South Africa Vaccinations

[kh70]

6 months ago was told a doctor that none wer essential to have now i'm been told i should have some but i go in 2 weeks can anyone help?

[eash]

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/africa/south _africa.shtml

[carmalee]

I travel to SA and Botswana regularly - have never had any vaccinations - was always under the impression vaccinations for lots of nasties were a recommendation not a requirement so was surprised to follow the link posted to find a yellow fever certificate may be required. Have been back in UK for fifteen years during which time have been retuned to Africa two or three times annually and have never been asked for anything - neither have anyone I've travelled with - that includes millions of relations who attended two family weddings. Strange!

[carmalee]

sorry - typo -have not been retuned have just returned!

[dzug]

If you are going up north (Kruger, etc) then anti-malarials are essential.

If you are staying further south then you are reasonably safe

Yellow fever is not needed for South Africa but they may insist on it if you have come from an area where yellow fever is endemic.

http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/index.htm is useful

[carmalee]

previous post was correct about malaria and Kruger area - there are also other malaria areas so hope you've checked out what the recommendations are. have a great trip - where are you going?

[kh70]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to Joberg just staying over night then down to Sun City for a day and night then fly to Cape Town for 10 days/nights. Anywhere you'd recommend to go?

[campbellking]

If you're going to Cape Town, go to Robben Island, but you may well need to pre-book. I would say go up Table Mountain, but all we managed to get up there was fog bound. If you get the chance to go to Boulders Beach to see the penguins, then go.
Enjoy.

[carmalee]

I'm a real 'bush' person so was dreading an obligatory duty trip to Sun City -nasty, false, Americanised place! Hah, I loved it - had a brilliant day, just everything about it -if you get the chance try and suss out the fancy hotel there (forget the name) - there's an amazing larger than life statue of an elephant - think the name is Shawa - I chatted up one of the staff and got to get in close up -brilliant. Valley of the waves, the Casino - such a nice day.Cape Town has everything and it just depends on what you like - the tourist info places in SA are great and well worth a visit if you want to get the most out of the trip - there's something for everyone's taste in the area, you just have to ask. Once again, have a great trip (and say Hi to my son, he's due in Cape Town on a business trip about the same time as you guys.)