Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Mosquitoes and locusts? Mosquitoes and locusts?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Nov 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 128
Mosquitoes and locusts?
It seems that roads in Africa (especially the sub saharan part) are awful, so I am considering to buy a motorbike to travel there.
I want to ask you, what do you do about locusts, mosquitoes and tse-tse flies when riding a motorbike?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Nov 2005
Vaufi's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Munich, the beer capital
Posts: 1,060
Keep the visir closed ;-) and watch out for larger swarms of locusts. Pretty smudgy business.
Took occasinally anti malaria stuff and lots of bug repellants. Never thought about the tse-tse fly yet. Hmmm, guess I was either lucky or there aren't as many.
__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Nov 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 128
Thank you.
Of course will I keep the visir closed, but I am concerned about if those nasty insects bite through the clothes?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Dec 2005
slim161's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Homeless - USA
Posts: 64
Mosquitos will be your main concern, as they carry Malaria.
Malarone though it is expensive is a must in my mind, skip Larium and Chloroquine.
30% deet bug reppelent is a must especially at dawn and dusk.
You can get bit through your clothes.
But if there wasnt any risk involved we would just all stay home.
I recently met a german doctor in Cameroon and he explained that the Tse Tse fly is not a major concern and counts for very few casualities.
As far as locusts,I dont know anything except there big and creepy.
Good luck
Josh
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 128
Thank you slim161,
so mosquitoes can bite through the motorbike's special clothes?
I hope I would be able to afford taking Lariam, because a friend of mine after taking it only 1 time didn't wanted to see it again! (He felt terribly after taking it) Malarone here in Spain is 56 euros for 12 tablets (days) and you can buy it (unoficially) without prescription (still).
Do you know how does Lariam affect the driving skills on one's? Does he start driving with 250km/h (150mi/h) ?

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Horncastle,Lincolnshire,UK
Posts: 226
Larium affects a very small percentage of people badly. Basically it can have an adverse psychological reaction-depression etc etc. If this happens just stop taking it. Malerone has fewer side effects plus you don't (from memory) have to take it before your trip and after you get back but is far more expensive than any of the other anti-malerials.

Regards Q
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 635
Back to tsetse flies ... they're bad biters and they carry sleeping sickness so their bites are bad news, too. I'm told they bite like a big horsefly and that they can bite through jeans, but that may be folklore. that said, they bite cows and cows wear one-piece leathers.

the only tsetse areas that I found were in western Zimbabwe in 2003. there, they have/had road blocks where they check you/your vehicle and catch the suckers in nets.

I heard lots of stories of them chasing moving stuff and "distractor" flags at the side of the road etc, but I couldn't figure what to believe so I just covered up and kept glancing down at my arms and legs to see if anything was settling in for dinner.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 Dec 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 128
Yes, according to what I have read on the net, tsetse flies are a big trouble in east and central Africa (Congo, Uganda), but are they a problem in western Africa? Have you heard the people there mention them?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 Dec 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lubumbashi, DRC
Posts: 78
Tse-Tse is not a problem in West Africa - and even in Central Africa it's not that big a problem. I live now alreay quite a while here in Congo-Brazzaville and I can tell you that tse-tse flies have not been a problem... there's other problems ;-)

As to malaria, that's another story - after all it still is the biggest killer. On the other hand, I have had it now 5 times during the past 12 months and I'm still alive - most important is try not to get bitten (not always easy), take prophylaxis (although nothing works 100%), but most important, if you feel you are developing a fever, IMMEDIATELY try to see a doctor or take anti-malaria drugs (not the same as your prophylaxis though) to prevent it getting bad. If you treat it quickly it will probably be limited to feeling a couple of days really bad (sort of like being run over by a bus).

But no matter what, don't let that scare you away...

happy travelling

jef
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:08.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top