10 Best Malaria-Free Game Reserves to Explore in South Africa

Malaria is a sad truth in most of the regions of Africa. While vacationing, nothing is more important than your health and well-being. Therefore, it’s really important to understand the risks of malaria while exploring safari destinations around Africa.

If you’re traveling with family or kids, taking health related precautions makes sense. Understandably, there are fully malaria-free game reserves in South Africa to choose from. This makes South Africa your perfect bet.

• Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is located in the Eastern Cape Province covering 54,000 acres of private wilderness area. It’s a Big 5 haven and the home to both the black and white rhino species. Kwandwe is located around 19 miles away from the Great Fish River, and is a paradise for diverse landscape and wildlife sightings.

• Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve is situated in the North West Province of South Africa, surrounded by Botswana up-close to Gabarone and only 3.5 hour drive from Johannesburg. Madikwe is a hotspot for the BIG Five species along with a thriving concentration of wild dog.

• Addo Elephant National Park

Addo Elephant National Park is home to over 550 elephant species buffalo, lion, black rhino, and leopard, making it a malaria-free Big 5 destination. It’s the only game reserve in South Africa where you can encounter Big 7 species like the lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard along with whale and white shark. It’s even the third largest national park in South Africa, famed for the conservation of a huge diversity of landscapes, fauna, and flora.

• Pilanesberg National Park

Pilanesberg National Park is a 50,000 hectare malaria-free game reserve located just a few hours away from Johannesburg by road. Surrounded by an extinct volcano crater area, the setting is completely exceptional and a home to 7,000 animals including Big Five.

• The Waterberg

The Waterberg has been known as the best kept secret of South Africa. The rugged beauty combined with diverse plant and animal species has led to the development of the Waterberg Nature Conservancy. It’s an amalgamation of conservation areas covering over 150,000 hectares.

The conservation area is also malaria-free, making its lodges a perfect choice for families and others want to enjoy African wildlife without getting stressed about anti-malarial precautions.

• Shamwari Game Reserve

Shamwari Game Reserve is the award-winning private game reserve located in the Eastern Cape along the end of the spectacular Garden Route. Covering around 25,000 hectares and home to 5 eco-systems, it’s the home to the Big 5 as well as hippo, zebra, antelope, cheetah, etc. The entire reserve is malaria free, making it a hassle-free choice for families and travelers of every age.

• Pumba Private Game Reserve

Located in the heart of East Africa’s malaria-free game viewing region, Pumba Private Game Reserve is a mere 105 kilometer away from Port Elizabeth. The reserve covers over 6,500 hectares of area and the home to the Big 5.

Pumba Private Game Reserve offers visitors an ultimate opportunity to experience the wonders of Africa – from the graceful giraffe species to the seldom seen leopard. There are 22 antelope species and other small game, making a total of over 60 wildlife species. If you are a bird lover, over 300 bird species will delight you for sure.

• Kariega Game Reserve

Bordered by Kariega and Bushman’s River Valleys, the 10,000 hectare malaria-free Kariega Game Reserve is an ultimate haven to game and wildlife species like lion, elephant, hippo, rhino, zebra, eland, wildebeest, waterbuck, etc. You can enjoy taking morning and afternoon game drives to experience the Big 5 up-close to the African bush from the comfort of an open game drive vehicle.

Start every day of your vacation with a morning safari into the South African bush where you will experience the dawn of a new day as the landscape comes to live with the sunrise.

• Amakhala Game Reserve

Steeped in magnificent beauty and incredible history, the 7,200 hectare Amakhala Game Reserve is a malaria-free reserve, offering an ideal ambiance for an unforgettable experience. With the varied landscapes including breathtaking views of the Bushman’s River, you can get to enjoy a comprehensive range of morning and evening safaris.

• Marakele National Park

Marakele National Park is a place of sanctuary not only for those who visit for the wildlife that call it a home. Unraveling amidst the Waterberg Mountains of Limpopo, in the transitional area between the dry western and moist eastern regions of South Africa, the reserve supports a huge variety of game, including leopard, elephant, brown hyena, kudu, eland, antelope, etc.

Conclusion –

These are 10 best malaria-free game reserves to explore throughout South Africa. No matter wherever you visit, be prepared to make the most out of your vacation with Mount Zion Tours. For more information about our malaria-free game reserves that deserve a visit in South Africa . Please stay connected with Mount Zion Tours & Travel on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Pinterest, Instagram, social networks.