What Vaccinations Do I Need for Africa in 2026?

Before you leave, visit your doctor

We're Africa travel specialists, not medical experts. We recommend that you visit your doctor well in advance of your safari adventure to discuss any health concerns you might have.

Find out more about how to travel safely in Africa, the best destinations to visit and the top places to get away from the crowds:

Routine vaccinations

Some diseases that have been made rare in your home country due to routine vaccinations may be far more common in the developing world. As such, it's recommended that you visit your health care provider four to six weeks before you travel to ensure that you are up to date with the following routine vaccinations:

• Flu
• MMR – measles, mumps and rubella (German measles)
• Polio
• Hepatitis A & B
• DPT – diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus

Important: It's essential that you be in optimum health if you're trekking to see gorillas, as they are hyper vulnerable to human diseases. A common human cold can kill a gorilla, so you will not be allowed to join the trek if you have even the slightest symptoms of illness. Trek slots are non-refundable and non-transferrable, so look after yourself and nip even the smallest health issue in the bud.

Yellow fever vaccination

Yellow fever is spread by a species of mosquito that is common in the ‘yellow fever belt', which stretches across parts of Africa and South America. It's easily prevented with a simple and highly effective vaccination that's routinely available from travel clinics.

You must have the vaccination at least 10 days before you plan on entering a yellow fever area. This is because it takes a few days before you are effectively protected and you may experience flu-like symptoms, which are unpleasant on a long-haul flight. Once you've had the shot, the travel clinic will issue you with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (IVCP) that proves you've been inoculated.

Important: Only a travel clinic can issue a yellow fever certificate.

The table below provides a short summary of the yellow fever vaccination requirements in the countries you might travel to with us. Although we try our best to keep this information up to date, please consult with your doctor or health care practitioner before you travel, as they will be able to give you the best advice about yellow fever vaccinations.

Malaria prevention

As it's spread by disease-carrying females of the species, the risk of contracting malaria is highest when and where mosquitoes are prolific; particularly during the hot and humid summer months in tropical regions.

Malaria is one of the most common diseases in Africa, but is easily preventable and treatable with antimalarial medication. Visit your doctor to get advice about whether you should take antimalarial prophylactics as soon as you know when and where you'll be travelling.

Adhere to the prescribed schedule of your antimalarial prophylactics to ensure that they work as planned. If you experience any uncomfortable or unexpected side effects while you're on safari, let your guide or camp manager know.

Important: Let your doctor know if you're planning on scuba diving after you've visited a malaria area, as this could affect the type of antimalarial they can prescribe.

You can take further preventative measures, such as applying insect repellent to any exposed skin every time you shower or change clothes, covering your skin from neck to toe with light-coloured clothing at night, keeping your tent or room doors closed and your mosquito net over your bed, and using a quality citronella soap.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you exhibit a fever and flu-like symptoms, including chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue, within three months of your departure from the malaria area. Although it can be deadly, many people survive malaria if they seek medical attention as soon as they have symptoms.

If you decide you don't want to travel in a malaria area, there are plenty of great malaria-free safaris to choose from.

General health tips when travelling to Africa

• Visit your GP well ahead of your departure to discuss any health issues you may have.
• Ensure that you have comprehensive travel health insurance. If your safari adventure will take you to remote parts of Africa, it's essential that you have adequate cover to ensure you can be evacuated to the nearest major hospital and repatriated to your home country.
• Try to stay as healthy and fit as you can before you depart – you don't want to start your vacation fighting off a cold or flu. It might be worth considering a flu shot in good time before your departure.
• Take multivitamins or immune boosters and pack some in your hand luggage to take along on the plane to avoid the dreaded ‘flight flu'.
• Stock up on enough of all your prescription drugs before you leave. Be sure to bring copies of your doctors' scripts and keep scheduled medication in its original packaging. Ask your doctor to supply the generic or alternative names for your medications in case you need seek medical attention while in Africa.
• Consider bringing spare contact lenses, asthma pumps, diabetes monitors and any over-the-counter medication you use regularly (such as treatment for migraines, upset stomach or allergies) – it's always comforting to have the exact medicine you're used to taking, if you need it.
• Be sure to inform your Africa Safari Expertas early as possible if you require special medical attention (such as a gluten-free menu for someone with coeliac disease) or special facilities (such as a wheelchair-friendly environment).
• Ensure that all your and your children's routine vaccinations, such as MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), polio, hepatitis and DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus), are up to date.
• Always heed your doctor's advice, even if it's disappointing – like not being able to scuba dive off Africa's Indian Ocean islands when you are pregnant (you can still snorkel in the magnificently clear, warm water, so all is not lost).
• If you're not feeling well at any stage during your safari adventure, let your guide or camp manager know.

Visiting Africa is a thrilling adventure – one you want to remember for all the right reasons. Even if you're in perfect health, it's important to chat to your health care practitioner before you travel to ensure you get health advice that's specific to you and your medical history. Being a well-informed and well-prepared traveller will mean that you'll enjoy complete peace of mind and the freedom to fully immerse yourself in your safari vacation.