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Where to Go on a Malaria-free Family Safari in South Africa?
Where to Go on a Malaria-free Family Safari in South Africa?
South Africa is a great place for a family safari with children because it is one of the only African nations with numerous game reserves free of malaria.
Although there are substantial portions of southern Africa that are malaria-free or at least low-risk malaria zones, the majority of southern and central African nations are regrettably classified as high-risk malaria areas. These are a few South African game parks that do not have malaria.
Family-Friendly South African Safaris Without Malaria
The Eastern Cape’s Addo Elephant National Park
Eastern Cape Private Game Reserves
Garden Route’s Tsitsikamma National Park
Other National Parks & Garden Route Reserves
Sun City and Pilanesberg National Park, both close to Johannesburg
Madikwe Game Reserve in the Province of North West
Family Safaris to South African Regions Free of Malaria:
Spending limit Tours on the Garden Route
Spending limit Tours of Cape Town
National Park Pilanesberg Low-cost Safaris
Safaris in Addo Elephant National Park
South African safaris to Cape Town, the Garden Route, Durban, Johannesburg, Pilanesberg, and other locations in malaria-free provinces do not require anti-malaria preparations. Please be aware that anti-malaria medicine is advised if these South African trips to malaria-free regions also include stops at wildlife parks and other malaria-risk areas.
South African Provinces Free of Malaria: Western Cape
The Eastern Cape
Gauteng Free State
There are some low-risk locations along the Molopo and Orange Rivers, close to the borders of Namibia and Botswana, even though the North West and Northern Cape Provinces are likewise thought to be malaria-free. Augrabies Falls and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are two of the Kalahari Desert’s low-risk locations, where taking seasonal precautions to avoid mosquito bites is advised.
Malaria does not exist in the small landlocked nation of the Kingdom of Lesotho, which is encircled by South Africa. With its Pony Trekking, stunning mountain beauty, and cultural diversity, Lesotho is a must-see tourist destination even though it is not a wildlife safari destination.
Note: Lesotho tours are devoid of malaria only if they do not include visits to Swaziland and Kruger Park (or other malarial regions).
Low-Risk Malaria Areas in National Parks
Another choice is to take a wildlife safari in a region with a low risk of malaria, ideally during the low-risk seasons mentioned below.
Low-risk locations include Augrabies Falls and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok National Park). In these Kalahari regions, malaria transmission is quite infrequent. Take the appropriate precautions (see below) to prevent mosquito bites.
Although the Drakensberg Mountain Range is malaria-free, the low-lying coastal regions that surround Royal Natal National Park (Ukhahlamba Drakensberg National Park) are regarded as intermediate to low-risk malaria areas. Therefore, it is advised to take anti-malarial measures (take malaria prophylaxis).
Game Parks in Malaria Areas in Southern Africa
Anti-malaria measures should be taken in the following high-risk areas:
Greater Kruger Game Reserves and Kruger National Park (high-risk malaria area)
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park (a low-risk to intermediate area)
Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park or Isimangaliso (an region with an intermediate to low risk of malaria)
Swaziland’s Mlilwane Nature Reserve has a low risk of malaria in its western regions and a high risk in its eastern regions.
Malaria affects every game park in the Lowveld of the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo as well as the northeastern KwaZulu-Natal (Maputaland coast). To find out whether anti-malaria medication is advised, particularly during malaria seasons, speak with your travel advisor.
Certain anti-malaria drugs, such as Larium, should be avoided if you want to scuba dive in the northern region of KwaZulu Natal or other malarial regions. Mefloquine used in malaria prevention may have adverse consequences when coupled with nitrogen. Make sure your doctor prescribes prophylactics appropriate for safe scuba diving by speaking with them.
Seasons with High and Low Risk for Malaria
In South Africa, the cold, dry winter months from the end of May to the beginning of September are the low-risk malaria season.
Because of the lower risk of malaria and the sparser vegetation, May through late August are said to be the best times of year to see wildlife in and around Kruger National Park.
In South Africa, the wet summer months of late September and early October through May are the high-risk malaria season.
For those at high risk, all year long
African Countries at Risk for Malaria
Even though the risk is quite minimal in some places, malaria is a concern in all other African nations, particularly during the rainy seasons.
Botswana: Boteti, Chobe, Ngamiland, Okavango, and Tutume districts/subdistricts in the country’s northern regions, from November to May-June.
Malawi: The whole nation all year round.
Mozambique: The entire nation all year long.
Namibia: In Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, and Otjozondjupa, from November to June. The Caprivi and Kavango regions, as well as the Kunene River, are at risk all year round.
Swaziland: All year long in all low veld regions, primarily in the west.
Zambia: All year round in Lusaka and throughout the nation.
Kenya: While there are some low-risk places (such as Nairobi and the highlands) throughout the year, the majority of Kenya is at high risk for malaria.
Tanzania: With the exception of regions higher than 1800 meters, the entire nation is at high risk for malaria all year round.
Zimbabwe: All year long in the Zambezi Valley and from November to June in regions below 1200 meters. There is very little risk in Harare and Bulawayo.
To see the global distribution of malaria and obtain country-specific information on malaria risks, visit the CDC Malaria Map Application.
Individuals at High Risk of Malaria:
High-risk individuals who require additional anti-malaria measures include:
children under five, pregnant women over 65, and adults
those using steroids for an extended period of time
individuals undergoing chemotherapy who have HIV, AIDS, porphyria, or epilepsy
Patients with long-term illnesses, those with impaired immune systems, and those who have had their spleens removed
Anti-malarial In low-risk locations and times of year, precautions include:
Creams and sprays that repel insects
Screens or mosquito netting over doors and windows
mosquito netting on camping mattresses or over beds
Light-colored socks, long sleeves, and long pants
Applying insecticide to your lodging (if required) and remaining inside after sunset and before sunrise
Malaria Infection Symptoms
If you get flu-like symptoms up to six months after visiting a malaria area, you should get medical help right away.
Malaria frequently manifests as symptoms similar to the flu. such as fever, headache, sweating, exhaustion, myalgia (pain in the back and limbs), diarrhea, coughing, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Symptoms of malaria in young children include vomiting, lethargy, fever, and poor feeding.
Key Information Regarding Malaria:
Only 10–14 days following a mosquito bite can cause malaria symptoms to appear (this time frame may be extended if a person has received chemoprophylaxis).
Be advised that prophylactic treatment does not provide a 100% guarantee against malaria and that symptoms may appear later.
If you get a fever a week or more after visiting a malarial area, insist on diagnostic testing.
Myths About Malaria
“I wasn’t bitten, so I can stop taking my prophylaxis”
No wonder the female Anopheles mosquito is referred to as ‘the silent killer’. This mosquito can go overlooked because it doesn’t make a lot of noise. Additionally, the mosquito bite reaction could be moderate enough to go unnoticed.
“Prophylaxis need only be taken while in a malaria area”
After leaving a malaria location, it is crucial to continue taking malaria prophylactics for four weeks. Speak with your physician.