Malaria-free Safaris: Madikwe, Waterberg & Pilanesberg

The parks and reserves of South Africa's North West and Limpopo province offer some of the best-game viewing in the country. They are close to Johannesburg and Pretoria in a malaria-free environment. This is where the vegetation types of the dry Kalahari and the wetter Lowveld meet to form the ‘bushveld’ zone. This creates unique overlapping habitat types, which support a wide range of fauna and flora. In this zone, plant and animal species favouring more arid conditions (such as springbok, gemsbok, and camelthorn acacia trees) can be found, alongside impala and Cape chestnut trees. Most of the land use in the region has shifted from farming to ecotourism. The parks here host, amongst others, Africa’s notorious Big 5. The best-known parks and reserves in the region are Welgevonden, Entabeni, Marakele, Mabula, Pilanesberg, and Madikwe. Pilanesberg and Marakele are better suited to self-drive safaris, whilst Madikwe and Welgevonden cater exclusively for the luxury bush lodge market.

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Useful Information

The Great Translocation – Game Translocationwelww

Operation Genesis was the largest translocation of wild animals ever undertaken by man. The Pilanesberg National Park was formed in 1979 by reclaiming agricultural farmland. All large animals had to be re-introduced including the Big 5. This massive translocation of wildlife was eventually surpassed in 1991 by the Operation Phoenix whereby 8000 head of game were reintroduced to Madikwe. Madikwe was in fact formed on the basis of a feasibility study that concluded that wildlife based tourism through the establishment of a game reserve was the most economically viable land use for this traditionally economically depressed area. The history of these 2 parks is a great testament to what man can do to reverse the negative impact he has made to the land over the years as well as to benefit local communities with job opportunities and commercial prospects..

Parks and Reserves

Entabeni Safari Conservancy

Entabeni (The Place of the Mountain) Safari Conservancy is situated in the heart of the Waterberg region - a three-hour drive north of Johannesburg. This 22 000 Ha malaria-free reserve…

Madikwe Game Reserve

Situated approximately 4 hours from Johannesburg, the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s premier game reserves. Covering 75 000 hectares, Madikwe hosts a tremendous variety of habitat…

Marakele National Park

One of South Africa’s youngest national parks, Marakele (meaning ‘Place of Sanctuary’) is a stunningly picturesque park located in the Waterberg, an easy three hour drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria.…

Tours and Trips

Aspect V: Malaria-Free Aspects of South Africa

If you are concerned about the risk of contracting malaria when travelling to Africa, then have a look at these fantastic malaria-free safari packages. There are some exceptional malaria-free safaris…

Duration: 3 nights, 4 days

Budget: $300 - $500 p.p.p.d.

Pilanesberg Game Drives

A traditional game drive is a classic way to experience a safari in Africa. The Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa spans over 55 000 hectares; its open grassland plains…

Duration: 3 hours

Budget: Less than $150 p.p.p.d.

Pilanesberg Game Walks

South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park is one of the country’s largest protected areas. Situated just two hours north of Johannesburg, the park is the ideal weekend safari destination. It is…

Duration: 4 hours