Travelling to these places? We can help
South Africa Travel Vaccinations and Kruger Malaria Advice
South Africa Travel Vaccinations and Kruger Malaria Advice
South Africa Travel Vaccinations and Kruger Malaria Advice
Kruger safari, Cape Town or the Garden Route — South Africa needs targeted malaria and yellow fever certificate advice. Book in South Kensington.
Kruger safari, Cape Town or the Garden Route — South Africa needs targeted malaria and yellow fever certificate advice. Book in South Kensington.
Kruger safari, Cape Town or the Garden Route — South Africa needs targeted malaria and yellow fever certificate advice. Book in South Kensington.
Travel health advice
South Africa
South Africa
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Tetanus
Consultations are £25 and redeemable against any vaccine course on the day. Same-week appointments available for most travellers.
Consultations are £25 and redeemable against any vaccine course on the day. Same-week appointments available for most travellers.
South Africa is about the right advice for the right region
South Africa is about the right advice for the right region
South Africa is about the right advice for the right region
South Africa rewards a region-by-region approach. Malaria is limited to the low-lying north-east, including Kruger, so many trips need no tablets at all — while others clearly do. The yellow fever certificate rule catches travellers arriving via other African countries. Kensington Clinics tailors the plan to your route, whether that's a Cape Town and Garden Route trip, a Kruger safari, or a combination.
South Africa rewards a region-by-region approach. Malaria is limited to the low-lying north-east, including Kruger, so many trips need no tablets at all — while others clearly do. The yellow fever certificate rule catches travellers arriving via other African countries. Kensington Clinics tailors the plan to your route, whether that's a Cape Town and Garden Route trip, a Kruger safari, or a combination.
South Africa rewards a region-by-region approach. Malaria is limited to the low-lying north-east, including Kruger, so many trips need no tablets at all — while others clearly do. The yellow fever certificate rule catches travellers arriving via other African countries. Kensington Clinics tailors the plan to your route, whether that's a Cape Town and Garden Route trip, a Kruger safari, or a combination.
Cape Town, Garden Route, Kruger and family visits
Cape Town, Garden Route, Kruger and family visits
Cape Town, Garden Route, Kruger and family visits
UK travellers come to South Africa for Cape Town and the winelands, the Garden Route, Kruger and private safari reserves, Johannesburg for business, the KwaZulu-Natal coast, or family visits. Many combine a malaria-free city-and-coast section with a safari leg in a malaria area, which is exactly why a single "South Africa" answer doesn't work. Safari areas mean animal contact and sometimes remote locations. Cape Town, the Garden Route and most of the popular tourist regions carry little day-to-day infectious risk beyond routine precautions. Children, longer stays, rural travel and visits to friends and relatives can all make the plan more detailed.
UK travellers come to South Africa for Cape Town and the winelands, the Garden Route, Kruger and private safari reserves, Johannesburg for business, the KwaZulu-Natal coast, or family visits. Many combine a malaria-free city-and-coast section with a safari leg in a malaria area, which is exactly why a single "South Africa" answer doesn't work. Safari areas mean animal contact and sometimes remote locations. Cape Town, the Garden Route and most of the popular tourist regions carry little day-to-day infectious risk beyond routine precautions. Children, longer stays, rural travel and visits to friends and relatives can all make the plan more detailed.
UK travellers come to South Africa for Cape Town and the winelands, the Garden Route, Kruger and private safari reserves, Johannesburg for business, the KwaZulu-Natal coast, or family visits. Many combine a malaria-free city-and-coast section with a safari leg in a malaria area, which is exactly why a single "South Africa" answer doesn't work. Safari areas mean animal contact and sometimes remote locations. Cape Town, the Garden Route and most of the popular tourist regions carry little day-to-day infectious risk beyond routine precautions. Children, longer stays, rural travel and visits to friends and relatives can all make the plan more detailed.
Targeted malaria, a yellow fever certificate rule, and rabies
Targeted malaria, a yellow fever certificate rule, and rabies
Targeted malaria, a yellow fever certificate rule, and rabies
Malaria in South Africa is geographically limited, which is good news for planning. The risk is in the low-altitude north-east: the Kruger National Park and surrounding areas, the lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and far north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal. For those areas, antimalarial tablets are usually advised, with risk varying by season. Cape Town, the Garden Route, the winelands and most other tourist regions are not malaria areas, so many trips need bite avoidance only. Your exact itinerary decides whether tablets are needed. Yellow fever is a certificate matter rather than a personal-risk issue for South Africa. There's no yellow fever in the country, but a certificate is required if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with yellow fever risk. This regularly catches travellers combining South Africa with other parts of Africa or South America, so bring your full route to be checked. Hepatitis A is routinely recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers, as it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid may be considered for longer stays, rural travel, family visits or trips where food hygiene is less predictable. Tetanus should be current, and we'll confirm routine UK cover including MMR. Rabies is present in South Africa, including in domestic animals, with risk in some rural and coastal areas. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is worth discussing for children, runners, cyclists, longer stays and more remote travel. Hepatitis B may be relevant for longer trips, medical or dental treatment, contact sports or possible exposure. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is a risk in some freshwater in the north-east, so avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater there.
