It is often asked when coming to South Africa for a safari if it is neccessary to take precautions against malaria. Well, if you are visiting Kruger National park, then yes, it is advisable. There is however an equally fantastic safari reserve just 3.5 hours by road from Johannesburg called Madikwe and its Malaria-free.
Madikwe Game Reserve is also a Big Five reserve.
It is one of South Africa’s largest game reserves and is parked on the north-western border nursing its overgrazed lands into pristine wilderness – with the help of several thousand indigenous plants and animals.
A massive translocation programme, reportedly the largest of its kind, codenamed Operation Phoenix undertook to restock the land with its former inhabitants and plants. For six years, 8,000 animals representing a Noah’s Ark of African species were moved in; alien plants were cleared and all but the most useful buildings destroyed.
Now the rugged land has matured into an exclusive and spectacular game park that straddles the transition from savannah woodland to the semi-arid desert of the Kalahari.
The species list in the reserve includes the so-called ‘magnificent seven’ of lion, leopard (they were already there), cheetah, wild dog (Africa’s most endangered predator), rhino, buffalo and elephant. Many other rare and notable animals roam the lands and bird species in the area number around 300.
The reserev is also home to some of the best lodges in South Africa and you will be spoilt for choice especially when travelling as a small group or family with little ones.
I can only but rave about this reserve as it definitely rivals that of Kruger and its surrounding private concessions.
Etali Pool