Some people will not consider African vacations because they are worried about exotic tropical diseases, bad water, various creatures that have poisonous bites or stings, and substandard medical facilities run by under qualified staff. Such fears are certainly justified for some parts of Africa. However, this is not the case with Cape Town. Here the drinking water is safe, and the standards of hygiene in the tourist areas are generally quite high. Moreover, Cape Town is not in a malaria zone.

If You Get Sick or Are Injured

First and foremost, always be sure you are insured before you even leave home. If you should become ill or get hurt while you are visiting Cape Town, you will find that public hospitals are generally well equipped, but are often overwhelmed. You will quite likely face long waits and indifferent service. You will most likely get better treatment in a private hospital or clinic. These are up to the highest North American and British standards and the treatment is more personal than in a public hospital. The cost is less than in an American hospital, and should not be an issue anyhow, if you are insured. Look in the phone directory under Medical. If you have a dental problem, dentists in Cape Town are up to British and North American standards, and are not overly expensive. Look in the directory under Dentists.

Do I Need Inoculations?

There are no specific inoculations required if you arrive in Cape Town from the West. A yellow fever vaccination card is mandatory if you are coming from a country or where the disease is endemic, such as Kenya or the tropical regions of South America. The Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London advises that persons travelling to South Africa have their tetanus and polio vaccinations up to date. It also recommends shots for hepatitis A and typhoid. These diseases can be caught from contaminated food and water. You are highly unlikely to encounter either one in Cape Town, but some people feel better if they have taken precautions. If you are going to get shots, start them six weeks before your trip.

Not Too Much Sun

The biggest health hazard you’re likely to encounter in Cape Town is too much sun. This is especially true if you are fair skinned. The short term effects of overexposure to the sun include burns, headaches, and nausea. Long term effects can include skin cancer. Do not risk your health for the sake of a sun tan. Use high protection sunscreen, wear a wide brimmed hat, and use good sunglasses. Make sure that children are properly protected from the sun, even on cloudy days. You can purchase UV-protective clothing in Cape Town.

Bites and Stings

Snake bites in Cape Town are rare. Most of the poisonous snakes avoid humans. The two that don’t, the puff and berg adders, are sluggish and don’t move at the approach of a human; just back away if you see one on the ground in front of you. If you should get bitten, do not panic and do not try anything with razor blades or tourniquets. Note what the snake looks like, and get to a hospital as quickly as possible. Spider bites and scorpion stings are rare. When they do occur, they are painful but very seldom fatal. You won’t usually see any spiders or scorpions unless you turn over logs and stones.

Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

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