We advise all potential overlanders to inform us if there are any medical problems that you suffer from and to let us know if you are feeling sick. Do not just assume that if you feel sick it will pass. Your overland crew are experienced in dealing with a variety of tropical diseases and can identify symptoms with ease. The overland crew will also know of the correct procedures and where the nearest medical centre is. If you are feeling sick when you arrive back in your home country then inform your local doctor.
Below is a rough guideline to the health risks that occur in Africa. Please note that this is a guideline and if you are in doubt about anything then please contact the local authorities or tourism office in that specific country.
Malaria and Yellow Fever are the two most common health risks that travellers are faced with when travelling throughout Africa. The seasons during which these health hazards are prominent may vary. It would be best to check with local tourism offices when the high risk seasons are.
To prevent against Malaria travellers should seek medical advice before travelling about what dosage of anti-malaria tablets to take and also the required vaccinations. To prevent against Yellow Fever you will need a vaccination before travelling. Make sure that you have adequate health insurance and vaccination certificates upon arrival in countries that require them.
Malaria is a serious disease, prevalent in most African countries. The most effective medication is avoid being bitten by mosquitoes!!! Cover up (wear long sleeved shirts and trousers) at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are at their most active. Make sure you put plenty of insect repellent, which contains a relatively high percentage of DEET, on any uncovered areas (ankles!).
Your travel centre/Doctor will be able to tell you which malaria medication to take and for how long. Please note that if you are using Doxycycline, that this might affect the effectiveness of the anti-conceptive pill!
The information below has been extracted from the World Health Organisation website.
Malaria: Exists from November to May/June in the northern parts of the country: Boteti, Chobe, Ngamiland, Okavango, Tutume districts/subdistricts.
Recommended medication: Mefloquine
Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas - or who were in transit through infected areas (unless they remained on board or at the airport)
Malaria: From November to May/June in the northern regions and in Omaheke and Otjozondjupa. Also throughout the year along the Kavango and Kunene rivers.
Recommended medication: chloroquine plus proguanil.
Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas
Malaria: Exists in northern Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park), Northern Province and north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal as far south as the Tugela river.
Recommended medication: mefloquine.
Yellow fever: No vaccination requirements for any international traveller.
Malaria: Malaria risk—predominantly due to P. falciparum—exists throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine reported.
Recommended medication: mefloquine.
Yellow fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas
Malaria: Exists from November through June in areas below 1200m and throughout the year in the Zambezi valley.
Recommended medication: mefloquine
HIV / AIDS: In today’s world we all no about the severity of AIDS/HIV in Africa.
Stay away from any temptations!
Typhoid: A vaccination against it is advisable if staying in Africa for more than a few weeks.
Rabies: Injection is advisable for those who are travelling Africa for more than 3 months and who are cycling, hiking and handling animals. Pre-travel rabies injection involves having 3 injections over 28 days before arriving in the country.
Malaria: Occurs in most African countries, but see above for a more detailed description about where it occurs and the seasons in which it is rife. One would take anti malaria tablets before travelling to the infected areas.
Hepatitis A and B: Travellers who are considering long term travel should consider obtaining the series of hepatitis b injections.
Meningococcal meningitis: Zambia and Malawi are areas that are affected by this, if extending your stay in these areas it is advisable to have the innoculation which protects against many forms of it.
Diptheria and Tetnus: Vaccinations for this are recommended as a preventative measure for everyone.
It is imperative that you have the correct travel insurance before travelling. When overlanding throughout Africa you may encounter anything from petty theft to hazardous adventure activities. Before you take out full travel insurance ensure that you are aware of which activities will be covered.
Although bungee jumping off a bridge might not seem to be your thing when you are booking your overland tour from the safety of your home, you will be surprised how many clients actually feel adventurous once actually standing on that bridge!
Some travel insurances will cover horse back riding only when helmets are worn, however, caps or helmets are rarely provided throughout Africa. Free travel insurance provided by credit card companies are NOT adequate for overland tours! Check whether valuable items such as laptops, cameras and MP3 players are covered, if not, they might be covered under your house hold insurance. Cameras are often only insured up to a certain value.
It is important to take out medical insurance before you travel as it is best to ensure that in case of an emergency you will be airlifted to the nearest clinic or even back to your home country.
Prehaps consider taking out a travel protection plan that will cover you in case of sudden illness or accident that enforces you to cancel the rest of your tour. The travel protection plan covers all of your non-reimbursed travel expenses.
You will need to give the crew of your overland tour a copy of your travel insurance, with the policy number & 24-hour emergency contact number clearly stated on it. Make sure you keep a copy of your documents with you too and that you leave a copy at home. OverlandingAfrica.com cannot be held responsible for any accidents or theft. However, OverlandingAfrica.com will endeavour to help.
Listed below are just a few of the hazardous activities that you might encounter on Overlanding adventures.
Please enquire should you have any further questions about insurance cover. The team will be happy to assist.
Please note that you may wish to check with the embassy of the country in question about the updated visa and passport informationthat is required for travel in Africa. We cannot guarantee that the information below is not subject to change. Track Africa are only a phone call away and are always eager to help and give advice about the specific visas or travel passes that you might need.
Please note that all visitors to Africa must be in possession of a full passport which is valid for at least six months after the finish date of a tour. Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages before entering South Africa and it is safe TO ALWAYS have at least one blank page per country.
Remember that most countries will stamp your passports on arrival and departure, that is why you will need blank pages. If there is no room to stamp your passport you may not be allowed entry into that country!
As a safety precaution always take photocopies of your passport with you and leave a set of copies at home. If possible, try to get your copies certified, as it makes your life a lot easier in case of loss. Do not keep the copies inside your passport, rather give a copy to the track Africa guide.
Visas are required for the majority of African countries. Most of these visas can be obtained at the border posts as you enter the country. A few African countries will require that you purchase your visa at the airport. Visas are purchased in cash. Be sure to carry the correct amount of cash with you before arriving and remember to check what currency countries accept.
Please consult the country destination list below. If your country of nationality is not exempt and it occurs in the list directly below then you will need a Visa. Should your country of nationality not appear on the list and we will advise you about the relevent Visa information.
Australia
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Germany
France
India
Ireland
Korea
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
USA
Exempt: Australia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, USA
Exempt: Australia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, USA, South Africa, France, Switzerland
Exempt: Australia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, USA, South Africa, France, Switzerland, Korea
Exempt: Ireland, South Africa
Exempt: France, Ireland, New Zealand