Hunting South Africa

[Buckshot85]

For you folks that have hunted South Africa or a neighboring province, is it still a necessity to get certain vaccinations before going?

 

[Werty]

I'm in the process of planning a trip too Namibia. Generally the outfitters will tell you what you need to get. Also just google what you need to get.

 

[mtmn35rem5]

Ive hunted South Africa twice, never got any vaccinations before hand. Haven’t had any problems.

 

[wilydawg]

I've hunted Namibia. No special vaccinations required...

 

[Nickziegler]

Ask the outfit for recommendations. We needed a hep A and tetinus. If you don't need malaria meds don't take them. My wife insisted we needed them even after I told her it was malaria free zone and both felt like crap for 2 days until our PH told us to stop them

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[Jorge400]

I've been to Africa 6 times hunting and traveling in 5 different countries. Don't rely on what your outfitter tells you. He's almost assuredly not a qualified medical practitioner. I would even caution relying on your regular general practitioner. Mine did a half assed search while I was there for a physical and after he did a bit of head scratching I said I'd get back to him as time neared and made my way out.

Go to a qualified travel clinic. They will be up to date on malaria areas, Typhoid areas, Yellow Fever requirements (you don't want to arrive in an African country and be told they have to administer a Yellow Fever vaccine before they let you enter), etc., and they will be able to get Typhoid vaccine and the like easier (if needed) and also provide you with a Yellow Vaccine Card if you are traveling to countries that require it. They will also be helpful in determining which malaria prevention is best for you and what side effects and precautions to take with each.

As for what vaccines and medications I've had, I've had Hep A & B, Typhoid vaccine twice (as there was an outbreak in areas I was going to be in), tetanus booster, polio booster and malaria (Malarone) on all but one trip (but really only needed it on three trips as I was not in malaria areas on the others). I've not had the Yellow Fever vaccine but it may now be required in one or two of the countries I've been to.

It can sound like a lot but if you are not going to malarial areas, it's really nothing other than a few shots and boosters. Have fun and good hunting.

 

[MSElkHunter]

I hunted South Africa once and I didn’t get any vaccinations.


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[264win]

I've been to Africa 6 times hunting and traveling in 5 different countries. Don't rely on what your outfitter tells you. He's almost assuredly not a qualified medical practitioner. I would even caution relying on your regular general practitioner. Mine did a half assed search while I was there for a physical and after he did a bit of head scratching I said I'd get back to him as time neared and made my way out.

Go to a qualified travel clinic. They will be up to date on malaria areas, Typhoid areas, Yellow Fever requirements (you don't want to arrive in an African country and be told they have to administer a Yellow Fever vaccine before they let you enter), etc., and they will be able to get Typhoid vaccine and the like easier (if needed) and also provide you with a Yellow Vaccine Card if you are traveling to countries that require it. They will also be helpful in determining which malaria prevention is best for you and what side effects and precautions to take with each.

As for what vaccines and medications I've had, I've had Hep A & B, Typhoid vaccine twice (as there was an outbreak in areas I was going to be in), tetanus booster, polio booster and malaria (Malarone) on all but one trip (but really only needed it on three trips as I was not in malaria areas on the others). I've not had the Yellow Fever vaccine but it may now be required in one or two of the countries I've been to.

It can sound like a lot but if you are not going to malarial areas, it's really nothing other than a few shots and boosters. Have fun and good hunting.

This x 100. After all the time and $$$$ for a trip like this, don’t risk ruining it and your health for a few shots.
Many SA countries require proof of yellow fever before you can enter. You DO NOT want to have anyone poking you with a needle or have to go to a “hospital” in Africa.

 

[Dust Rider]

We had to get Hep A and Hep B. Also yellow fever shot. Brought paper work with us. Our county health department specialist was on top of her game. She looked up travel info with the CDC. We told her where we were going a she gave us a packet of info for South Africa and surrounding countries.

 

[AKDoc]

I hunted Namibia several years ago and my wife accompanied me. We had a wonderful time!

In addition to the helpful information offered by others, I strongly suggest that you schedule an appointment with you primary care physician well ahead of the trip (now). Tell him/her where you are going, and get a professional opinion regarding the immunizations that you should get prior to departure, as well as any medications that you can have with you "just in case".

 

[Lionhound1975]

I lived in Swaziland for 3 years. Some parts of South Africa are malaria free but it can depend a lot on the season and the elevation. I would check the State Department info page for each country, it talks about health concerns as well as safety and security matters. The CDC website will also have a list of recommended vaccines for each country. I would then take that info to my doctor and follow their guidance. Have your vaccine record on a yellow international vaccine record since some countries will ask for that upon entering. I would definitely get Hep A and B and Typhoid. The cities in South Africa have good private clinics close to what we have here in the US but outside the major cities and especially for other countries outside of South Africa then medical care can be very primitive and you do not want to spend time in an African hospital. Health concerns are a much bigger deal in Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.

 

[Buckshot85]

Tons of great info!!!!!
Appreciate all of it.
Some mentioned booster shots. Would most of these shots mentioned need boosters or are they one and done?

 

[Jorge400]

We had to get Hep A and Hep B. Also malaria shots. Brought paper work with us. Our county health department specialist was on top of her game. She looked up travel info with the CDC. We told her where we were going a she gave us a packet of info for South Africa and surrounding countries.

This is where we go. I was leery at first but the regional travel clinic is in the neighboring county and they are top notch. Start there.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Agreed on the above. We did the Hep stuff and tetanus, but that's it. While you are there, consider asking your doctor for some Zofran if you have a tendency to have a weak stomach. That and some Immodium can save the day.

We were not in a malaria area, but two of our 4 guys took malaria meds. One complained about terrible dreams, the other couldn't sleep, and got really weak and had stomach cramping. If you don't need them, don't take them.

On a side note, even if you aren't a smoker, bring a carton of Marlboros or Camels. The trackers often smoke, and they appreciate American smokes. They are a great mood enhancer for them if the hunting is slow.

 

[Buckshot85]

Great info!

 

[ODB]

We had to get Hep A and Hep B. Also malaria shots. Brought paper work with us. Our county health department specialist was on top of her game. She looked up travel info with the CDC. We told her where we were going a she gave us a packet of info for South Africa and surrounding countries.

Malaria shots? Eh, you mean yellow fever? Malaria meds are tablets. And don’t use Larium, use Malarone. Larium is black-boxed.

and if anyone needs the yellow fever vax, start working on it NOW. There is a huge shortage of YF-VAX and the stand-in Stamaril is only available a very selected locations. I had to drive 2 hours to get it.

 

[Dust Rider]

Correction: it was yellow fever shot. We got Malarone tablets. We ended up stopping Malaria tabs as it was their winter and no bugs that time of year in Limpopo. Man that was a fun trip.

 

[jacknifejc]

I’ve hunted South Africa and Namibia multiple times and have never gotten any special vaccinations.

 

[A. Phillips]

I just go to the county nurses office and they look up what is recommended and required for certain areas and they can also show you what you have already gotten in the past. I think they did give me some pills or something when I went to South Africa I think they were for typhoid what ever that is.

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[Wapiti1]

You can read all about it here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destin...th-africa?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

Have a great hunt. Africa is a ton of fun.

Jeremy