Are you considering visiting one or more of the famous game parks in Africa like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania?
Africa is a unique and wonderful continent offering many opportunities to visit game lodges, walk through crowded city markets, as well as absorb yourself in the richness of African traditional culture.
However, as with travel to any new country or region, it is vital to ensure that you plan your trip properly beforehand. Therefore, here are four tips to help you prepare in advance for your trip to Africa:
Work with a reputable company
One of the most common activities that visitors to Africa participate in is what is commonly known as “going on safari”. Essentially, this phrase means visiting one of the continent’s many game parks and lodges with a company like Asilia Africa. They have vast experience in travelling through Africa, and they will help you plan your adventure to maximise the use of your time and resources.
Pack correctly for the climate
Africa has a moderately warm to hot climate, depending on what time of the year you visit the continent. When it comes to packing, aim to keep your luggage light. Finally, wild animals and birds tend to be attracted to and sometimes scared off by brightly coloured clothing.
Thus, the best clothing to pack is light-coloured, wrinkle-free, moisture-wicking clothing. It’s also important to pack long-sleeved shirts and long pants to cover yourself as much as possible during the evening to prevent yourself from being bitten by mosquitos. If you travel during the rainy season, it’s vital to pack a lightweight rain jacket or raincoat.
Malaria-prevention and other medication
Most of the game parks and lodges are situated in malaria areas. While this is not a reason to cancel your trip, it is important to check with your local travel clinic, and where necessary, take the correct prophylaxis medication. Depending on the brand prescribed, you will have to start taking it before you leave on your adventure, while you are on safari, and for a period after you arrive home. If you are planning to order your medication online for the first time, you may wish to learn more about how to go about this to ensure that you don’t make any mistakes – your heath is too important to rush through a process as important as this.
Also, if you are on any prescription medication, it is vital to ensure that you take enough with you to cover the entire time you are away from home. As an aside based on personal experience, it is important to pack enough medication for a few days extra in the event that it takes you longer to get home than expected.
Compulsory and recommended vaccinations
Finally, countries like Kenya require all visitors to provide evidence of a valid yellow fever vaccination before they will allow you into the country. Furthermore, it is a good idea to discuss the validity of having Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, and Tetanus vaccinations before you leave. Hepatitis A/B are viral infections and can cause serious liver infections which can be life-threatening.
Typhoid, on the other hand, is a bacterial infection that is caused by the Salmonella bacteria. This can result in a serious gastrointestinal condition, which in turn can lead to dehydration and the cancellation of your holiday.
Finally, Tetanus (also known as “lockjaw”) can be contracted anywhere in the world via open sores or injuries. The Clostridium bacteria live in soil, dust, saliva, manure, and on items like rusty nails. The Tetanus vaccination prevents you from contracting the disease should you stand on a rusty nail or come into contact with any soil, dust, or manure.