Preventing those Mosquito Bites and Malaria
Avoiding Mosquito Bites and Malaria on Safari in Uganda
Uganda is a lovely country, it is beautiful, filled with scenic wonders, wildlife and primates and yes in many parts of the country Mosquitoes and some of those mosquitoes may just carry malaria. Here are some practical tips in order to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes and in turn preventing the chance of coming down with malaria
- Take Anti Malaria Tablets:
That is simply a must for visitors to Uganda and it is wise to see your doctor at home or a travel clinic in order to receive your prophylactic malaria medicine regiment. Malarone is the best and also the most expensive, it is however very effective. Mefloquine or Lariam may also be prescribed it is however not recommended since many people have side effects such as violent nightmares. A good alternative is doxycycline which is also inexpensive. The negative side of doxycycline is that it makes you sensitive to the sun and you can burn easily, however using a hat, long sleeved shirts and using sunscreen overcomes that.
- Use a good Mosquito Repellent:
You can purchase good mosquito repellents in your home country such as Cutter or Off, check the label and make sure that it contains at least 20% DEET. Apply the spray especially in the evening and at night. An alternative to DEET products is using ones using Citronella Oils in one form or another. The best repellent is RID from Australia – it works on both mosquitoes and tsetse flies.
- Use Mosquito Net:
Most Hotels and Wildlife Park Lodging facilities provide you with a mosquito net. There is no need to bring one to Uganda. You can further help by spraying the room with the most effective product in East Africa “Doom” . Most often the nets are treated nets, but spraying the room with doom before you go to dinner will be most helpful. In most luxury lodgings they will spray your room with Doom as they turn down the beds. A spray can of Doom costs about 4 USD and will last for your trip, do not buy the other products since they are not as effective and stink more. As an alternative use a Citronella Candle, available in most supermarkets in Uganda.
- Wear Trousers and Long Sleeved Shirts after Dark:
Mosquitos are most active in the evening and at night. Wear long trousers and long sleeved shirts, use your Bug Spray liberally and keep to wearing neutral colors. Dark colors attract mosquitos, however if you use spray on your clothing, you are fine.
- Avoid High Sugar Intake:
Leave those candy bars at home, mosquitoes prefer people with a higher sugar intake and are more apt to bite you. Mosquitoes are are able pick up your odor and will prefer you if you have taken in a lot sugar and or yeast coming from sweet rolls.
- Turn Unnecessary lights off:
Lights attract mosquitoes and it is best to leave off the ones that you do not need. Light also attract other insects, so it is best for your comfort to leave off lights if you see them attracting insects.
- Avoid Using Perfumes:
Perfumes, Colognes, After Shave Products and even Deodorants attract mosquitoes and literally draw them to you. It is best to avoid using them in the Bush on Safari.
Inset Spray: Spray your room as you go to dinner with Doom – best insect spray in East Africa and available at most markets – avoid the cheaper sprays – they are simply ineffective. Some more up-market lodges will spray rooms as they turn down the beds for the night.
There are 300 million to 500 million cases of malaria per year in the world and malaria is a very real threat in Uganda and most Ugandans are most familiar with is miserable effects. Most Ugandans who can afford it sleep under nets. Mosquitoes are pesky bugs and can smell your blood from great distances. It is however only the female mosquito that feeds on human blood transmitting malaria. In spite of what people used to say, Mosquitoes do not transmit HIV. HIV cannot survive in a mosquito.
Take a few precautions, avoid insect bites and malaria and enjoy the Pearl of Africa, Uganda….from Kampala…jon
“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa.” John Hemingway – African Journeys
Uganda Travel Links
Safaris with Chimpanzee Tracking
Read More
Contact Us
