South Africa boasts excellent medical facilities in the major centres. However, all medical treatment must be paid for, so travel insurance is highly recommended.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout South Africa and bottled water is not necessary. You shouldn't swim in rivers and lakes in the eastern and northern regions, as the bilharzia parasite may be in the water. Warning signs are usually posted.

You should take anti-malaria tablets in advance of visiting the game reserves and parks of the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces (Including the Kruger National Park). They are available without prescription at South African pharmacies.

Visitors from the yellow-fever belt in Africa and South America, as well as those who travel through or disembark in these areas, have to present proof of inoculation.

Useful websites:

Centres For Disease Control
Travel Doctor

Gay friendly clinics

There are a number of gay-friendly clinics that provide services specifically for gay men and men who have sex with men - including the provision of PEP, ARVs and HIV testing as well as counselling. These are located in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. If you have unsafe sex, contact one of the clinics within 72 hours for medication to avoid infection. Visit www.health4men.co.za or www.out.org.za for more details.