Africa offers extraordinary travel experiences, from East African safaris in Kenya and Tanzania to the ancient monuments of Egypt and Morocco's medinas, the wildlife of South Africa, and the cultural richness of Ethiopia and Ghana. It is also the region requiring the most thorough pre-travel health preparation. Many African countries have mandatory Yellow Fever vaccination requirements, malaria is widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa, and a range of other tropical diseases are present. Medical infrastructure varies enormously — South Africa and North Africa have good urban hospitals, while rural East and West Africa have very limited facilities.
Most travellers to Africa should consider the following vaccines:
Malaria is the single biggest health risk for travellers to Sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Madagascar all have widespread transmission, predominantly the dangerous Plasmodium falciparum strain. Risk is highest in lowland and coastal areas during and after the wet season. South Africa has malaria risk limited to the northeastern border regions (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal) including Kruger National Park, but major cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban are malaria-free. North Africa (Egypt, Morocco) is considered malaria-free. Antimalarial prophylaxis is essential for travel to most of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Click any destination for detailed vaccination requirements
It depends on the country. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, and Ethiopia all require or recommend Yellow Fever vaccination, and you will need a valid International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card) for entry. South Africa requires Yellow Fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country. Egypt and Morocco do not require it for direct arrivals from Australia. Yellow Fever vaccine must be administered at an authorised vaccination centre and is valid for life after a single dose. Book well in advance as not all GPs stock it.
For a Kenya or Tanzania safari, you should have Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid vaccinations. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is recommended given the wildlife exposure and distance from medical facilities. Meningococcal vaccine may be recommended depending on the season and region. Ensure routine vaccinations (measles, diphtheria, tetanus, polio) are current. Antimalarial prophylaxis is essential. A Cholera vaccine may be considered for adventurous travellers visiting rural areas.
It depends on your itinerary. If you are visiting Kruger National Park or the northeastern provinces (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, northern KwaZulu-Natal), antimalarial prophylaxis is recommended, especially during the wet season (October–May). Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, the Garden Route, and the Western Cape are malaria-free and do not require prophylaxis. Many South Africa itineraries combine malaria-free and malaria-risk areas, so consult a travel health professional about your specific plans.
Egypt and Morocco require less vaccination than Sub-Saharan Africa. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended for both countries. Hepatitis B is recommended for longer stays. Rabies vaccination may be considered for travellers planning to visit rural areas or spend time around animals. Yellow Fever vaccination is not required for direct arrivals from Australia. Neither country has malaria risk. Ensure routine vaccinations are current. Both countries have reasonable healthcare in major cities.
Africa typically requires the most expensive vaccination programme. Expect $500–$1,200 depending on your itinerary. Yellow Fever vaccine costs $150–$250 (including the international certificate). Rabies is $300–$360 for the 3-dose course. Hepatitis A $60–$90, Typhoid $50–$70, Meningococcal $80–$120, and Cholera $80–$100. Antimalarial medication adds $30–$120 depending on the drug and trip duration. GP consultation fees apply on top. Most travel vaccines are not covered by Medicare.
Schistosomiasis (also called bilharzia) is a parasitic infection transmitted through freshwater contact. The parasite lives in freshwater snails and can penetrate skin during swimming, wading, or bathing in lakes, rivers, and streams across Sub-Saharan Africa. It is common in Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, the Nile, and many rivers. There is no vaccine. Prevention is simple: do not swim or wade in freshwater in endemic areas. Chlorinated swimming pools and saltwater are safe. If you have had freshwater exposure, see your doctor for a screening blood test after returning home.
Tap water is not safe to drink in most African countries. South Africa's major cities (Cape Town, Johannesburg) have generally safe tap water, though bottled water is still commonly preferred. In Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Madagascar, always drink bottled or treated water. Avoid ice in drinks outside major hotels and restaurants. Be cautious with fresh salads and unpeeled fruit, which may have been washed in tap water.
Start at least 6–8 weeks before departure, ideally longer. Yellow Fever vaccine should be given at least 10 days before arrival (this is an entry requirement in some countries). Rabies vaccine requires 3 doses over 21–28 days. Hepatitis B requires 3 doses over 6 months (though an accelerated 21-day schedule exists). Some antimalarials need to be started 1–2 weeks before entering a malaria zone. Yellow Fever vaccine is only available at authorised centres, which may have limited appointment availability.
Last updated: April 2026