Malaria-Free Safaris
Fully inclusive lodges, self-drive safaris and guided day trips
For those who want to enjoy a safari, but who don't want to take malaria tablets, the 3 major malaria-free safari areas in South Africa are the Eastern Cape, the North West Province (including the Pilanesberg National Park and the Madikwe Game Reserve), and the Waterberg.
Visitors should note that the Greater Kruger Park is a malaria area, and KwaZulu-Natal is also considered a low-risk malaria area.
Ask us to recommend a safari in a malaria-free area.
The Eastern Cape
Only a 90 minute drive from Port Elizabeth, the Big 5 game reserves of the Eastern Cape are ideal for people who wish to combine a beach holiday or the ever-popular Cape Town and Garden Route with an African safari.
Eastern Cape Safari Lodges: Shamwari, Kwandwe, Gorah, Lalibela, Amakhala, Kariega
North West Province & The Waterberg
Conveniently situated for Johannesburg, the game reserves in these areas are an ideal place to start or end a trip to South Africa for visitors using Jo'burg Airport. Pilanesberg actually surrounds the resort of Sun City, making this a popular holiday combination.
Staying in a Private Safari Lodge
Most lodges offer a fully inclusive rate, which includes outstanding accommodation, all meals, and morning and afternoon guided game drives in 4x4 open safari vehicles each day. Some may also include unlimited drinks or other activities such as guided walks.
You can read more about what you can expect from a stay in a private safari lodge here.
If you would like us to include a safari in one of these lodges as part of your personally planned trip to South Africa, please click here.
Alternatively if you are looking to book just a safari you can either ask us to recommend a safari, or browse our selection of lodges and book directly through this site by clicking here.
Self-Drive Options
There are a couple of lodges in Pilanesberg that offer just dinner, bed & breakfast (DBB) for those intending to self-drive in the Park, and they also offer 2 hour guided game drives (at an additional cost) into the Park. To read more about self-drive safaris, please click here.
The Addo Elephant National Park is ideal for those wanting to do a self-drive safari in the Eastern Cape.
Guided Day Trips
Several of the lodges in the Eastern Cape (Shamwari, Amakhala and Kariega) also offer day visitor programmes for people staying overnight in Port Elizabeth or at other accommodation in the area, who are on a tight time schedule or budget but who still want to experience a safari, albeit it only for a few hours.
For those staying in Sun City, a guided 3 hour morning or sunset game drive into Pilanesberg can be booked from the Welcome Centre.
Reed Valley Inn, Amakhala Game Reserve
Safari Lodge
The 4 comfortable en-suite bedrooms at Reed Valley Inn are positioned in the tranquil working farmyard and completely separate from the main homesteads to ensure guests' peace and privacy.
Farm style breakfasts and 3 course dinners are served in the main dining room with your hosts.
Mabula Game Lodge, Mabula Game Reserve
Safari Lodge
Set against a backdrop of lush green mountainous vegetation, exclusive accommodation in air-conditioned luxury thatched chalets with en-suite bathrooms offer guests complete comfort and relaxation in a beautiful natural setting.
Splendid African style decor through the use of wood, cane, natural stone, animal print fabrics, as well as terracotta, green and earthy colours, leaves an ever-lasting first impression.
Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp, The Waterberg
Safari Lodge
Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp pampers guests in 5 well appointed luxury canvas tents where romantic oil lamps add to the 'Out of Africa' ambience.
All tents are fully furnished with a private deck and en-suite bathrooms, however there is no electricity.
Idwala Lodge, Lalibela Game Reserve
Safari Lodge
Idwala consists of just 4 rooms, sleeping a maximum of 8 guests. The decor is infused with the essence of Africa, and a feature of Idwala is the use of natural rock with thatch.
Shibula Lodge, Welgevonden Private Game Reserve
Safari Lodge
Each of Shibula's 8 chalets have an en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath and outside shower, and also feature a private patio.
The decor throughout the entire lodge has been acclaimed by all as being exceptional and unique.











