Planning your trip to South Africa

Health information & Vaccination requirements

The information below details which vaccinations are recommended prior to travelling to South Africa and other disease risks associated with this country. Please note this information is for reference only and you should seek advice from a medical professional before travelling.

Health information from NaTHNaC:
Malaria risk:	Yes, Type IV risk - Throughout the year in low altitude areas of Mpumalanga, Northern and KwaZulu-Natal provinces but highest risk from October to May

Other non vaccine-preventable risks:	Chikungunya, Schistosomiasis, Tuberculosis
Yellow fever certificate requirement:	Yes, if coming from countries with risk of transmission
Recommended vaccinations:

Cholera	Diphtheria	Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B	Japanese encephalitis	Meningococcal meningitis
Polio	Rabies	Tetanus
Tick-borne encephalitis	Typhoid fever	Yellow fever

Lloyds Pharmacy - Online Doctor provides comprehensive health services to travellers, including travel vaccinations, malaria pills, and jet lag treatments. Order online and and attend a travel clinic at 300 pharmacies throughout the UK.

Visa requirements

Check on visa requirements for travel to South Africa - we have teamed up with CIBT, the world's leading visa arrangement company. Armed with their extensive database of visa requirements for every country in the world and the experience of processing over 5 million visas, CIBT can take all the hassle out of the often time-consuming and complicated issue of organising visas. Use the widget to check the requirements for your nationality.

Currency, Foreign Exchange & Money Advice

The currency used in South Africa is rand (ZAR). The current exchange rates for rand are $1 = 14.53, €1 = 16, £1 = 19.33.

	Foreign Currency - Cash While ATMs have become commonplace throughout the world in recent years, it's not always wise to rely on them while travelling. In remote places and developing countries, they may be unavailable or incompatible with your bank card. Purchasing cash before you travel also allows to you avoid costly ATM bank fees and commission, which can add up to a considerable outlay on your trip. Avoid this expense and inconvenience by purchasing rand in advance of your trip. Travelex offer guaranteed best exchange rates in the UK, with zero commission (minimum £100 order). These exchange rates are of vastly better value than those available at airports before departure. Your currency can be collected with free pickup at a wide range of Travelex shops in airports, ports and city centres.

Foreign Currency - Cash
While ATMs have become commonplace throughout the world in recent years, it's not always wise to rely on them while travelling. In remote places and developing countries, they may be unavailable or incompatible with your bank card. Purchasing cash before you travel also allows to you avoid costly ATM bank fees and commission, which can add up to a considerable outlay on your trip. Avoid this expense and inconvenience by purchasing rand in advance of your trip.

Travelex offer guaranteed best exchange rates in the UK, with zero commission (minimum £100 order).
These exchange rates are of vastly better value than those available at airports before departure.
Your currency can be collected with free pickup at a wide range of Travelex shops in airports, ports and city centres.

Foreign Currency - Cards For extra convenience and security, prepaid travel cards are ideal. You can pre-load your card with your currency of choice and the amount you want, which can be easily topped up. They can be used at any Mastercard-enabled ATM or shop, with no fee for standard usage. With chip and pin technology (and no link to your own bank account), they offer complete security. We recommend prepaid cards from Travelex.

Foreign Currency - Cards
For extra convenience and security, prepaid travel cards are ideal.

You can pre-load your card with your currency of choice and the amount you want, which can be easily topped up.
They can be used at any Mastercard-enabled ATM or shop, with no fee for standard usage.
With chip and pin technology (and no link to your own bank account), they offer complete security.
We recommend prepaid cards from Travelex.

For more information on rand, including other exchange rates, denominations and cut-out exchange rate pocket charts, see the rand currency page.

Extras! Flights, Accomodation, Insurance

Columbus Direct is our recommended travel insurance provider - as a travel insurance specialist for over 25 years, Columbus Direct has over 15 million customers worldwide and was awarded Best Travel Insurance Provider 2014 at the Your Money Awards. You can get annual multi-trip cover from just £22 - get a quoate for your trip now.