Understanding malaria risk on a Southern Africa safari
Malaria is one of the most common questions we're asked, and also one where it matters most to get general guidance right and leave the specific medical advice to a professional. This guide covers the well-established basics; it is not medical advice and does not replace a consultation with a doctor or travel health clinic.
Risk varies by country, region and season
Malaria risk is not uniform across Southern Africa. Generally speaking, parts of northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and northern Namibia carry a malaria risk, while some areas — including certain private game reserves in South Africa — are considered malaria-free. Risk also tends to shift with the seasons, generally rising during and shortly after the rainy season when mosquito populations increase. Because this picture can change, always confirm the current status of your specific camps with your consultant or a travel health professional before you travel.
Malaria-free options exist
If avoiding malaria-risk areas entirely is important to you — for example when travelling with young children or during pregnancy — it is possible to build a safari itinerary around malaria-free or lower-risk destinations. Tell your consultant this is a priority early in the planning process, and they can shape your route accordingly.
Speak to a professional before you go
The single most important step is to see a doctor or travel health clinic well ahead of your departure date. They will take into account your itinerary, travel dates, age, health history and any medications you're already taking, and advise on precautions appropriate to you. This guidance should always come from a qualified professional rather than general travel content, since recommendations can change and depend on individual circumstances.
General precautions in camp
Alongside any medical advice you receive, some general, common-sense precautions apply broadly: cover up with long sleeves and trousers around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, use insect repellent, and sleep under the netting most camps provide. These are sensible habits regardless of your specific risk profile.
Travelling with children or during pregnancy
Malaria precautions can be a particular consideration for young children and pregnant travellers, and advice can differ from that given to other adults. This is exactly the kind of decision to make with a doctor or travel health clinic rather than general guidance, and it's also worth telling your consultant so camps and regions can be chosen with this in mind.
Tell us if malaria-free areas are a priority for your trip →
Last checked 1 November 2026.