What Vaccinations Does Zimbabwe Require for British Travellers in 2026?

Quick answer: Zimbabwe does not have a general vaccination requirement for every British visitor. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, including travellers who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country. For health protection, unvaccinated travellers of all ages should receive hepatitis A advice, typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travellers, and routine UK vaccinations should be up to date.

Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling. This guide is informational, not legal or medical advice. Requirements and health recommendations can change, and your personal vaccination history, medical conditions and safari route may alter what a clinician recommends.

Quick answer: required and recommended vaccines for Zimbabwe

Vaccine or health measure	Is it required to enter Zimbabwe?	What British travellers should know
Yellow fever	Only for certain routes	Zimbabwe requires proof for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country, including qualifying airport transit of more than 12 hours.
Hepatitis A	No general entry requirement	The CDC recommends it for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Zimbabwe.
Typhoid	No general entry requirement	The CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers, particularly those visiting rural areas, smaller cities or friends and relatives.
Routine UK vaccinations	No Zimbabwe-specific requirement stated	TravelHealthPro advises travellers to be up to date with routine UK vaccinations and boosters according to age, medical history and individual risk.
Other vaccines	Not a universal requirement	Ask a travel-health professional to review your itinerary, activities, medical history and previous vaccinations before deciding whether additional protection is appropriate.
Malaria prevention	Not a vaccine requirement	Malaria is present in Zimbabwe. Your clinician can assess whether antimalarial medication is appropriate for the areas and activities on your trip.

Vaccination requirements are based mainly on your recent route, not simply on holding a British passport. If you are travelling directly from the United Kingdom, check your entire itinerary, including long airport connections and stopovers, against the current Zimbabwe entry guidance before departure.

For broader trip planning, read whether British citizens need a Zimbabwe visa in 2026. Visa rules are separate from health requirements.

Yellow fever certificate rules for British travellers

There is no yellow fever transmission risk in Zimbabwe according to TravelHealthPro, but Zimbabwe has an entry-certificate requirement for some arriving travellers. The requirement applies to travellers aged 9 months or over who arrive from a country with risk of yellow fever virus transmission.

The rule can also apply when you have not left an airport. The CDC states that a yellow fever certificate may be required after more than 12 hours of airport transit or layover in a country with yellow fever transmission risk. TravelHealthPro describes the same threshold for transit through the airport of a risk country.

Consequently, review every flight connection rather than checking only the London-to-Zimbabwe segment. A route through a risk country may create a certificate requirement even when the final flight into Zimbabwe departs from a country with no yellow fever risk.

What document proves yellow fever vaccination?

Proof is recorded on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly called an ICVP or yellow card. The CDC states that, under the International Health Regulations, a completed ICVP is valid for the life of the vaccinated person; a booster cannot be required solely because more than 10 years have passed.

Keep the certificate with your passport and travel documents. A medical waiver can also be relevant where vaccination is medically unsuitable: the CDC says travellers must meet a country's entry requirements by showing an ICVP with evidence of vaccination or an indication of a medical waiver.

Do not rely on an online summary of your route. GOV.UK directs travellers to TravelHealthPro for full medical entry details and says a yellow fever certificate is needed when coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. Confirm the current country list and your route with the official Zimbabwean authorities, GOV.UK and TravelHealthPro before travel.

Recommended vaccinations for a Zimbabwe trip

Hepatitis A

The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Zimbabwe. Hepatitis A protection should be discussed even if you are staying in a lodge or travelling on an organised safari, because the recommendation is destination-wide rather than limited to one accommodation style.

Typhoid

Typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travellers to Zimbabwe, especially people staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas. Your travel-health appointment should consider the time spent outside safari camps, the type of accommodation and your food and water exposure.

Routine UK vaccinations

TravelHealthPro advises travellers to be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters recommended in the UK for their age, medical history and individual risks. Take your existing vaccination record to your appointment so the clinician can identify missing or overdue routine protection rather than assuming that every traveller needs the same course.

