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IIf you are an inbound traveller – here's all you need to know about yellow fever vaccination or inoculation before you visit our country.
South Africa requires all travellers journeying from yellow fever risk countries to show proof of yellow fever vaccination by means of a valid yellow fever certificate.
This also applies to those who have transited through a yellow fever risk country.
The certificates, which are valid for 10 years, must be approved by the World Health Organization, and should be administered at a yellow fever approved vaccination centre at least 10 days before departure to South Africa, as the vaccine only offers protection 10 days after administration.
Failure to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at a South African port of entry could lead to refusal of entry, or quarantine until your certificate becomes valid. Quarantine will not be longer than six days.
If you have exemption certificate due to medical reasons, you will be allowed entry, but you will be required to report any fever or other symptoms to the health authorities, and you will be placed under surveillance.
Countries for which a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into South Africa are:
- Angola,
- Argentina,
- Benin,
- Bolivia,
- Brazil,
- Burkina Faso,
- Burundi,
- Cameroon,
- Central African Republic,
- Chad,
- Colombia,
- Guinea-Bissau,
- Congo,
- Côte d’Ivoire,
- Democratic Republic of the Congo,
- Ecuador,
- Equatorial Guinea,
- Ethiopia,
- French Guyana,
- Gabon,
- Gambia,
- Ghana,
- Guinea,
- Guyana,
- Kenya,
- Liberia,
- Mali,
- Mauritania,
- Niger,
- Nigeria,
- Panama,
- Paraguay,
- Peru,
- Rwanda,
- Senegal,
- Sierra Leone,
- Sudan,
- Suriname,
- Togo,
- Trinidad and Tobago,
- Uganda, and
- Venezuela.
FAQs
Do I need a yellow fever inoculation before entering South Africa?
If you're coming into South Africa from an infected area, a yellow fever inoculation and certificate is an official requirement.
Do I need to take malaria precautions for South Africa?
Most parts of South Africa are malaria-free. Consult your doctor or travel clinic regarding appropriate malaria prophylaxis. You can further minimise the risk by wearing mosquito repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net.
What entry documents do I need?
You need a valid passport to enter the country. Some visitors require a visa and/or a yellow fever certificate. A yellow fever inoculation is required for those who pass through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.
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