Avoiding ‘travellers’ diarrhoea’ whilst on an African adventure

Going on an adventure of a lifetime can easily be ruined if you are unfortunate enough to pick up a virus or bug during your travels.

With sanitation issues in such countries, getting sick can be easier than you think, however there are some steps you can take to try and lower the risk of getting ill.

Travellers’ diarrhoea can be caught from undercooked meat, poor sanitation and ingestion of faecal matter through contact. Taking a hand sanitiser with you can help at times when there is nowhere to safely wash your hands after toileting or before eating. Sanitising cutlery before using it can also lower your risk, as some may not be washed well between uses.

Avoid ice in drinks and any milk and dairy products, as they may not have gone through the same cleaning process our guts are used to.

Always speak to your GP before you go on an African adventure, and seek the most appropriate antibiotic treatment of travellers’ diarrhoea. You can then take this antibiotic with you in case you become unwell and are unable to fight off the illness.

Do not let the fear of getting ill stop you from going on an African adventure, you will have the time of your life.

World Elephant Day 2017

Today on the 12 August, we celebrate World Elephant Day. This day was first launched back in 2012 and aims to raise awareness of elephants in Asia and Africa.

Unfortunately, some elephants are taken out of their natural habitats and are incorrectly treated, used for poaching, human-elephant conflict and mistreatment. It is important to conserve the elephant’s habitat and help provide better treatment for captive elephants.

One of the most important things when visiting Africa or Asia, is to avoid animal exploitation, including, riding on elephants. There are many elephant conservation organisations all over the world, trying to help improve an elephant’s life, and return them to their natural environment when possible.

The 12th August is used to not only raise awareness of protecting elephants but also provides a day for discussion, including current concerns or potential ideas and plans. If you are visiting Africa soon, be aware of animal exploitation and do not contribute to this awful cause, find a conservation centre instead and spend a day helping provide a better life for the elephants there.

Why go on an African safari as your next holiday?

If you have never been on a safari to Africa, then you are truly missing out on something special. There is an abundance of safari types that you can go on and so many different locations to choose from; it all depends upon the kind of wildlife and scenery that you wish to see. For instance, there are walking safaris, self-drive safaris, guided safaris and even luxurious balloon safaris, each type of safari will show you a diverse point of view of the African wildlife. On an African safari, there truly is something for everyone, whether you’re trying to go on holiday with the family, or on honeymoon, a safari is a truly magical experience. You can escape the nine to five life with an adventure that rekindles your love for the outdoors, giving you the chance to get in touch with some of Mother Nature’s most stunning locations, far away from the stresses and strains of modern life.

Travelling Africa for the first time

Travelling can be a very scary yet amazing experience, especially if you are covering some beautiful areas in Africa, however with any type of travel you must consider your own safety and health by planning and preparing before your journey.

With most travel experiences, it is not uncommon for you to encounter some type of stomach upset, with new foods you may find yourself unwell. Prepare before you leave and take a supply of medications just in case you should you require them.

Money is one of the most important aspects of travelling, taking enough currency with you to pay for accommodation and transport. You must contact your bank and inform them of your travel plans to avoid your bank blocking your card.

It is important that you are respectful to the country you enter, and abide by their rules. Consider the local religion and take into account the actions you take.

Volunteering in Africa within the medical field

If you are looking for a change in your medical career, you may want to consider medical volunteering in Africa. Volunteering is a fantastic thing to do and has so many benefits to yourself and mainly to others. If you have medical skills, then becoming a volunteer in Africa will only broaden your knowledge and exposure to areas that you may never get the chance to treat or manage within your home country.

Not only will you get to meet, work with and care for other people from all over the world you will gain experience and transferrable skills and knowledge that you can take with you wherever you are in the world.

You will also learn to work with minimal resources and manage a completely different workload. It will most certainly open your eyes to certain living conditions in the less developed areas of Africa, and possible inspire you to continue to help and support those in need.