Malaria in South Africa is geographically limited, which is good news for planning. The risk is in the low-altitude north-east: the Kruger National Park and surrounding areas, the lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and far north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal. For those areas, antimalarial tablets are usually advised, with risk varying by season. Cape Town, the Garden Route, the winelands and most other tourist regions are not malaria areas, so many trips need bite avoidance only. Your exact itinerary decides whether tablets are needed. Yellow fever is a certificate matter rather than a personal-risk issue for South Africa. There's no yellow fever in the country, but a certificate is required if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with yellow fever risk. This regularly catches travellers combining South Africa with other parts of Africa or South America, so bring your full route to be checked. Hepatitis A is routinely recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers, as it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid may be considered for longer stays, rural travel, family visits or trips where food hygiene is less predictable. Tetanus should be current, and we'll confirm routine UK cover including MMR. Rabies is present in South Africa, including in domestic animals, with risk in some rural and coastal areas. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is worth discussing for children, runners, cyclists, longer stays and more remote travel. Hepatitis B may be relevant for longer trips, medical or dental treatment, contact sports or possible exposure. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is a risk in some freshwater in the north-east, so avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater there.
Malaria in South Africa is geographically limited, which is good news for planning. The risk is in the low-altitude north-east: the Kruger National Park and surrounding areas, the lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and far north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal. For those areas, antimalarial tablets are usually advised, with risk varying by season. Cape Town, the Garden Route, the winelands and most other tourist regions are not malaria areas, so many trips need bite avoidance only. Your exact itinerary decides whether tablets are needed. Yellow fever is a certificate matter rather than a personal-risk issue for South Africa. There's no yellow fever in the country, but a certificate is required if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with yellow fever risk. This regularly catches travellers combining South Africa with other parts of Africa or South America, so bring your full route to be checked. Hepatitis A is routinely recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers, as it spreads through contaminated food and water. Typhoid may be considered for longer stays, rural travel, family visits or trips where food hygiene is less predictable. Tetanus should be current, and we'll confirm routine UK cover including MMR. Rabies is present in South Africa, including in domestic animals, with risk in some rural and coastal areas. Pre-travel rabies vaccination is worth discussing for children, runners, cyclists, longer stays and more remote travel. Hepatitis B may be relevant for longer trips, medical or dental treatment, contact sports or possible exposure. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is a risk in some freshwater in the north-east, so avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater there.
Plan four to six weeks ahead
Plan four to six weeks ahead
Plan four to six weeks ahead
Aim to book four to six weeks before departure, leaving time for any malaria tablets and multi-dose courses. Travelling sooner? Still come in — useful protection and advice can be arranged close to departure. For South Africa, bring your itinerary (Cape Town, Garden Route, Kruger or other safari areas, plus any other countries on the trip), your dates and your medical history. We'll talk through whether your route needs malaria tablets, bite avoidance, animal-bite first aid, safe food and water, freshwater precautions in the north-east, and whether your wider route triggers a yellow fever certificate.
Aim to book four to six weeks before departure, leaving time for any malaria tablets and multi-dose courses. Travelling sooner? Still come in — useful protection and advice can be arranged close to departure. For South Africa, bring your itinerary (Cape Town, Garden Route, Kruger or other safari areas, plus any other countries on the trip), your dates and your medical history. We'll talk through whether your route needs malaria tablets, bite avoidance, animal-bite first aid, safe food and water, freshwater precautions in the north-east, and whether your wider route triggers a yellow fever certificate.
Aim to book four to six weeks before departure, leaving time for any malaria tablets and multi-dose courses. Travelling sooner? Still come in — useful protection and advice can be arranged close to departure. For South Africa, bring your itinerary (Cape Town, Garden Route, Kruger or other safari areas, plus any other countries on the trip), your dates and your medical history. We'll talk through whether your route needs malaria tablets, bite avoidance, animal-bite first aid, safe food and water, freshwater precautions in the north-east, and whether your wider route triggers a yellow fever certificate.
