Uganda Vaccinations & Health Rules for South Africans 2026

Quick answer: Uganda requires yellow fever vaccination proof from arriving travellers aged 1 year or older, according to the CDC’s Uganda entry guidance. A completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is valid for the vaccinated person’s lifetime under current international rules. Hepatitis A, typhoid and up-to-date routine vaccinations are commonly recommended for Uganda, while malaria prevention should be planned with a qualified travel-health professional.

This guide is for South African citizens travelling to Uganda in 2026, whether for a safari, business trip or visit to friends and relatives. Health requirements can depend on your complete route, including transit airports, your age, medical history and planned activities. Last checked August 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Quick answer: required versus recommended vaccines

For most South African visitors, the key entry document is proof of yellow fever vaccination. Uganda is itself a country with yellow fever transmission risk, and the CDC lists yellow fever vaccination as required for all arriving travellers aged 1 year or older. The CDC separately recommends vaccination for travellers aged 9 months and older, so the entry threshold and the medical recommendation are not identical.

Vaccine or health measure	Uganda entry position or travel advice	What South African travellers should do
Yellow fever	Certificate required for arriving travellers aged 1 year or older.	Obtain the vaccine at an approved centre and carry the ICVP.
Routine vaccines	Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccinations.	Review measles, mumps, rubella; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; polio and influenza with a clinician.
Hepatitis A	Recommended for Uganda travellers; infants aged 6–11 months may need a travel dose that does not count towards the routine two-dose series.	Ask whether vaccination is appropriate for your age and itinerary.
Typhoid	Recommended for many travellers, particularly those visiting rural areas, smaller cities or friends and relatives.	Discuss vaccination and food-and-water precautions.
Malaria	Malaria is a health risk in Uganda and prevention may include medicine and mosquito precautions.	Arrange an individual malaria assessment before departure.
Cholera	Vaccination may be considered for people travelling to areas of active transmission.	Do not assume it is required; ask a travel-health professional.

Official advice is not completely consistent across all government pages: the U.S. State Department’s Uganda advisory says “no vaccinations required,” while the CDC’s destination-specific entry guidance says yellow fever vaccination is required for arriving travellers aged 1 or older. For this article, the more specific CDC Uganda entry guidance is the relevant reference for the yellow fever rule. Confirm the current requirement with Uganda’s official immigration or health authorities and your airline before departure.

Yellow fever certificate rules for South African travellers

South African citizens travelling directly from South Africa should plan to carry yellow fever proof for entry into Uganda because Uganda’s stated entry requirement applies to all arriving travellers aged 1 year or older. The requirement is not limited to people arriving from South Africa or from another yellow-fever-risk country.

The document used internationally is the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly called the yellow card or ICVP. The vaccine should be recorded on the certificate by an authorised vaccination centre. A yellow fever certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination, and current International Health Regulations recognise a completed certificate for the life of the vaccinated person.

If your certificate is older than 10 years, it should not be rejected solely because of its age under the lifetime-validity rule. The certificate must still be properly completed and correspond to the traveller. Keep the original physical document with your passport and travel documents rather than relying only on a photograph or phone copy.

Do transit airports affect the rule?

Transit can affect yellow fever documentation. International health rules may take into account transfers through airports in countries with yellow fever transmission risk, particularly where a long layover requires passing through immigration, leaving the airport or staying overnight. The CDC advises considering the full itinerary and airport transfers when assessing yellow fever entry requirements.

South Africa also requires a valid ICVP for travellers aged 1 year or older who arrive after travelling from, or transiting for more than 12 hours through, a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Uganda appears on South Africa’s published list of countries for which a yellow fever certificate is required. This matters if your return route from Uganda includes South Africa, or if you connect through another risk country. A medical waiver may be accepted in some circumstances, but acceptance is not automatic across every border or airline; obtain advice from an authorised clinician and confirm with the relevant authorities.

Recommended vaccinations and timing

Book a travel-health consultation as early as possible. UK government travel guidance advises checking recommended Uganda vaccines at least 8 weeks before the trip, while South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation advises citizens to make timely enquiries about health risks and prescribed immunisations or medication.

Routine vaccinations

Start with your routine vaccination record. The CDC specifically advises travellers to be up to date with routine vaccines, including diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis and measles, mumps and rubella. A clinician can also review polio and seasonal influenza protection according to your personal record and current travel-health advice. Do not delay the consultation if you are leaving in less than 8 weeks: some vaccines require more than one dose, but a clinician can still advise on the protection possible before departure.

Hepatitis A and typhoid

Hepatitis A is associated with contaminated food and water, and vaccination is recommended for Uganda travellers. The CDC notes that infants aged 6–11 months travelling to Uganda should also receive a hepatitis A dose in relevant circumstances, but that travel dose does not count towards the routine two-dose series.

Typhoid vaccination is recommended for many visitors, especially those staying with friends or relatives or travelling outside major urban areas. It does not replace careful food and water hygiene, and it does not protect against every cause of travellers’ diarrhoea.

Hepatitis B, rabies and other vaccines

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers in the Canadian government’s Uganda advice. Rabies vaccination may be relevant if you will work with animals, spend extended periods in remote areas or have a realistic chance of contact with dogs, bats or other mammals. Cholera vaccination may be considered for travellers going to areas of active cholera transmission, rather than treated as a universal Uganda entry requirement.

Discuss the itinerary in detail: gorilla or chimpanzee trekking, rural community visits, long stays, healthcare work, camping and animal handling can change the advice. Travellers with allergies, pregnancy, immune conditions or chronic illness should ask a clinician whether a vaccine or malaria medicine is suitable.

If you are comparing routes and activities, you can review Uganda safari packages for 2026 while noting which itineraries include remote parks or extended time outdoors.

Malaria: risk areas, prophylaxis and prevention

Malaria is listed among Uganda’s important travel health risks. It is transmitted by mosquitoes, so protection is relevant during both safari travel and urban stays. The exact prevention plan depends on your destination, season, accommodation, duration, medical history and medicines you already take.

Ask a travel-health professional whether you should use prescription malaria prophylaxis. The available options and suitability vary by traveller; do not start, stop or share antimalarial medicine without professional advice. Chloroquine resistance is reported in Uganda, and travel-health sources list several possible prescription options, but the appropriate choice must be individualised.

• Use an insect repellent recommended by your clinician or pharmacist.
• Wear long sleeves, long trousers and socks when mosquitoes are active.
• Sleep under an insecticide-treated net where accommodation is not adequately screened or air-conditioned.
• Use screened rooms, doors and windows where possible and follow the medicine instructions exactly if prophylaxis is prescribed.
• Seek medical attention promptly for fever during or after travel and mention your Uganda travel history.

Yellow fever and malaria are different mosquito-borne diseases: a yellow fever certificate satisfies an entry-document rule, but it does not protect you from malaria. Continue mosquito precautions even after receiving the yellow fever vaccine.

Health documents and insurance

Carry your original ICVP, vaccination record, prescription details and a list of allergies and regular medicines. Make paper and secure digital copies of important documents, but treat the original certificate as the primary travel document. Uganda may request the yellow fever certificate at entry under its stated rule.

Travel insurance is not identified in the supplied research as a vaccination requirement for Uganda. Nevertheless, South African travellers should check whether their policy covers medical treatment, evacuation, safari activities and pre-existing conditions. The UK government advises contacting your insurer quickly if you are referred to a medical facility.

For separate immigration information, read the Uganda visa guide for South African citizens. Visa rules and health-document rules are separate checks, so satisfying one does not automatically satisfy the other.

Medication rules and what to pack

Uganda’s rules can differ from South Africa’s for prescription and over-the-counter medicines. UK travel advice warns that the legal status and regulation of medicines prescribed or bought in one country may be different in Uganda.

• Carry regular medicines in their original labelled packaging.
• Pack enough for the journey and a small contingency period, subject to your clinician’s advice.
• Carry a prescription or doctor’s letter stating the generic names, doses and medical reason.
• Ask the Ugandan diplomatic mission or relevant health authority about controlled medicines before departure.
• Keep essential medicines in hand luggage and do not place all supplies in checked baggage.
• Pack repellent, sunscreen, a hat, suitable clothing, oral rehydration supplies and a basic first-aid kit.

