DebAnn Loc: Toronto

If you've been to a South African Park on a safari and you're over 65, can you tell me what the Doctor's Health Clearance letter should say. I contacted SanParks and all they had was an indemnity form for agreeing not to blame them if you get sick, bitten by an animal, hurt by a poacher etc. Is the Dr's letter a simple note that says the patient is healthy enough to go on a guided bush walk. Can't find anything online.

Thanks in advance.
Deb

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

HUH?

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

I have been on many safaris in SA and other places DebAnn but I have never been asked for a letter before.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Gee - I was not asked for a letter when I went - AND - I have practiced family medicine for over 30 years and have never been asked for such a letter for a safari. Most common activities, such as scuba certification classes and participation at the Boy Scout Philmont Ranch, have a standardized form.

With that being said: generally, a medical clearance letter would simply need to say that the patient has been examined and is healthy enough to undertake the trip and activities offered.

Most of what you do will be no more of a problem for you than for a 30-year old - you will be riding along and taking photos!

However - at one lodge I was at they had an evening bush walk with an armed guide, but the advice was "if you are over 60 and/or cannot run fast, we do not recommend this activity". Word to the wise.... I stayed at the lodge and had a drink.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Thank you SB. I'm going with Bearded Heron Safaris and their rep said the armed guide would need a doctor's clearance for over 65s. I'll ask my Dr. for a brief letter of fitness this week.

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

"However - at one lodge I was at they had an evening bush walk with an armed guide, but the advice was "if you are over 60 and/or cannot run fast, we do not recommend this activity". Word to the wise.... I stayed at the lodge and had a drink."

Remember - you just have to run faster than the next slowest guy. Not the animal itself.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I don't know Sylvia. We only heard about this about 2 weeks ago. Bearded Heron Safaris told us the bush walk guide would require a medical clearance certificate.

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Maybe it’s something new, done many bush walks too. Hope you have a wonderful and exciting time.

CaptainBobBrown

"Can you run fast?" No one can outrun a lion, hyenas, wild dogs, or anything likely to want to do you harm including the most dangerous animal on earth (other than the mosquito) the cape buffalo so why would anyone think running would help?

My guess is that they're asking for a medical clearance certificate (in addition to liability release(s)?) because they've had problems with elderly and infirm going there and making a stink because they couldn't do the walks but were sold on the idea of the walks...or maybe they had someone keel over on a walk and thereby presenting the armed guide a problem of having to decide whether to abandon the person at risk rather than putting all the other customers at risk by putting down his gun...or something.

In Botswana it's the law that one does not leave the vehicle except in designated areas and they stick to it. A guide can loose his license for letting customers out of the vehicle except in "safe areas" and even then they are to keep everyone together and close enough to the vehicle to escape should a pride of lions or herd of elephants approach. A couple of years before our excursion to the Okavengo Delta a guide was killed by a lion within a few feet of his tour group. He'd stepped behind a bush to relieve himself and no one heard a thing. When the guide didn't return to the group after a few minutes someone went behind the bush and all they found were signs the guide had been dragged off by a lion (probably too old and feeble to catch anything but a frail human).

I can't imagine walking around at night in an area with dangerous animals, not even with an armed guard. If it's safe enough to do than what is there to see? If it's so dangerous that a big cat(s) or other night time hunter or animal protecting its young could be encountered while you're on foot then why would you want to walk there? I'd question the merits of this particular company.

DaveMM Loc: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

If you meet a predator in the wild, the standard advice is "Whatever you do, don't run." You will inevitably be chased and attacked. Make yourself as big and fierce as possible and the predator will usually leave you alone.

BTW, to get into a SAN park, a letter is not required, but perhaps it is if you are doing a (presumably accompanied) bush walk.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I know for a fact that the safari company is first rate. The morning bush walks are separate and run by SanParks with knowledgeable guides who carry guns for obvious reasons. Before going on such a walk, I will wait till I get to Kruger and find out exactly what is planned. Thanks for commenting.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I say go for it, DebAnn. Just ignore the naysayers. I haven't been to Africa yet but have spent a lot of time in Alaska with arguably just as many dangerous animals in the bush.
I go armed into the bush all the time, hoping for the best and prepared for the worse. And lots of good photos and a few non-photos of close and really close encounters. Some times you just have to go a little out of your comfort zone to experience life as it should be experienced.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

They probably don't want to be sued by your heirs for feeding the animals.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

I'm with most of the others--been to South Africa less than a year ago and drove and walked all over the bush and was not asked for any medical release. (Our tour company--OAT--did provide guidance as to the possible physical requirements of the trip and asked us to talk to them if we couldn't do them which made sense.) If they insist I'd ask them to give you a sample for your doctor to sign although if you have time i'd suggest another tour company.

Oh, yea, if you are accosted by a lion I'd suggest just calmly pulling out your wallet, laying it on the ground and backing away.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

This isn't about the tour company. These guided bush walks are run by SanParks that oversees the SA wildlife parks system.