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Chitwa Chitwa Activities And Wildlife Family Walking Across From Elephants South Africa
Chitwa Chitwa Activities And Wildlife Family Walking Across From Elephants South Africa

Do I Need To Worry About Malaria On Safari?

Planning your first family safari? We understand that you might be wondering about malaria. Our safari experts are here to reassure you that your family can enjoy a safari without concern. Planning your first family safari? We understand that you might be wondering about malaria. Our safari experts are here to reassure you that your family can enjoy a safari without concern.
Planning your first family safari? We understand that you might be wondering about malaria. Our safari experts are here to reassure you that your family can enjoy a safari without concern. Planning your first family safari? We understand that you might be wondering about malaria. Our safari experts are here to reassure you that your family can enjoy a safari without concern.
Many of Africa’s best safari regions are low to very low risk of malaria, particularly if you travel during the summer holidays. There is also a range of malarial prophylactics for both adults and children that can be prescribed by your GP or Travel Clinic.
If you would prefer not to take malaria tablets, then South Africa has many malaria-free regions that offer excellent Big Five safaris. We explain this in more detail below — read on and then call us to start planning your family safari.
Family Girls Durban Beach Kwazulu Natal South African Tourism Flickr
Simple, preventative action is the best way to rest assured on safari. Take malarial prophylactics, use insect repellant and cover your arms and legs in the evening.

When you travel plays its part too. Generally speaking, the risk is lowest during Africa’s dry winter months — June to September. This is because mosquitoes live around still water, which is diminished during the dry season, and the lower night time temperatures.


In parts of Africa, population density is key. Botswana is low risk for malaria because people are widely spread. Mosquitoes can only spread the disease from person to person, so where there are fewer humans, there is less transmission. In Namibia, low population density combined with the arid landscape means that many regions are malaria-free.
Family Kids Tree Climbing Babylonstoren Cape Winelands South Africa
In other countries, such as Kenya and Tanzania, the altitude and climate lower the risk. Mosquitoes thrive in hot, humid conditions. The anopheles marsh mosquito cannot transmit malaria above 2,000-2,500 feet above sea level. When you combine the altitude of many safari regions with cooler night air, the risk is greatly reduced.

