Overview
South Africa requires no vaccine to enter from Belgium; the usual travel vaccines are recommended. The one local point is malaria, confined to the north-east; most tourist areas (Cape Town, the Garden Route, the Western Cape) are malaria-free.
To limit malaria risk, the dry season (June–August) is most favourable in the north-east.
Recommended vaccines
Malaria by region
In the at-risk north-east, preventive tablets are advised September–May; June–August, bite protection alone, except for higher-risk travellers.
Malaria risk is limited to certain regions, shown below.
North-east of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, including Kruger and the neighbouring parks (mainly September–May).
KwaZulu-Natal parks (Tembe, Ndumo, iSimangaliso, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi) and the rest of Limpopo/Mpumalanga (Waterberg, Marakele, Madikwe): low, year-round.
The south and west of the country, including Cape Town and the Garden Route.
Risk is highest from September to May; from June to August it drops and bite protection is usually enough.
Other health risks
Prepare your trip
Leaving in under 2 weeks? Still book a clinic: a first hepatitis A dose already protects, and yellow fever needs at least 10 days. A travel clinic will prioritise what fits your timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Is any vaccine required for South Africa?
No vaccine is required if you arrive directly from Belgium. Yellow fever is only asked for if you come from (or transit through) a country where it circulates.
Is there a malaria risk?
Malaria: risk limited to certain regions. Risk is highest from September to May; from June to August it drops and bite protection is usually enough. In the at-risk north-east, preventive tablets are advised September–May; June–August, bite protection alone, except for higher-risk travellers.
How far ahead of departure should I start?
Ideally 6 to 8 weeks before departure, to complete multi-dose schedules. Yellow fever, where it applies, must be given at least 10 days before arrival.
Our sources
Indicative information for a typical traveller, not medical advice. What you need depends on your itinerary, region, season and duration. See an approved travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure: only they can give yellow fever and issue the certificate.