If you are travelling with children under about 6, a malaria-free reserve in South Africa, such as Madikwe, Welgevonden in the Waterberg or the private reserves of the Eastern Cape, is the simplest choice. With older children, malarial areas such as Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana are very manageable with antimalarials, repellent and good lodges.
This guide compares the options and explains how to reduce the risk. Always get medical advice from a travel doctor for your family. For itineraries, see our family safaris.
Last checked: September 2026. This is general travel information, not medical advice.
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Malaria-free safari areas
| Area | Where | Highlights | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madikwe Game Reserve | North West Province, South Africa | Big Five, wild dogs, varied habitats | Families with young children |
| Waterberg (e.g. Welgevonden) | Limpopo, South Africa | Big Five in mountain scenery, near Johannesburg | Short trips from Johannesburg |
| Eastern Cape private reserves | Near Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) | Big Five, pairs well with the Garden Route | Combining with a road trip |
| Pilanesberg | North West Province | Easy access from Johannesburg | A short first safari |
Game viewing in these reserves is excellent, although they are smaller and often fenced, so they feel less wild than the Serengeti or the Okavango.
Malarial safari areas
Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Kruger and Sabi Sand areas of South Africa are malarial. The risk varies by season and area and is generally higher in the rainy season.
Families travel to these areas every day. Most take antimalarials prescribed by a doctor and follow bite-prevention measures.
How to reduce the risk
- See a travel doctor 6 to 8 weeks before you travel to discuss antimalarials suitable for each family member.
- Use repellent containing DEET or another recommended ingredient, especially at dusk.
- Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening.
- Choose lodges with mosquito nets or screened rooms, which most luxury lodges have.
- Travel in the dry season, when mosquitoes are fewer. In Tanzania, that’s about June to October.
- Know the symptoms. Seek medical care quickly for a fever during or after your trip, and mention your travel.
Which should you choose?
| If… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Your children are under about 6 | Malaria-free South Africa |
| You want the migration | Tanzania or Kenya, with antimalarials |
| You want a short trip from Johannesburg | Madikwe or the Waterberg |
| You want Big Five and a beach | Eastern Cape plus the Garden Route, or Sabi Sand plus Mozambique |
| Your children are 8+ and adventurous | Tanzania, Botswana or Kenya |
See the best age for a family safari for more on matching destinations to ages.
FAQs
Is there malaria in the Serengeti?
Yes. The Serengeti and most of northern Tanzania are malarial. Speak to a travel doctor about prevention.
Which African safari areas are malaria-free?
South Africa’s Madikwe, Pilanesberg, the Waterberg and the Eastern Cape reserves are the best-known malaria-free safari areas.
Can children take antimalarials?
Several antimalarials are suitable for children, with doses based on weight. A travel doctor will advise.
Plan a family safari
We can suggest malaria-free or malarial options that suit your children’s ages. See our family safaris or enquire below.