Get your South Africa and safari travel advice in South Kensington
Get your South Africa and safari travel advice in South Kensington
Get your South Africa and safari travel advice in South Kensington
If South Africa is on your calendar, a short consultation makes the region-by-region planning straightforward, especially for trips that mix malaria-free areas with a safari leg. Kensington Clinics offers prescriber-led travel appointments at our South Kensington and Hammersmith pharmacies, convenient across west and central London.
If South Africa is on your calendar, a short consultation makes the region-by-region planning straightforward, especially for trips that mix malaria-free areas with a safari leg. Kensington Clinics offers prescriber-led travel appointments at our South Kensington and Hammersmith pharmacies, convenient across west and central London.
If South Africa is on your calendar, a short consultation makes the region-by-region planning straightforward, especially for trips that mix malaria-free areas with a safari leg. Kensington Clinics offers prescriber-led travel appointments at our South Kensington and Hammersmith pharmacies, convenient across west and central London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this destination.
Common questions about this destination.
Common questions about this destination.
How early should I book a South Africa travel vaccine appointment in London?
How early should I book a South Africa travel vaccine appointment in London?
How early should I book a South Africa travel vaccine appointment in London?
Four to six weeks before departure is ideal, allowing time for any malaria tablets and multi-dose vaccines. If your trip is sooner, book anyway — advice and some vaccinations remain worthwhile close to departure.
Four to six weeks before departure is ideal, allowing time for any malaria tablets and multi-dose vaccines. If your trip is sooner, book anyway — advice and some vaccinations remain worthwhile close to departure.
Four to six weeks before departure is ideal, allowing time for any malaria tablets and multi-dose vaccines. If your trip is sooner, book anyway — advice and some vaccinations remain worthwhile close to departure.
Which vaccines might I need for South Africa?
Which vaccines might I need for South Africa?
Which vaccines might I need for South Africa?
Hepatitis A and tetanus are commonly reviewed, alongside routine UK cover such as MMR. Typhoid, rabies and hepatitis B may be considered depending on your route, length of stay and activities. Yellow fever is mainly a certificate matter rather than a routine recommendation.
Hepatitis A and tetanus are commonly reviewed, alongside routine UK cover such as MMR. Typhoid, rabies and hepatitis B may be considered depending on your route, length of stay and activities. Yellow fever is mainly a certificate matter rather than a routine recommendation.
Hepatitis A and tetanus are commonly reviewed, alongside routine UK cover such as MMR. Typhoid, rabies and hepatitis B may be considered depending on your route, length of stay and activities. Yellow fever is mainly a certificate matter rather than a routine recommendation.
Do I need malaria tablets for a Kruger safari?
Do I need malaria tablets for a Kruger safari?
Do I need malaria tablets for a Kruger safari?
Usually yes for Kruger and the north-eastern lowveld areas, where malaria risk is present and varies by season. Cape Town, the Garden Route and most other tourist regions are not malaria areas and don't require tablets. Your exact route decides the advice.
Usually yes for Kruger and the north-eastern lowveld areas, where malaria risk is present and varies by season. Cape Town, the Garden Route and most other tourist regions are not malaria areas and don't require tablets. Your exact route decides the advice.
Usually yes for Kruger and the north-eastern lowveld areas, where malaria risk is present and varies by season. Cape Town, the Garden Route and most other tourist regions are not malaria areas and don't require tablets. Your exact route decides the advice.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for South Africa?
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for South Africa?
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for South Africa?
You do if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with yellow fever risk — common on multi-country African or South American trips. There's no yellow fever risk within South Africa itself, so the vaccine isn't needed for personal protection. Bring your full route so it can be checked.
You do if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with yellow fever risk — common on multi-country African or South American trips. There's no yellow fever risk within South Africa itself, so the vaccine isn't needed for personal protection. Bring your full route so it can be checked.
You do if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with yellow fever risk — common on multi-country African or South American trips. There's no yellow fever risk within South Africa itself, so the vaccine isn't needed for personal protection. Bring your full route so it can be checked.
Is it safe to swim in freshwater in South Africa?
Is it safe to swim in freshwater in South Africa?
Is it safe to swim in freshwater in South Africa?
Avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater in the north-east, where bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is a risk. Sea swimming and properly maintained pools are treated differently. Ask for advice if your trip includes rivers, lakes or dams in risk areas.
Avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater in the north-east, where bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is a risk. Sea swimming and properly maintained pools are treated differently. Ask for advice if your trip includes rivers, lakes or dams in risk areas.
Avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater in the north-east, where bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is a risk. Sea swimming and properly maintained pools are treated differently. Ask for advice if your trip includes rivers, lakes or dams in risk areas.