South Africa
This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.
Check the current security situation on the federal government website.
Important health risks
Malaria
The malaria risk is:
- seasonal in the north and east of the provinces Mpumalanga and Limpopo, including Krüger and neighboring national parks:
- from September till May: the malaria risk is high. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
- from June till August: the malaria risk is moderate. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets, or taking an emergency treatment with you.
- low all year round in the north:
- in KwaZulu-Natal up to river Tugela, including national parks Tembe Elephant, Ndumu Game reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland and Hluhuluwe iMfoolozi
- in the northwest of the country southeast part of Limpopo province, also Waterberg region, including national parks Marakele, Madikwe.
We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.
There is no malaria risk in the southern part of the country.
In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
Other insect-borne diseases
Tick-borne diseases
Ticks can transmit diseases such as African tick bite fever.
Rabies
Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.
Schistosomiase
There is a risk of infection with schistosomiasis when swimming or bathing in lakes and rivers in the north.
Altitude sickness
You may experience altitude sickness in areas above 2500 metres.
COVID-19
Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.
- Carefully read the entry conditions and local measures of this country.
Other possible infections
Other frequent health risks while travelling
Read these tips before you leave.
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
Update of basic vaccinations
Polio
A single booster of polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers to Asia or Africa aged 16 years or older.
Other vaccinations
Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:
There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. Vaccination is not required if you are travelling from Belgium.
Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in a country where yellow fever may occur in the past ten days (see map) from the age of one year. This also applies to transit through an airport that takes more than twelve hours.
This does not apply if you are travelling from Zambia.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.