South Africa Travel Health and Vaccinations
Kruger malaria, Yellow Fever transit certificate and the routine pre-travel jab bundle.
Pre-travel vaccines and malaria advice for Cape Town, the Garden Route, Kruger and beyond
South Africa is one of the UK's most popular long-haul leisure destinations — Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, the Garden Route, and safari country in Kruger and the private reserves of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. From a travel-health perspective, the considerations are very specific: limited malaria zones (mainly Kruger and far north), Yellow Fever certificate requirements if you're transiting from a YF-risk country, and routine vaccinations brought up to date.
At Gunwharf Travel Clinic we run pre-travel consultations for South Africa year-round. Most appointments are 30 minutes and cover the vaccine bundle plus a personalised malaria assessment based on your specific itinerary.
Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic, is GPhC-registered (premises 1099145).
For most South Africa trips you'll consider: Hepatitis A and Typhoid (food and water exposure), Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio routine booster, Hepatitis B for longer stays or healthcare workers, Yellow Fever certificate only if transiting from a YF-risk country, and malaria tablets if you're spending time in the Kruger lowveld or northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Lead pharmacist at Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic on Queen Street, Portsea. GPhC-registered (reg. 2211356), travel-medicine trained, working under UK regulatory standards.
South Africa is a low-vaccine, focused-malaria destination
Unlike many other African destinations, most of South Africa is malaria-free and has no entry vaccination requirements for travellers arriving from the UK. The standout exceptions: the Kruger National Park lowveld, parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal and the Limpopo-Mpumalanga border with Mozambique have year-round malaria risk that peaks in the wet season (September to May). If your itinerary includes these areas, malaria tablets are usually recommended.
The standard pre-travel jab bundle
For most South Africa travellers we discuss: Hepatitis A (food and water exposure, particularly in less touristed areas), Typhoid (same), an up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, and Hepatitis B if you're staying longer than a month, working in healthcare settings, or any blood/body-fluid exposure risk. Rabies is worth discussing if you'll be in rural areas with animal exposure.
Yellow Fever — only if you're transiting
South Africa itself is not a Yellow Fever risk country. However, if you've transited through a YF-risk country within the previous 6 days (most of West and Central Africa, parts of South America), you'll need a Yellow Fever certificate to enter. This catches travellers doing multi-country safaris or Ethiopian Airlines/Kenya Airways routes via Africa. We check your itinerary and advise.
Malaria in Kruger and the lowveld
Year-round risk in the Kruger lowveld, escalating sharply in the wet summer months. We typically recommend Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) — once-daily tablets, start 1–2 days before, continue 7 days after leaving the malarious area. Bite-prevention matters at least as much as the tablets: DEET-based repellent on exposed skin, long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk, permethrin-treated clothing for night safari drives. We dispense the tablets at your appointment.
Practical safety beyond vaccines
South Africa has high crime rates in some areas including violent crime; the Foreign Office travel advice is worth reading before you go. We discuss food and water safety (tap water is generally safe in major cities, less reliable in rural areas), road safety, and what to do if you're sexually assaulted abroad including post-exposure prophylaxis access. Practical, frank conversation — not a long list of fears.
Children and South Africa
South Africa is a popular family destination. Most travel vaccines have paediatric licensing. We see family bookings for children from age 1+ for Hep A, age 2+ for Typhoid, and from birth for the routine vaccines. Malaria tablet dosing is weight-based and we can prescribe paediatric Malarone for children over 5kg.
Booking your South Africa appointment
Book online at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking or call 02392 821859. Tell us your specific itinerary so we can tailor the malaria assessment. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
Everything you need in one appointment
Hep A + Typhoid, Kruger malaria assessment, Yellow Fever transit certificate.
Itinerary review
We map your specific itinerary — Cape Town, Garden Route, safari areas — against malaria risk maps and vaccine recommendations.
Hep A + Typhoid
The standard pre-travel pair for South Africa. Combined visit in 30 minutes.
Kruger malaria advice
If you're going to Kruger or northern KZN we'll discuss tablets, bite-prevention and the seasonal risk profile.
