As diverse as the wildlife is in Africa, the mosquito species is just as diverse, including malaria-causing mosquitoes. The safari industry often refers to malaria areas and non-malaria areas in terms of safari destinations:
- High-Risk Malaria Areas –Most of East Africa and sub-Saharan countries
- Mild Risk Malaria Areas – Countries that form the border between the Sub-Saharan countries and the countries that are in the south of Africa, such as Botswana, Mozambique, Swaziland.
- Non-Malaria Areas – The countries on the southern tip of Africa such as Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe
The truth is that most of the safari destinations are in malaria areas, with limited exceptions in Southern Africa.
What Is Malaria?
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease transmitted from mosquitoes to humans and other animals. If the disease is left untreated, it recurs months later. When a female Anopheles mosquito bites you, it leaves a parasite behind (this infection is called protozoan of the genus Plasmodium).
The parasite travels to your liver through your bloodstream, and then the parasite matures and reproduces in the liver, causing malaria. Most deaths are caused by cerebral malaria (P. falciparum). This type of malaria is more frequent in tropical climates.
Climate and geography are the influencers of malaria, which is most prevalent in rainy seasons. Only certain types of mosquitoes are carriers of this disease. The mosquitoes are active at dusk throughout nightfall. Consequently, any mosquito that you see during the day will highly unlikely to be a carrier of malaria.
Precautions
Many popular holiday destinations across the world, such as South East Asia, South America and India, pose malaria threats. With proper precautions set in place, malaria should not be a factor or deterrent in your decision to enjoy an African safari.
There are several precautions that you can take to help prevent malaria. However, none of them is 100% effective on their own. By combining them, it will significantly reduce your risk of contracting malaria.
Drug-Free Measures
To avoid being bitten by a mosquito is the most effective way to prevent malaria. There are many things you can do to avoid mosquito bites on your African Safari.
- Wear long sleeves (shirts and pants) from dusk to dawn.
- Wear socks and shoes.
- Sleep under a mosquito net.
- Use insect repellents, especially in the late afternoon.
- See a doctor if you develop flu-like symptoms to be tested, just as a precaution.
- Malaria is generally treatable if diagnosed correctly.
It is rare for safari visitors to contract malaria. Therefore, the people who live in the area year-round are at a greater risk.
Anti-Malarial Medicines
Before using an anti-malarial medications, it is best to consult a doctor or medical practitioner. Use the drug in conjunction with non-drug measures discussed above. There are three options when it comes to anti-malarial medicines. Keep in mind that the following factors will influence your choice:
- Underlying medical conditions
- Existing medication already is taken
- Tolerance of prophylactic medicine chosen
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Underlying medical conditions
It is advisable to start your anti-malaria medication well before your trip to be sure your body can tolerate it. Discuss any side effects immediately with your medical practitioner. Before accepting any medical advice of any kind, consult with a medical professional or the CDC. That said, here are the three anti-malarial options:
- Doxycycline – (tradenames: Oracea®; Efracea®; Periostat®; Doxymal®; Vibramycin-D®; Vibrox®; Doryx® ). 100mg daily taken before entering a malaria area. See insert for side effects or discuss with a medical practitioner.
- Mefloquine – (tradenames: Lariam®; Mefliam®). Start at least 10 days before entering the malaria area with 250 mg weekly (PIL taken on the same day of the week till four weeks after the trip). See insert for side effects or consult a doctor.
- Atovaquone/Proguanil- (tradenames: Malarone®; Malanil®; Numal®) -250 mg/100 mg daily, starting 48 hours before entering the malaria area and continue for one week after leaving the malaria area. Daily while in the area, and daily for one week after leaving the area. See side effects on the insert or consult a medical practitioner.
