Malaria-free safari in South Africa – Ideal for families with children!

Who is a malaria-free safari for?

A malaria-free safari is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the best of South Africa’s spectacular wildlife – without having to think about malaria tablets. It is particularly suitable for pregnant travellers and families with children, but it is also an obvious choice for anyone who would like one less thing to worry about during their tour – without compromising on the safari experience.

Where you can go on a malaria-free safari in South Africa

At TourCompass, we offer malaria-free safaris in three private game reserves, each with its own unique combination of wildlife and nature experiences.

If you are worried that going on safari in a private reserve might mean a poorer safari experience, we can reassure you that an adventure awaits here too. One of the advantages of private reserves is that you often enjoy a more intimate safari experience, as there are fewer vehicles around to witness the wildlife – and sometimes your Land Cruiser may be the only one nearby, making for a truly special experience. Just you, alone with the sounds of nature and the wildlife in front of you. Read more about the difference between private game reserves and national parks.

Below, you can read more about the experiences awaiting you in the malaria-free areas we offer.

Kariega Game Reserve

Kariega Game Reserve is a 10,000-hectare private game reserve situated in the heart of the lush Kariega Valley in the Eastern Cape, a renowned malaria-free area.

Here, you can go on safari in open Land Cruisers and see the Big Five, as well as countless other mammal species, such as hippos, baboons, giraffes, and zebras. The game reserve is also home to an abundance of birdlife, including secretary birds, kingfishers, herons, storks, fish eagles, and many others.

If you would like to discover some of the smaller animals that live in Kariega Game Reserve, you can also go on a bush walk, where you might encounter everything from colourful chameleons to tireless dung beetles slowly rolling past with balls of elephant dung.

Nambiti Private Game Reserve

Nambiti Private Game Reserve, located in the malaria-free and beautiful KwaZulu-Natal province, is a 9,000-hectare private game reserve offering spectacular safari experiences.

As you drive through the scenic landscape, which ranges from dry savannah to lush woodland, you can experience remarkable biodiversity, with more than 40 species of mammals – including the iconic Big Five, one of the reserve’s greatest highlights.

Since 2000, the game reserve has undergone extensive habitat restoration. Old agricultural structures that once characterised the area have been removed, and wild animal species have been reintroduced. This makes it one of the most successful conservation projects in South Africa.

Pilanesberg Private Game Reserve

Pilanesberg Private Game Reserve is located in a malaria-free area approximately 200 km north-west of Johannesburg. Covering around 50,000 hectares, it is the fourth-largest game reserve in South Africa.

Here, you can explore the wildlife on an atmospheric game drive, where you may encounter impalas, kudus, zebras, and giraffes – and, of course, the Big Five. The area is also home to more than 360 bird species, making it an obvious destination for bird lovers.

As the landscape was originally shaped by volcanic activity, the area also boasts remarkable terrain ranging from steep hillsides and densely vegetated gorges to lush valleys and vast grasslands. When you visit Pilanesberg Private Game Reserve, nature is therefore a major part of the experience.

Why you should book a malaria-free safari in South Africa with TourCompass

At TourCompass, we have many years of experience arranging tours to South Africa. In fact, South Africa was the first destination we sent guests to when we started out in 2006. The country therefore holds a very special place in our hearts.

We have selected our malaria-free safari holidays in close collaboration with our local partners, ensuring that you can enjoy abundant wildlife without compromising on quality. Should any questions arise during your tour, you are never alone. We are available around the clock, so you can relax and focus on what matters most: enjoying your tour.

Frequently asked questions about malaria-free safaris

It’s only natural for questions to arise when planning a malaria-free safari in South Africa.

To make things easier for you, we’ve put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

What does a malaria-free safari mean?

When a safari is described as malaria-free, it means that it takes place in a region where malaria-carrying mosquitoes are not found, or where the risk of malaria is minimal.

At the same time, you avoid the worries associated with exposure to malaria, allowing you to focus fully on your safari experience.

How is malaria prevented?

Malaria is often prevented with antimalarial tablets, which kill the parasites transmitted by mosquitoes if they enter the body.

As malaria mosquitoes mainly bite between sunset and sunrise, the risk of malaria can be reduced considerably by sleeping under a mosquito net and in an enclosed, air-conditioned room.

Where in South Africa can you go on a malaria-free safari?

Large parts of South Africa are malaria-free, so there are several places in the country where you can go on a malaria-free safari – although not in the north-eastern regions, where you will find the famous Kruger National Park, among other attractions.

With TourCompass, you can go on a malaria-free safari in Kariega Game Reserve, Nambiti Private Game Reserve, or Pilanesberg Game Reserve, where you can look forward to dramatic encounters with wildlife in beautiful surroundings.

Is a malaria-free safari suitable for families with children?

Yes, a malaria-free safari is particularly well suited to families with children.

When you choose a malaria-free safari, you not only avoid the risk of malaria, which can be particularly dangerous for children, but also eliminate concerns about the side effects that may be associated with preventative malaria tablets.

As well as being suitable for families with children, a malaria-free safari is also ideal for pregnant women and anyone else who wishes to avoid the uncertainty associated with the risk of malaria.

Can you see the Big Five on a malaria-free safari?

Yes, it is possible to see the Big Five on a malaria-free safari.

Our malaria-free safari tours take place in game reserves where you may be lucky enough to see all five animals in their natural surroundings.

You can also look forward to seeing other classic safari animals, such as zebras, giraffes, hyenas, wildebeest – and many more!

When is the best time to go on safari in South Africa?

If you are looking for the best weather, plan your tour between May and October, when it is the dry season in South Africa. As the vegetation is sparser at this time of year, it is also easier to spot wildlife.

South Africa is a year-round destination, so you can look forward to magnificent safari experiences whenever you choose to travel.

Book a malaria-free safari with TourCompass

A safari in South Africa is always an unforgettable experience – and when you choose a malaria-free safari, you can enjoy the adventure with extra peace of mind.

Would you like to find out more about our malaria-free safari holidays to South Africa, or are you unsure which one to choose? Please feel free to get in touch with our experienced travel specialists, who are ready to help!

TourCompass – from tourist to traveller