What vaccines do I need for an African safari?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Safari country usually means routine vaccines, hepatitis A, yellow fever, and malaria pills. The CDC's Kenya page recommends hepatitis A for unvaccinated travelers, yellow fever vaccine for all travelers 9 months and older with limited exceptions, and prescription malaria medicine for certain areas, which covers most safari zones. Typhoid and rabies join for many itineraries. Keep the yellow fever certificate with your travel documents, and see a travel clinic or GP 4 to 6 weeks before departure, since malaria pills need a prescription and some vaccines need spacing.
What to do
- Update routine vaccines and add hepatitis A.
- Get the yellow fever shot and carry the certificate.
- Get a malaria pill prescription for safari areas; start and finish the course exactly.
- Book a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks out with your route and dates.
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