Vaccinations: Nairobi/Tanzania/Zanzibar

[IncaTrail50]

It didn't bite, but it was closer than I thought I'd get to any of the animals...we also had some incredibly aggressive baboons in Samburu as well...Olive baboons up that direction, which are bigger and more troublesome than the Yellow baboons of Southern Kenya & Tanzania. Some of them got a little close for comfort.

Did you stay at the Samburu campsite that has the baboon skull in the kitchen tent? Awesome place! We have a great pic of our cook Patrick standing in front of that skull, holding the stick he wielded to keep us safe at mealtime! Samburu was my favourite game park.

[AdamfromCanada]

It was 2007 when I was in Samburu and I haven't gotten back up that direction since. I can't remember a skull and I think our cook just prepared dinner near the vehicles, so I can't say for sure if it was the same campground. I remember a bridge that the baboons always were near and I know they were in and out of the outhouses (including once with a girl from our trip in there...she wasn't happy about sharing the space.)

Here's a photo of the monkeys and the outhouse. Not a classic picture, but it was funny to see them in and out and it's the only picture I have of the camp that shows any buildings.

[IncaTrail50]

That's the place, Adam! There's a big bunch of shrubbery in front of that wall so the baboons have a place to hide. It makes it so much more interesting when you're off to the shower! The kitchen is really just a canvas roof, open on three sides, but it's pretty permanent. Maybe you were there the first year and they hadn't covered it yet. We got the impression the skull was posted as a grim warning to the other baboons! Good times, good times!

Patrick at Samburu.jpg (101.3 KiB) Viewed 350 times

[maritimeaviator]

Hey all!

Sorry to kind of open up the whole discussion again, but I'm curious about the yellow fever shot. I'm headed to Tanzania in February and I have received my polio shot and my malaria pills. My doctor told me I didn't need yellow fever. I've already received my routine shots, Heb A&B, etc. Anyway, from what I've read on here and from what I heard from other travelers, I need yellow fever to go to Tanzania.

I'm just wondering if this is true. I'm hearing and seeing conflicting answers all over. I'm only going to Tanzania. I'm not stopping by Kenya and I'm not even going to Zanzibar.

Any help or insight would be great.

Cheers,
Keri

[markmol]

Hi Keri,

it may be best to check with the health authorities in your country, I know in Australia the government has a web site that you can check the requirements on vaccinations when travelling.

[moviegeekjn]

Tanzania is listed among African countries with low risk for yellow fever, so your doctor appears to be giving correct advice:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/ ... -fever.htm

[geofio]

I have actually been "lucky' enough to have had the rabies series, post bite from another adventure, so my doc was happy for me, and said that I should be well protected. My doc said Yellow Fever not needed for just Tanzania, but if you went to Kenya it was needed. Since Arusha is so close to Kenya, he recommended I go ahead and get that shot. Insurance did not cover it but that shot cost, vs getting sick, and its good for ten years. I also went with his recommendation for a typhoid booster, and a Dip/Tet if you havent had one in a few years. I also was pleased to learn that there are safer alternatives to the malaria meds than the army had! And that one of them is also effective for Traveler's Diarreha (which doc explained is different than the regular 'immodium treatable' one. He strongly That and not wearing anything blue, as the color blue is attractive to the tetse flies.
Did I mention he's been to Africa a few times?
So, as he told me, it was up to me, but it was smarter to be safe. As an aside, i only had a little flushing of the face from the yellow fever shot, but they do recommend to get it well in advance of the trip so that if you do have problems you have time to take care of it and not be sick there!