Additional vaccines and individual assessment

There is no single additional vaccine list that applies to every Zimbabwe safari. TravelHealthPro says people whose work, lifestyle or underlying health problems increase their risk of infectious disease should review additional vaccine recommendations with a healthcare professional.

Tell the clinician whether you will visit rural communities, spend extended time outdoors, handle animals, travel with children, stay for a long period or take part in activities such as hunting. Those details can affect the assessment. The supplied travel-health guidance also identifies hepatitis B, rabies and other vaccines as matters that may be considered according to itinerary and personal circumstances, rather than as universal Zimbabwe entry requirements.

Plan the appointment early enough for your clinician to review your records and complete any recommended course before departure. The research does not establish one universal lead time for every vaccine or traveller, so confirm the schedule with your GP, pharmacist or travel clinic instead of relying on a fixed number of weeks.

Malaria in Zimbabwe: risk areas, medication and prevention

Malaria is a health consideration for travel in Zimbabwe, but risk is not identical across every destination. The supplied travel-health information identifies the Zambezi Valley, including Victoria Falls, as a particularly important malaria area, while describing risk in the central highland cities of Harare and Bulawayo as much lower. Passport Health also confirms that malaria is present in Zimbabwe and that prevention should include medication where clinically appropriate, mosquito repellent and bed nets.

Ask a travel-health professional about antimalarial medication for your exact route. The decision can depend on the parks you visit, altitude, season, accommodation, length of stay, activities and your medical history. Do not start, stop or choose an antimalarial solely from an internet itinerary; medicines have different contraindications and schedules, and the research supplied does not support one universal drug or dose for every British traveller.

Reduce mosquito bites

• Use a reliable insect repellent as directed on its label.
• Wear clothing that covers as much skin as practical when mosquitoes are active.
• Use a mosquito net or air-conditioned accommodation where available.
• Ask your clinician whether your accommodation and activities call for additional precautions.

Malaria symptoms can resemble other illnesses. If you develop a fever or become unwell during the trip or after returning to the United Kingdom, tell the healthcare professional that you have travelled to Zimbabwe and explain where you went. The sources reviewed establish malaria risk and prevention measures but do not provide a universal post-travel monitoring period, so seek prompt medical advice rather than waiting for symptoms to resolve.

Safari planning can also involve several countries. If your itinerary includes South Africa, Zambia or Tanzania, check those destinations separately; a vaccination or visa rule for another country does not automatically become a Zimbabwe requirement. You can also compare safari packages on SafariFind once your route and health needs are clear.

Health documents and travel insurance

Carry your original yellow fever certificate if your route may trigger Zimbabwe's requirement. Keep a paper copy and a secure digital copy of important medical information, including prescriptions, allergies, vaccination history and details of regular treatment. The sources reviewed do not specify a Zimbabwe health-document fee or a separate online health form, so confirm any current administrative requirement through official channels.

Arrange travel insurance before departure and check that the policy reflects your activities and itinerary. In particular, ask the insurer how it treats medical treatment, emergency transport, safari activities and pre-existing conditions. The supplied sources do not state a standard insurance level or a universal evacuation requirement, so policy wording matters more than a generic promise of cover.

Keep emergency contact details, your insurer's assistance number and your UK healthcare information accessible. If you are travelling on a package or private safari, ask the operator what local medical support is available at each camp and how an emergency transfer would be coordinated.

For practical risk planning before game drives, see Zimbabwe safari safety rules for 2026. Health preparation is only one part of a safe safari.

Medication rules and what to pack

Take enough regular medication to complete your journey. Travel-health guidance for Zimbabwe warns that shortages of some main medicines may occur and advises tourists who use personal medication, including asthma, diabetes or contraceptive medication, to carry sufficient supplies for the trip.

