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Swinton Griffith's Safari Blog
 
 
 
 
 
 

Baby Mountain Gorilla - Rwanda
Health & Safety
Questions about health and safety are often among the leading concerns cited by prospective travelers to Africa. It is natural to wonder about these critical issues when one hears about exotic diseases in the Congo or political unrest in West Africa.

Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of each country we visit, and everyone involved with the tourism business – from government officials to those who prepare our meals – has a strong, vested interest in the success of your safari. We often lead our travelers’ safaris, and we feel very comfortable in these countries because we rely on the expertise and judgment of the professionals with whom we work. We also study the recommendations of independent organizations that evaluate health and safety issues for travelers on a global basis. We will give you those resources so that you may examine the professional information others have developed. It is in the best interest of all of us to make sure you are not subjected to unacceptable risks.

Health

There are certain health precautions you should take before traveling to Africa. Because we are not medical professionals, it is beyond our scope of expertise to advise you on precisely what you may need, as situations and requirements change and vary among individuals. The information we will share with you will enable you to intelligently discuss your personal circumstances with your physician and seek appropriate medical advice.

Fresh foods; proper food preparation techniques, and excellent sanitation keep food-related health problems to a minimum in the areas we visit. Special arrangements can be made for those who have special dietary needs. You will be provided with plenty of safe, bottled water as we strongly recommend against drinking any local water.

We also discuss the ways in which we can respond to an unexpected medical situation. From emergency medical attention to medical evacuation, we explore the options and make all necessary arrangements before your departure.

Safety

We make every effort to assure you a safe, healthy, and rewarding journey. Any travel, however, involves some risk, much of which you can minimize by following our suggestions. While most accidents occur in the home, traveling away from home can increase your risk of accidents. You are in new, unfamiliar territory and you may be distracted, enthusiastic, or tired enough to make mistakes and forget the little hazards around you. Our gentle reminders to watch your head as you climb in and out of safari vehicles may become a bit repetitious over the course of a safari. But it always helps avoid what could be a less-than-pleasant start to a game drive. We will provide you with our suggestions so you may help make your safari a safe, while still exciting, journey.

Our selection of transportation methods is made with a combination of safety and comfort in mind. Our internal air transportation is provided by well-established charter and scheduled commercial carriers, all of which have excellent safety records. The extended 4-wheel-drive Land Rovers and Land Cruisers we use for ground transportation in the bush have been especially designed to be both safe and effective in dealing with on-road and off-road conditions. (Frankly, it's sometimes hard to tell the difference!) We were among to first to request the installation of seat belts when these new customized safari vehicles were first developed.

Understanding the rules of conduct you must follow to ensure that your wildlife viewing is safe for you and the animals we come to watch is another important part of safari safety. With your awareness and cooperation, you will help us ensure you have a safe journey.

For more information about Safari Professionals Unlimited and what we do, please click here.

If you would like to contact us to ask a question about your safari, please click here.

Questions?

Call us at 800-779-2146 or click here to e-mail us.

Trusted Since 1987

Questions?
Call us at 800-779-2146 or e-mail us.

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