater sources

• Stick to chlorinated pools or saltwater

• If exposure occurs, see a health professional for preventive treatment

5. Mosquito-Borne Viruses: Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya

These viruses are spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which are daytime biters but can bite at night as well.

Symptoms: Fever, joint pain, rash, fatigue

Prevention tips:

• Use strong insect repellents during the day and night

• Sleep under mosquito nets

• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing

 6. African Tick-Bite Fever (ATBF)

Caused by Rickettsia africae, this disease is spread by ticks in bushy or grassy areas, and often affects safari groups hiking, camping, or game-hunting together.

Symptoms: Fever, body aches, rash, swollen lymph nodes

Prevention tips:

• Wear long pants tucked into socks

• Use tick repellent with permethrin

• Check yourself for ticks daily

7. Trypanosomiasis (African Sleeping Sickness)

Transmitted by tsetse flies, this rare but dangerous illness has been reported in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and other reserves.

Prevention tips:

• Avoid wearing bright or dark colors—choose neutral-colored clothing

• Use permethrin-treated clothing and repellents

• Avoid bushy areas where tsetse flies gather

 8. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs)

These include Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, CCHF, and Rift Valley Fever. Although rare, they can be transmitted through:

• Direct contact with wildlife (bats, primates, rodents)

• Insect or tick bites

• Exposure to livestock blood or body fluid

• Avoid activities like spelunking or bat cave visits (e.g., Kitum Cave in Kenya, Python Cave in Uganda), and avoid touching animal carcasses or livestock.

Planning Ahead = Peace of Mind

Before you head off on your dream safari, schedule a travel health consultation to:

• Get personalized vaccine and medication advice

• Prepare an emergency health kit

• Review up-to-date regional disease risks

• Get all vaccines at least 2–4 weeks before departure

Visit Whole Health Travel Clinic in Edmonton Before You Go!

At Whole Health Pharmacy – Edmonton, our designated travel clinic offers:

✅ No consultation fee ✅ No injection fee ✅ No certificate fee ✅ Prescribing pharmacists on site who can assess, prescribe, and vaccinate

We make it easy to get malaria pills, typhoid vaccines, Dukoral, yellow fever certification, and more—all in one visit.

📍 Book your appointment today and travel with peace of mind.