Health & Safety - Kruger National Park

Safety in the Kruger National Park area ought not be a concern unless visitors are foolish enough to make it one. The most pressing safety concern comes from the wild animals, and these can be avoided by following a few commonsense guidelines. Don't leave your vehicle, and don't tease or corner or startle the animals (especially by hooting).

Malaria

Malaria is a disease many people associate with Africa, but only two national parks in South Africa are in malaria-risk areas. The Kruger National Park area is one of them. Although the risk of catching malaria in the Kruger Park is comparatively low, anti-malaria prophylactics are recommended for visitors to the Kruger Park area.

The cause and symptoms

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite carried by the Anopheles mosquito. Usually, people get malaria by being bitten by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Only the Anopheles mosquito can transmit malaria.

Patients with malaria are typically very sick, with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like symptoms. It is unwise for children under five years old or pregnant women to go into malaria-risk areas, as they are at the greatest risk of dying from malaria.

High risk times

The time when there is the highest risk of contracting malaria in the Kruger Park is between December and April, at the end of the rainy season. During the dry season, however, the malaria risk in Kruger is low and many people decide simply try to avoid getting bitten instead of taking prophylactics.

The times of day when you are most at risk of being bitten by an Anopheles mosquito are between dusk and dawn. It's a good idea to stay indoors during these periods, or cover your skin with light clothing and insect repellents. Your ankles are the most vulnerable area, so pay special attention to protecting them. Burning anti-mosquito coils and ensuring netted screens are kept closed are other preventative measures, as is sleeping under a mosquito net.

Taking prophylactics

If you decide to take prophylactics, you should consult a medical practitioner or travel clinic. Some anti-malarials can cause nausea, hallucinations or other negative side effects in certain people. You will also need to plan ahead, as most anti-malarials need to be taken for a period before you arrive in the malaria area.

It's important to remember that no prophylactic is foolproof. If you develop flu-like symptoms within a week to a month after visiting the Kruger Park, you should be tested immediately for malaria. It is important to tell your doctor that you have been in a malaria risk area to avoid an incorrect diagnosis.

The threat of malaria should not affect your decision to go to the Kruger Park. It's just something you need to be aware of so that you can take adequate precautions.

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