Vaccinations for Africa

It can be a jungle out there to find out if you need to be vaccinated when you’re going to visit a country in Africa.

In this blog post, we’ve put together an overview of what you need to know regarding vaccinations in Africa.

NB: We’re specialists in travel – not travel medicine. So please always consult your doctor for specific recommendations. The blog post has been updated in May 2024.

Do I need to be vaccinated for a tour to Africa?

Yes, as a general rule, you’ll need to be vaccinated to travel to Africa. In some countries, some vaccinations are even a requirement to enter the country.

The vaccinations recommended for Africa depend on your destination, as well as the vaccinations you have previously received. At Fit for travel, you can see which specific vaccinations are recommended for the different countries.

Contact a specialist doctor, your GP or an authorised vaccination clinic in good time, preferably at least four to six weeks before your tour, so that you can find out whether your vaccinations are up to date.

What are the typical vaccinations for Africa?

Some diseases that are rare in your home country may be much more prevalent in the African countries, which is why most people need to be vaccinated before travelling.

Requirements and recommendations for vaccinations vary from country to country, but the most typical vaccinations for a tour to Africa are:

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Yellow fever – depending on your destination

In addition, Hepatitis B, Typhoid and MMR & Polio are suggested in some cases (they are, however, part of the childhood vaccination programme).

Should I be vaccinated against yellow fever?

Perhaps.

Yellow fever is a disease that is spread by a certain type of mosquito that is widespread in the “Yellow Fever Belt”. The belt stretches through large parts of Africa and South America.

Yellow Fever can easily be avoided with an easy and highly effective vaccination offered by specialist doctors. The vaccination must be given at least 10 days before entry, as it takes a few days for the vaccine to work to full effect.

If you’re visiting Uganda, the vaccine is an entry requirement. It’s not an entry requirement at our other African destinations unless you have visited a country where yellow fever exists or travelled via an airport in a country where yellow fever exists and where you have stayed for 12 hours or more (you should therefore be aware of the risk of flight delays or the like). In these cases, the vaccine is also a requirement.

Remember to check the latest regulations regarding yellow fever before you travel.

Malaria in Africa

Malaria is yet another disease that is carried by mosquitoes.

The risk of contracting malaria is generally greatest when mosquitoes are numerous, which they are during the hot months in tropical areas in particular.

Malaria is one of the most widespread diseases in Africa, but it is easily prevented and treated with antimalarial drugs. Talk to your doctor about malaria medication as soon as you know when you’ll be leaving.

How do you best prevent malaria?

The best prevention against Malaria is to avoid being bitten.

The malaria mosquito can bite day and night, but the risk is greatest between sunset and sunrise, i.e. during the night hours. However, you’re often protected at night because you sleep under a mosquito net on our tours.

The infection can also be prevented with medication and mosquito repellent. We recommend that you buy a mosquito repellent with DEET, which is available at our destinations in Africa. Mosquito repellent without DEET or similar does not protect against malaria mosquitoes.

There is a risk of malaria at all our African destinations with the exception of Mauritius and South Africa, but not in the north-east of South Africa, where Kruger National Park is located. If you don’t wish to travel in an area with malaria, you can choose our malaria-free safari

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller