Tips for staying healthy on an African safari

Here are a few ways to ensure you stay healthy on an African safari …

As with any journey, a little preparation goes a long way to ensuring not just your safety, but also your general health. If you plan according to the advice below, your health shouldn’t be an issue on your trip to Africa – you can instead just focus on having fun and making memories!

1. Speak to your doctor about malaria

All of Africa’s main safari countries have malaria, at least in certain regions. As such, malaria should be your primary health and safety concern when planning your African safari.

The most effective way to protect yourself against contracting the disease is to take an anti-malaria prophylactic. You usually start taking weeks before your trip. But you need a doctor’s script for such medication. So be sure to book a timely appointment.

The other main way to protect yourself is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. You can do this by wearing closed shoes, pants, and long sleeves, using a quality insect repellent, and sleeping under a mosquito net or ceiling fan.

Malaria prevention is too big a topic to cover properly here, so please read What you need to know about malaria before visiting Africa to learn more. Also, you might like to read The best malaria-free destinations in Africa, as there are many top safari destinations you can visit without worrying about malaria.

2. Understand the yellow fever risk in East Africa

Yellow fever is a risk in some popular East African safari countries, most notably Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. There is a one-shot vaccination you can obtain to protect yourself against this disease, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers it to be effective for life.

It’s important to know that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is compulsory if you’re visiting Kenya or transiting through that country for more than 12 hours. Also know that you need to have this vaccine at least 10 days before your departure date for it to be deemed effective.

At the time of writing, the vaccine is no longer mandatory for entry into Uganda, nor is it mandatory for Tanzania or Rwanda. But you might still like to consider it. I say this because yellow fever, similar to malaria, is transmitted via mosquito bite and can be fatal. So a yellow fever vaccination is a good idea if travelling to East Africa, in my opinion. You can usually obtain the shot cheaply and easily at a travel clinic.

3. Pack your vitamins

For many, the journey to Africa is a long one that involves time zone jumps, long transits, and one or more long-haul flights. When we’re exhausted, our immunity is lower, leaving us more susceptible to falling sick from certain viruses like the common cold. So a top tip for staying healthy on an African safari is to pack and take any vitamins and minerals you normally use to maintain a good level of immunity.

Please note that while there are many travel multivitamins on the market claiming to bolster your immunity, certain vitamins and minerals can be dangerous if you overdose on them. So, ideally, speak with a doctor before buying one.

4. Sanitise your area on flights, and choose an anti-germ strategy

Air travel is notorious for getting people sick. One reason is exhaustion, as mentioned above. But what’s key to note is that the primary way germs spread on flights is through touching armrests, chair trays, door handles, and other areas that aren’t able to be regularly sanitised and then touching your face. So I suggest packing antibacterial wipes so you can clean your area before settling in.

In addition, you need to consider how to avoid catching a virus during the flight, as you’ll be in close proximity to a bunch of people, some of whom may be sick and can spread germs through the likes of coughing. One way to avoid catching germs is to use a saline nasal spray. Low cabin humidity dries out the mucous membranes in your nose, and when they crack, it’s easier for viruses to gain a foothold. So a nasal spray keeps your membranes healthy.

Alternatively, if you have it in you to wear a face mask during your flight, this is the best way to stay healthy. A face mask prevents droplets from a sick person reaching your nose. It also helps trap moisture from your own breath. 

Finally, consider what else you can pack or do to help you sleep or at least rest comfortably on long flights so you don’t get so exhausted. This might be limiting your caffeine, or packing a soft eye mask and neck pillow.

5. Pack a personal first-aid kit

You’ll often be in remote areas on safari and not have access to a pharmacy. So it’s important to pack a personal first-aid kit with sufficient of each medication to see you through any standard health issue, like a cold.

Also, to further safeguard your health on an African safari, pack a small first-aid kit that includes the likes of:

• Antiseptic cream and plasters (band aids)
• Painkillers
• Diarhhoea and constipation tablets
• Throat lozenges
• Antihistamine

Again, if you visit your GP before your trip, you could ask for expert and personalised advice with regard to your first aid kit.

