For families with young children, pregnant travellers and anyone who prefers to avoid antimalarial medication, South Africa offers something rare: Big Five safaris in areas where malaria is not present. The two best-known reserves, Madikwe and Pilanesberg, are within a few hours of Johannesburg, and the Eastern Cape adds several more near the coast.
At a glance
| Best time | Year-round; dry winter (May to September) is best for game viewing |
| Getting there | Madikwe and Pilanesberg: 3.5 to 4 hours or 1 to 3 hours from Johannesburg |
| Time needed | 2 to 4 nights |
| Big draws | Big Five without malaria, wild dogs in Madikwe |
| Good for | Families, pregnant travellers, short safaris |
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe, on the Botswana border in North West Province, covers about 750 km². It was created in 1991 on degraded farmland, and “Operation Phoenix” brought in thousands of animals of dozens of species, one of the largest wildlife translocations ever.
- Big Five plus African wild dogs, which are seen more often here than in most South African reserves. See our African wild dog profile.
- Lodges only: there are no day visitors and no self-drive, which keeps vehicle numbers low.
- Families: many lodges are child-friendly and offer children’s programmes.
- Access: about 3.5 to 4 hours’ drive from Johannesburg, or a short charter flight.
Pilanesberg National Park
Pilanesberg lies inside the crater of an ancient volcano, around 1.2 billion years old, which forms a natural bowl of hills and valleys about 570 km² in size.
- Big Five and a good range of other animals, including cheetahs, brown hyenas and many antelope.
- Self-drive or guided: you can drive yourself, join guided drives, or stay at lodges inside the park.
- Easy to reach: about two to three hours from Johannesburg and next to the Sun City resort, making it ideal for a short trip.
- Budget friendly: accommodation ranges from campsites to luxury lodges.
Other malaria-free options
- Welgevonden (Waterberg, Limpopo): a private Big Five reserve about three hours from Johannesburg, with no day visitors.
- Addo Elephant National Park (Eastern Cape): more than 600 elephants, lions, buffalo, and a marine section with whales and great white sharks. Self-drive friendly.
- Eastern Cape private reserves: Shamwari, Kwandwe, Amakhala and others offer Big Five safaris close to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), and combine well with the Garden Route.
When to go
Game viewing is good all year. In the dry winter (May to September), grass is short and animals gather at water, but mornings and nights are cold. Summer (November to March) is green, with baby animals and migrant birds, but hot with afternoon storms.
Tips for families
- Check each lodge’s minimum age for game drives; some welcome all ages, others set limits or offer private vehicles.
- Choose lodges with pools, children’s activities and family rooms.
- Short transfers make Pilanesberg and Madikwe ideal for young children.
- Bring warm clothes for winter morning drives.
Frequently asked questions
Is Madikwe or Pilanesberg better? Madikwe offers a more exclusive, lodge-based experience with wild dogs and fewer vehicles. Pilanesberg is cheaper, closer to Johannesburg and allows self-drive.
Can I see the Big Five in a malaria-free reserve? Yes. Madikwe, Pilanesberg, Welgevonden, Addo and several Eastern Cape reserves all have the Big Five.
Are malaria-free reserves as good as Kruger? They are smaller and some animals were reintroduced, so the experience is less wild. But sightings are often excellent, and they are ideal for families.
Do I need any vaccinations? Check with a travel health clinic. See our health and vaccinations guide.
Related guides
- Family safaris: best destinations and tips
- Sabi Sands vs Kruger
- Where to see the Big Five
- Animal profiles: African wild dog, White rhinoceros, Cheetah
Cover photo: flowcomm, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons