Moderate riskAfrica · Southern AfricaSouth Africa Travel Health Guide
Moderate risk
South Africa carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. Malaria risk exists in certain border areas and provinces of South Africa. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B. Yellow fever vaccine is not needed if traveling directly from the US, but is required if you're coming from a country with yellow fever risk or have a long layover in such countries.
Compiled by Voyax Health from CDC Travelers' Health: South Africa. Editorial sections reviewed by Voyax Health pharmacists ·
Overall risk
Moderate risk
Malaria
Present
Best time to visit
May to September is the dry winter, best for game viewing and the lowest malaria risk in Kruger. Cape Town is best November to March.
Travel health in South Africa
South Africa is medically comfortable by African standards: tap water is safe in the major cities, private hospitals are excellent, and Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban have no malaria. Malaria matters for safari: Kruger National Park and the surrounding Mpumalanga and Limpopo lowveld, and far northern KwaZulu-Natal, carry seasonal risk from roughly September to May, and prophylaxis is standard for those areas. Travelers' diarrhea is less common than elsewhere in Africa. Road accidents and crime are the more significant risks to visitors.
Recommended vaccines
Routine Vaccines
Make sure all your routine vaccines are up to date, including chickenpox, tetanus, flu, MMR, polio, and shingles vaccines.
COVID-19
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines before traveling.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for most travelers to South Africa, including infants 6-11 months old.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for travelers under 60 and may be considered for those 60 and older.
Measles
Measles cases are rising worldwide. Make sure you're fully vaccinated with MMR vaccine at least 2 weeks before travel, including infants 6-11 months.
Typhoid
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for most travelers to South Africa, especially if visiting rural areas or staying with friends and relatives.
Rabies
Rabies is present in dogs and wildlife in South Africa. Consider pre-exposure vaccination if you'll be around animals or in remote areas. Vaccines are available in most of the country if needed after exposure.
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever vaccine is not needed if traveling directly from the US, but is required if you're coming from a country with yellow fever risk or have a long layover in such countries.
Cholera
Cholera vaccine is not needed for South Africa as there is no active transmission.
Disease risks
Malaria risk
Malaria risk is limited to certain areas. Whether you need antimalarial medication depends on your itinerary — see details.
Malaria risk exists in certain border areas and provinces of South Africa. Antimalarial medication is recommended for high-risk areas including parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga provinces, and Kruger National Park. In lower-risk areas, only mosquito bite prevention is recommended.
Seasonal timing
When health risks peak through the year — plan around them.
Peak
September to May
Malaria
Kruger and the Mpumalanga and Limpopo lowveld, and northern KwaZulu-Natal. Risk is lowest June to August. None in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, the Garden Route or Madikwe and Pilanesberg reserves.
Peak
Year-round
Schistosomiasis
Freshwater lakes and rivers in the north and east. Swim only in pools and the sea.
Peak
November to February
Sun exposure
UV index is extreme in summer; sunburn is the most common visitor complaint.
Water & food safety
Water
Tap water in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and most large towns is treated and safe to drink. Use bottled water in rural areas, townships and some game reserves, and during the water-supply disruptions that periodically affect cities.
Food
Standards in restaurants and lodges are high. The usual care applies to street food, biltong from informal vendors, and raw shellfish; listeriosis outbreaks in processed meats have occurred, so processed cold cuts are worth avoiding.
Medications
Clicks and Dis-Chem pharmacies are everywhere and well stocked; pharmacists can dispense a range of medications, and antibiotics need a prescription. Bring controlled medications in original packaging with prescriptions.
On the ground
Medical facilities
Private hospitals in the cities (Netcare, Mediclinic, Life Healthcare) are world-class and accept international insurance. Public hospitals are under strain. Private lodges in Kruger have arrangements with air ambulance services.
Travel insurance
Travel medical insurance with evacuation cover is advised; private hospital admission usually requires proof of insurance or a deposit.
Emergency numbers
Police
10111
Medical / Ambulance
10177
Fire
10177
U.S. Embassy
+27-21-702-7300
South Africa travel health FAQ
Do I need malaria pills for Kruger National Park?▼
Usually yes from September to May, and many travellers take them year-round for Kruger's lowveld. Atovaquone-proguanil and doxycycline are the common choices. The risk is lowest in the dry winter months, when some travellers are advised bite prevention only; discuss timing with your pharmacist. Cape Town, Johannesburg and the Garden Route need nothing.
Can I drink tap water in Cape Town and Johannesburg?▼
Yes. Municipal water in the major cities is treated to a high standard. Use bottled water in rural areas, in some game reserves, and if a city announces supply problems.
Which vaccines do I need for South Africa?▼
Routine vaccines and hepatitis A for everyone, typhoid for rural or longer travel, hepatitis B for most. Rabies vaccination is worth discussing for rural travel or animal contact. Yellow fever vaccination is required only if you arrive from a yellow fever country, which matters for multi-country African itineraries.
More country guides
BotswanaModerate riskBotswana carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. Malaria risk exists in certain areas of Botswana. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B. Yellow fever vaccine is not needed if traveling directly from the US, but is required if you're coming from a country with yellow fever risk or have long layovers in such countries.
EswatiniModerate riskEswatini carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. Malaria risk exists in eastern areas of Eswatini bordering Mozambique and South Africa. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B. Yellow fever vaccine is not needed if traveling directly from the US, but is required if you're coming from a country with yellow fever risk or have long layovers in such countries.
LesothoLow riskLesotho carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. No malaria risk. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B.
Plan your South Africa trip
Get vaccines, prescriptions and a personalized health plan for South Africa — matched to your itinerary and travelers.
Build my Trip KitSources: CDC Travelers' Health: South Africa · WHO International Travel and Health. Last updated 2026-07-31. Health conditions and entry rules change — verify with the CDC, WHO and your destination’s authorities before travel. This page is informational and not a substitute for advice from a travel-medicine provider.