Keeping safe and healthy
The Soysambu health code
Drink plenty of bottled or filtered water.
Rest, drink and eat before you need to.
Avoid sunstroke or sunburn; protect yourself with clothing, hats and ultra-violet barriers.
Remember that the sun is more powerful at altitude and is capable of burning through both cloud and haze.
In the case of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, cool yourself with shade and/or cold water, take ample fluids and if necessary take Aspirin to lower your temperature and relieve headaches.
Protect yourself against malaria: which is a serious risk all year round in all areas below 2,600 meters above sea level. Observe the following precautions:
Take preventative measures against infection, in the form of prophylactic tablets (consult your doctor for full details).
Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, malaria-carrying mosquitoes bite from dusk until dawn, so be especially vigilant between these times.
Wear light coloured clothing, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts in the evening.
Use effective mosquito repellents and sleep under a mosquito net.
Avoid using perfumes or aftershave.
The safari medical kit
Anti-malarial prophylactics.
Aspirin or Paracetamol for pain or fever.
Anti-histamine for allergies, insect bites or stings, and to prevent motion sickness.
Cold or flu tablets and throat lozenges.
Diarrhea blockers (note these should not be used for children and only under desperate circumstances for adults).
Oral re-hydration solution for diarrhea and sunstroke.
Insect repellent, sunscreen lip balm and eye drops.
Calamine lotion, sting relief spray or Aloe Vera to ease sunburn, insect bites or stings. Antiseptic, for cuts and grazes.
Alcohol swabs to clean minor wounds, bandages and sticking plasters.
Water purification tablets.
Scissors and tweezers, kit containing syringes and needles.
Medical Care
A number of vaccinations are recommended for visitors to Kenya (check with your travel clinic in advance).
Malaria
Malaria is endemic in tropical Africa and protection against it is absolutely necessary. It is recommended that one of several reliable prophylactics be taken for two weeks before arrival, all the time in the country, and for four to six weeks after returning home. In mosquito-ridden areas it is recommended that visitors sleep under mosquito nets, cover arms and legs in the evening and use an insect repellent.
Hospitals and Doctors
There are plenty of highly qualified doctors, surgeons, and dentists in East Africa. In addition, most lodges and hotels in the remoter game reserves usually have resident medical staff. Most lodges also have radio or telephone contact with the Flying Doctor Service in Nairobi. Nairobi has five modern and well-equipped hospitals, Mombasa two.
Insurance
It is recommended that travellers take out adequate medical insurance.
Snake Bites
Of the 126 species of snakes found in Kenya, 93 are neither venomous nor dangerous and over half of the bites inflicted are ‘dry’ (not envenomed), either because the snake intended the bite as a warning, or because it was low on venom. However, prevention is better than cure so when walking in the bush: follow the instructions of your guide; wear boots, socks and trousers, avoid walking in long grass and look where you are putting your feet. If you are bitten do not panic; immobilize the bitten limb with a rough splint and apply a bandage to the bite. Do not apply a tourniquet, do not cut either side of the bite, and do not suck the bite. Get medical help as soon as possible.
Personal Safety
Since East African society is less affluent than that of the developed world, ostentatious or careless displays of wealth or valuables will attract unwelcome attention. Best, therefore to leave all valuables in the hotel safe, wear no jewellery, and carry no expensive items of technology. Guests are also advised not to walk in the towns or cities by night. Wise also to walk briskly and politely but firmly decline all offers of friendship, guiding or any other interaction: sadly, the majority will be of dubious intent.