Do not assume that a medicine sold freely in South Africa can be imported without restriction. Confirm the current rule for any controlled, injectable or large-quantity medicine before travelling.

Food, water and other health precautions

Use boiled or bottled water and avoid ice unless you know it was made from safe water. UK government advice also recommends avoiding food prepared by unlicensed vendors or in places where kitchen hygiene is concerning. Wash or sanitise your hands before eating, and choose food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot.

Uganda health advice also identifies risks including Ebola, mpox and Marburg virus disease, and sporadic Ebola outbreaks can occur. Check current official outbreak advice close to departure, follow screening instructions and avoid contact with sick people or bodily fluids.

Travellers should also consider safer-sex precautions and discuss hepatitis B, HIV exposure and other individual risks with a healthcare professional. The Canadian government recommends hepatitis B vaccination for all travellers and provides safer-sex advice for Uganda.

Health facilities and emergencies in Uganda

Medical help at the scene of an accident may be limited, particularly outside Kampala. The UK government lists 999 as Uganda’s emergency medical number and advises contacting your insurance company quickly if you are referred for treatment.

Safari lodges and remote parks may be far from advanced medical facilities. Before departure, ask your operator how evacuation works, where the nearest capable clinic or hospital is and whether the itinerary includes activities requiring specialist cover. Keep emergency contacts, insurance details and your medical information accessible.

South African travellers should arrange a consultation with a doctor or travel clinic before booking final activities. DIRCO specifically advises South Africans travelling abroad to make timely enquiries about health risks and to consult a doctor where there is a history of health challenges. Once your health documents and prevention plan are ready, you can compare safari options on SafariFind with the itinerary, remoteness and activities in mind.

Verification note: Last checked August 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do South African citizens need a yellow fever certificate for Uganda?

Yes. Uganda’s CDC entry guidance says yellow fever vaccination is required for all arriving travellers aged 1 year or older. Carry the properly completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis.

How long before travelling to Uganda should I get the yellow fever vaccine?

Get it at least 10 days before arrival. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination, and current international rules recognise a completed certificate for the life of the vaccinated person.

Is a yellow fever certificate valid for life in Uganda?

Yes, under current International Health Regulations a completed yellow fever certificate is valid for the life of the vaccinated person. It should be correctly completed and presented on the recognised ICVP form.

What vaccines are recommended for South Africans visiting Uganda?

Hepatitis A, typhoid and up-to-date routine vaccinations are commonly recommended. Hepatitis B, rabies or cholera vaccination may be relevant depending on your activities, health and itinerary.

Do I need malaria tablets for a Uganda safari?

You may need prescription malaria prophylaxis, but the correct medicine depends on your health, itinerary and other factors. Uganda has malaria risk, so discuss medication and mosquito-bite prevention with a travel-health professional.

Does a transit airport change Uganda’s yellow fever requirement?

It can affect your health-document planning, particularly if a transit involves a yellow-fever-risk country, immigration or a long layover. The full itinerary should be reviewed before departure.

How early should I visit a travel clinic before Uganda?

Aim for at least 8 weeks before travel. This allows time to review routine vaccines, complete multi-dose schedules and plan malaria prevention, although a clinician can still advise you if departure is sooner.

What should I pack for health protection in Uganda?

Pack your original yellow fever certificate, vaccination record, prescribed medicines in labelled packaging, prescription details, insect repellent and basic first-aid supplies. Confirm medicine-import rules for controlled or unusual medicines before departure.

Is tap water safe to drink in Uganda?

Use boiled or bottled water and avoid ice unless you know it was made from safe water. Food and water hygiene is recommended to reduce the risk of infections such as hepatitis A and typhoid.

What is Uganda’s emergency medical number?

The UK government’s Uganda travel advice lists 999 for an ambulance. Medical help at accident scenes may be limited outside Kampala, so carry travel insurance and emergency contacts.

Do South African citizens need a visa for Uganda?

Visa rules are separate from vaccination rules, and this health guide does not establish the current visa position. Check the latest official Uganda immigration information and use SafariFind’s Uganda visa guide for South African citizens as a planning reference.