The best game lodges and bush camps in national parks and private reserves situated in malaria free safari areas in Africa
One of the biggest downsides of travelling on safari in Africa is the prevalence of malaria in many of the safari parks, game reserves and safari areas. If you do not wish to take a chance or do not wish to take malaria prevention medication then its a good bet to go to a safari area that is officially malaria free. So for a malaria-free African safari experience, consider visiting the following game reserves and national parks located in malaria free areas:
Waterberg
The malaria-free Waterberg Biosphere hosts a collection of reserves and parks in the Waterberg Mountains with its major selling point being its proximity to Johannesburg and Pretoria. As the name suggests the Waterberg consists of innumerable streams and river beds fed from springs that flow out of its fissures. A variety of micro habitats exist from rolling hills that stretch to the horizon to open plains, montane grassland and thickly vegetated valleys and gorges which make for idyllic sundowner stops. Birding in the area is rewarding with around 400 species frequenting the Waterberg region.
Madikwe
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 types which in turn result in an exceptional diversity of animal species. The Big 5 reserve hosts all the larger game species including a high density of lions, both black and white rhino, feisty elephant herds and Madikwe’s famed African Wild Dog packs. Madikwe is one of the best places in Africa to view this rare predator in the wild.
Pilanesberg
The malaria free Pilanesberg is situated two hours north of Johannesburg and Pretoria bordering Sun City. One of the largest parks in South Africa covering 55 000 hectares, Pilanesberg is situated within the eroded remnants of an alkaline-volcanic crater. The park has healthy numbers of the big five as well as various endemic animals including brown hyena, cheetah , giraffe, zebra, hippo and crocodile. The rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickets create a lovely setting.
Eastern Cape
The malaria-free Eastern Cape is home to a number of private reserves and the Addo Elephant National Park. The area contains tracts of savannah grassland, semi-desert Karoo, coastal forests, dune belts and thickly vegetated valleys. All the general plains game as well as the infamous Big 5 occur in healthy numbers on the various reserves. With a close proximity to the Indian Ocean visitors have on offer a diverse range of places to visit.
