For those with small children, or simply people who would prefer not to take anti-malaria mediation, there are a number of safari destinations in Southern Africa which are malaria free.

These safaris sacrifice nothing in terms of authenticity, Big Five sightings, and world class accommodation options, and you’ll find a variety of landscapes and flora and fauna.

In South Africa, stunning Garden Route safaris offer the chance to combine an African bush experience with the beauty of cosmopolitan Cape Town, and its world renowned beaches, forests and mountains. This area of South Africa has an array of excellent game reserves, including Addo Elephant National Park, Shamwari Game Reserve, Kariega Game Reserve and Amakhala Game Reserve.

Closer to Johannesburg, Madikwe Game Reserve in northern South Africa, and on the border with Botswana, has the Big Five, a plethora of other game, and is home to some really special lodges. Also near to Johannesburg, the Waterberg region offers a wide range of private game reserves, while the Pilanesberg National Park in the North West Province has the Big Five and excellent game viewing.

Phinda Private Game Reserve, with an incredible seven ecosystems and an enormous array of plant and animal life is one of our favourite safari destinations. You’ll find the Big Five here, but also rarer species, like cheetah and black rhino. The Reserve has just a handful of lodges, making a Phinda safari an intimate, luxurious experience, with excellent guides on hand. Worth mentioning is that Phinda is classified as a low risk malaria area (as opposed to zero risk).

Explore Phinda on our Phinda Beach and Bush Safari.

Namibia, home to towering dunes and incredible vistas, is also malaria free.  Excellent infrastructure makes it a perfect destination for self-drive safaris and adventure safaris, while it is also extremely family friendly for those travelling with children.  Swakopmund offers adrenalin junkies a fix, with paragliding, kayaking, dune-boarding, and 4×4 tours along the stunning Skeleton Coast.

Namibia also has an array of excellent lodges tucked away in remote, incredible wilderness areas. You’ll be left wanting for very little if you choose Namibia as your safari destination.

The Big Five country of Etosha National Park is a low risk malaria area, particularly from June to November.

Explore the remote corners of Namibia on our Desert Lodge Safari.