For those who want to enjoy a safari, but who don't want to take malaria tablets, the only country really to offer a fully malaria-free safari experience is South Africa – the other countries all have a risk, albeit small in the case of some such as the Kenyan highlands, of malaria, especially during the rainy seasons. 

However, not every safari destination in South Africa is malaria-free – the only malaria-free safari areas are the Eastern Cape, the North West Province (including the Pilanesberg National Park and the Madikwe Game Reserve), and the Waterberg.

Click here to read more about malaria-free safaris in South Africa and see an extensive list of malaria-free safari lodges, or ask us to recommend a safari in a malaria-free area.

South Africa's Eastern Cape

The safari lodges of the Eastern Cape are ideal for people who wish to combine the ever-popular Cape Town and Garden Route with an unforgettable wildlife experience. They all offer a fully inclusive malaria-free African safari including accommodation, all meals, two game drives per day in 4x4 vehicles, and an optional guided bush walk each day. These lodges also offer guided half-day drives for visitors staying overnight in Port Elizabeth if budget is an issue.

Also in the Eastern Cape is the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park, which  is one of the most scenic National Parks in South Africa.  The rolling green hills are covered in thick, lush vegetation, most of it evergreen, so it is attractive at whatever time of year you visit. Today, it is home to over 450 elephants, who roam freely among the 125,000 hectare reserve alongside the rare black rhino, zebra, kudu and red hartebeest, as well as over 400 bird species - and not forgetting the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. Addo has the greatest density of elephant per square kilometre in Africa, and offers some wonderful elephant viewing opportunities.

The Madikwe Game Reserve

The malaria-free Madikwe Private Game Reserve is situated just 5 hours from Johannesburg, or only 3 hours from Sun City. Covering some 76,000 hectares, it is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa. Madikwe’s diverse geology and broad mix of habitats allows a wide range of African wildlife to flourish – including the Big Five, cheetah and a thriving population of endangered wild dog, as well as gemsbok, springbok, zebra and giraffe, and over 340 species of birds.

The Pilanesberg National Park

The Pilanesberg National Park, situated about a 2 hour drive from Johannsburg, is an attractive 50,000 hectare malaria-free Park which is centred around an extinct volcano crater. Today, the Park is home to over 7,000 animals including the Big 5, giraffe, hippo, zebra, jackal, hyena and many antelope, and there are also over 350 bird species.

The Waterberg

Also near Johannesburg, about a 3 hour drive away, are the reserves of the Waterberg. The Waterberg has been described as South Africa’s best keep secret, and its rugged beauty, together with its diversity in plant and animal life, makes this a very popular safari destination. The area is also a malaria-free area, making the lodges a great choice for families and others who want to enjoy the African wildlife without the worry of taking anti-malarial precautions.