South Africa

Recommended Vaccinations For South Africa

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with Hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to Hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For South Africa

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for South Africa

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in South Africa.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in South Africa through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Cholera

Cholera may occur in this country. Is transmitted by contaminated food or water.

For Some Travellers

Malaria

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that malaria is present along the border with Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Specifically in Vembe and Mopane district municipalities of Limpopo Province; Ehlanzeni district municipality in Mpumalanga Province; and Umknanyakude in Kwazulu-Natal Province. Present in Kruger National Park. The World Health Organization states that malaria is present in the Mpumalanga Province (including the Kruger National Park), Limpopo Province and north‐eastern KwaZulu‐Natal as far south as the Tugela River. Risk is highest from October to May inclusive. NaTHNac states that there is a moderate risk of malaria in South Africa from September to May only in the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo which border Mozambique and Zimbabwe; this includes the Kruger National Park.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in South Africa.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Symptoms include fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches. If not treated, the disease can cause death.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Namibia through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) occur in South Africa.

West Nile Fever

Outbreaks of West Nile virus occur in South Africa, particularly in Central Cape Province, and eastern and southern Transvaal during warmer months.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in South Africa, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water supplies may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

Travellers are not at risk for yellow fever for this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Schistosomiasis

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis is found in South Africa. It is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to South Africa are at risk for tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, if visiting friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in South Africa

Personal Safety

Crime rates in South Africa remain high. Violent crime decreased by notable percentages in early 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Murder rates dropped by 12.4% in the first quarter of 2025. You face risks including armed robbery, carjacking, mugging, and assault. Criminals often operate in groups and may be armed. Most violent crimes happen in townships on the outskirts of major cities, in central business districts, and in isolated areas. Risk increases after dark. Criminals target tourists at transport hubs and popular tourist locations. ATM bombings and cash-in-transit heists occur regularly. Express kidnappings happen where victims are forced to withdraw cash or provide account passwords. Resist reporting crimes to police due to negative experiences. Hire armed response services, use secure transportation, and stay in areas with visible security. Private security is extensive across the country. Financial crimes including digital banking fraud increased to over 64,000 cases in 2024. Social engineering tactics exploit human error rather than technical vulnerabilities. AI-driven scams including deepfake voice calls are emerging threats.

Extreme Violence

Murders averaged 64 per day in early 2025. The murder rate stands at approximately 45 per 100,000 people as of 2023, making it one of the highest in the world. Around 85 people were murdered daily during the last three months of 2023. Four provinces account for 83% of all murders. The Eastern Cape has the highest murder rate at 71 per 100,000 people in 2022/23, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape both at 56 per 100,000. Murders have been increasing consistently over the past decade since 2011. Between April 2024 and March 2025, an estimated 1,100 children were murdered. Gauteng accounts for 36% of armed robberies and 53% of kidnappings nationally. Organized crime drives most robberies, kidnappings, and gun violence. The availability of illegal firearms fuels violence. Gang violence is prevalent in certain areas, particularly in Cape Town townships. Cash-in-transit heists target armored vehicles. Between 1994 and 2020, over 2,000 commercial farmers were killed in farm attacks. Mob justice and vigilantism contribute to the murder statistics. ISIS activity in the region includes kidnappings for ransom. Authorities have regularly arrested terrorism suspects.

Political Unrest

South Africa has been called the protest capital of the world with one of the highest rates of public protests. Since 2013, over 1,250 protests about crime have occurred nationwide. Service delivery protests are widespread, driven by failures in water provision, electricity, and sanitation. More than 30 protests per day occurred during peak periods. Protests focus on corruption, economic inequality, unemployment, and poor governance. The 2024 general elections marked a historic moment as the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994. Post-election protests highlighted corruption, economic inequality, and service delivery failures. Rising anti-immigrant sentiment and xenophobia fuel tensions. In 2024, 59 incidents of xenophobic discrimination were reported with 2,946 individuals displaced. Youth-led protests have increased, leveraging social media for mobilization. Protests are largely organic with limited central leadership. Demonstrations can turn violent and disrupt traffic. Roadblocks set up by protesters should not be crossed as this can provoke violent reactions. Protests concentrate in cities where violent crime is high. The government sometimes responds to protests with police force. You should avoid areas where protests, demonstrations, or marches are taking place and monitor local media for updates.

Areas To Avoid

The Cape Flats in Cape Town should be fully avoided by tourists. Local residents don’t walk in this area. Townships generally have high crime rates and should be approached with extreme caution. Visit townships only with reputable tour operators or guides. In Johannesburg, avoid Hillbrow, Yeoville, Berea, the inner city, and Alexandra, especially at night. These areas are known for high population density, unemployment, poverty, and crime including drug-related issues. Downtown Johannesburg is infamous for muggings and robberies involving weapons. Soweto and Alexandra have stark poverty contrasts and should be explored only with organized tours. In Cape Town, avoid isolated beaches and picnic spots. Do not walk alone in remote areas or on beaches when deserted, especially after dark. Recent violent attacks occurred against hikers and tourists in Table Mountain National Park, including on Lion’s Head and Signal Hill. Violent attacks and muggings happened on secondary roads to and from Cape Town airport. Stay on the airport approach road rather than taking Borcherd’s Quarry Road leading to Nyanga. Avoid following GPS routes that take you away from main roads. Pretoria has high crime rates and ranks as the second most crime-ridden city globally. Manenberg and Hanover Park in Cape Town have extremely high murder rates fueled by gang activity and drug issues. In Durban, crime problems including robberies and petty crimes hide behind coastal beauty. Pietermaritzburg, Cape Town, and Johannesburg rank among the most dangerous cities for violent crime in South Africa and Africa.