I'm going to Tanzania (and Zanzibar) for a safari on Thursday and have not gotten malaria pills yet--the hesitation being because they are very expensive and I'm just not that keen on taking them. I would love for people to weigh in on whether or not I should roll the dice, considering it's winter over there now. Thanks!

Greta - It's still quite wet in many areas where mossies breed. If it was dead winter - August/September, I would hesitantly advise that you could chance not taking these, using SPF only. But it's still too early to even think of not taking this precaution.

Yes, the pills are expensive, but the alternative is lousy if you're bitten. If you've been prescribed for Malarone, this is relatively easy on all who take. There are posts on this board about the different med options which a search will bring up.

Hey, the safari is costing, and everything should have been considered initially (med, inoculations, visas, etc), why hesitate now? In the end it's your decision.

I've never had a problem with any malaria medications, even the scary Larium. Please take whatever medication has been suggested by your doctor or travel clinic.

Without the malaria medication, your enjoyment of the trip may be diminished because of worry about any mosquito bites you get. The pills are not a 100% guarantee against contracting malaria, but I always feel more confident as I am itching my couple of bites that I've taken the necessary precautions.

Don't let this expense or incovenience of a pill be the weak link in the chain that undermines all the money and effort you've put into the safari.

Have a wonderful trip.

SPF? What was I thinking? Yes, you should use SPF as the sun is very strong.

What I meant was Insect Repellent with at least 30% Deet.

Hi Greta,
I'm in agreement with Sandi and Lynn in that you may want to consider biting the bullet and getting malerone or an equivalent.

As is NOT the case with most people, I couldn't keep malerone down so I wasn't able to take it during my recent trip. Unfortunately, I didn't find this out until I was already in Africa. Because of this, I did feel the need to be compulsive about mossies and worrying if every illness that followed was maleria.

For peace of mind, if I had to do over, I would most definitely take the stuff.
My sermon of the day;
Sherry

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'll bite the bullet and take the pills, a relatively small sacrifice for my big trip! : )

For what is worth, we just returned from an 8 day trip in Tanzania and we were prescribed Malarone. We've taken 10 pills so far, with absolutely no side effects!

Oh, and there are mosquitoes in Manyara and Serengeti, as well as a lot of tsetse flies in the Western corridor of the Serengeti (a lot as in 5-10 flies inside the car 5 seconds after stopping to see something). We found the flies much more annoying, and the repellent we were using was not working 100% with the tsetses. I was bitten 4-5 times, and it sucks.

Yes, of course, take the pills. You can DIE from certain kinds of malaria. We have used Malarone on a number of occasions with no problems. I also recommend Ultrathon insect repellant. It is extremely effective, and one application works the whole day.

Jean Valjean,
I am leaving in 3 days for Kenya and Tanzania. Can you advise any particular insect repellant since you say yours did not work particularly well? I want to make sure I get whatever is most effective (if anything) before I leave.

Thanks
Mary

Mary -

There are many threads here regarding Insect Repellent. Do a search in the box above... enter "insect repellent" (without the quotes) and click the Search button to your right. Threads will appear in the left column.

The OP was referring to the fact that his repellent didn't work against Tsetse flies... what's new. Not much does. Best to try to avoid these by keeping windows closed if driving thru an area where they are found. Avoiding dark blue clothing is advised. Otherwise, tsetses sting and it hurts. Just be on guard for them... your guide should know when.

Considering their size, tsetse flies are very easy to see, and their bite sucks (literally and figuratively). They can bite through light, thin clothing, too.

About the repellant, we had a 25% DEET repellant that worked wonders with mosquitoes, but didn't work at all with flies. At one point, we started spraying them with our can of repellent instead of swating them. It seemed to work...

Don't "roll the dice" as you put it. Sadly, enough people die from malaria around the world as it is.

I really don't think it's worth taking the risk - it's your own life and health you are gambling with!

I'm glad you have decided to take anti-malarials.

People constantly underestimate the seriousness of malaria. It can kill. And not just in third world locations with little or no medical facilities but in the Western world too.

There are different strains and some are more dangerous than others. My dad caught malaria on one or other trip and was hospitalised last year with a very serious case indeed. Even being in the Tropical Diseases unit in the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead wasn't a guarantee he would make it. He did.

Nowadays he's pretty good at taking those anti-malarials.

If costs are an issue cut a night from you trip - don't gamble with your health/ life.