Travel vaccines for South Africa
Most cities are low risk, but Kruger and the northeast bring malaria into the picture, so tailor your plan to the route.
Vaccines commonly advised for South Africa
A guide based on typical trips — we tailor it to your exact plans at your consultation.
Low and seasonal, limited to the northeast of the country: the Kruger National Park, the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and far northern KwaZulu-Natal. Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Western Cape are malaria-free. Tablets may be advised for the northeast, especially in summer.
Not required for most travellers, but a certificate is needed if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
A lower-risk destination, with one exception
South Africa is, for many travellers, a relatively straightforward destination from a health point of view. Cape Town, the Winelands, the Garden Route and the major cities are well developed and carry modest risk. Even so, we usually suggest cover for hepatitis A and a check on tetanus, diphtheria and polio. Typhoid and hepatitis B are worth considering for longer trips, rural travel or backpacking, and rabies may be relevant if you will be around animals or far from medical help.
Malaria in the northeast
The one part of the country where malaria genuinely matters is the northeast. If your plans include a safari in the Kruger National Park, the Lowveld areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, or the far north of KwaZulu-Natal, antimalarial tablets are often recommended, particularly during the warmer, wetter months. The rest of the country, including the whole of the Western Cape, is malaria-free. Whatever your route, bite avoidance with repellent and covering clothing in the evenings is a sensible habit. Yellow fever vaccination is not needed for most visitors, but you will need a certificate if you are arriving from a yellow-fever country.
Match the plan to your itinerary
Because the advice shifts so much between a Cape Town city break and a Kruger safari, it helps to talk through exactly where you are going. Aim to see us around four to six weeks before you fly so there is time for anything that needs a short course. Book your travel health appointment at Crewe Pharmacy by calling 01270 215837 or visiting us at 139-141 Nantwich Road, Crewe, and we will tailor your protection to your trip.
Travelling to South Africa?
Book a travel health consultation at Crewe Pharmacy and we'll confirm exactly what you need, in good time before you fly.
Book an appointment