I am going to Kruger National Park in South Africa for 3 days for the first week of April.?

Question

Do I need to take malaria pills?

Answer 1

I would take precautions. When I visited for 3 days last May I took a new pill called Malarone it was very convenient as you take the first daily tablet 3 days before you enter the infected area whilst you're there and then 7 days after. So for you it would be in the region of 13 tablets. I experienced no side affects. Unlike some of the other course of tablets you have to take 1 week before you enter while you're there and then 4 weeks after a complete nightmare. Some pills do have nasty side affects make sure you do some research perhaps consult with your GP too. Also you can buy an insect repellent in SA called Tabard either a roll on or spray - it's great stuff. I use both! Don't take any risks malaria is horrid and can be fatal. Have a read about Malarone on this site http://www.malarone.com/

Answer 2

lucky you!!! I love the Kruger park, but now I am stuck in Australia!!!!! Yes it would be a good idea to take malaria pills, especially if you go in the summer. We got some stuff from the homoeopathic doctor, it looks like 100&1000s, but it is for malaria and it doesnt make you nauses.

Have a great time and hopefully you will spot a leopard. ( we have been going for 20 yrs and still have not seen a leopard properly)

Answer 3

YES.
April is the peak malaria season (end of rainy season in the Kruger park.
Ask a local pharmacist about malaria prophylactics after arrival. Lariam is a trusted name.
If possible DO NOT use substances containing high concentrations of DEET. Research shows that it may cause permanent brain damage, especially with children. See http://www.newstarget.com/001586.html and http://www.panna.org/resources/documents/waysToBeatDEET.dv.html. I have also heard it can cause infertility in certain water-living species, but I can not confirm this. While involved in a crocodile research project of Stellenbosch University in Botswana a few years ago, our research party didn't use DEET because of it's possible environmental effects.

Answer 4

one bite from Mr anopheles in 3 days could spell sick.although as the prev said take deet and i agree with the stat 4 the time of year,and even when imbibing the pill u can still contract,if i were to say no don't then i would be in grave error.in addition use long sleeves and long pants evenings 5 plus.prevention is better than.have great time and hope the park is fruit full 4 u.

Answer 5

NO! Your chances of getting malaria there is something like over a million. Take good bug spray high in DET will work fine.

Answer 6

Never take the chance - get yourself onto medication well before you get there and stay on it at least for the required time after.

And also remember - depending where you are from - that when you get back there are very few doctors that recognise the symptoms of maleria and I have heard horror stories about people who present with maybe flue type symptoms and failed to tell their doctors that they have been in a maleria area and the doctors treats the symptoms as flu and the folk die of maleria - and fast.

for at least the next 6 months watch for flu and tell your doctor that you have been to maleria area.

Now apart from that horror story, take your prevention meds and really, really enjoy your time there. Its a blast !!!!!!!

Answer 7

you are able to take mild woolens, yet a minimum of one warmth jacket each, pretty for the evenings. Johannesburg is freezing chilly today, even if the Kruger Park is further north so it really is usually a yet hotter.

Answer 8

You are already into fall so risk is very low.