Remedies
If diagnosed immediately, you will typically make a full recovery from malaria. The most common remedy for malaria is to treat it with the same anti-malarial medication used to prevent it. The treatment type and the length of treatment will depend on:
The severity of the symptoms
- Type of malaria
- The area where malaria was contracted
- If you are pregnant
- If you took anti-malarial medication before contracting malaria
Anti-malarial medication is used to both treat and prevent malaria. Therefore, the type of treatment used and the length of treatment will depend on:
- The type of malaria
- The severity of your symptoms
- Where you caught malaria
- Whether you took anti-malarial medication to prevent malaria
- Whether you’re pregnant
Best Malaria-Free African Safari
The good news is there is a good deal of excellent malaria-free African safari destinations. Some of the best malaria-free safari options available are spread across the ecologically diverse regions of South Africa and Namibia.
Here are three of the world-class African safari destinations that are malaria-free.
Addo Elephant Park
This scenic national park with a lush evergreen forest of 125,000 hectares is home to 500 free-roaming elephants. It includes:
- The Big Five
- Zebra
- Kudu
- Red Hartbeest
- Over 400 bird species
- Endemic flightless dung beetle
- South Africa’s second-largest penguin colony
- Southern right whales
- Great White sharks
There are a variety of accommodation choices in and around the Addo Elephant Park. The accommodations range from:
Luxury lodges
- Forest cabins
- Chalets
- Pitched tents
- Camping spots
Madikwe Game Reserve
Only 3-5 hours drive from Oliver Thambo International Airport on the border of Botswana, this is a must-visit game reserve. Apart from the big five, this park is famous for its thriving population of wild dogs. It also has the following:
- Zebra
- Giraffe
- Springbok
- Gemsbok
- 40 species of birds
Accommodation options – Located on the reserve are a large selection of lodges and camps. The most popular are the lovely Jaci’s Lodge. There are also the:
- Mateya Safari Lodge
- Madikwe Safari Lodge
- Little Madikwe Hills
Etosha National Park
Although it is a low-malaria risk area, the park is free of malaria from July to September. These dry months are excellent for game viewing.
The white of the salt pans is a dramatic backdrop where the game congregates around the waterholes. Besides the big five, you can view the following game:
- Zebra
- Elephants
- Rhinos
- Giraffe
Accommodation options – Etosha has three main campsites with the following options:
- Camping facilities
- High-end bungalows
- Luxury lodge at the main gate
3 Best Insect Repellents for Your Safari
Various types of mosquitoes transmit different infections and also bite at different times of the day. The mosquito that spreads malaria is active from dusk to dawn. Bites can be avoided by taking preventative measures before sundown. Mosquitoes that spread other diseases such as yellow fever, dengue fever and Zika virus are more active in the day.
Here is a list of three preferred mosquito repellent products that are most effective for your African Safari:
DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-tolumide) – One of the most effective mosquito repellents for most mosquito species.
DEET is a well-known effective (broad-spectrum) repellent against mosquito bites. Clinical trials have shown a low risk of adverse effects when DEET is applied according to manufacturers’ instructions. It’s important to take care not to inhale or ingest during application and not to use products with a concentration of over 50%. Unless known to be allergic, DEET can be used by pregnant women and children over two months of age.
Icaridin (Picaridin) – (KBR3023) (1piperidinecarboxylic acid,(2 hydroxyethyl) 2–,1-methyl-propylester) Apply according to manufacturer’s instruction.
Lemon Eucalyptus – (p-menthane 3,8 diol, or PMD) used in place of DEET. Lemon eucalyptus 30% is as effective as 30% DEET and is deemed much safer than DEET. Apply this product more often as it has a shorter protective period.
Clothes to Wear to Avoid Mosquito Bites on Safari
It is a good idea to cover as much skin as possible when visiting a mosquito-risk area. Mosquitoes can’t bite through loose clothing. The following clothing can protect you from those nasty bites:
- High-neck shirts or neck scarves
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Long pants
- Long skirts
- Lightweight fabrics (for the hot environment
- Avoid dark colors or very bright colors
It is a good idea to spray clothing with a pyrethroid insecticide such as permethrin. All outdoor suppliers keep kits and sprays for outdoor travel. Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions.
By researching the malaria areas, wearing protective clothing, taking anti-malarial medication and wearing mosquito repellent, you can eliminate the risk of contracting malaria and can enjoy a wonderful African Safari.
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Tags: Africa, African safari, Malaria, Mosquitoes, Safari