A Guide To Malaria Free Safaris In South Africa

A Guide To Malaria Free Safaris In South Africa

Africa is rightfully referred to as being the home of safari, with numerous National Parks, game reserves and wilderness areas offering superlative game-watching opportunities, from Kenya & Tanzania in the east, through Zambia & Zimbabwe right down to Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

However some travellers prefer to go on safari in areas which are malaria-free. For example, parents with young children or the elderly might not wish to have to take anti-malarial tablets, and those on a limited budget may want to avoid the costs involved in securing prescription prophylactics.

Such guests do not need to miss out though – luckily Africa Travel is able to recommend plenty of malaria-free safaris to choose from, and enjoying a malaria-free safari does not mean that you have to sacrifice any game-viewing experiences or levels of comfort.

Although malaria is found in large swathes of Africa, the further south you travel the better. Namibia is home to malaria-free safaris in both the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the world’s oldest desert, and the Etosha National Park, the country’s premier wildlife hotspot, whilst the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park offers Botswana’s only malaria-free safari experience.

For many though the best option to enjoy a malaria-free safari is in South Africa -which is considered very low-risk due to the climate and elevation, with some areas being completely free of the mosquitoes that carry malaria.

Top Ten Malaria-free Safaris in South Africa

With so many malaria-free safari options to choose from, Africa Travel have done the hard work for you and we are pleased to be able to offer you our exclusive run down of the Top Ten malaria-free safari destinations in South Africa.

1. Amakhala Game Reserve 

Starting in the malaria-free safari heartland of the Eastern Cape, the Amakhala Game Reserve was created when a collection of farming families joined together to create a Big 5 conservation reserve which now offers nine safari properties, ranging from the super family-friendly Hlosi & Woodbury, to the luxurious Bush & Bukela Game Lodges.

2. Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Neighbouring Amakhala is the pioneering Shamwari Private Game Reserve, one of the Eastern Cape’s original Game Reserves. Home to the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, the accommodation offerings include the historic Long Lee Manor, the seasonal Explorer Bush Camp, and the ultra-decadent Sarili Private Villa.

3. Addo Elephant National Park 

Third on the list in the Eastern Cape is the Addo Elephant National Park which, as the name suggests, is a malaria-free mecca for elephant lovers. Handily located close to the Garden Route, visitors can enjoy traditional game drives and bush walks as well as horse-riding. The best accommodation available is in the luxurious Gorah Elephant Camp, the only private concession in the Park.

4. Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Moving a little to the east is Kwandwe, set alongside the Great Fish River and a seriously super spot for a South African malaria-free safari. Meaning ‘the place of the blue crane’, Kwandwe plays host to the Big 5 in abundance here, with a particularly strong focus on families; the sole-use safari villas of Uplands Homestead, Fort House and Melton Manor all wondrous bases for private malaria-free safari groups.

5. Samara Private Game Reserve

The last stop to the east is at the Samara Private Game Reserve, a vast conservation project undertaken privately by the Tompkins family, where huge tracts of land were purchased and re-wilded, and indigenous and endangered species reintroduced. The result is a magnificent malaria-free reserve which offers Big 5 game-viewing, five unique vegetation biomes and some of the most luxurious safari accommodation available anywhere in South Africa.

6. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Heading across to the Cape we find Sanbona, the premier game reserve within driving distance of Cape Town. In addition to animals such as rhino, leopard & white lions, the indigenous flora & fauna and San rock art are what make Sanbona such a unique wildlife attraction, with couples as well catered for as families in the Dwyka Tented Lodge  and Gondwana Family Lodges.

7. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Special mention in any listing of the best malaria-free safaris in South Africa should always be made of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Located just 2 hours outside Cape Town, this is not traditional Big 5 territory, but rather the Marine 5 – with whales, sharks, dolphins, penguins and seals all on the game-viewing agenda. Unique activities such as kiddies’ treasure hunts, farm visits, beach horse rides, flower safaris and whale-watching by boat & by plane are all laid on at this safari-with-a-twist malaria-free haven.

8. Gondwana Game Reserve

Self-driving along the Garden Route is a hugely popular part of any South African holiday, and visitors are now able to take in a safari along the way at the malaria-free Gondwana Game Reserve. Easy to reach from the tourist towns of Knysna, George & Plettenberg Bay, those wanting to break their journeys and stay overnight can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives and bush walks before resting their heads at Kwena Lodge, Lehele Villas, or in the exclusive Ulubisi House

9. Madikwe Game Reserve

Bordering Botswana, Madikwe has built its fame and name on being able to offer malaria-free safaris to the widest range of guests possible – from honeymooners and couples, to self-drivers and family groups. Renowned for being home to the Big 5 and to its populations of wild dog, Madikwe is one of South Africa’s largest game reserves and offers dozens of safari lodges and camps to suit all budgets and needs.

10. Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve

The final place on the list goes to one of the most remarkable – Tswalu. Very much a non-traditional malaria-free safari destination, at almost 250,000 acres this is South Africa’s largest private game reserve and is set in the Kalahari in the Northern Cape. Rare and endangered species found in this outstanding malaria-free environment include aardvark, pangolin, meerkat and black rhino and the activities available include star gazing, horse riding, game drives & Michelin-star bush picnics. Exclusivity is guaranteed with just two safari lodges on offer.

Aside from our Top Ten, honourable mentions should also be made of Marataba, a privately managed area of the Marakele National Park, the Waterberg, and the Pilanesberg National Park, all of which have the big bonus of being malaria-free safari areas within easy driving distance of Johannesburg.

Malaria-free accommodation in South Africa

There is no need to sacrifice comfort or experiences just because you want to enjoy a malaria-free safari. The safari camp which is best suited to your safari is dependent on a number of factors – are you travelling with children? what is important to your family? do you want a tented experience or traditional lodge? would you like to be able to enjoy specific safari activities? are WiFi and access to a spa non-negotiables? Would you like a private pool, or private guide? For those wishing to avoid taking medication, we will use our expertise to find your ideal malaria-free safari camp.

Why book your African family safari with Africa Travel?

With over 30 years’ experience in creating safaris to South Africa, there is no one more qualified to organise an unforgettable malaria-free safari holiday to this wonderful destination than Africa Travel. We have a wealth of specialist resources to help you book your perfect malaria-free South Africa safari and as all of our staff, amongst them a number of parents, have travelled the country themselves with their families, you can trust that our personal recommendations will deliver the malaria-free holiday that you have always dreamed of. We even have our own staff located in South Africa to ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible.

Our years of knowledge mean that we can give personalised recommendations for your trip, including the best malaria-free areas to visit, and the best malaria-free places to stay, all whilst ensuring that you are not compromising on luxury nor on game viewing experiences.