Health Issues on a Tanzanian Safari
When on a walking safari, mountain climbing or walking round the
camp, it is advisable to be aware of the following guidelines on
health and safety in the African Bush.
Altitude related Illness: These illnesses can kill you and every
year tourists die from altitude related illnesses. Higher
altitudes are colder even in Africa; there is less oxygen and to
walk slowly is essential especially for hikes or climbs above
1,500 to 3,000 meters above sea level. You should be breathing
easily with no panting and no extreme physical excursion. Drink
water regularly and eat a light diet with lots of carbohydrates.
It is essential to keep warm.
Hypothermia or exposure: this is life threatening condition with
a lowering of body temperature and can occur with a temperature
as high as 10 c [50 f]. Usually caused by cold wet clothing or
simply poorly clothed for the conditions. The signs/symptoms
include clumsiness, stumbling, apathy, lethargy, confusion,
disorientation, and eventually unconsciousness. Treatment for
this is to immediate warm the patient in a warm dry environment
- a sleeping bag is ideal with one or even two people inside the
sleeping bag with the patient. Warm energy rich drinks help as
does rest with a return to camp as quickly as possible.
Acute Mountain sickness: This affects many people above 2,050
meters [or 10,000 ft] signs/symptoms include headache nausea
fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, restless or no sleep. The
treatment is to slow down, remain in camp, drink water, and rest
your body. It is important to adjust to altitude slowly. In case
of severe headaches, loss of coordination, breathing
difficulties evacuate immediately for medical attention. This
condition kills tourists every year in Tanzania!
Hiking in hot or sunny weather often causes heat exhaustion the
signs/symptoms are weakness/fatigue, headache, vertigo, thirst
nausea/vomiting faintness high body temperature. The treatment
is to lay flat in shade, remove clothing to cool the patient,
soak the body with cold water, re-hydrate patient and monitor
body temperature
Heat stroke is more serious with the signs/symptoms being
delirium, coma, rapid pulse, rapid breathing; skin hot and dry,
body temperature above 40c [104 f]. Treat as for heat exhaustion
but this condition can be fatal so seek medical assistance
quickly - evacuate if possible.
Wildlife; try to avoid interaction; normally the wildlife will
try to avoid you. Buffalo or elephant may attack if surprised or
provoked. When hike in forest or dense bush clap often or call
out if met by an aggressive animal; at all times follow the
instructions of your armed guide. Never feed wild animals with
baboons and monkeys being highly dangerous and they can steel by
force as they have learnt to get food from the tourists.
Weather in Tanzania has a rainy season November through to May
with sometimes a dryer season January to March dividing the
season into short and long rains. It never rains all the time.
The dry season June to October, the coldest month being July
with high altitudes reaching temperatures bellow freezing.
If you get lost remain where you are; your guide will look for
you and find you quicker if are on the trail - this sometimes
happens in fog or dense forest. A day pack should include
instant body shelter, warm clothing and a water proof jacket,
matches or lighter, a mirror or whistle for signaling, food and
drink [esp. water] basic first aid, torch and a compass.
Some areas have stinging nettles, no shorts in these areas with
stings causing temporary but painful irritations
Safari ants are small shiny brown ants move rapid in columns
across trails - they are common and carnivorous, they crawl up
your trouser legs and start to chew. Tuck trouser into socks and
watch where you step and especially where you stand.
Acacia thorns "cat claws" of the wait-a-bit thorn tree rip skin
and clothing - the thorn is long and straight and can pierce
soft soled shoes and even car tires so take care and try not to
wear sandals.
Ticks may be found long grass, to remove a tick grasp head and
jerk out of skin.
Snakes will usually avoid humans; one exception is the puff
adder. This snake is sluggish and slow to move. When moving
around in the dark use a torch to avoid a most unwelcome
encounter with the puff adder.
Scorpions lurk in the dry country under rocks, behind bark and
sometimes climb into boots, clothing or equipment left out at
night. The sting from a scorpion can cause severe pain for
several hours.
In conclusion to protect yourself - dress right and drink right.
Climbing in mountains or highland prepare for extremes. Watch
your self day time temperatures can reach 35 c with little shade
and may well be freezing at night at higher altitudes. Fine
weather can turn into fog or rain quickly. Always carry a
waterproof and dry clothing in a plastic bag to keep warm wool
and synthetics are better than cotton or down - to keep cool
cotton is the better option. Protect yourself from the sun with
a hat, sunglasses, skin protection also drink plenty of water
and eat a diet high in carbohydrates for energy. Avoid alcohol
at high altitudes.