Health & Safety

Your health, safety, and peace of mind are our top priority while you are traveling. Piper & Heath arranges travel only to destinations that we know intimately and have the resources on the ground to keep you secure and to respond efficiently in case of emergency. We work only with reliable partners who have spotless track records with regard to the safety of their guests.

While you are traveling, we and our trusted partners on-the-ground remain available to you 24/7. We require that all travelers have medical and evacuation insurance, which is also a typical requirement for safari camps and lodges in Africa. (See our Travel Insurance page for additional information!) And, finally, should an emergency arise, we have the experience, connections, and resources to successfully resolve the situation.

*It is important that, prior to travel, you notify Piper & Heath of any medical conditions you may have, such as food allergies, limited mobility, use of a CPAP machine, or any other relevant medical concerns.
 

Vaccinations and Medications

There are very likely recommended or even required vaccinations and medication for travelers to your destination countries. For example, some countries require proof of vaccination for yellow fever. While we have to be careful not to dispense medical advice, we want to help you in any way that we can. Primarily, we recommend that you consult your personal physician or a reputable travel clinic (e.g. Passport Health) for medical travel advice and services.

A “required” vaccination is one that a country requires you show proof of in order to enter. You should carefully review the Entry Requirements for the countries in your itinerary to ensure you are aware of anything that would apply to you!

Apart from required vaccinations, there are certainly vaccinations and medications that are recommended for travel to African countries. Often foremost among these is malaria prophylactics, as many parts of Africa have some risk for malaria. There are other fairly standard travel vaccinations that the CDC recommends. Please speak with your personal physician or with a travel clinic and consider their advice as to what vaccinations and medications might be right for you. (You can review the CDC’s recommendations for yourself at this link.)
 

Respecting Wildlife

Please take careful note of the following general guidelines for your time on safari.

• Most safari camps are unfenced, and wildlife can (and does!) wander through the property. Please follow all lodge policies and management instructions when it comes to securing your room and moving around the camp.
• Many of the animals and reptiles you will see are potentially dangerous. While attacks by wild animals are exceedingly rare, there are no guarantees that such incidents will not occur. For your safety and the safety of those around you, it is imperative that you listen to and follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
• Observe animals with minimum disturbance and respect their natural behavior. Never attempt to attract an animal’s attention. Do not imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle, or throw objects.
• Never approach any wild animal. Never attempt to feed any animal. This is especially important in camp where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
• Please respect your guide’s judgment about proximity to all creatures. Do not insist that they take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. NEVER leave your vehicle without your guide’s explicit permission.
• Do not litter. Litter is not only unsightly, but it can be harmful to wildlife.
• Please note that smoking is prohibited in many areas, often including on game drives. (The dry African bush ignites easily!) You must smoke only in designated areas, as identified by camp management.

 

Protecting Your Valuables

You should take these basic precautions to protect your valuables while traveling.

• Do not put valuables (i.e. cash or cameras) or medication in checked luggage.
• Do not leave your bags unattended in airports.
• Use zip ties to secure your checked luggage on flights. (You could use a luggage lock, but TSA has the right to search any bag, and they have been known to break and discard luggage locks.)
• Make use of the in-room safes where available; ask camp management to store your valuables in the office safe where necessary.
• Do not create unnecessary temptation for lodge staff by leaving cash and valuables lying around in your room or in vehicles.

 

Water & Hydration

Camp management will let you know up check-in whether the water from the tap is safe to drink. Regardless, filtered water (or bottled water) will be provided at meals, during activities, and in your room. Do not allow yourself to become dehydrated! Drinking plenty of water is critical especially during warmer summer months. It is generally recommended that you drink at least a half-gallon of water per day to prevent dehydration.
 

Dietary Requirements

Please ensure that you notify Piper & Heath of any dietary requirements prior to travel. This includes things like vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, peanut allergies, high protein, no seafood, low sodium, etc. Most requests can be accommodated with sufficient advance warning. Special religious diets, like Halaal and kosher, could incur additional costs.
 

Insects

For those who are concerned about insects, we advise wearing long pants and long sleeves, light-colored clothing, and a generous amount of bug repellent. Many insects are limited to seasonal and geographic regions. The below information should not be construed as medical advice and is only in support of that given by medical practitioners, travel clinics, and the CDC.

• Malaria is only transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are primarily active during the evening and overnight. Malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months of November through April (in sub-Saharan Africa). Most safari camps are situated in remote areas with less mosquito prevalence and less human population. Nonetheless, if your itinerary includes areas with risk for malaria, you should consider taking preventative measures, including speaking with your doctor about using malaria prophylactics.
• Tsetse flies have a long, defined biting proboscis that produces a sharp bite. In areas with tsetse fly prevalence, they most often occur near wooded areas rather than on the savannah. Generally, bites can be prevented by simply brushing the flies away. Infected tsetse bites can be treated by applying an antihistamine cream to the bite area. Tsetse flies can be especially bothersome in parts Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia.
• Yellow Fever is a viral illness that is transmitted by mosquitoes. There is, however, an effective preventative vaccine. Proof of vaccination is required when visiting countries like Congo or Uganda, and is required when combining certain other countries (like Kenya and Tanzania). Most countries that do not have risk of yellow fever themselves require proof of vaccination if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. The elderly, those who are pregnant, and those who have a suppressed immune system are often advised not to get the yellow fever vaccine. In these cases, you should instead travel with a letter from your doctor stating that you have been medically advised not to get the vaccine. For the countries that require yellow fever vaccination, this exemption letter is normally accepted in lieu of vaccination itself. Where tsetse flies are prevalent, it is generally recommended that you avoid wearing black and blue clothing as they seem to be attracted to these colors.
• Ticks are a well-known nuisance. The most common species in the savannah regions of Africa are “hard ticks,” which attach themselves to a host to feed before falling or being brushed off. Ticks can transmit “tick bite fever,” which presents symptoms after a 5 to 7-day incubation period and include fevers, headaches, malaise, and even a skin rash. However, effects can vary dramatically from person to person. A dark black mark usually results at the site of the infected bite and is a helpful diagnostic. The disease is easily treated with antibiotics, though this is not always necessary.