What vaccinations are required for Kenya safari.
Planning a dream trip to the African savannah, you will likely pack binoculars, a camera, and a sun hat. However, there is one more crucial thing that you must have before even thinking of getting on the plane: a strong immune system. Kenya is a tropical place and very safe for tourists in general, but a few health precautions are necessary.
Simply put, Kenya vaccines fall into two groups: those that are mandated and those that are highly suggested from a health perspective in order to have a trouble-free trip.
The one that is mandatory: yellow fever certificate
The only health or immunization record, besides your passport, that is most likely the closest to your heart will be your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, normally called the “Yellow Book”.
Yellow Fever is a virus disease transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.
Majority of Kenya’s sizeable game parks and tourist attractions have been considered as low risk areas, but the authorities have implemented some really firm rules concerning the vaccine administration.
In case you are coming into Kenya from a country that has a Yellow Fever problem (e.g. Ethiopia or Uganda), or if you have taken more than 12 hours transit in a country where Yellow Fever is considered endemic, you will be required to get vaccinated before you can enter the country.
Important reminder: You have to get your yellow fever shot done not later than 10 days before departure because it takes some time for your body to build up protection. It is a fact that once you get your injection, its effects are considered lifelong hence no booster shots are needed for future visits.
Recommended Vaccinations (“Big Three”)
Therefore, even if you go straight from countries like the UK, US or Australia where a yellow fever certificate is not required, doctors will also give you a list of the 3 vaccines that are safe bets for any safari traveler:
Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a liver disease that can easily be contracted through contaminated food or water. While on a safari, you might be dining at different lodges or camps and even though you can generally expect a high level of hygiene, getting the Hepatitis A vaccination is your best bet against a potentially trip-ruining “stomach bug”.
Typhoid: It is kind of the same thing as Hepatitis A except that Typhoid is mostly associated with food and water contamination. You should especially get it if you intend to visit local villages or eat at small towns outside your usual luxury resorts.
Tetanus: As a kid, this is one of the shots you most probably received but a booster is due every 10 years. On a safari, to get away from the vehicle and walk to the nearby bush or for that matter any place you can encounter a rusty metal and/or a thorny plant, you don’t want to get infected simply because your Tetanus immunization is out-of-date or not enough.
Special considerations: Rabies and Cholera.
Not all travelers need these vaccines but I would still recommend that you bring it up with your healthcare professional during consultations:
Rabies: It will be an exciting moment for you when you get to see all those amazing animals out there but remember, never ever try to touch them. Rabies virus can be found not only in some stray dogs in the neighborhood but also wild animals. If you intend doing a “walking safari” or your stay in a very isolated area is going to be long, then getting the Rabies vaccine will be like a good insurance for you.
Cholera: In most cases, cholera vaccine is only recommended for aid workers or travelers who go to regions with extremely poor water sanitation. Tourists going on safari who stay in the lodges will hardly ever need it.
Malaria Question (Not a Vaccine).
People are often mistaken in believing that there is a “Malaria shot.” At present, the only way to protect yourself from Malaria is by taking pills (prophylaxis). A great number of the top safari places in Kenya such as Maasai Mara and Amboseli, are located in Malaria zones.
Make sure you get a consultation from your doctor and he/she gives you a prescription for anti-malarial tablets like Malarone or Doxycycline. Normally, you begin taking them a day or two before your arrival and keep on for a few days after you get home. Along with a good mosquito repellent (with DEET), these medications are your best shield against the “big buzz” of the savannah.
Routine Health: Checking the Basics
Just before leaving, double-check that your “routine” vaccinations are still valid. This covers MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) as well as Polio. Traveling means mingling with people from all over the world not only at the airport and in planes but your destination might also be a crowded place. Therefore, even though these diseases are rarely found in some parts of the world, being “up to date” is definitely the easiest way to travel without worries.
The Strategy Explained: How to Plan
The “logic” behind these vaccinations is simple: prevention is much cheaper and easier than treatment. In the vast Maasai Mara, the nearest hospital could be a helicopter ride away. Getting vaccinated 6 to 8 weeks before your flight is like “buying insurance” for your health.
The 6-Week Rule: Some vaccines need two doses spaced a few weeks apart. Don’t procrastinate
The “Yellow Book” Safety: Whenever you get vaccinated, always take a photo of your vaccination certificate on your phone. It definitely will be very helpful if the physical yellow card happens to be lost or if you need to show a border officer quickly.
For more information about what vaccinations are requires for Kenya safari or any information that you may need to know about Kenya safari, and then largely East Africa. Do not hesitate to contact us or making an inquiry and our team of experts will be ready to take you through, advising, and then planning for you the perfect safari experience with WildApes Safaris.