Travel Vaccinations for South Africa
Registered Centre
Bewdley: UKYFVC10241 Colwall: UKYFVC9908
South Africa is one of the most varied destinations in Africa — Cape Town, the Garden Route, Kruger, Johannesburg. The risks depend almost entirely on where you’re going. A wine tour around Stellenbosch is a very different trip to a Kruger safari, and the vaccine plan should reflect that.
The other thing worth knowing: South Africa requires a Yellow Fever certificate only if you’re arriving from a country with Yellow Fever transmission. So if you’re flying directly from the UK, you don’t need one. But if you’re combining the trip with Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda or another endemic country first, you’ll need the cert before you arrive.
Vaccine Table
Estimated total cost: £290 – £490 (plus malaria prophylaxis for safari regions)
| Vaccine | Status | Doses | Price/Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | Required* | 1 | £90 | Required only if arriving from a Yellow Fever transmission country. Not needed if flying direct from the UK. |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | 1 | £75 | Standard recommendation. Risk through food and water. |
| Hepatitis B | Consider | 3 | £55 | For longer stays, adventure travel, or if medical treatment is possible. |
| Typhoid | Recommended | 1 | £45 | Risk outside major hotels and resorts. |
| Rabies | Consider | 2 | £90 | Worth discussing for safari travel, rural areas, or longer stays. |
| Diphtheria, Tetanus & Polio | Check | 1 | £45 | Routine boosters should be current. |
*Yellow Fever certificate requirement depends on your full route. We’ll check at consultation.
Malaria Information
Malaria risk: Present in the northeast — Kruger National Park, Limpopo, Mpumalanga lowveld and northeast KwaZulu-Natal. Risk peaks in the wet season (October-May). Antimalarials are recommended for safari travel during these months. No malaria risk in Cape Town, the Garden Route, the Cape Winelands or Johannesburg.
When to Get Vaccinated
4-6 weeks before – Comfortable timeline for everything on the list.
2 weeks before – Single-dose vaccines still effective.
Last minute? – Hep A and Typhoid are still worthwhile close to departure.
Travel Health Tips for South Africa
- Safari and malaria: Take antimalarials exactly as directed if you’re going into a risk region. DEET repellent, long sleeves at dusk, and tucked-in clothing on game drives. Most lodges provide nets — use them.
- Water: Tap water is generally safe in cities and major towns. Bottled is safer for visitors and in rural areas.
- Sun: South African sun is strong year-round, particularly in summer (November-March). Factor 50, hat, sunglasses.
- Wildlife: Stay in your vehicle on game drives. Don’t approach baboons (in Cape Town especially) — they’re aggressive around food. Snake bites are rare but possible on hikes.
- Travel insurance: Make sure it covers medical evacuation, especially for safari travel where the nearest hospital can be hours away.
destinations
Related Destinations
Kenya
Tanzania
Brazil
Heading to South Africa? Get sorted before you fly.
Book a free consultation. If you’re combining the trip with East Africa, we’ll cover the Yellow Fever certificate too.