Is malaria a risk on a Tanzania safari?

Is malaria a risk on a Tanzania safari? When planning a safari in Tanzania, it’s very wise to carefully consider the risk of malaria for your itinerary. Basically, malaria is a dangerous illness caused by a parasite that is transferred through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Since Tanzania has a tropical geography with plenty of wetlands and the climate is generally warm, it is listed as a malaria-high-risk country. However, the risk to tourists is not uniform; it depends on when you visit the area, which specific parks you go to, and even the altitude of the lodge.

Although the danger certainly exists, millions of people embark on malaria-free safaris every year by having a solid medical plan and taking the simplest of protective measures against mosquito bites.

Geography and the Altitude Factor.

A feature of malaria that makes Tanzania quite remarkable is that as you ascend the altitude, the risk will reduce significantly. Malaria mosquitoes usually fail to thrive at high altitudes above 1,800 meters (about 6,000 feet)

This is a huge plus for tourists who intend to see the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or the upper regions of Mount Kilimanjaro, where the air is so thin and cold that no significant danger can come from the insects there.

However, most other well-known game parks, such as the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara, are situated at lower elevations, where the presence of mosquitoes constitutes something of a norm.

In addition, places along the coast such as Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Island are also regarded as the places with high levels of risk. As a result, unless you are going to spend the entire duration of your trip on the high summit of a mountain, it’s safe to say you will be in an area where malaria is a risk.

Seasonal Risks and Mosquito Behavior.

The risk of malaria also waxes and wanes alongside the climatic conditions. Mosquitoes depend on stagnant water for reproduction; thus, during the rainy seasons (March to May and November to December) and immediately after, the risk soars.

During this time, the “Green Season” unveils verdant grass and replenished waterholes, which also means a rise in the number of mosquitoes. By comparison, the “Dry Season” from June to October is generally “less buggy,” although mosquitoes can still be spotted near the rivers and permanent marshes.

Besides, one should always bear in mind that most mosquitoes are on the attack at dawn and dusk. Hence, the time for your morning game drive as well as your evening dinner is when irradiation from protection should be maximized.

Prevention:

At present, there is no travel vaccine against malaria that is widely available. Thus, prevention measures include a “two-layer” approach: taking medicine and protecting oneself from being bitten. Before your trip, you should have a check-up with a doctor who will write you a prescription for antimalarial drugs.

Among the drugs that are typically efficient in preventing the parasite from multiplying in the patient’s body are Malarone (Atovaquone-Proguanil) and Doxycycline.

Apart from the medicine, you should also be your own bodyguard in a way that you would use an insect repellent, for example, one that contains DEET (at least 30%); cover yourself with long clothes at night and generally avoid open skin; and lastly, use a mosquito net when you sleep.

Most of the time, safari lodges of good repute will have excellent nets around the beds and will even spray the rooms with insecticide while you are at dinner to make sure that you have a safe place for sleeping.

Despite the fact that malaria remains a major health problem in Tanzania, the danger should not be a reason for you to deprive yourself of a safari experience at walking distance. The risk is controllable for just about any traveler who is ready to prepare properly.

By selecting the appropriate medicine with the assistance of a travel clinic and being meticulous about wearing repellent and long clothes during the hours of changing light, your chances of falling sick will be drastically decreased. You need to be ‘mosquito aware’ rather than ‘mosquito afraid.’

On taking these basic measures, you will be able to enjoy the fantastic landscapes of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater quietly, as you have ensured your health throughout your African trip.