Preparing for Africa…considering health and vaccines

We’ve all seen the National Geographic magazines and television shows. For as long as I can remember I have been following National Geographic, first in print and then on television. I’ve seen the countless animals, people and landscapes of Africa that have been featured over the years. It will be my first time to the continent and upon deciding to go, images from my National Geographic dreams came to mind. I’m no longer going to be a viewer from afar, I’m going to be a participant. I’m going to be experiencing Africa with all my senses.

Nostalgia and where it all began…

I have many fond memories of watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom as a child with my Gran and dad on Sundays before Wonderful World of Disney. Wild Kingdom brought Africa right into our living room and had me hooked as soon as they would show the world map and show us where they were taking us. I would dream of going on a safari.

I also used to dream about being a travel photojournalist for National Geographic. Not sure where that dream went, but maybe it’s not too late?! I wonder if they’ll accept my iPhone photos hehe.

So how do you prepare for such a trip? Well first, you freak out, call your friends, freak out some more say a few “Oh my Gods” and “what have I done” and then calm down. Well that’s if you’re like me. After I got that out of the way, the intensive research began. I started with health and vaccinations. Even though I hadn’t been there myself I knew that there were certain diseases I needed to be aware of. So I scoured the internet for information, read what I could, consulted some friends and made an appointment at a local travel clinic. I’m going to Senegal and South Africa. My research told me that I would need a yellow fever vaccine because yellow fever is prevalent in Senegal. I also found that I would not be allowed into South Africa without a yellow fever vaccination so that was a must. Senegal is a malaria zone, South Africa is not except Kruger National Park in the summer. I am going on safari in Kruger too. So a good anti-malaria prophylatic is highly recommended.

My visit with the travel clinic doctor confirmed what I knew, but also provided more in depth information as well as the necessary vaccines and medications. After all was said and done and about $500 CAD later, I came away with a yellow fever vaccine, an oral typhoid vaccine, a malaria prescription and an antibiotic prescription for traveller’s diarrhea “just in case”. Yep, there is a high chance that you will at least get a mild form of it on travels to Africa. I already had the Hepatitis A vaccine years ago so didn’t need it again. Although I really dislike taking pills in any form whether medications or vitamins and am on the fence about certain vaccinations, I am in the “better safe than sorry” camp on this one. I think malaria is a real threat in Senegal.

Until next time,

Andrea … and my wandering iPhone