Yellow Fever transit certificate
Required only if you've transited from a YF-risk country (most West/Central Africa, parts of South America) within 6 days. We check your itinerary.
Routine booster review
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio routine booster, Hep B for longer stays or healthcare-adjacent trips.
30-minute appointment
Vaccines, malaria assessment and written travel-health summary all in one visit.
30-minute appointment for South Africa pre-travel review.
Three steps from booking to South Africa-ready.
Book your appointment
Pick a slot at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking. Tell us your dates and where you're going — Cape Town only, Garden Route, Kruger, KZN coast — so we can map malaria risk.
Pre-travel visit
24 Queen St, Portsea. Vaccines given the same appointment. Malaria tablets prescribed and dispensed if needed.
Travel-health summary
Walk out with a personalised written summary covering vaccines, bite-prevention, food and water guidance, and what to do if you fall ill abroad.
Thirty minutes from arrival to vaccinated.
What actually happens when you walk through the door at 24 Queen Street.
Best pharmacy in Portsmouth. Nothing ever too much trouble. Always pleasant, helpful, understanding and so friendly.
Every vaccine you need. One appointment.
The vaccines UK clinics actually stock...
Real advice. Real travellers.
"Best pharmacy in Portsmouth..."
"Excellent pharmacy..."
"I find the staff polite..."
On Queen Street, Portsea. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
24 Queen Street, Portsea,
Portsmouth PO1 3HN
In the city · Walk or short drive
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Common South Africa travel vaccine questions
Do I need vaccines for South Africa?
There are no mandatory vaccines for UK travellers entering South Africa directly. Recommended vaccines are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, an up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, and for longer stays Hepatitis B. Yellow Fever is required only if you've transited from a YF-risk country in the 6 days before arrival.
Is malaria a risk in South Africa?
Yes, but only in specific areas — mainly the Kruger National Park lowveld, the eastern border regions of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal. Cape Town, the Garden Route, the Winelands, Johannesburg and most safari areas outside the lowveld are malaria-free. We map your specific itinerary against malaria risk areas.
When is malaria worst in Kruger?
Year-round risk, but highest from September through May during the wet season. Lowest risk is the cool dry winter months June to August. Even in low season, anti-malarials are usually recommended.
What malaria tablets do you prescribe?
Most commonly Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) — well-tolerated, once-daily, suitable for short trips. Doxycycline is an option for some travellers. We discuss which is right for you based on your health history, the trip length, and cost.
Do I need Yellow Fever if I fly via Ethiopia or Kenya?
Possibly. South Africa requires a Yellow Fever certificate from travellers arriving from a YF-risk country (which includes Ethiopia and Kenya). The certificate must be at least 10 days old at arrival. If your itinerary involves stopover in a YF country, book at least 2 weeks ahead.
What about Cape Town tap water?
Generally safe in major cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. In rural areas, on safari, and during periods of water restrictions, bottled or filtered water is safer.
Can children get the South Africa vaccines?
Yes. Hep A is licensed from age 1, Typhoid from age 2, Hep B from birth. Routine NHS vaccines should be up to date. Malaria tablets are weight-based and we can prescribe paediatric formulations.
Where do I get my South Africa vaccines in Portsmouth?
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, 24 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN. Same-day appointments most weeks. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
From Portsmouth to 24 Queen Street
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Pharmaceutical
Council
FEVER
ZONE
Book your pre-travel vaccinations.
Same-day appointments. Malaria tablets dispensed at the appointment if needed.
- TravelHealthPro — South Africa travel health (accessed 2026-05-20)
- FCDO Travel Advice — South Africa (accessed 2026-05-20)
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book — Malaria chapter (accessed 2026-05-20)
- GPhC — Register entry — Abdullah Seyed (2211356) at Merali Pharmacy (accessed 2026-05-20)
Information on this page is general guidance from Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1099145). Malaria risk areas and entry requirements change — we check current TravelHealthPro and FCDO guidance at each appointment.
