Commonly recommended vaccines
These are general recommendations. Your pharmacist will advise based on your specific itinerary and medical history.
For full guidance including malaria risk areas and health alerts, visit TravelHealthPro.
Health risks in South Africa
South Africa offers one of the world's most diverse travel experiences — from Cape Town's stunning coastline and the Winelands to safaris in Kruger National Park. Health preparation varies significantly by itinerary. For most city and coastal visitors, Hepatitis A and Typhoid are the key vaccinations. If you're heading to game reserves in Mpumalanga or Limpopo — including Kruger — malaria prevention tablets are strongly recommended between September and May. Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Gillingham, Kent offers same-day appointments seven days a week until 10pm. Malaria tablets from £2.50 per tablet, no GP referral needed.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid spread through contaminated food and water — vaccination is recommended for all travellers regardless of destination within South Africa
- Malaria is present in specific low-altitude game reserve areas including Kruger National Park and bordering regions of Mpumalanga and Limpopo — risk is highest September through May
- Schistosomiasis is present in freshwater sources in parts of KwaZulu-Natal — avoid swimming or wading in rivers and lakes
- Tick-borne diseases including spotted fever can occur in rural and game reserve areas — use insect repellent and check for ticks after outdoor activities
- Dengue and chikungunya have been reported; daytime mosquito bite avoidance is recommended
Do I need malaria tablets for South Africa?
Malaria risk in South Africa is confined to specific areas. The highest-risk zone covers the low-altitude areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo — particularly those bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe, including Kruger National Park — where antimalarial tablets are recommended during the transmission season of September to May. In June, July, and August the risk drops to very low and bite avoidance is sufficient. A lower risk belt exists in northeast KwaZulu-Natal during the same transmission season. The rest of South Africa — including Cape Town, Johannesburg, and the Garden Route — has no malaria risk.
Malaria risk varies significantly by region within South Africa. A pharmacist assessment is essential before travel.
Typically recommended: Antimalarial tablets are available from Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Gillingham from £2.50 per tablet. Your pharmacist will assess your specific itinerary and travel dates to recommend the right option and advise on when to start.
Our pharmacists at Medway Pharmacy, 465 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5LJ provide personalised travel health advice for South Africa and all destinations. We serve Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Strood, Rainham, and the wider Kent area. Open 7 days a week, 7:30am–10pm — same-day appointments available, no GP referral needed.
Frequently asked questions about travel to South Africa
Where can I get travel vaccinations for South Africa in Kent?
Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic at 465 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5LJ offers South Africa travel vaccinations including Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and malaria prevention tablets. Same-day appointments available with no GP referral required. Open seven days a week from 7:30am to 10pm.
How much do travel vaccinations for South Africa cost?
At Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic, Hepatitis A costs £55 and Typhoid costs £55. Malaria prevention tablets are available from £2.50 per tablet. We're open until 10pm every day, making it easy to fit your appointment in before your trip.
Do I need malaria tablets for South Africa?
It depends on where you're going. Visiting Cape Town, Johannesburg, the Garden Route, or coastal areas? No malaria risk, no tablets needed. Heading to game reserves in Mpumalanga or Limpopo — particularly Kruger National Park? Malaria prevention tablets are strongly recommended from September to May. Medway Pharmacy can provide same-day tablets in Gillingham, Kent.
Do I need malaria tablets for a Kruger National Park safari?
Yes. Kruger National Park lies in a malaria-risk zone, and antimalarial tablets are recommended for visits during the transmission season (September to May). Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline, or mefloquine are the recommended options. In the low season (June–August), bite avoidance alone is generally sufficient. Our pharmacist at Medway Pharmacy in Gillingham will advise based on your exact travel dates.
How quickly can I get vaccinated before my trip to South Africa?
Ideally 4–6 weeks before departure to allow vaccines to take effect and to start malaria tablets at the right time. Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic offers same-day appointments until 10pm seven days a week — even last-minute preparation is much better than none. Malaria tablets can often be started just 1–2 days before arrival in a risk area.
Is Cape Town safe from a travel health perspective?
Cape Town and the Western Cape are low-risk from a travel health perspective — no malaria in this region. Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are still recommended as sensible precautions. Healthcare in Cape Town is of a high standard, but travel insurance remains essential.
Ready to get protected?
Book a travel health appointment at Medway Pharmacy. Same-day slots available, open until 10pm.
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