One big concern about heading on a safari holiday, especially if you're travelling with children in tow, is the risk of malaria. No one wants to be taking pesky pills every day of their holiday, especially if they come with unwanted side effects. But lucky for you, there are some fantastic destinations in Africa where you can enjoy world-class malaria-free safaris.

Malaria-Free Safari Ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

  • One Country South Africa - Cape Town - Hermanus - Garden Route - Lalibela Private Reserve

    South Africa Family Escape - The Cape, the Coast & the Big Five

    Travel from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape, combining beaches, whale watching and safaris in one family-friendly adventure

    13 days, from £3300 to £4500

  • One Country South Africa – Cape Town – Timbavati – Johannesburg

    The Best of South Africa - Cape Town, Kruger & Johannesburg

    Sample the country’s highlights on this ten-day journey through South Africa, from city scenes to wildlife wonders

    11 days, from £3745 to £4780

  • One Country South Africa – Cape Town – Oudtshoorn – Amakhala Game Reserve – Waterberg

    A Family Wildlife Adventure in South Africa - The Ultimate Easter Holiday

    Introduce your tribe to the South African species that put the ‘wild’ into wildlife on this 17-day adventure

    17 days, from £5600 to £8000

  • One Country South Africa – Cape Town – Montagu – the Garden Route – Plettenberg Bay – Graaff-Reinet – the Great Karoo

    Road Tripping South Africa’s Western Cape - City Buzz, Beach Bliss & Safari Scenes

    Pair urban buzz with natural wonders on this action-packed two-week road trip in South Africa

    14 days, from £6400 to £8300

Malaria-Free Safaris by country

South Africa is the home of some of the world's best malaria-free safari spots, from private game reserves in the Eastern Cape to Madikwe in the north, where you also have a good chance of seeing all of the Big Five. Madikwe Game Reserve also happens to be one of our favourite family-friendly safari spots, as it's home to lodges and camps that brilliantly cater for children, such as one of the Morukuru lodges or Madikwe Safari Lodge. Further west from Madikwe is the private game reserve Tswalu, in the Kalahari region, which is another beautiful property great for children, and, you guessed it, is malaria-free. Throughout the Eastern Cape there are a number of private game reserves, such as Kwandwe and Shamwari that are not only malaria-free and home to the Big Five, but are also known for their impressive conservation efforts. You can't get much better than that in our books.

If you're looking to extend your time in South Africa beyond your safari, Cape Town and the surrounding area is also malaria-free, so you can enjoy some time on the beaches around the city and in the winelands of the Cape. For a different kind of safari, around Hermanus you could go in search of the Marine Five (whales, dolphins, sharks, seals and penguins) on a boat trip.

Namibia is another country that while not entirely malaria-free, has brilliant pockets that are, and it just so happens that these regions tie in nicely to create a brilliant malaria-free safari circuit. Begin in Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, home to giant sand dunes and plenty of game species including zebra, giraffe, antelope, ostrich and more desert-dwelling creatures. From here head north via the capital city Windoek before reaching Okonjima Nature Reserve in the Central Highlands. This is one of the best places in Namibia to see leopards and while here you can get involved in the reserve's impressive carnivore conservation efforts.

Take a look at our top picks on where to go for a malaria-free safari, or get in touch with one of our Africa experts to start planning your holiday.