Food & water

The leading cause of illness in travellers is often related to food or water consumption. Follow these tips for safe eating and drinking:

Food

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Make sure food is fully cooked.
• Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurised.
  

High quality water is available everywhere in Cape Town and the Western Cape and tap water is safe to drink. Many local manufacturers produce bottled water from sources around the Western Cape’s mountain ranges. Hikers drinking water from streams maybe at risk of waterborne diseases. Though the water in most mountain streams is safe to drink, it is advisable to purify the water first or to drink bottled water.

Diseases from food and water often cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Make sure to bring diarrhoea medicine with you so that you can treat mild cases yourself.