South Africa is an amazing choice for a family vacation or even if you are going solo. There is a diverse experience for all travelers with city life, wildlife safaris, tons of activities for the travel with an adventure itch, as well as breathtaking scenery and vibrant culture.
South Africa has three capital cities, which are Cape Town, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein and is home to the world’s largest visible crater.
There are 11 different languages in South Africa, so as long as you speak one of them, you will be just fine. And yes, one of the eleven languages is English.
Do you need Vaccines to travel to South Africa?
Yes. The CDC recommends the following vaccines if you are traveling to South Africa. Some are recommended however some may be required. The vaccinations include Chickenpox, TDAP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis), Flu (Influenza), Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Polio, Shingles, COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever.
Recommended Travel Vaccines for South Africa
| Recommended Travel Vaccine | Vaccine Details |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 | It is recommended that all travelers be up to date with their COVID-19 Vaccine, whether it be first, second, or booster shots. |
| Hepatitis A | The CDC recommends the Hepatitis A vaccination to travelers of all ages. Please call for specifics. |
| Hepatitis B | The CDC recommends the Hepatitis B vaccination to travelers of all ages. |
| Malaria | It is highly recommended that you take prescription medication for Malaria when traveling to many countries. Reference the above map to verify. |
| Rabies | A Rabies vaccine would be necessary if you were planning to be around dogs or wildlife. Rabid dogs are common in many countries. Reference the above map to verify. |
| Typhoid | The Typhoid Vaccine is recommended to the majority of travelers. |
| Yellow Fever | 9 months or older, traveling to Africa or South America |
Routine Vaccines when traveling to South Africa
| Routine Vaccines | Vaccine Details |
|---|---|
| Chickenpox | The CDC recommends that children under the age of 13 have 2 doses as long as the second does is 3 months after the first dose. If over 13, get doses at least 28 days apart. |
| TDAP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis) | It is recommended that everyone get the TDAP vaccine according to the CDC. |
| Flu (influenza) | Based on CDC recommendations, anyone 6 months or older should receive the flu vaccine. |
| Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) | The CDC recommends a dose of the MMR Vaccine to infants from 6 to 11 months that are traveling. |
| Polio | The CDC recommends Polio Vaccines in booster doses to adults who received their initial shot as a child. The series is recommended for those that are unvaccinated or do not know their vaccination status. |
| Shingles | The CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for adults ages 50 years and older and the doses should be given 2 to 6 months apart. |
