Trekkers, Get These Vaccinations for Kenya!

A trek up Mount Kilimanjaro is an outdoor enthusiast’s trip of a lifetime, but proper pre-travel medical care is crucial to be able to summit the peak!

Six Tips for Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

More than 20,000 people attempt to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro each year. Make sure that you’re one of the people standing at the summit with these handy tips.

• Take your time. Most organized tours take four to six days to ascend and descend the mountain. This is a pretty physically taxing pace for most people. You will be less likely to wear yourself out if you choose a route and a program that takes more time for climbing up the mountain and climbing back down again.
• Be aware of the altitude changes. While the ascent isn’t particularly steep, the high altitude of the region makes the climb more stressful. Be sure to rest if you need it so that you can actually complete the trek.
• You should be prepared for the terrain itself. Mount Kilimanjaro is home to rainforests on the lower slopes, valleys dotted with flowers on the higher slopes and a barren landscape near the peak. Bring layers of clothing that can be taken off or put on as necessary.
• Climb with a group. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is hard work, and you cannot expect to go it alone safely. Most people climb in a group with special guides who are local to the area.
• Visit a Travel Medicine Specialist. Finally, the best way to prepare yourself for trekking in Kenya and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is by setting a travel health appointment with a specialist in order to receive any shots that you might need before traveling.

Which Vaccinations Do I Need for Kenya?

When you schedule a pre-travel health consultation with a travel health specialist, they will make sure that you are fit enough to travel and engage in the activities that you have planned for your vacation. They will also administer any vaccines specific to any health threats in Kenya.

Apart from routine vaccines such as MMR and TDaP vaccines, visitors to Kenya are recommended to get vaccinated against Polio, Typhoid and Hepatitis A. If you received a Polio vaccination as a child, it is still recommended that you receive a booster dose prior to your departure. You will need the Typhoid vaccine if you plan to spend time in rural areas with little access to contemporary sanitation measures.

A Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended as the disease does occur in certain areas of Kenya. However, the Kenyan government only requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination if you are traveling from a region where outbreaks of the disease are known to occur. In this instance, it is better to be safe than sorry!

Additional recommended vaccines include Hepatitis B, Meningitis and Rabies. You may also want to take anti-malarial medication with you on your trip as a prophylactic measure.

It is recommended that you make your travel health appointment at least four weeks before you leave for your trip. This is because several vaccines have strict administration schedules that must be followed. Failing to do so can mean that you are not fully protected against certain diseases.

Mountain Trekking in Kenya: the Adventure of a Lifetime

Getting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people. Receiving immunizations for Kenya is a way to make sure that you stay healthy all the way to the very top of the mountain. Make an appointment with a travel health specialist today, and get your trek started off on the right foot!

Sources
CDC Traveler Information Page for Kenya
Passport Health Information Page for Kenya
Wanderlust Travel Magazine Article on Mount Kilimanjaro