{"id":8972,"date":"2020-02-28T07:45:27","date_gmt":"2020-02-28T07:45:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/health-in-namibia-malaria-and-compulsory-vaccines\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T13:43:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:43:20","slug":"health-in-namibia-malaria-and-compulsory-vaccines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/namibia\/travel-tips\/health-in-namibia-malaria-and-compulsory-vaccines\/","title":{"rendered":"Health in Namibia: Malaria and Compulsory Vaccinations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Are you planning a trip to Namibia? Great news: this fascinating country combines wild nature, vast open spaces and excellent health safety. But before lacing up your hiking boots to explore the dunes of the Namib or the plains of Etosha, a health check is in order. What vaccines are needed for Namibia, and is there a risk of malaria? Here is the expert advice from South African Travellers, so you can travel with peace of mind and a light heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vaccines: what do you need to know?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No requirements, but a few useful precautions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Great news: no vaccine is mandatory for travelling to <a href=\"\/en\/namibia\/\">Namibia<\/a>, unless you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic. In that case, a vaccination certificate may be required upon entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For all other travellers, it is simply a matter of being up to date with universal vaccines: tetanus, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough, hepatitis A and B. Namibia benefits from a dry climate and excellent hygiene standards, making it a particularly safe destination from a health perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SAT tip:<\/strong> make an appointment at an international vaccination centre before departure, simply to check everything is up to date and get personalised advice based on your itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recommended vaccines depending on the duration and type of trip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For long-haul travellers or adventurers heading out on a <a href=\"\/en\/experience\/road-trip\/\">road trip<\/a> through remote regions, certain vaccines may be recommended as a precaution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Typhoid<\/strong>, to prevent digestive infections,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rabies<\/strong>, for nature immersion stays or contact with animals,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Yellow fever<\/strong>, only if you are transiting from a high-risk country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These precautions are simple, quick and allow you to approach your adventure with complete peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/visuel-article-blog-paludisme-en-namibie-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Malaria in Namibia - health information for travellers\" class=\"wp-image-6065\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Malaria in Namibia: a very localised risk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where and when does malaria exist?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Malaria is transmitted by the bite of the anopheles mosquito. In Namibia, it is only weakly present and only affects the north of the country, particularly the Caprivi Strip, the Ovambo region and the banks of the Okavango River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The risk is seasonal, concentrated between November and April during the rainy season, when mosquitoes find humid areas conducive to their development. The rest of the country, including Etosha National Park, the Namib Desert and the Atlantic coast, is considered malaria-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preventive treatment: useful depending on your itinerary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no vaccine against malaria, but a preventive treatment (antimalarial) can be prescribed by your doctor if you are travelling to a risk zone. The most common approach involves taking one tablet per day, starting before departure and continuing for one week after your return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SAT tip:<\/strong> the best prevention remains physical protection. Wear long clothing at sunrise and sunset, apply repellent to your skin, and sleep under a mosquito net when available at your lodge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The accommodations selected by South African Travellers are all equipped to ensure your comfort and safety, even in the heart of nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Safari and health: travelling with peace of mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A safari in Namibia is best enjoyed when you are well prepared. Before departure, a few simple precautions allow you to travel worry-free: checking your vaccines, packing an appropriate first aid kit, staying well hydrated and protecting yourself from the sun during excursions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At South African Travellers, we attend to every detail to ensure your experience remains serene from start to finish. Our itineraries such as <a href=\"\/en\/namibia\/ultimate-namibia-loop\/\">The Grand Loop<\/a> or <a href=\"\/en\/namibia\/14-night-lodge-safari\/\">Lands of Namibia \u2013 Exclusive 20-day Itinerary<\/a> combine comfort, guidance and a balanced pace \u2014 to explore Namibia&#8217;s wonders in complete safety and without constraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/safari-en-namibie-south-african-travellers-agence-sat-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Safari in Namibia with South African Travellers\" class=\"wp-image-2849\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preparing your health kit for Namibia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Namibia is a vast and sparsely populated country: it is sometimes possible to drive for hours without passing a town. To avoid minor inconveniences, bring a complete health kit including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High protection sunscreen,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mosquito repellent spray,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Soothing or healing cream,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal medication, paracetamol, disinfectant, plasters,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A supply of drinking water for long desert roads.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SAT tip:<\/strong> our advisors provide you with a personalised health checklist before each departure, based on the season and region visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medical infrastructure in Namibia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Major cities such as Windhoek and Swakopmund have a modern medical network, with private clinics and well-trained English-speaking doctors. However, it is recommended to take out travel insurance covering medical care and repatriation, a precaution we always include in our preparation advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Namibian authorities collaborate with the World Health Organisation in a programme for the sustainable reduction of malaria, which has already been in significant decline for several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In summary: travelling safely in Namibia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No mandatory vaccines, a very limited malaria risk, and exemplary quality of care: Namibia offers an ideal setting for a worry-free trip. Here, health does not mean anxiety, but comfort, nature and freedom. From the Atlantic coast to the endless deserts, you will fully enjoy every moment, perfectly prepared and accompanied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Going further<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/en\/namibia\/travel-tips\/when-to-go-to-namibia\/\">When to visit Namibia<\/a>, to choose the ideal season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/en\/namibia\/travel-tips\/complete-guide\/\">Complete Namibia guide<\/a>, to explore our practical tips and inspiration before departure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In conclusion: travel with peace of mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With tailor-made support, personalised preparation and the expertise of our local teams, South African Travellers ensures a flawless trip, from the dunes of the Namib to the savannah of Etosha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our travel designers are also here to answer all your practical questions \u2014 vaccines, health, formalities \u2014 so that every departure is made with complete confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\">Contact South African Travellers<\/a> to design your tailor-made itinerary, and set off to discover Namibia in luxury, nature and absolute serenity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The risk of malaria in Namibia is low, and only affects the north of the country. However, it&#8217;s important to have the right health information before you leave for a trouble-free trip. So what should we put in our first-aid kit for Namibia?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16311,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[721],"tags":[139,140,141],"post_type_filter":[451],"destination":[710],"thematic":[],"class_list":["post-8972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-safety-currency","tag-paludisme-en-namibie","tag-sante-namibie","tag-vaccins-en-namibie","post_type_filter-travel-tips","destination-namibia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8972"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8972\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22391,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8972\/revisions\/22391"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8972"},{"taxonomy":"post_type_filter","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_type_filter?post=8972"},{"taxonomy":"destination","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/destination?post=8972"},{"taxonomy":"thematic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.satravellers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/thematic?post=8972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}