Botswana: Stay healthy on the Okavango Delta

Stay safe and healthy as you make your way through the Okavango Delta. Photo / Thinkstock

Looking after your health is paramount when travelling to the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Africa.

Take heed of these tips before you leave home:

1. Drink plenty of bottled water. Depending on the time of year you visit, Botswana can have a very dry and harsh climate, and it's easy to become dehydrated.

2. Wear appropriate clothing. This means long pants with socks and boots, long-sleeved tops and a hat. Even if the weather is hot, wear a light shirt for sun protection.

3. Apply and reapply sunscreen. You may get sick of the layers of cream, mosquito repellent and dirt but you'll be thankful at the end of your holiday.

4. Protect against mosquitoes. Malaria is common in the Okavango, especially during and straight after the rainy season (Nov-April). Talk to your doctor about malaria medication and always pack a strong mosquito repellent and, ideally, a portable mosquito net to sleep under.

5. If you plan on taking a dip in the cool waters of the Okavango Delta do so in the knowledge that you may contract schistosomiasis. Also known as snail fever, humans can contract the chronic disease by being in water contaminated by infected freshwater snails.

6. Botswana has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world. Visitors should take appropriate precautions.

- AAP