6. Pack cold-weather clothing, especially if visiting during winter

It’s important to research the climate of your intended destination during the season you’ll be there to know what to pack. First-time safarigoers are sometimes surprised by how cold it can be in Africa. This is especially true in the highlands and the interior, where temperatures can drop to nearly freezing point during winter nights.

What’s more, you often go on safari drives early in the morning, through sunset, and sometimes even at night if you’re lucky. If you’re driving in an open-sided vehicle, you can get really chilled by the wind if you’re not dressed warmly enough. In fact, at times, a beanie, gloves, and a winter jacket might be necessary if you’re someone who really feels the cold.

What’s more, please be sure to pack warm clothing in your cabin luggage so that when you land in Africa, there’s no chance you’ll be caught out by the cold weather and get sick. Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa, for instance, can be bitterly cold in winter, and most international tourists going on safari in Southern Africa arrive through one of these two airports.

7. Drink plenty of clean water on safari

Once you’re actually in Africa, one key tip for staying healthy on safari is to ensure you drink enough water. You often go on long safari drives or similar outings, so please be sure to pack enough water in your daypack. Many safari destinations are in humid regions, so you may well sweat more than usual.

Note that in many places throughout Africa, you shouldn’t drink the tap (faucet) water, as it could cause an upset stomach. You need to filter, boil, or otherwise sterilise your drinking water. You can also, of course, rely on bottled water, but single-use plastic water bottles are a scourge, so I don’t promote this as a strategy.

I suggest that you also pack some water purifying tablets or similar as a backup. If you’re travelling with a tour operator, they should provide you with potable drinking water. But it’s a good idea to have a backup solution should any situation arise where you don’t have access to safe drinking water. So consider bringing a water bottle with a built-in filter, water purification tablets, or something similar.

Finally, if you’re someone who regularly forgets or struggles to drink enough water, you might like to pack some electrolyte or rehydration sachets.

8. Protect your eyes, skin, and lips

I’m sure you’ve thought of this, but please be sure to come prepared for high UV exposure. Many African safari destinations are close to the Equator, where the sun’s rays can be fierce. So please pack the following for your African safari:

• A broad-spectrum, reef-safe sunscreen*
• An SPF lip balm
• Polarised sunglasses – sports-style are best
• A sunhat
• Aftersun gel

This protects you against both UVA and UVB rays, and doesn’t pollute the groundwater when you wash it off. Remember to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.

Note that a bush hat with a broad rim is better than a sports cap, as the latter doesn’t protect the back of your neck. Alternatively, wear collared shirts. Note too that wearing lightweight long-sleeved tops and full-length pants is also a good idea for protecting your skin.

Finally, if you’re going to a safari destination that’s at high altitude, like the Serengeti or Masai Mara, you also want to bring a nourishing skin cream and lip balm, as the dry air can take a heavy toll on your skin and lips.

9. Clean your hands frequently and pack shower shoes

Finally, you’re exposed to new types of germs whenever you travel. So try to cleanse your hands often on your African safari.

I suggest a multiprong approach. Firstly, have a waterless hand sanitiser or biodegradable wet wipes in your handbag or backpack. But also pack a biodegradable soap in a sealable soap dish. You can’t expect all bathrooms you use to have soap, especially if you’re doing an overlanding safari that takes you through non-touristy regions. Be especially aware of cleaning your hands after handling items like curios at stalls or shops, as it’s likely that many hands have touched them.

If you’re going to be doing a camping safari and using communal bathrooms or showers, a pair of flip-flops or similar footwear is a good idea to avoid picking up anything like athlete’s foot.

Extra tip for anyone on chronic medication

If you take chronic medication and are doing a multi-week safari, pack extra. This ensures you’re not in trouble should your return home be delayed for any reason.

In addition, bring your doctor’s script for the medication with you. This ensures no border control official can take issue with the quantity of medication you’re carrying.

So there you have it: a handful of tips to help you stay healthy on your African safari. If you follow this advice, you should be able to say bon voyage to family and friends and head on over to Africa for an unforgettable wildlife adventure free from any health frustrations.

Note: This blog post was created by Sarah Duff in July 2016. It was rewritten by Megan Abigail White in April 2026.