Staying Healthy:

Fresh Food: Fresh fruits and vegetables are available in the markets; the safest forms are those that can buy unpeeled or uncut so that exposure of the interior to contaminants is minimized. However, fruits can be washed as well. Because of altitude, Kenya has everything from tropical to temperate plants: fruits and vegetables.

Seafood: The Health Center also recommends avoiding all seafood while in Kenya. The seafood, like that found in America, may have accumulated heavy metals, but at higher levels or of different composition than your system is accustomed.

"Stomach Bugs": When eating any food in a different region or country, one will be exposed to new flora and fauna that may cause, at the least, digestive problems such as an upset stomach and diarrhea. Therefore, it is a good idea to bring along a prescription "Cipro" and a supply of over-the-counter medications such as "Pepto Bismal," Immodium AD," "Tums", etc. Always travel with a small roll of toilet tissue. Also, the change in time zone will affect your digestive rhythms.

Clean Hands: As you should always do here in the United States, wash your hands before eating any food. Washing one's hands is perhaps the most important factor, besides immunizations, in keeping healthy and having a pleasant safari. You should wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, especially before meals ("hand sanitizer" or "towelettes" are very useful to bring and can also be purchased in most grocery stores). Furthermore, contact between hands and mouth, nose, eyes, etc. should be kept to minimum.

Exercise: Following a rigorous exercise plan before and during the trip is a great way to stay healthy. It substantially boosts your immune system, making you less susceptible to serious illnesses as well as 'stomach bugs' and allergies. Aerobic exercise will also raise your energy levels, allowing you to better handle long flights, van rides, and full days of activity. Additionally, your mental alertness will increase and your stress levels will drop--this is especially handy for adapting to new environments. Once in Kenya, the most feasible forms of exercise will be jogging or brisk walking. These should only be done in safe areas, preferably during daylight, and with at least one friend (a good way to get to know your group companions and professors). You may notice that the high altitudes of many locations will make it necessary to slow your pace.

Healthcare: You will never be distant from healthcare. In hotels, physicians are on call. Moi University includes a medical school and referral hospital with specialists in tropical diseases. A Moi university campus physician is on call 24 h/day. In case of emergencies in the bush, our vans have radiotelephone and the "Flying Doctors Service" is available throughout the country. In a crisis, U.S. citizens are flown to Wiesbaden Military Hospital Base in Germany.

Changing Time Zones: Kenya is 6 hours ahead of the U.S. during eastern daylight savings time. You will most likely sleep very little on the journey to Europe, but sleep will overcome you on the flight to Nairobi. When you first arrive in Kenya, you will be running on adrenaline. Then, the jet lag sets in. It is usually more difficult to go east, than west. But, for the first few days, by 7 pm in Kenya you will feel like you have put in an all-nighter. There are lots of studies on how to overcome changes in your biological and environmental clocks. The best advice is to get to bed early when you first arrive. Remember, you are in the tropics. The days and nights are always about 12 h long. Sunrise and sunset occur very rapidly.