Health Precautions
Medical facilities in South Africa are good in urban areas but can be limited elsewhere. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payments from foreigners so comprehensive health insurance is recommended to cover
the fees of private facilities. No vaccinations for South Africa and in particular Cape Town are essential, however the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga and Northern KwaZulu-Natal are low risk malaria areas during December-April. Most health professionals recommend you take a malaria prophylaxis and it is better to consult a doctor or a specialist travel clinic once in South Africa for the latest advice concerning malaria prophylaxis, as it changes regularly and is cheaper to buy in South Africa. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is only required from travellers arriving from an infected area. Avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant or slow-moving water as there is a low risk of contracting bilharzias, vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended.