Health & Safety for Southern Africa Travel

Updated 8 October 2026 · Health and safety facts checked 8 October 2026

Southern Africa is one of the world’s great road-trip and safari regions, and most trips go smoothly with a little planning. This page gathers the official health and safety advice for all eight countries we cover in one place: where malaria tablets are advised, what the yellow fever rules mean, the emergency numbers to save, and the practical habits that matter most on the road and in the bush. Advice changes, so every fact below carries the date we checked it, and the sources are listed at the end.

This is travel information, not medical advice. Speak to a travel health clinic or your doctor about vaccines and malaria tablets for your own itinerary.

At a glance

Country Malaria (CDC) Yellow fever Emergency numbers UK travel advice
South Africa Some areas: Kruger and the north-east (see below) No risk; certificate only if arriving from a risk country Police 10111 · Ambulance 10177 · Mobile 112 No areas advised against
Lesotho No risk listed Vaccine not recommended or required 112 No areas advised against
Eswatini East and Lubombo No risk; certificate (age 9 months+) if arriving from a risk country Police 999 · Ambulance 977 · Fire 933 No areas advised against
Botswana North, including Okavango and Chobe; none in Gaborone No risk; certificate if arriving from a risk country Police 999 · Ambulance 997 · Fire 998 No areas advised against
Namibia North and north-east; none in Windhoek No risk; certificate if arriving from a risk country 10111, 999 or 112 No areas advised against
Zimbabwe All areas No risk; certificate if arriving from a risk country 112 (Econet) · 114 (NetOne) No areas advised against
Zambia All areas Low risk in North-Western and Western provinces; certificate if arriving from a risk country Police 991 · Ambulance 992 · Fire 993 No areas advised against
Mozambique All areas Vaccine not recommended; certificate if arriving from a risk country 112 · Ambulance 848888 or 823388 · Fire 198 Parts of the far north advised against (see below)

Malaria and yellow fever: CDC country pages (updated 25 August 2026). Emergency numbers and travel advice: UK FCDO (pages updated between 10 December 2025 and 20 August 2026). Checked 8 October 2026.

Before you go

  • Travel insurance with medical evacuation. The UK Foreign Office recommends it for every country here, and CDC suggests considering it. Outside South Africa’s private hospitals, serious cases are often moved to South Africa or home.
  • Vaccines. For most travellers, the UK’s TravelHealthPro lists hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid for the region; CDC also lists routine vaccines and hepatitis B, with rabies for some travellers (for example long stays or work with animals). A clinic will tailor this to your trip.
  • Yellow fever. None of the eight countries is a yellow fever risk country. You need a certificate only if you arrive from (or have travelled through) a country with yellow fever risk, which matters if you are coming on from East or Central Africa.
  • Ebola-related entry screening. Since June 2026, the UK Foreign Office notes health screening at entry to Botswana and Zambia for travellers arriving from affected regions outside Southern Africa (updated 1 June 2026).

Malaria, country by country

Malaria risk here depends on where you go and when; in the UK’s advice the high-risk season in most risk areas runs through the wet months, roughly October or November to May. Wherever there is risk, avoid bites: long sleeves at dusk, repellent and a net or screened room. Where tablets are advised, start them before you travel as your clinic directs.

  • South Africa. CDC advises tablets for Kruger National Park and the districts of uMkhanyakude (northern KwaZulu-Natal), Mopani and Vhembe (Limpopo) and Ehlanzeni (Mpumalanga), with bite avoidance in other risk areas along the Mozambique and Zimbabwe borders. Advice differs on the season and on KwaZulu-Natal: South Africa’s Department of Health advises tablets from September to May, while CDC advises them all year; the UK’s TravelHealthPro advises bite avoidance only for the far north-east of KwaZulu-Natal. Cape Town, the Garden Route, Johannesburg and most of the country have no risk.
  • Botswana. Tablets for the north, including the Okavango, Chobe, Ngamiland and Boteti. The UK rates the north high risk from October to May. Gaborone has no malaria.
  • Namibia. Tablets for the north-east (Kavango East and West, Zambezi) all year, and for the northern regions such as Kunene and Oshana in the wet season (December to April, UK advice). Windhoek, Sossusvlei and the coast are outside the risk regions CDC lists.
  • Zimbabwe and Zambia. CDC advises tablets for all areas, including Victoria Falls. The UK rates Harare and Bulawayo very low risk.
  • Mozambique. Tablets for all areas, including the beaches.
  • Eswatini. Tablets for Lubombo and the east of the country. The UK rates the east high risk from November to May and Mbabane free of risk.
  • Lesotho. Neither CDC nor TravelHealthPro lists any malaria risk.

CDC country pages (25 August 2026), CDC Yellow Book South Africa (16 April 2025), TravelHealthPro country pages. Checked 8 October 2026.

Current health notices

  • Zambia, cholera: the Ministry of Health declared a new outbreak on 30 September 2026 (TravelHealthPro, posted 1 October 2026).
  • Mozambique, cholera: cases reported across four provinces since February 2026 (TravelHealthPro).
  • Namibia: cholera cases in Kunene and Otjozondjupa (December 2025) and a polio virus detected in environmental samples (February 2026); CDC lists a global polio notice and suggests an adult polio booster for previously vaccinated travellers.
  • South Africa, seals and rabies: rabies has been found in Cape fur seals since 2024. Keep away from seals on beaches and get medical help straight away if bitten (TravelHealthPro, 24 July 2026; FCDO).
  • Measles: CDC’s global measles notice (Level 1) applies to all eight countries; check your vaccinations are up to date.

