Safaris are wild, exhilarating, and majestic — until you realize you’ve been wedged into a game vehicle seat longer than a sloth on a lazy day.
Add endless buffet breakfasts, mystery meats at lunch, and your body’s “where is the fiber?!” cries for help… and you’ve got yourself a serious survival situation.
Fear not, intrepid traveller. I’m here to help you stay healthy, happy, and regular while chasing lions across the savannah.
Pre-Safari Power Moves: Prepare Your Body
• Hydrate Like You’re Crossing the Sahara:
Dehydration sneaks up faster than a leopard in tall grass. Start drinking water even before you arrive, and aim for at least 2 liters a day once you’re on safari.
• Pack Your Secret Weapons:
Bring fiber supplements, electrolyte tablets, and healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruit, and protein bars. Safari lodges don’t always stock Metamucil, but you’ll be glad you did.
• Stretch It Out:
Long flights + long drives = angry joints. Some basic stretches in your tent each morning will keep you less creaky than a 90-year-old tortoise.
During Safari: Stay Active (Without Getting Eaten)
• Mini-Safaris at Pit Stops:
When your guide says, “You can stretch your legs here,” don’t just stand there like a confused gazelle — WALK. A few loops around the picnic spot will wake up your muscles (and your brain).
• Squeeze in Sneaky Exercise:
Glute squeezes, seated calf raises, core holds — it’s safari Pilates, baby. The best part? No one will even notice while you’re intently pretending to search for a lion.
• Smart Snacking:
Avoid the sugary “safari snack packs” (tempting as they are). Reach for fruit, vegetables (like cucumber and carrot sticks) nuts, or biltong (lean dried meat) to keep energy stable and digestion moving.
• Drink Water, Not Just Coffee:
Yes, that fourth cup of lodge coffee is calling your name. But balance it with water, or you’ll end up wide awake and weirdly constipated.
Eating at the Lodge: Stay Wild, Eat Mild
• Fiber Is Your Best Friend:
Salad bars aren’t just decoration. Load up your plate with fruits, veggies, and whole grains whenever possible.
• Go Easy on the Buffets:
Safari lodges are basically the United Nations of meat (kudu, warthog, impala, oh my!). Enjoy, but moderation is key if you don’t want your stomach filing complaints later.
• Probiotic Power:
Bring a small stash of probiotic capsules to help your gut stay on speaking terms with you, especially if you’re sampling the local cuisine.
Constipation on Safari: Not the Adventure You Want
Let’s be real: nothing ruins a magical sunset lion sighting like intestinal gridlock.
Quick Anti-Constipation Tips:
• Water. (Have I mentioned water? Drink it.)
• High-fiber snacks like prunes or dried figs.
• Walking after meals.
• Saying no (hard, but necessary) to your fifth helping of lodge cheesecake.
If things get really dire, most lodges have basic first aid kits with laxatives or just pack your own… but wouldn’t you rather be proactive than awkwardly explaining your “issue” to the guide over breakfast?
Fun Food Ideas that you can try.
• Popcorn
• cured meats like salami and ‘biltong’
• Vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, capsicum.
• Fruits – think fresh and local.
• boiled eggs
• cheese wheels
Safaris are wild in every sense, but your health doesn’t have to be.
Stay moving, stay hydrated, stay fibered — and you’ll not only feel great but also outlast even the toughest 4×4 rides and buffet temptations.
By incorporating these tips into your safari adventure, you’ll not only enjoy the wonders of the wild but also maintain your health and vitality.
After all, the only thing you should be hunting for is the perfect photo, not a restroom.
Happy healthy safari-ing !
