TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Africa Salads at Wilderness Camps

Are we going to be able to safely eat salads, fresh fruits and vegetables, eat the ice cubes at Wilderness Camps?? Anyone know if their produce is grown locally or flown in from somewhere? Similarly, I'm assuming that we will need to use bottled water to brush our teeth??

Info hard to get in Detail....but here is some that may be of interest...

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Anti-Malaria tablets are a must. These should be taken 24 hrs before entering Botswana and continue taking them for 6 weeks after leaving the country. If you suffer from side affects try to take the pills at night after dinner as it seems to reduce the side affects. Speak to your doctor in this regard. No vaccinations are required as yet but check for latest info at time of booking. Bilharzia is another ever present threat in African streams and rivers, and the only way of avoiding contact is to stay out of the water. It is not caught by drinking untreated water, and the disease is easily cured today. There are some tsetse flies in certain areas in Northern Botswna, but they are harmless, other than a sometimes-painful bite. There has been no case of sleeping sickness reported in Botswana for about 25 years

MEDICAL SERVICES
There are no national health services in Botswana so make sure you have some kind on medical insurance. Bring with you any medicines you may need during your stay as you will probably have little access to pharmacies. Often an emergency evacuation insurance is included in the nightly rate charged by the various camps and lodges, however we advise all travelers to take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any mishaps.
LOCAL FOOD AND WINE
The majority of Botswana is farmers, therefore traditional food is derived mainly from farm products. These include sorghum, millet, maize-meal and bean leaf relish. Beef, mopane worms and game meat are used as relish. " There is no feast without beef."

WATER
Water supplies are safe in urban areas, but not reliable in rural regions. With a large number of wildlife and cattle, the limited water sources in rural areas are heavily utilised. All water from unknown sources should be boiled, filtered and purified. It is also advisable to carry water when travelling in remote areas.

Richard--thanks for the response. I know that if the salads, etc., are grown locally that they will not be safe. If I don't get any other information, guess we will have to avoid them..

That's a good tip about taking the anti-malaria meds after dinner. Will have to remember that and try to just do that from the beginning..

Hi Carol,
I have not heard anything from other prior WS Camp travelers regarding any foods to avoid but was told that most camps have bottled water.
The Bradt Travel Guide for Botswana is a wealth of information and I found the latest edition at our local library.
FYI, on the malaria meds..Ask for Malarone which is the latest and greatest anti-malaria med.
According to our local travel clinic, most people suffer very few side effects from it as opposed to some of the older meds.
Also, you only have to take it for seven days after leaving a malaria area.
31 days and counting...
Brenda

Brenda--we do already have a prescription for malarone, yes.

Regarding the water, I do anticipate that they will have bottled water, but avoiding a stomach illness in a developing country consists of much more than only drinking bottled water. I wish I could get a definitive answer to this question, as I don't want to avoid salads totally for two weeks, and ice cubes..

Carol,

I'd be curious to this answer as well. I really have a fear of getting ill. I got sick in Cancun so I am more than a bit nervous for Bostwana. I never read anyone saying they didn't eat salads or drink drinks with ice and it makes me wonder.

Holly

Holly--we got a prescription from our doctor for traveller's diahherea (sp!!!!), one for the symtoms and an antibiotic, so we're trying to be prepared, but I really prefer not to use them! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />

Carol,
I completely concur...Have had TR everytime I have set foot in Mexico and it is just plain miserable. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
Some of us just have a more delicate lower GI system, my bad luck!
I will query my TA who has travel extensively at Wilderness Camps.
Brenda

Anything served to guests at a Wilderness Safaris camp is safe to consume. I've never had a problem with their food. Ice cubes are included, but I don't use ice, so no personal experience there.

Often the camps will provide a pitcher or thermos of water for your tent that you can use to brush teeth or drink. The water has been boiled and is safe.

Hi Brenda,

RE: Safari Inquiry - King

Eat everything at the camps - ice is even purified. Use bottled water
for brushing your teeth. More people end up with sunburns than upset
stomachs...Factually more travelers get sick visiting Australia than
South Africa...interesting hey?

Stay well,

Ian Proctor, Managing Director
Ultimate Africa Safaris Inc.

Brenda--OK, thanks. One less thing to worry about.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Lynn--thanks for the reply. Still not sure I want to drink water out of a pitcher?? Wonder if they will give me bottled water for the tent??

Hi Carol..
Sounds like more people have lower GI upset form the anti-malaria meds than the food.
That is one unfortunate possible side effect of the malarone but I have been told that it passes once your system gets used to it and again it really varies form person to person.
30 days and counting...
Brenda

Brenda--I do think that we will plan on trying to take the malarone after dinner, which supposedly helps with the stomach upset. I just didn't know whether people had not been getting sick from any food, or just weren't saying anything about it. Hopefully we wont' have any problems.

I'd much rather be moaning in delight over the animals than my stomach! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I got sicker from the malarone than anything else I have ever had bother me in my travels. I was told that a few people have the same reaction I did but was also told that it helps to follow the directions to the letter regarding taking it with food. On an empty stomach many more people are bothered by the malarone. I stopped taking the malarone after my first one and just relied on repellent and lived to tell about it.

As someone else said, it is safe to eat anything at the camps. The business is too important to have someone get sick from any of the food and come home with stories of their negative experience. At Chief's Camp they served us bottled water but said the camp's water supply is from a deep well and that it was perfectly safe to drink. I am sure you will hear the same thing at Mombo.

OK! thanks so much for the imput!!!

They usually do give you bottled water in the tent too. Adequate water was never a problem.

For the malaria pills--you can see how you react to them at home first because you need a week or two in your system before arrival. I would never know I've taken anything.

Well, I need to call my doctor again, then, as he told us to take them only two days before we leave!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Carol,
The old malaria meds like Mefloquine/Lariam & Chloroquine/Aralen required a much longer dosage.
Malarone dosage only require that you take the meds 1-2 days before entering the malaria risk area, while in the malaria area and 7 days after leaving the risk area.
Most travel clinics and Doc's that are familar with malaria meds are prescribing Malarone these days.
My husband got all his shots & prescriptions at our local county travel clinic and they sent him home with a complete package of information based on where we are traveling in Africa.
29 days and counting...
Brenda

OK, thanks. That's what my doctor told me, only 2 days before..

Hi Carol,

All fresh produce is imported from RSA, so no problem there. We never drank bottled water in Kasane. The water was taken from the river and put through Municipal filters which varied from Chlorine smelling and clear to somewhat green in colour depending on the level of the river. Never had a problem though. Water from wells are naturally filtered and safe.
Bye
Anne

Found this..... www.africantravel.com/traveltools/medicalrequirements-botswana.html

Richard, made your link clickable.. Carol

Richard--thanks! Some good info there!