• Keep medicines in their original labelled packaging.
• Carry a copy of the prescription and a note explaining essential medicines, especially if you use controlled or injectable treatment.
• Pack medication in your hand luggage so it remains accessible if checked baggage is delayed.
• Bring your yellow fever certificate when your route may require it.
• Pack insect repellent, suitable covering clothing and any mosquito net or other protection recommended for your accommodation.
• Ask a pharmacist or travel-health clinician about a personal first-aid and diarrhoea plan rather than assembling prescription medicines without advice.

The research supplied does not provide a definitive list of medicines that Zimbabwe prohibits or a standard quantity limit. Confirm rules for prescription, controlled and injectable medicines with the Zimbabwean authorities or embassy before packing them. Do not assume that a medicine permitted in the UK is automatically permitted for import into Zimbabwe.

Health facilities and emergencies in Zimbabwe

Healthcare access varies by location. The supplied Zimbabwe travel-health guidance says that outside Harare and Bulawayo, healthcare for tourists may be very limited; it also notes shortages of some medicines and that evacuation to South Africa may become necessary.

That variation is especially relevant to remote safari camps. Before departure, ask your operator where the nearest clinic or hospital is, how long a transfer may take and which emergency provider coordinates assistance. Share relevant medical information with your travelling companions and guide, while protecting your privacy.

In an emergency, follow the local emergency procedure, contact your safari operator and call your insurer's assistance service. If you need medical care after returning to Britain, disclose your Zimbabwe travel history and the regions visited. Remote travel makes preparation important, but no article can replace an individual medical assessment.

Finally, recheck the official guidance immediately before departure. GOV.UK says medical entry requirements should be checked through TravelHealthPro, while the CDC and TravelHealthPro provide the yellow fever route and transit conditions summarised here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do British citizens need a yellow fever certificate for Zimbabwe?

Only if they arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission risk or have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country. The requirement applies to travellers aged 9 months or over; check the full itinerary before departure.

Is yellow fever present in Zimbabwe?

TravelHealthPro states that there is no yellow fever risk in Zimbabwe, although Zimbabwe can require a certificate based on the traveller's previous route or transit history.

Is the yellow fever certificate valid for life?

Yes. The CDC states that a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate if I only change planes?

You may need one if the airport connection is in a yellow-fever-risk country and the transit lasts more than 12 hours. Check the airport, transit duration and whether the itinerary requires passing through immigration.

What vaccinations are recommended for a Zimbabwe safari?

The CDC recommends hepatitis A for unvaccinated travellers of all ages and typhoid for most travellers, particularly those visiting rural areas or smaller cities. TravelHealthPro also advises keeping routine UK vaccinations and boosters up to date.

Do I need hepatitis A vaccination for Zimbabwe?

The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Zimbabwe. Discuss your vaccination history and medical circumstances with a healthcare professional.

Is typhoid vaccination recommended for Zimbabwe?

Yes. The CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers, with particular emphasis on people staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas.

Do I need malaria tablets for Victoria Falls?

Ask a travel-health professional to assess your itinerary, because the supplied guidance identifies the Zambezi Valley, including Victoria Falls, as an important malaria area. Mosquito-bite prevention and clinically appropriate antimalarial medication may both be relevant.

Are there malaria-free areas in Zimbabwe?

The supplied research does not establish a malaria-free classification for every area. It describes risk in Harare and Bulawayo as much lower than in the Zambezi Valley, so obtain advice based on each destination rather than assuming a city stay removes all risk.

What should I pack for health protection in Zimbabwe?

Pack sufficient regular medication, prescription information, insect repellent, covering clothing and any mosquito protection recommended for your accommodation. Carry the original yellow fever certificate if your route triggers the entry rule.

Do British citizens need a visa for Zimbabwe?

Yes, GOV.UK states that British visitors need a visa to visit Zimbabwe and that most visitors obtain one on arrival. Visa rules are separate from vaccination requirements, so confirm both before travelling.