Travel Health Guide
South Africa
Few places on Earth capture the hearts of so many as South Africa. From the breathtaking natural wonders and culinary delights of Cape Town, to the cultural and historical capital of Johannesburg, and the action-packed safari on offer in Kruger National Park, this country truly has something for everyone.
Travel Health Guide
South Africa
Few places on Earth capture the hearts of so many as South Africa. From the breathtaking natural wonders and culinary delights of Cape Town, to the cultural and historical capital of Johannesburg, and the action-packed safari on offer in Kruger National Park, this country truly has something for everyone.
South Africa Travel Checklist
At Runway, we're looking to empower the traveler with information, resources and access to prescription travel medication. Runway Health Guides are compiled from government sources, local authorities and vetted by a team of licensed travel physicians. From vaccine requirements to medication recommendations, here’s everything you need to know.
Vaccine Entry Requirements For South Africa
Yellow Fever
If traveling directly from the US, South Africa does not require any vaccines to enter.
If your itinerary includes a visit to, or a 12+ hour layover in, a Yellow Fever endemic country prior to arrival, a Yellow Fever vaccine and proof of vaccination may be required to enter. For a list of Yellow Fever endemic countries, click here:
Countries with Risk of Yellow Fever Transmission:
African: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Cono, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda
South & Central America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela
Proof of vaccination (Yellow Book) is only valid 10 days after you receive the vaccine.
COVID-19
Requirements for COVID-19 vaccinations change regularly. For the latest travel requirements, please refer to this interactive map developed by our friends at Sherpa.
Most travelers get these
when traveling from the US to South Africa
Vaccines
Covid 19
Childhood Vaccinations
- Chickenpox
- Diphtheria – Tetanus – Pertussis
- Flu (Influenza)
- Measles – Mumps – Rubella (MMR)
- Polio
- Shingles
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
Medications
Malaria Medication
if traveling to high transmission regions of South Africa, typically on safari, such as: Kruger National Park and surrounding private game reserves (Sabi Sands Reserve, Timbavati Game Reserve, Thornybush Private Game Reserve); regions along the Zimbabwe and Mozambique border, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. Plan ahead - you may have to start taking medication for several days before and after you travel to ensure that it is effective.
Traveler’s Diarrhea Antibiotics
to alleviate an intestinal infection resulting from eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It is the most common travel-related illness and can occur anywhere, but the highest risk destinations are in Asia, Africa, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Middle East.
Not sure what you need?
Select your destination for products that might be a good fit for your travel needs.
Some travelers get these
when traveling from the US to South Africa
Vaccines
Typhoid
if you are visiting rural or remote areas or enjoying an extended stay in the country.
Rabies
may be considered if planning activities that involve direct contact with animals or wildlife – ie. wild camping, cave exploring, or fieldwork in rural areas. As a rule, we recommend avoiding interaction with animals – even domestic pets may carry diseases.
Medications
Motion Sickness Medication
will ensure your travels by air, land or sea are more enjoyable without nausea and dizziness tagging along.
Sleep Aids
may be a great addition to your packing list if you struggle with jet lag or sleeplessness due to travel stress or time zone changes.
Travel Checklist
At Runway, we're looking to empower the traveler with information, resources and access to prescription travel medication. Runway Health Guides are compiled from government sources, local authorities and vetted by a team of licensed travel physicians. From vaccine requirements to medication recommendations, here’s everything you need to know.
Yellow Fever
If traveling directly from the US, South Africa does not require any vaccines to enter.
Countries with Risk of Yellow Fever Transmission:
African: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Cono, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda
South & Central America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela
Proof of vaccination (Yellow Book) is only valid 10 days after you receive the vaccine.
COVID-19
Requirements for COVID-19 vaccinations change regularly. For the latest travel requirements, please refer to this interactive map developed by our friends at Sherpa.
when traveling from the US to South Africa
Vaccines
Covid 19
Childhood Vaccinations
- Chickenpox
- Diphtheria – Tetanus – Pertussis
- Flu (Influenza)
- Measles – Mumps – Rubella (MMR)
- Polio
- Shingles
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
Medications
Malaria Medication
if traveling to high transmission regions of South Africa, typically on safari, such as: Kruger National Park and surrounding private game reserves (Sabi Sands Reserve, Timbavati Game Reserve, Thornybush Private Game Reserve); regions along the Zimbabwe and Mozambique border, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. Plan ahead - you may have to start taking medication for several days before and after you travel to ensure that it is effective.
Traveler’s Diarrhea Antibiotics
to alleviate an intestinal infection resulting from eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It is the most common travel-related illness and can occur anywhere, but the highest risk destinations are in Asia, Africa, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Middle East.
when traveling from the US to South Africa
Vaccines
Typhoid
if you are visiting rural or remote areas or enjoying an extended stay in the country.
Rabies
may be considered if planning activities that involve direct contact with animals or wildlife – ie. wild camping, cave exploring, or fieldwork in rural areas. As a rule, we recommend avoiding interaction with animals – even domestic pets may carry diseases.
Medications
Motion Sickness Medication
will ensure your travels by air, land or sea are more enjoyable without nausea and dizziness tagging along.
Sleep Aids
may be a great addition to your packing list if you struggle with jet lag or sleeplessness due to travel stress or time zone changes.
Explore more
Build your plan
Not sure what you need? Initiate a Runway consultation and get access to unlimited chat with a licensed physician, personalized prescription suggestions and travel health advice wherever you go.
Just $30 plus the cost medication, if prescribed.
Acetazolamide (Diamox)
$60
Tackle high elevations, adjust to altitude and recover from hypoxia so you can keep on climbing.
Altitude Sickness
Atovaquone: Proguanil (Malarone) or Doxycycline
$125
Let the anticipation give you chills, not a fever.
Malaria Prevention
Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin
$25
Battle upset-stomach causing bacteria and feel ready for the day in no time.
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Hydroxyzine
$20
A non habit-forming antihistamine taken before bed, to help you sleep, no matter which time zone you find yourself in.
Sleeplessness
Scopolamine Patch
$75
A Scopolamine patch will keep you moving forward, without motion sickness leaving you green in the face.
Motion Sickness
Treatments
Not sure what you need? Initiate a Runway consultation and get access to unlimited chat with a licensed physician, personalized prescription suggestions and travel health advice wherever you go.
Just $30 plus the cost medication, if prescribed.
Altitude Sickness
Malaria Prevention
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Sleeplessness
Motion Sickness
Runway offers travelers like you, the medications you may need before you go.