Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Food poisoning on safari

37 replies

ParsnipPuree · 14/12/2024 15:05

Dh and I are on what's meant to be the trip of a lifetime. We've spent 4 days in a lodge where each night is an obscene amount. This is relevant because I thought I was safe eating fish here. The menu was made specifically for my dietary requirements and no one else had the fish I had.

Yesterday was freak weather conditions of 44 centigrade which is higher than normal. I woke up with severe runs and have been in bed all day. We're meant to be catching two small planes tomorrow to our next destination. I can't even get out of bed.

I obviously can't prove anything but this place is in the middle of nowhere so not eaten anywhere else.

Waiting for manager to speak to dh. Aibu to expect them to refund cost of today out of goodwill?

OP posts:
Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 15/12/2024 18:58

I guess you're both right, you can get it anywhere. Feeling much better now, was a rough 48 hours felt like I was going to die. Dh told manager he expects to be refunded for two days.

OP posts:
ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 14/12/2024 18:52

Fish is suspect number 1 but it really could be anything. My family go to Africa a lot and last time we suspect they had cholera. A good dose of food poisoning can leave you with achy limbs but don't forget there are other bacteria just waiting to get at you.

UtterlyButterly2048 · 14/12/2024 18:47

Unfortunately you can get food poisoning anywhere. I got it in very top end hotels in India and Antigua and DH got it in a Michelin star restaurant in Venice. It’s shit but it happens and usually is short lived. Hope you feel better soon xx

Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 14/12/2024 16:30

I guess you're right cidylic. Only 8 other guests at the lodge none of whom are ill but many staff who I'd like to think have been trained but I guess it can happen.

OP posts:
cidiyic · 14/12/2024 16:26

I do expect not to get food poisoning somewhere like this.

I suppose what I was trying to say is that it may not in fact be food poisoning - it could be anything because diarrhoea is so common in travellers in Africa

and when you say 'a place like this' you can get it anywhere in reality because even if they have good food hygenie standards, there are a lot of people around who may be (for example) handling cutlery, touching glasses around the rim as they set them down, touching your luggage all of whom may have faecal matter traces on their hands - from (again) not throughly washing their hands, touching other peoples hands and so on. It's not just about the food but hopefully you'll feel better soon and once its all out (sorry!) you;ll be able to enjoy some of your safari.

Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 14/12/2024 16:07

Cidylic,

Thank you.. dh and I have eaten exactly the same apart from that piece of fish. Yes it's a v high end place so would imagine they make ice from bottled water but will check. I do expect not to get food poisoning somewhere like this. Never heard of Giardia sounds grim. Not just diarrhoea, headache and aching limbs. Thanks for your advice though, very much appreciated and probably won't post again as feeling too bad!

OP posts:
theeyeofdoe · 14/12/2024 16:01

Are you taking malarone?

cidiyic · 14/12/2024 15:52

If you are in Africa, it is pretty standard to have diarrhoea at some point.

I'm usually very careful - avoiding salad, anything not cooked, anything that could be unwashed or anything that is not peeled, and no ice in the drinks unless you are in a very high end place where they make their ice from bottled water - there are places that do this but you are normally talking ultra luxury and you need to double check.

Even being ultra careful like that I think I've only been once maybe twice and not had diarrhoea at all for the whole trip.

add to the general food and water hygeniene issues exposure to new and different foreign bacteria and viruses it really isn't uncommon.

It maybe the fish but it could be anything else - did you have salad, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with tap water rather than bottled water, and so on.

Definitely tell them you think its the fish and have a good go at getting a refund but don't be suprised if you struggle to get anywhere.

if you are still ill when you get home, it is worth going to a tropical disease clinic and getting tested for Giardia

Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 14/12/2024 15:22

Pippa12 · 14/12/2024 15:13

I doubt they’ll admit liability tbh. Do you have travel insurance? I’d ring them and seek advice regarding not being fit enough to travel tomorrow. Being ill on holiday is the worst, wishing you a speedy recovery!

Thank you so much. Yes we're covered on credit card but not sure how much for will see. Reputation is everything to them they don't advertise.

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 14/12/2024 15:13

I doubt they’ll admit liability tbh. Do you have travel insurance? I’d ring them and seek advice regarding not being fit enough to travel tomorrow. Being ill on holiday is the worst, wishing you a speedy recovery!

Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 14/12/2024 15:11

That's a really good idea, I'm not thinking straight. Will suggest to dh. Sent the first fish back as meant to be a white fish but was black, so they must've defrosted another piece.. but since it came 5 mins later I'm wondering how they did it so quickly

OP posts:
Nolegusta · 14/12/2024 15:08

Do you have holiday insurance which you could claim on?