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If you’re concerned about malaria or wary of taking anti-malarial medication, then this is for you.
Going on an African safari is an incredible way to get up close to wildlife and have the opportunity to see Africa’s Big Five game: elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and African buffalos. However, many safari locations can pose a risk of contracting malaria, a serious and sometimes fatal illness transmitted by mosquitoes.
This risk is worth the trade-off for many travelers, especially when preventative medications are available. For other travelers who find anti-malarial medications to be a deterrent, they can opt for safaris that are completely malaria-free or have a very low risk of malaria.
These safaris may be especially appealing to families with young children or those who cannot take anti-malarial pills due to underlying health conditions. Fortunately, there are many fantastic safaris available that may not require taking anti-malarial medications.
INSIDER TIPEven in low-risk areas, travelers should always take preventative measures such as using mosquito repellant with DEET, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and staying indoors after dusk, when mosquitos are most active. Check with your doctor to discuss recommended travel immunizations and medication prior to your travels.
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Masai Mara National Reserve
WHERE: Kenya
Many people are drawn to the Masai Mara National Reserve for a chance to see the Great Migration. From July to October, millions of animals travel through Kenya in search of greener pastures and plentiful water. Thanks to its high elevation, malaria is rare in this stunning and popular safari location. Masai Mara Travel offers a range of safaris, from budget to luxury, in this low-risk malarial region.
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Etosha National Park
WHERE: Namibia
Etosha National Park is known as “the Great White Palace” because the park’s high salt concentration makes the landscape appear to sparkle white. Against this unusual backdrop, visitors may see the rare black-and-white rhino, among many other types of wildlife.
During the dry season, which runs from May to September, Etosha National Park is typically malaria-free. Mahlantini offers several safaris to Etosha National Park, including options for birdwatching, rhino tracking, and camps with a spa.
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Madikwe Game Reserve
WHERE: South Africa
The Madikwe Game Reserve is a great option for those seeking a malaria-free safari. This reserve, on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, is one of the largest in South Africa. This reserve offers driving and walking safaris, a busy waterhole for prime wildlife viewing, and the chance to see all of the Big Five animals many safari-goers have on their wish list. Plus, the Madikwe Game Reserve is ideally situated to combine with a trip to Cape Town. Yellow Zebra has plenty of safaris to the reserve with a range of lodging options, including plenty of family-friendly safaris.
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East Cape
WHERE: South Africa
South Africa’s East Cape isn’t just appealing because it’s malaria-free. The region has plenty of game reserves where guests have a very good chance of seeing a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors to the East Cape can also visit secluded beaches, Cape Winelands, and the Whale Coast. Go2Africa has several malaria-free options for safaris combined with other area attractions.
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Sabi Sands Game Reserve
WHERE: South Africa
Sabi Sands Game Reserve has an ideal location on Kruger National Park’s southwestern border. The park is named after the two rivers that flow through it. These rivers provide plentiful water for wildlife, ensuring that there is always game nearby. Moreover, because the reserve shares a 50-kilometer unfenced boundary with Kreuger National Park, wildlife can move freely between the two. It’s also a great place to spot leopards, the most elusive of the Big Five animals many safari-goers hope to see.
Yellow Zebra has safaris that include stays in affordable and higher-end lodges within the reserve. The risk of malaria is very low during the dry season, from May to October. There have not been any reported cases of malaria in the reserve area since 1985.
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Skeleton Coast National Park
WHERE: Namibia
The remote Skelton Coast in Namibia gets its name from the shipwrecks and whale bones that dot its coastline. Its arid desert climate with soaring sand dunes, untouched Atlantic coastline, and unique wildlife are a draw for many safari-goers. Natural Selection’s Shipwreck Lodge is a unique place to stay while exploring the area and spotting game, some of which is unique to Namibia’s desert. Skelton Coast is malaria-free year-round because mosquitos cannot survive in this dry, desert climate.
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Aberdare National Park
WHERE: Kenya
Aberdare National Park is full of game many safari-goers want to see, including plenty of elephants and rhinos. What sets this park apart from many other safari destinations, however, is its soaring waterfalls and dense forest. The park is also famous for the role it played in British history. Princess Elizabeth was on an official visit to the park when she learned of her father’s death and ascended to the throne. Because Aberdare National Park is located at a high elevation in the mountains, malaria is virtually non-existent during the dry season, which is from June through October and December through February. Go2Africa offers Aberdare National Park safaris.
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Pilanesberg National Park
WHERE: South Africa
Malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park is home to Africa’s Big Five and colorful birds. Safari-goers who want a different view of the park’s wildlife can ascend in a hot air balloon for a wide-eye aerial view. Moreover, the park has a unique location set within the slopes of an extinct volcanic creator. It’s also an easy drive from Johannesburg. Go2Africa can arrange a safari to Pilanesberg, which is a particularly good destination for families and first-time safari-goers.
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Namib-Naukluft National Park
WHERE: Namibia
The largest national park in Africa, Namib-Naukluft National Park, is a stunning location for a malaria-free safari. In addition to soaring sand dunes, safari goers may see antelope, leopards, caracol, jackals, and zebras. It’s also a draw for visitors who want to experience the oldest desert in the world. The Namib Desert lies within the park, and its soaring sand dunes are an impressive backdrop for a desert safari. Go2Africa offers several safaris to Namib-Naukluft National Park, from luxury lodges to basic tents.
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Addo Elephant National Park
WHERE: South Africa
As the name implies, Addo Elephant National Park has a massive population of elephants. It’s also home to the rest of Africa’s Big Five animals. This malaria-free park is a part of South Africa’s Garden Route along the country’s southern coast. Intrepid Travel’s Garden Route Adventure includes safaris at Addo Elephant National Park, among several other destinations. However, not all destinations along the Garden Route are malaria-free. If you are combining your visit to Addo Elephant National Park with other stops, pay attention to any precautions you need to take.
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Marakele National Park
WHERE: South Africa
In the local language, “Marakele” means “place of sanctuary.” Because it lies in the transitional zone between South Africa’s dry western region and wet western region, Marakele National Park provides sanctuary to an astonishing array of wildlife. The park is also part of the Waterberg Biosphere, an area recognized by UNESCO for being rich in biodiversity. Take a malaria-free safari to Marakele National Park with Yellow Zebra Safaris and stay in a private residence or a tranquil mountain retreat.
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Laikipia Plateau
WHERE: Kenya
The Laikipia Plateau lies in Kenya’s central highlands, just north of the equator. Its high elevation and drier climate lower the risk of contracting malaria. Conservation efforts in the Laikipia Plateau mean it’s an incredibly biodiverse area with Africa’s Big Five, plus harder-to-find animals, including black panthers, the Somali ostrich, and the painted dog. Segera, located in the heart of the plateau, is a great base for exploration.