Where cholera is reported, drink bottled or treated water and eat food that is freshly cooked and hot. Checked 8 October 2026.

On the road

Self-drive is the best way to see much of the region, and the official advice is consistent across all eight countries:

  • Drive on the left everywhere in the region.
  • Avoid driving at night outside towns. Wildlife and livestock on the road, unlit vehicles and potholes are the main hazards named by the UK Foreign Office for Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Mozambique, travel by road outside major cities only in daylight.
  • Namibia’s gravel roads: keep to 80 km/h or less, especially in the January to April rains, and carry spare tyres and water.
  • Remote Botswana: carry extra water and fuel, and travel in convoy or with a satellite phone.
  • Mozambique: carry your licence, vehicle ownership papers and insurance; two reflective triangles and reflective vests are a legal requirement.
  • Zimbabwe: stop at police roadblocks and ask for a receipt for any fine; carry extra fuel.
  • South Africa: treat traffic lights that are out as a four-way stop, and keep your tank above half on long drives.
  • Driving licences: rules vary by country and licence type; the UK Foreign Office pages list what each country accepts.

Crossing borders by car? Our border guides cover each crossing’s hours and paperwork, such as Caledonspoort into Lesotho. Checked 8 October 2026.

Outdoors and wildlife

  • Keep your distance from wild animals and follow park rules and rangers’ instructions. The UK Foreign Office notes that animal attacks have injured and killed visitors in Zimbabwe, and that adventure activities at Victoria Falls have had serious accidents; use reputable, licensed operators.
  • Don’t swim in lakes, rivers or dams. CDC advises against swimming in fresh, untreated water across the region because of bilharzia (schistosomiasis); the UK Foreign Office gives the same advice for Botswana.
  • South African beaches: swim between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards are on duty.
  • Table Mountain: hike in groups of four or more and avoid quieter routes early and late in the day.
  • Lesotho’s highlands: much of the country lies above 2,500 m. Climb gradually (TravelHealthPro advises raising your sleeping altitude by no more than 500 m a day), dress in layers because very cold temperatures can be dangerous, and take extra care with the sun at high elevation, especially in summer.

FCDO safety pages, CDC and TravelHealthPro. Checked 8 October 2026.

Staying safe in towns and cities

The UK Foreign Office’s advice is practical rather than alarming: crime can happen anywhere, including tourist areas, and simple habits prevent most problems.

  • Keep phones, cameras and jewellery out of sight, and leave valuables in your accommodation.
  • Use reliable transport, such as a taxi arranged by your hotel, instead of walking after dark.
  • If you are robbed, don’t resist.
  • Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings, which can start at short notice (noted for Eswatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe), and don’t photograph police, military or government buildings in Zimbabwe.

Northern Mozambique

The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to most of Cabo Delgado province, to the Memba and Eráti districts of Nampula and to the Mecula and Marrupa districts of Niassa, and against all but essential travel to Palma town and the areas around Pemba and Afungi (updated 20 August 2026). The southern beach areas such as Ponta do Ouro, Tofo and the Bazaruto Archipelago are outside these areas. Check the latest advice before you book anything in the north. Checked 8 October 2026.

Healthcare

  • South Africa: a very high standard of private medical care, but it is expensive; public care varies.
  • Botswana and Namibia: good facilities in the main towns and in Windhoek, more limited in rural areas. Private hospitals may ask for payment before treatment.
  • Lesotho and Eswatini: basic facilities; serious cases usually go to South Africa. From Lesotho, most visitors use Bloemfontein, about 90 minutes from Maseru.
  • Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique: care can be limited outside the main cities, and evacuation may be needed. In Zimbabwe, private clinics often want payment in cash, preferably US dollars, before treatment.

FCDO health pages. Checked 8 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need malaria tablets for Kruger National Park?

CDC advises malaria tablets for Kruger National Park. South Africa’s Department of Health advises them from September to May, while CDC advises them all year. Speak to a travel clinic about the right tablets for your dates (checked 8 October 2026).

Is there malaria in Lesotho?

Neither CDC nor the UK’s TravelHealthPro lists any malaria risk for Lesotho (checked 8 October 2026). The bigger health considerations there are altitude, cold and strong sun.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Southern Africa?

Not for travel within these eight countries: none is a yellow fever risk country. You need a certificate only if you arrive from or have travelled through a country with yellow fever risk (checked 8 October 2026).

What is the emergency number in South Africa?

Police 10111, ambulance and fire 10177, and 112 from any mobile phone (UK FCDO, checked 8 October 2026).

Is Cape Town in a malaria area?

No. South Africa’s malaria risk areas are in the north-east, around Kruger and the borders with Mozambique and Zimbabwe (CDC, checked 8 October 2026).

Is it safe to drive in Southern Africa?

Yes, with care. Drive on the left, avoid driving at night outside towns because of animals and unlit vehicles, and carry water and fuel in remote areas (UK FCDO, checked 8 October 2026).

Sources

Last checked 8 October 2026.

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