occasional
Well-known member
Anybody had experience of staying at Balule satelite camp in Kruger NP ?
Is there much to be seen from within the camp ?
Is there much to be seen from within the camp ?
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Southern African Forum (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dave Kennedy
- Start date
Dave Kennedy
Well-known member
Hi, everybody,
Sorry to have been off the air for a while, but it was forced upon me for the best of reasons, namely the unexpected and early arrival of a beautiful granddaughter. This, of course, resulted in a period of temporary chaos during which the family did not know whether it was coming or going.
Now that the dust has settled, I can hopefully get back into the swing of things.
Best wishes,
Dave
Sorry to have been off the air for a while, but it was forced upon me for the best of reasons, namely the unexpected and early arrival of a beautiful granddaughter. This, of course, resulted in a period of temporary chaos during which the family did not know whether it was coming or going.
Now that the dust has settled, I can hopefully get back into the swing of things.
Best wishes,
Dave
Dave Kennedy
Well-known member
occasional
Well-known member
You may be able to answer this question by reading this dedicated Balule thread on the SANParks forum:
Thanks, Sal. I have been immersed in the amazing world of intercontinental air fares, and had not realised that there were so many threads available on the SANparks website.
Thanks, Sal. I have been immersed in the amazing world of intercontinental air fares, and had not realised that there were so many threads available on the SANparks website.
Sal
Well-known member
Now, having sorted out the air fares you can become immersed in the amazing world of the SANParks forum where all your questions will be answered! :-O
Allan Hobbs
Body in the UK, heart in South Africa
Dave,
Many congratulations. Grandchildren must be great - you can hand them back when you have had enough
Hopefully still some years before we are in that category.
Allan
occasional
Well-known member
In fact I was hoping to start with another park before the Kruger but I am having difficulty finding up-to-date information.
Does anyone know anything about the Hans Merensky Nature reserve in Limpopo ?
Does anyone know anything about the Hans Merensky Nature reserve in Limpopo ?
occasional
Well-known member
And a further question.
Would those with experience take anti-malaria pills in August in Chobe and Maun ?
If they are necessary it looks like that part of the trip will have to be abandoned.
Would those with experience take anti-malaria pills in August in Chobe and Maun ?
If they are necessary it looks like that part of the trip will have to be abandoned.
Sal
Well-known member
I would never advise someone that it is safe not to take malaria prophylactics in Botswana in August or any other month. It is very important that you take them. You do not necessarily see many mosquitos in the winter months, but to refrain from taking the prophylactics is to put yourselves at risk of a potentially fatal disease. I am sure there may be others who will tell you otherwise because some locals don't take them, but you refrain at your own risk. Sorry occasional, but that is my view.
occasional
Well-known member
Thanks, Sal.
Strangely it has happened on my last three forays to the southern hemisphere (Malaysia and South Africa) that we have gone in to the local chemists to purchase anti-malaria pills, and the chemist has simply commented, more or less, that "people round here do not use them, at least at this time of year".
On this basis we have been happy not to use them.
Unfortunately my other half reacts very badly to the pills (or at least to the two types she has taken in the past) and we have to plan round this. The question then becomes where to draw the line, rather than whether or not to take the pills.
Strangely it has happened on my last three forays to the southern hemisphere (Malaysia and South Africa) that we have gone in to the local chemists to purchase anti-malaria pills, and the chemist has simply commented, more or less, that "people round here do not use them, at least at this time of year".
On this basis we have been happy not to use them.
Unfortunately my other half reacts very badly to the pills (or at least to the two types she has taken in the past) and we have to plan round this. The question then becomes where to draw the line, rather than whether or not to take the pills.
Sal
Well-known member
I too react very badly to them and I use homeopathic pills - we have a local homeopath who puts them up for me - but many medics scorn them, so again, its at your own risk. I have great faith in them, but I also am careful to wear long sleeves and long pants at night, use citronella wipes, citronella soap, citronella candles, citronella lotion. I don't know if you're camping or staying in chalets in Botswana, but if camping there is a greater risk as you can shut yourselves into an insect-screened chalet at night and be excluded from them. If you tried to purchase the pills in, say Nelspruit when you were going into Kruger, you will get that response all the time. It is very wrong of the local pharmacists to take this attitude; you should probably try buying them far from the malarial areas. If you know what chemical it is that causes these bad reactions in your other half you might be able to discuss an alternative with a pharmacist?
if you do decide to go just remember that at the very first sign of cold or flu symptoms (eg heaache, sore throat, aching, temp, sinusy head)go straight to a Dr and tell him/her where you have been; the sooner malaria is diagnosed, the better it can be treated. Good luck, whatever you decide!
if you do decide to go just remember that at the very first sign of cold or flu symptoms (eg heaache, sore throat, aching, temp, sinusy head)go straight to a Dr and tell him/her where you have been; the sooner malaria is diagnosed, the better it can be treated. Good luck, whatever you decide!
Dave Kennedy
Well-known member
You should contact your nearest Institute of Tropical Medicine, or the British Airways Travel Clinic for advice re sensitivity to anti-malarials. New products are appearing all the time, and I will try to find out what has been receiving favourable reports lately. It makes sense also to take a short course of the medication well before leaving, to test for adverse reaction. There is no point waiting until you are out here before finding out that there is a problem.
Dave
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Dave Kennedy
Well-known member
Dave,
Many congratulations. Grandchildren must be great - you can hand them back when you have had enough
Hopefully still some years before we are in that category.
Allan
Thanks for the good wishes, Allan. And you're right, there's nothing like the sigh of relief when Mum and Dad return from whatever errand they may have been on.
Dave
Dave Kennedy
Well-known member
Opinion here favours MALARONE as the best of the current range of anti-malarials. It is effective, with minimal side effects. It is expensive, but worth it for peace of mind and a trouble-free holiday. I suggest you investigate this product, and if at all possible, test it in advance.
Best wishes,
Dave
Allan Hobbs
Body in the UK, heart in South Africa
We always take malaria tablets. The locals will not take them, but the doctors are geared up for malaria and look for it as a matter of course so diagnosis and treatment is very quick.
Here in the UK it is different, as it is only on prompting that they even think to test for it. As the symptoms can be delayed, sometimes by quite a while, it can easily be missed, which as Dave says can be fatal. There have been several high profile cases lately - Cheryl Cole, George Clooney, Didier Drogba, all of whom did not take the medication.
See your doctor re adverse reactions - there are now several different types, so one should hopefully suit.
Allan
Allan Hobbs
Body in the UK, heart in South Africa
Agreed - my wife takes Malarone due to problems with Larium. Being totally insensitive (as she describes me) I take Larium.
In fact we have just ordered our next batch as we are coming out again in three weeks :t: :t: :t:
Allan
Sal
Well-known member
Ooooh! And I bet you're going to Kruger!!! Have a great time and make sure you're back by the end of March! :-O
