Vaccinations Required for Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park

When your Rwanda Gorilla safari is booked and confirmed, you will most likely experience a surge of emotions, ranging from the exhilaration of anticipating a new and once-in-a-lifetime adventure, to the thrill of fulfilling a dream and perhaps, a tiny tingle of worry about possible health concerns (usually fuelled by family and friends who have never trekked the mountain gorillas before).Book Now

The wonderful news is, with sound health advice from your medical specialist or travel clinic specialist, in addition to up-to-date Vaccinations and good, old-fashioned common sense, you are very doubtful to have any serious health concerns. Ironically, the most hazardous part of any Gorilla Trip, especially in terms of health is likely to be the long-haul flight.

When it comes to the endangered Mountain gorillas, it is important to note that disease is a potentially devastating threat to their lives. These Giant Apes are susceptible to many of the same diseases as human beings like yellow fever, Tuberculosis, the Ebola virus, common cold, pneumonia, smallpox, chicken pox, measles, and Rubella among others. Another potential threat to these endangered primates is the exposure to human diseases and parasites, particularly for those that have been habituated to come into contact with humans or close enough for droplet infection, in areas of gorilla tourism.

Before you leave for your Gorilla safari, visit your doctor

We are Travel experts, not medical experts. For this reason, we advise visiting your doctor/or Travel clinic specialist in advance of your gorilla adventure to discuss any health concerns you may have.

Routine Vaccinations.

Thanks to routine vaccinations in developing countries, some illnesses are rare in your home country. For this reason, it is advisable to visit your Health care provider at least 2-3 months before traveling for your Rwanda gorilla safari so that you’re up to the minute with routine Vaccinations like MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella/German measles), Hepatitis A and B, Flu, DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis/Whooping Cough, and Tetanus), and Polio.

It is important to be in your best health when planning to see gorillas in Rwanda (or any other place where they’re found). This is because the Giant Apes are susceptible to human diseases. Do you know that a common cold can kill a mountain gorilla? You won’t be allowed to join gorilla treks if you have even the smallest symptoms of sickness. Gorilla permits are non-refundable and non-transferable and for this reason, look after yourself and nip even the slightest health concern in the bud.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

As earlier mentioned, Mountain gorillas are susceptible to yellow fever, spread by a species of mosquito which is common in the infamous “Yellow fever belt”. This area extends across parts of Africa and South America but can be prevented with Vaccination which is routinely provided in Travel specialist clinics.

We recommend having the Yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before you plan on visiting Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. This is because it will take a few days before you become effectively protected from the fever and are likely to experience flu-like symptoms. These are very irritating on long-haul flights. Once you’ve received your yellow fever shots, your doctor/or travel clinic specialist will provide an International Inoculation certificate to prove you’ve been vaccinated.

Prevention of Malaria during Rwanda Gorilla Safaris

Although preventable and treatable with medication, Malaria remains one of the most common diseases in Africa. Visit your doctor for a recommendation on whether/which antimalarial prophylactics should be taken, as soon as you know when you are traveling for your Gorilla safari.

Always stick to the prescribed schedule of your antimalarial prophylactics to ensure that they work as indicated and planned. Any discomforts and side effects of taking them during your gorilla safari should be reported to the Safari Lodge manager/s. Other preventive measures include applying insect repellant, keeping room doors closed and mosquito net over the bed. Book Now