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Your top 10 tips - Be Health Savvy when you travel to Africa

In preparation for your travel to Africa

  1. INSURANCE – both TRAVEL and HEALTH insurance
    Canvas your health insurance companies for the most comprehensive cover. This must include medical evacuation cover to ensure that you reach the best possible medical care and facilities without delay from wherever you may be traveling in Africa. The insurance companies will also provide you with tips and best practices to ensure that you stay healthy throughout your trip. 

  2. VACCINATIONS
    Discuss the vaccinations advised or required per destination with your trusted healthcare provider and get your vaccinations in good time. It is advisable to get Hepatitis A & B, and Typhoid vaccinations, but you also should consider Yellow Fever depending on your route. Not all countries in Africa are classified as a Yellow Fever destination.

  3. PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
    Get the actual prescriptions from your doctor for all your prescription drugs and carry these documents with you. It is not sufficient that the label on the medication indicates that it is prescribed to you the patient. No-one wants to be charged on suspicion of dealing in drugs while you are traveling.

  4. PERSONAL MEDICAL TRAVEL KIT
    Carry your known and trusted brands of over-the-counter medications like paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin, antibiotic ointment, band-aids, antacids, water purification tablets, anti-diarrhoea tablets and antihistamine.

While traveling in Africa

  1. SUN PROTECTION
    Wear sunscreen and a 50 SPF is recommended to avoid sun burn and blisters. Wear a wide-brimmed safari hat or similar sun protection, plus polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes.

  2. DRINK LOTS OF WATER
    Your physical and mental capabilities decrease drastically as you become more dehydrated. This can lead to being careless in regard to behaviour that will ensure your health and safety.

  3. TAKE CARE WITH WHAT and WHERE YOU DRINK & EAT
    Preferably boil your water, use purifying tablets, and stick to bottled water when travelling in Africa. Ensure that the containers are sealed when you receive them. Street markets are great places to visit but avoid eating any foods that are not cooked directly in front of you. Take care in buying fresh fruit and salads at the street markets. Wash the product PROPERLY and in many areas the safest rule to follow is, IF YOU CANNOT PEEL IT – DON’T EAT IT!

  4. AVOID DRINKING TAP WATER
    Brush your teeth with purified water and don’t rinse your mouth with the water in the shower. You only need a few seconds of exposure to contaminated water to get the dreaded tummy-bug. Try to confirm that your food was washed with purified water.

  5. BE HEALTH CONSCIOUS – ALWAYS
    Wash your hands FREQUENTLY for several minutes with soap. Carry Sanitisers and anti-bacterial wet wipes. Listen to your body and take prompt action if there is any sign of discomfort.

  6. ASK & FOLLOW LOCAL ADVICE
    The locals at you place of residence will advise where it is safe to go, where to eat, and what you should do to ensure your safety. Walking back from the popular bar at midnight, and on your own, is NOT clever.

Africa is an amazing place to visit with the most welcoming and happy people but always be aware. If it sounds too good to be true – then it probably is no good for you!