GCF Ecotour Safari’s – Safety Edition

Welcome to the GCF Ecotour Safari Travel series designed to prepare you for an upcoming South African ecotour with Global Conservation Force.

Traveling to South Africa is an exciting adventure, filled with stunning landscapes, rich culture, and incredible wildlife encounters. While our Global Conservation Force staff will be with you most of the time to ensure a safe and memorable experience, it’s important to stay vigilant during your free time. In this edition, we share essential tips on how to stay safe, along with important information about visas, vaccines, and more to help you enjoy your journey with peace of mind.

Visas and Vaccines

Visa requirements vary by country, but if you are a citizen of the United States, Canada, or Mexico, no special arrangements are needed to enter South Africa. Upon arrival, South Africa automatically grants a 90-day tourist visa, allowing you to stay for up to 90 days before requiring a different visa. If you are a citizen of another country, I recommend checking whether you need a separate visa in advance.

As far as vaccines go, the CDC recommends several vaccines for travelers to South Africa, but it’s important to consult with your primary care physician to determine what’s best for you. Below is a list of commonly recommended vaccines:

– Hepatitis A & B  
– Typhoid  
– Tetanus/Diphtheria  
– Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)  
– COVID-19 (check current requirements)  
– Yellow Fever (if arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country)  

These are general guidelines, but your healthcare provider can give you the most accurate and personalized advice. Vaccinations should generally be started 4–6 weeks before departure, so be sure to plan ahead. Many travelers ask about the need for a rabies vaccine; if you’re staying in a lodge or a city, the risk is typically very low. Many people also ask about Malaria vaccines but the areas we are visiting are thankfully malaria free. However, it’s always best to discuss your specific travel plans with your healthcare provider.

Medications and First Aid

Make sure to bring all your prescription medications in their original packaging, along with any over-the-counter medications you prefer in a specific brand—while South Africa has pharmacies, the brands may differ from what you’re used to. It’s also a good idea to pack essentials like headache relief, cold and flu remedies, allergy medicine, indigestion aids, and anti-diarrheal medication. Although your guides will have a stock of certain items, it is wise to bring your own insect repellent (preferably with DEET), basic band-aids, anti-itch creams for insect bites, and a small supply of basic disinfectant to stay prepared for any situation.

Staying Aware

When exploring Cape Town, particularly in popular tourist areas, it’s important to stay aware and vigilant to avoid pickpockets. We recommend wearing a cross-body bag or a money pouch that can be hidden under your clothing to keep your belongings secure. It’s also a good idea to leave expensive jewelry, handbags, and/or wallets at home to avoid drawing unnecessary attention and becoming a target. It is also recommended not to carry around too much cash or to “flash” the cash when paying. Most people never experience any issues but staying alert to your surroundings and taking these precautions can help ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience as you discover the vibrant culture and beauty of Cape Town.

One other note, the GCF ecotours are packed days full of fun and exciting adventures but there are times when guests will be allowed to explore on their own or take the time to relax and recharge. If you decide to explore on your own, firstly, please let us know so we can account for all of our guests at all times. Secondly, we do not recommend using Uber to get around the city. Uber in South Africa can be unreliable and not the safest option. Instead, we recommend having the hotel call you a car service. These will be reputable drivers that can be trusted.  

Drinking Water

Water gets its own section here because it is so important to stay hydrated, and part of that means knowing what water is safe to drink. In South Africa, the tap water is generally safe in major cities like Cape Town, but it’s always best to ask, especially in more remote areas. Trust us, the Global Conservation Force (GCF) staff have asked if the water is safe to drink in more places than you can imagine—often leading to some puzzled looks, like when asking this question in Canada, where the response is usually a polite chuckle or a confused “Yes, of course!” But when traveling, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so don’t hesitate to ask, even if it might seem silly. Also, if someone tells you that the tap water isn’t safe to drink in a certain area then it’s also best to avoid foods that require washing, like salads, to prevent any unwanted surprises.
Stay feeling great, and keep that water bottle filled with the right stuff!

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