Madikwe Game Reserve is one of Africa’s best options for a malaria-free safari and one of South Africa’s little-known conservation success stories. Established in 1991 to restore this area of farmland to its original habitat and provide much needed employment, Madikwe now covers 75,000 hectares and offers excellent game viewing in a setting which feels like the heart of the bush.

Madikwe is a fantastic option for family safari holidays: there is no risk of malaria and a number of lodges reserve an especially warm welcome to families travelling with children. Madikwe is also a very good option for safari honeymoons as it combines well with Cape Town or a beach extension to Mauritius or Mozambique.

Famous for wild dog, Madikwe is also home to thriving populations of cheetah and all of the Big Five – lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant and leopard. Over 350 species of bird have been recorded in the reserve.

Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s hidden gems. The largest private reserve in the country, Tswalu stretches over 100,000 hectares of pristine wilderness. This is a safari for the most discerning of African travellers. A maximum of six landrovers cover this vast area and the guides are specially trained to help you make the most the area’s distinctive eco-system and wildlife. Rather than just having wildlife pointed out to them, guests are encouraged to participate in actively tracking down the beautiful black-mane Kalahari lions as well as some of the more elusive safari highlights: meerkats, aardwolf, bat-eared foxes and aardvark.

For information about places to stay, see Madikwe accommodation. Our experienced consultants can easily build any of these experiences into a tailor-made South Africa holiday quote for you.