• Visitors who are coming from yellow fever area must have a valid yellow fever certificate.
• Malaria is a risk throughout the year across the country, and prophylactics are recommended
• Recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid and rabies.
• Tap water is not safe to drink

Hospital facilities are generally poor and limited, especially in the rural areas.  Comprehensive medical insurance which covers helivac is essential, and it is advisable to carry a supply of personal medical supplies.

Important: All medication must be in its original packaging and accompanied by a signed and dated letter from your practitioner detailing what the medication is and why it is needed

Tourists should remain vigilant at all times with muggings, bag snatching, and pick-pocketing being reasonably common. Keep valuables out of sight and do not walk alone at night. Remain vigilant when driving, as the roads can be in poor condition with many of them becoming impassable during the wet season (November to March.) Driving at night is not recommended. Police roadblocks are common, and there have been reports of police attempting to solicit bribes, but travellers should insist on a written fine that can be paid at a police station. Some form of identification should be carried at all times

You will need an International driving license. If you are taking your own vehicle across the border, you will need to have the vehicles original registration papers or a letter from the bank through which it is financed permitting you to take it across the border. You will also need to prove that you have third-party insurance before immigration allows you to cross the border.

If you are driving a rental car, across the border, you will need a letter of authorisation from the rental company giving permission. Always carry original as well as certified copies of your driver’s licence and passports with you.

You must have the following in your vehicle at all times:

• Yellow and Blue Triangle stickers – You need to display this sticker if you are going to tow a trailer, boat or caravan.
• Reflective vests – one per person in the vehicle
• Two Red Triangles — All vehicles must have two red hazard triangles. Triangles should be placed 50 meters in front and behind the vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
• If possible carry a few spares such as a fan belt, fuses and a basic tool kit and jack. Do not forget to ensure that the spare tire is in good working order.

Important Information
If pulled over by a traffic cop (official uniform is a white shirt and navy blue trousers) either for a traffic offence or at a roadblock and you are given a spot fine always insist on a written ticket, and an official numbered receipt containing the officer’s name. Traffic police are the only people who are allowed to issue fines. Any other police officers, generally dressed in a grey uniform, are not authorised to issue traffic fines. They are only allowed to request to see your drivers license or search your car for weapons. Never hand over your passport or drivers license to an officer as you are only required to show your documents to officials. If you are asked for a bribe by any traffic or police officer, contact the Anti-Corruption Hotline (see number below.)

Mobile phone service and networks are widespread with mCel being the leading local service provider.  Vodacom is also available in most parts of the country.