However, we understand that this may not be an option for everyone. Some of our favourite safari regions in South Africa are malaria-free. Madikwe and the private game reserves of the eastern Cape are all Big Five and combine well with other parts of the country for a diverse trip. You’ll spend a week or so on safari before we whisk you off to Cape Town, the Winelands and the beach.
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Malaria-free Regions: Madikwe
- Madikwe is South Africa’s fifth largest safari region and is the best malaria-free reserve in Africa. It borders Botswana in the country’s North West Province and offers an incredible diversity of species, including the Big Five. This is a perfect reserve for families, not only because it’s malaria-free, but because many of the properties welcome children of all ages and abilities.
Family Tswalu Kalahari
Malaria-free Regions: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
This is the largest private reserve in South Africa, nestled in the heart of the Northern Cape. Tswalu is dedicated to conservation and here you can see endangered species in abundance, including pangolin, cheetah, and caracal. The Tarkuni House is a lavish, exclusive-use property, perfect for a larger group of family or friends seeking an exciting safari adventure.
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Malaria-free Regions: Waterberg
The Waterberg district is only a few convenient hours from Johannesburg, so we can have you off the plane and on safari on the same day. Here you’ll find some excellent private safari reserves, all malaria-free. Ant’s Collection is perfect for equine enthusiasts and Leobo is a wilderness playground without limits.
Shamwari Wildlife Buffalo
Malaria-free Regions: Shamwari
The accommodation on the Shamwari Private Game Reserve is top notch, with options for every family. It’s in a prime location on the Garden Route, close to Cape Town and with stunning coastal views. Add to that diverse and abundant wildlife, including the Big Five—elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo—and you’ve got a perfect malaria-free family safari destination.
Game Drive Rhino Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Malaria-free Regions: Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Located in the eastern Cape, Kwandwe is one of our favourite Garden Route safari destinations. Here you’ll enjoy one of the highest guide-to-guest ratios and spectacular, child-friendly accommodation. Among the pristine, riverine landscapes your expert guide will teach you all about the diverse flora and fauna in ways that both parents and children will love.
Black Rhino In Lewa Istock 183835097 By Wldavies
Low Risk Regions: Laikipia
Our favourite safari properties in Laikipia are on vast, private reserves with very few people. Coupled with higher altitudes and a semi-arid climate, the risk of malaria is low. The places we will take you are teeming with wildlife, including the highest numbers of black rhino in Kenya.
Elephants Family Crossing Grassland Masai Mara Kenya Ss By Piotra Gatlik
Low Risk Regions: Serengeti & Masai Mara
The Serengeti and Masai Mara share the same ecosystem, with the border of Kenya and Tanzania down the middle. Night temperatures on the undulating, short-grass plains can be brisk—not ideal if you’re a mosquito! Regardless of which side of the border you stay, we wholly recommend everyone visit at least once in their lifetime. The area has a higher concentration of animals than anywhere else in Africa.
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Low Risk Regions: Makgadikgadi
For much of the year, Makgadikgadi is lunar-esque, with very little water. Since mosquitoes breed in standing water, there is very little chance for malaria to spread. At other parts of the year, the salt pans are transformed into a shallow, glittering oasis. As long as you’re happy to take anti-malarial tablets, there’s no reason to worry about travelling during the green season! We can time your trip to see Botswana’s zebra migration, where vast herds leave the Okavango in search of Makgadikgadi’s fresh, rain-fed grass.
Antelope Ss By Efimova Anna
Low Risk Regions: Etosha
Namibia as a whole has generally low malaria rates, barring the lush Caprivi Strip. Here you can travel miles upon miles without seeing much water or many other people. Etosha is Namibia’s best safari region. Here animals of all species gather around precious waterholes to share a splash and a drink.
Scenery
Low Risk Regions: Damaraland
Damaraland is where the great, windswept dunes of the Namib tower hundreds of metres high. The apricot desertscapes are a hostile environment to the humble mosquito, so there’s little worry of malaria here. On safari in Sossusvlei, your guides will use their eagle eyes to help you spot spear-horned oryx and rare brown hyena.
Namibia Children Kids Family Safari Sand Sossusvlei 92840059914B
Low Risk Regions: Skeleton Coast
One of our favourite parts of Namibia is the Skeleton Coast. Mosquitoes are no match for this forbidding, desert coastline and the area is so sparsely populated that it's virtually malaria-free. We’ll fly you in on a private plane for a spectacular aerial view of the shipwreck-strewn beaches before taking you on exciting adventures on the ground. Dune-boarding and quad biking are particular favourites for our clients of all ages.
Your South African Safari Awaits
Ready to start planning?
Why Travel with Journeysmiths

We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.

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Kruger, South Africa
Rhino View Lodge

The Care for the Wild Rhino Sanctuary is one of the world’s most successful rhino conservation projects, rescuing, rehabilitating and rewilding both black and white rhinos, and occasionally other species too. A stay at their Rhino View Lodge supports the project and gives you the unique opportunity to experience and observe this project first-hand.

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Loapi Deck At Sunrise Andrew Morgan
Loapi Deck At Sunrise Andrew Morgan
Madikwe, South Africa
Loapi Tented Camp

Loapi offers the epitome of a private Kalahari experience. You’ll stay in your own spacious tented home with its own team of staff. Each of the six homes is carefully placed in the contours of the valley, offering both incredible savannah views and ultimate privacy. The camp is very welcoming of families and, being in a malaria-free area, is great for young and old alike.

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Hero Image Aerial View The Plettenberg Garden Route
Hero Image Aerial View The Plettenberg Garden Route
Garden Route, South Africa
The Plettenberg

South Africa has added its own unique spin to The Plettenburg: it’s no ordinary beach hotel, but rather has been elevated on account of its position, landscape, and overall quality of design and service to be one of the finest hotels along the Garden Route. Plettenberg is one of the most scenic towns on the Garden Route, and the hotel of the same name is the obvious accommodation choice.

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Main Lodge Pool With Elephant Mhondoro Safari Lodge The Waterberg
Main Lodge Pool With Elephant Mhondoro Safari Lodge The Waterberg
South Africa Trip Idea
Malaria Free Safari in South Africa

The only country able to offer malaria-free safaris, South Africa is a wonderful choice for many looking for a luxury safari experience. Enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer in some of the most exclusive private reserves, before exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, where the glamour of the city meets the rugged outdoors.

