The game parks of East Africa—Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Meru National Park in Kenya, and Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, to name but a few—are among the most amazing natural sites in the world.
Viewing lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and other game animals in their natural environment is an exhilarating experience.
A few pre-travel preparations will help to keep you fit during your travels. Travelers should see a pre-travel provider at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure.
You should be current all routine, or domestic immunizations, including flu, Covid-19, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis A and B. Older travelers should be current on shingles (zoster), pneumococcal, and RSV.
Travel vaccines for East Africa include typhoid fever and yellow fever. Proof of vaccination for yellow fever may be requested at entry to nations in East Africa. Carry your yellow vaccine card, with documented yellow fever vaccination, with your passport.
Malaria is present throughout East Africa. Travelers should take an effective mediation to prevent malaria. The most commonly prescribed medication to prevent malaria is Malarone, which is taken once per day during travel in the malaria-endemic area (plus one-two days prior to
entry, and seven days after departure).
Additionally, travelers should employ usual insect precautions, which include applying an effective insect repellent, such as DEET or picaridin, to exposed skin; applying permethrin to clothing, and sleeping under a bed net if sleeping quarters are not air-conditioned.
Traveler’s diarrhea is common in travelers in East Africa. Travelers may want to carry treatment medications, such as loperamide (Imodium) and an antibiotic such as azithromycin.
The risk of road traffic injuries is significantly higher in East Africa as compared to that in high-income nations. Travelers should use seat belts, and avoid travel on motorcycles.
Resources include the CDC site cdc.gov (click “Traveler’s Health) regarding health, and the U.S. Dept. of State site state.gov for current Travel Advisories regarding safety and security.
For more information on travel safety, check out the Germ and Worm Travel Health Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
References
The CDC Yellow Book (Health Information for International Travel) 2024
Subscribe to my newsletter and get your FREE taste of Doctor Travel’s Staying Healthy Abroad.
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Subscribe to my newsletter and get your FREE taste of Doctor Travel’s Staying Healthy Abroad.
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
