pregnant and safari
 

Hello,
I was wondering whether anyone has any experience of going on a safari while pregnant.
I'd like to plan a last minute safari, as a gift for myself before I become too busy with the upcoming baby.
I am thinking of a fly-in safari in S. Africa as it probably has the best infrastructure and access to emergency care, if something should ever happen. I also will not be taking any anti-malarial pill (I didn't take any for my last S.Africa trip either).
I have an idea of what a safari is like (S.Africa & Tanzania) -- but this is my first pregnancy and would love to hear from other people who have been on a safari while pregnant.
Fortunately I have no morning sickness (10wks) and feel pretty good.
I just can't shake the travel bug and would love to be able to squeeze a last minute safari trip right now.
I would love to hear from anyone.
Thanks!

kandco I have no advice for you but I do recall a post similar to yours a while back maybe you could try a search and see if you can find it. That mother to be may have found out some info for you. I am sure you have figured this out but whatever you do consult your Dr first.

Happy motherhood!
J

hmmmm. Vaccines for diseases and anti-malarial meds (unless it is totally different for a S. Africa) not a good combo with a pregnancy.

My wife and I waited a few months after comign back from safari before trying to get pregnant. This was advised by a doctor.

We may travel when she gets pregnant, but it would be to Europe ;)

There are some safari areas in South Africa that are malaria-free. Anyone have their names?

kandco,

For Malaria Free safari areas in South Africa, take a look at Madikwe Game Reserve and Kwandwe Game Reserve.

The primary operator is Kwandwe is CCAfrica and they also have a lodge in Madikwe. However, there are also many other beautiful lodges to consider in Madikwe, as well.

If you do your safari before the end of September, you may even be able to find some lodges that are charging low season prices, although most of the high season rates start on September 01st.

Here is the link for the two CCAfrica lodges mentioned, as well as a couple more lodges:

http://www.ccafrica.com/reserve-1-id-2-8

http://www.ccafrica.com/reserve-1-id-2-19

www.mateyasafari.com (This is one of the most luxurious lodges in Africa and is located in Madikwe)

Kwandwe Game Reserve is in the Eastern Cape, so it would also be nice to visit the Western Cape to spend time in Cape Town. Perhaps an itinerary like this would be nice:

Johannesburg - 1 or 2 nights

(depends on whether you just want to rest a night from what I suppose will be a long journey or whether you actually want to see some places, perhaps do a half day Soweto tour or visit the De Wildt Cheetah Sanctuary, http://www.dewildt.org.za/index.htm)

Madikwe Game Reserve - 3 or 4 nights.

Kwandwe Game Reserve - 3 or 4 nights.

Cape Town - 4 nights.

Good luck with your planning and congratulations on your approaching motherhood.

How many weeks pregnant will you be when you plan on traveling?

gI can't imagine it being much fun to be very big and pregnant on safari because of all the driving on bumpy roads. Also, as time goes on and the baby grows bigger you may to use the bathroom more often, which is something to consider on safari as well. It's good that you haven't had any morning sickness up to now, but you definitely don't want to over do it.

If you have been on safari before, then I imagine you have had all your vaccinations. You wouldn't want to get any of the live vaccinations (yellow fever, tyhpoid, etc...) while pregnant.

If it were me I would chose an anti-malarial zone for safari while pregnant.


Jenn

I would follow the previous advice start in Cape Town take a trip along the Garden Route and then visit one of the Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape, Shamwari is also a great option.

I spent three months doing the South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe circuit camping and 'roughing it'. Three weeks into the trip I couldn't understand why I felt so dodgy, a doctor in Swakopmund told me I was 8 weeks pregnant and should head back to Cape Town and stay there. I ignored his advice and kept going, I'd spent tooo long planning this! I had no problems apart from not being allowed to go bungee jmping or white water rafting! My only advice is listen to what your body is telling you, if you're tired don't do that game drive,and I would reccommend keeping out of malarial zones. If you're planning a fly-in safari in S.A. I can't see any reason not to do it but insurance might be difficult. I got away with it because I didn't know I was pregnant when I left.
Good Luck with it all!

Thank you so much for your response -- this site is just so invaluable. I'm planning to travel sometime in my second trimester (probably 4th month) and my doctor has told me that traveling will not be a problem during this time. I guess I will have to stick to a malaria free zone (I really wanted to stay at Londolozi but I guess that will have to wait). Rocco's suggested itinerary sounds great, I will definitely spend some time in Cape town. Between Madikwe and Kwandwe, which place has the better game viewing?
--and lastly, to ferrit, I hope you had a happy pregnancy and birth.