Advice for malaria-free South Africa safari in Feb. 2013
Replies: 8 - Last Post: Nov 25, 2012 12:43 PM Last Post By: RudiK
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Advice for malaria-free South Africa safari in Feb. 2013
I'm planning a trip to South Africa in February 2013 for 10 days and will be primarily in Cape Town and environs, seeing the city and wine country. I'd like to do a two/three day safari but in a malaria-free zone, which I understand doesn't really apply to Kruger and certain parks further north (which might be a hassle for logistical reasons in any case).I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to have a decent safari experience within these parameters. From what I hear, most of the private reserves near Cape Town are pretty disappointing, more like overgrown zoos than anything approximating a real safari - I'm thinking of Aquila, Fairy Glen, Inverdoorn and others (though if anyone has had good experiences at any of those, please let me know). Personally, I've taken a number of safaris (in the Okavango, SA, Tanzania, Namibia, Uganda and elsewhere) so while I'd like a "real" safari experience, I've had them before and would be ok with something less than completely authentic but don't want to pay through the nose to get a half-baked experience with big cats in cages. My traveling companion has never been on safari but similarly doesn't want to pay a lot for something that's more depressing than a real experience (but would be okay with a semi-wild experience under the circumstances).
Are there any options near CT that are worthwhile? Would it make sense to try to fly up to Port Elizabeth and see an Eastern Cape park (Addo? a private reserve?) and, if so, any recommendations? Can we do that logistically, maybe by heading onwards to Jo'burg and back to the U.S. from there?
I know that Kruger and some of the parks up there would be the best option but both for cost/timing reasons and other reasons, we're trying to stay malaria-free and spend most of our time in Cape Town, even knowing that that constrains us a lot. If anyone has any recommendations, I'd really appreciate them... last time I was in South Africa was a decade ago and I was backpacking with lots of time and a tight budget; this will be more rushed with a bit bigger budget. Also, any tips for Cape Town and around that might not be obvious would be a big help, too (and any wineries in particular near Stellenbosch/Franschoek that are worth a visit?)?
Thanks much!
Kilrathi
1
Have you considered doing a self-drive at the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve not too far fro Johannesburg. It is about a 2.5 hour drive and if you self-drive, you won't pay through the nose.Take a look and see what you think.
Cheers.
SwagatKPL
3
I am afraid that malaria is still very much an issue in Kruger. It is a high-risk area. For a map of the affected areas see: http://www.malaria.org.za/.I second SwagatKPL's idea of Pilanesberg. It is a 50000 hectare, malaria-free, "Big 5" reserve with a wide variety of animals. See: http://www.pilanesberg-game-reserve.co.za/. It is actually closer to Johannesburg than Swagat suggests - by at least 1/2 hour.
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I am afraid that malaria is still very much an issue in Kruger. It is a high-risk area. For a map of the affected areas see: http://www.malaria.org.za/.I second SwagatKPL's idea of Pilanesberg. It is a 50000 hectare, malaria-free, "Big 5" reserve with a wide variety of animals. See: http://www.pilanesberg-game-reserve.co.za/. It is actually closer to Johannesburg than Swagat suggests - by at least 1/2 hour.
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I tend to over-estimate driving times for two reasons: I drive fast and since I am from South Africa, I generally know my way around. So, I tend to include time for folks to get acquainted etc. and thus the 1/2 hour buffer :)6
I got lost heading to Sun City - Pilanesburg...turned right after Hartsbeesport...it took me 4hrs, it is confusing the first time, the directions and signage in SA is different from a lot of places. But totally agree with Pilanesburg option and if you want to see Lions etc...on the way back go to the Lion Park just out of Joburg. It's like a farm but impressive. The Malaria thing is interesting...I have had it 4 times in 6 years living here in Africa and its not pleasent, but it does not dictate where I travel at all, most of Africa is affected and you can't avoid it, just be prepared. I stopped taking Malarone and other drugs years ago but I still carry them as a treatment just in case.7
Rudi, #3, is Umfolozi/Hluhluwe now generally regarded as low enough malaria risk to not warrant drugs? That's what the map on your link says, but I'd previously heard that significant malaria risk was present as far south as the Tugela river.Re the OPs question, we enjoyed Pilanesberg a couple of years ago but, in a camper van, it took almost 3 hours from JNB airport. Having said that we actually found Addo more enjoyable - some superb elephant watching at the main water hole = scores of Ellie's!
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PNP - I believe That U/H is not a high risk area, but as for it not warranting the use of preventative medication - I would hesitate to make any recommendation. Personally, I do not recall ever having taken malaria tablets for that area.I spent last week in Pilanesberg and enjoyed it as much as ever. I don't think it has ever taken me more than 1 1/2 hours from my home, but that is in north-west Johannesburg. From the airport I would consider 2 hours to be reasonable, without including time for stops on route. But then I still tend to drive quite quickly and a camper van could slow one down somewhat.
The only time I enjoyed a visit to Addo was in the early 1950's when we watched the elephants being fed with hundreds of oranges under floodlights. Since then I have been back a couple of times on day visits and I think we stayed overnight once. That park simply does not appeal to me and has a limited amount of game other than elephants.
