For most visitors to Africa, malaria is a concern especially families with young children, the elderly and those guests who don't want to worry about Malaria tablets, the following destinations are ideals.

Garden Route Safaris

The Madikwe Game Reserve
The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated against the Botswana border, just three hours' drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria or 45 minutes by aircraft, is a malaria free game reserve of the North West Province and now one of South Africa's prime safari destinations.

Madikwe Game Reserve is home to 66 large mammal species and approximately 300 resident and migrant bird species. It is one of South Africa's largest game reserves.

Not only does this reserve home to the 'Big Five' but it also boast to have the cheetah and wild dog to the traditional five; leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino. Plus brown hyena, sable, eland, gemsbok, giraffe and large herds of plains game and plenty of birds.

Wild dogs are a highlight of the reserve and due to their rarity.

The Pilanesberg Game Reserve
At 550km square The Pilanesberg National Park is a relatively small reserve when it is compared to many of the Game Reserves in Africa.

Pilanesberg National Park is a Malaria Free Reserve within close distance of Johannesburg and Sun City.

This park is home to good populations of a whole range of Africa's game, including the 'Big Five'; elephants, black and white rhinoceros, buffaloes, lions and leopards and you will also encounter giraffes, zebras, hippos and a wide variety of antelopes.

There are also cheetahs and hyenas and jackal. Birdlife is good with over 300 species.

Madikwe and Pilanesberg are ideal safari destinations for visitors to Jo'burg or Sun City who have limited time in Southern Africa and want to see some of Africa's spectacular scenery and wildlife without travelling to the Greater Kruger area.

The Waterberg

The Waterberg has been described as South Africa’s best keep secret. It is also a malaria free area, making the lodges a great choice for families and others who want to enjoy the African Wildlife without the worry of taking anti-malaria precautions.  And it is only 3-hours drive north of Johannesburg International Airport.

All the big game is here including rhino, elephants, buffalo, zebras, antelopes, as well as leopard, lion, hyena, although not in the same density as around the Kruger region. Bird watching is good particularly during the rainy season.