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Table Mountan Hike Cape Town Istock 1216765189
Table Mountan Hike Cape Town Istock 1216765189
Family Trip Idea
South Africa Family Safari

See the splendour of South Africa as a family on this exclusive safari. Spend your days exploring captivating Cape Town, enjoying the delights of the Winelands and on safari, seeking out the abundant wildlife that roams the wilderness. No matter your age, this iconic safari will leave you with memories for a lifetime.

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Victoria And Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Istock 1556500564
Victoria And Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Istock 1556500564
Article
Top 10 South African Activities

With opportunities to see the Big Five of both land and sea, along with incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations. Even so, less than 1% of the world's travellers make it here, so it’s a place where you’ll find yourself with a few select, like-minded and discerning adventurers who have discovered this gem of a country. It’s a place you could return to for the whole of your life and never tire of it.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.

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Chitwa Chitwa Activities And Wildlife Family Walking Across From Elephants South Africa
Chitwa Chitwa Activities And Wildlife Family Walking Across From Elephants South Africa
Article
South Africa Family Safaris

If you’re looking for a country that’s got everything, choose South Africa. Renowned for the spectacular views of the Garden Route, vibrant Cape Town, malaria free safaris, fascinating history and outstanding wildlife, the whole family will fall under the alluring spell of this diverse country.

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Colourful Houses Bo Kapp Capte Townjpg
Colourful Houses Bo Kapp Capte Townjpg
Article
The Rainbow Nation South Africa

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the first person to call South Africa “the rainbow nation”. It’s a reflection on the fascinating diversity of this country, not only in the identities of its people but in the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and activities it offers. South Africa is a country which, because of its variety, can be all things to all people, truly a rainbow of varied opportunities and experiences.

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Deck Woman Royal Madikwe Safari Lodge
Deck Woman Royal Madikwe Safari Lodge
Article
Luxury and the Big Five
in South Africa

Without a shadow of a doubt, South Africa is one of the very best places to watch wildlife in the world. The Kruger National Park — a protected area the size of Wales — is certainly the most famous and popular safari destination, but with Journeysmiths you’ll escape the crowds to explore vast, wildlife-filled private reserves, in the company of the best guides.

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Victoria And Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Istock 1556500564
Victoria And Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Istock 1556500564
Article
Magnificent Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the world’s great cities with a unique setting beneath Table Mountain.

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Beach Walk Grootbos Forest Lodge Relation
Beach Walk Grootbos Forest Lodge Relation
Article
Explore The Garden Route South Africa

To experience a little bit of everything that South Africa has to offer, you can hardly do better than to drive along the coastal road of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It’s an extraordinary journey, and there’s wildlife on both land and shore, endless beaches, historic battlefields, and the vineyards are never far away. One day you might be whale spotting at Hermanus — renowned as one of the best whale watching locations in the world — and the next you could be learning about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, handling antique weapons and scrambling over the British and Zulu positions.

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Isandlwana Grave Stones Hr
Isandlwana Grave Stones Hr
Article
Battlefields And Culture South Africa

Formerly the Zulu Kingdom, the province of KwaZulu Natal runs along South Africa’s dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The Drakensberg Mountains create a natural border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and offer some excellent hiking routes.

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Kids On Safari With Binoculars Ss
Kids On Safari With Binoculars Ss
Article
What to Do in South Africa with Children?

For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen 20 of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.

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Lion Cubs In Kruger Singita 19138
Lion Cubs In Kruger Singita 19138
Article
Why South Africa Is Great For A Family Safari

South Africa is an excellent choice for family travel with children of all ages. Its wildlife is abundant, with a great diversity of species, including the Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo. There are vast malaria-free reserves and it’s easy to get from safari regions to Cape Town and the beach.

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Care For Wild Rhino Up Close
Care For Wild Rhino Up Close
Curated Conservation Experience
Go Behind the Scenes at
Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary

Working in partnership with globally recognised conservation organisation; Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino orphanage, we have curated a truly unique and exclusive experience giving a privileged few behind-the-scenes access to this otherwise incredibly private sanctuary.

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