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South African Travel
Planning - South African 11 Day 10 Night Cape Wine Guided Coach Tours
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This
is a responsible tourism local tour guide job creation effort.
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Make sure you're healthy before you start traveling.
If you're embarking on a long trip, make sure your teeth are OK. If you wear
glasses or contact lenses take a spare pair and your prescription. If you
require a particular medication take an adequate supply, as it may not be
available locally. Take the prescription or, better still, part of the packaging
showing the generic rather than the brand name (which may not be locally
available), as it will make getting replacements easier. It's wise to have a
legible prescription or a letter from your doctor with you to prove that you
legally use the medication to avoid any problems.
Health Insurance
A travel-insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is a wise
idea. There is a wide variety of policies available and your travel agent will
be able to make recommendations. The international student-travel policies
handled by a Travel Agent and they are usually good value. Some policies offer
lower and higher medical-expense options but the higher ones are chiefly for
countries like the USA which have extremely high medical costs. Check the small
print. Some policies specifically exclude 'dangerous activities', including
scuba diving, motorcycling and even trekking. If such activities are on your
agenda then you don't want that sort of policy. A locally acquired motorcycle
license may not be valid under your policy.
You may prefer a policy which pays doctors or hospitals direct rather than you
having to pay on the spot and claim later. If you have to claim later make sure
you keep all documentation. Some policies ask you to call back (reverse charges)
to a centre in your home country where an immediate assessment of your problem
is made.
Check if the policy covers ambulances or an emergency flight home.
Medical Kit
It is sensible to carry a small, straightforward medical
kit. A kit should include:
Aspirin or paracetamol (acetaminophen in the US) - for pain or fever.
Antihistamine (such as Benadryl) - useful as a decongestant for colds and
allergies, to ease the itch from insect bites or stings and to help prevent
motion sickness. There are several antihistamines on the market, all with
different pros and cons (eg a tendency to cause drowsiness), so it's worth
discussing your requirements with a pharmacist or doctor. Antihistamines may
cause sedation and interact with alcohol so care should be taken when using
them.
Antibiotics - useful if you're traveling well off the beaten track, but they
must be prescribed and you should carry the prescription with you.
Loperamide (eg Imodium) or Lomotil for diarrhoea; prochlorperazine (eg Stemetil)
or metaclopramide (eg Maxalon) for nausea and vomiting.
Rehydration mixture - for treatment of severe diarrhoea; this is particularly
important if traveling with children.
Antiseptic such as povidone - iodine (eg Betadine) for cuts and grazes.
Multivitamins - especially for long trips when dietary vitamin intake may be
inadequate.
Calamine lotion or aluminum sulphate spray (eg Stingose spray) to ease
irritation from bites and stings.
Bandages and Band-aids - for minor injuries.
Scissors, tweezers and a thermometer (note that mercury thermometers are
prohibited by airlines).
Insect repellent, sunscreen, chap stick and water purification tablets.
Cold and flu tablets and throat lozenges. Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
(Sudafed) may be useful if flying with a cold to avoid ear damage.
A couple of syringes and needles, in case you need injections in a country with
medical hygiene problems. Ask your doctor for a note explaining why they have
been prescribed.
Immunizations
For some countries no immunizations are necessary, but the further off the
beaten track you go the more necessary it is to take precautions. Be aware that
there is often a greater risk of disease with children and in pregnancy.
Leave plenty of time to get your vaccinations before you set off: some of them
require an initial shot followed by a booster, and some vaccinations should not
be given together. It is recommended you seek medical advice at least six weeks
prior to travel.
Record all vaccinations on a International Health Certificate, which is
available from your physician or government health department.
Discuss your requirements with your doctor,
vaccinations which may be required include:
Cholera - Despite its poor protection, in some situations it may be wise
to have the cholera vaccine eg for the trans-Africa traveler. Very occasionally
travelers are asked by immigration officials to present a certificate, even
though all countries and the WHO have dropped a cholera immunisation as a health
requirement. You might be able to get a certificate without having the injection
from a doctor or health centre sympathetic to the vagaries of travel in Africa.
Hepatitis A - The most common travel-acquired illness after diarrhea
which can put you out of action for weeks. Havrix is a vaccination which
provides long term immunity (possibly more than 10 years) after an initial
injection and a booster at six to 12 months. Gamma globulin is not a vaccination
but is ready-made antibody collected from blood donations. It should be given
close to departure because, depending on the dose, it only protects for two to
six months.
Hepatitis B - This disease is spread by blood or by sexual activity.
Travelers who should consider a hepatitis B vaccination include those visiting
countries where there are known to be many carriers, where blood transfusions
may not be adequately screened or where sexual contact is a possibility. It
involves three injections, the quickest course being over three weeks with a
booster at 12 months.
Japanese B Encephalitis - This mosquito-borne disease is not of great
risk to travelers. It occurs in Asia. Consider the vaccination if spending a
month or longer in a high risk area, making repeated trips to a risk area or
visiting during an epidemic. It involves three injections over 30 days. The
vaccine is expensive and has been associated with serious allergic reactions so
the decision to have it should be balanced against the risk of contracting the
illness.
Meningococcal Meningitis - Healthy people carry this disease; it is
transmitted like a cold and you can die from it within a few hours. There are
many carriers and vaccination is recommended for travelers to certain parts of
Asia, India, Africa and South America. It is also required of all Haj pilgrims
entering Saudi Arabia. A single injection will give good protection for three
years. The vaccine is not recommended for children under two years because they
do not develop satisfactory immunity from it.
Polio - Polio is a serious, easily transmitted disease, still prevalent
in many developing countries. Everyone should keep up to date with this
vaccination. A booster every 10 years maintains immunity.
Rabies - Vaccination should be considered by those who will spend a month
or longer in a country where rabies is common, especially if they are cycling,
handling animals, caving, traveling to remote areas, or for children (who may
not report a bite). Pre-travel rabies vaccination involves having three
injections over 21 to 28 days. If someone who has been vaccinated is bitten or
scratched by an animal they will require two booster injections of vaccine,
those not vaccinated require more.
Tetanus & Diphtheria - Tetanus can be a fatal wound infection and
diphtheria can be a fatal throat infection Everyone should have these
vaccinations. After an initial course of three injections, boosters are
necessary every 10 years.
Tuberculosis - TB risk to travelers is usually very low. For those who
will be living with or closely associated with local people in high risk areas
such as Asia, Africa and some parts of the Americas and Pacific, there may be
some risk. As most healthy adults do not develop symptoms, a skin test before
and after travel to determine whether exposure has occurred may be considered. A
vaccination is recommended for children living in these areas for three months
or more.
Typhoid - This is an important vaccination to have where hygiene is a
problem. Available either as an injection or oral capsules.
Yellow Fever - Yellow fever is now the only vaccine which is a legal requirement
for entry into many countries, usually only enforced when coming from an
infected area. Protection lasts 10 years and is recommended where the disease is
endemic, eg Africa and South America. You usually have to go to a special yellow
fever vaccination centre. Vaccination poses some risk during pregnancy but if
you must travel to a high-risk area it is advisable; note that people allergic
to eggs may not be able to have this vaccine. Discuss this with your doctor.
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If you have any questions or
comments please call me on 0720390184
or e-mail me on coachtours@12234455.co.za.
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