Malaria-free Safaris in Namibia
Written by Nina van Zyl
A trip to Namibia can be completely malaria-free and stress-free with stunning safaris around the country. That means no worrying about whether you took your anti-malaria meds or if your mozzie spray is effective or not. A safari in Namibia can be an exciting opportunity to spot all members of the Big 5 and make memories of a lifetime. Namibia is a great place to visit, and here are our top pics for safaris that are malaria-free.
(What’s the difference between a game drive and a safari? We’ll explain.)
Is Namibia Malaria-Free?
While Namibia does have malaria, most of its cases are usually confined to the north and northeast of the country. In addition, mosquitoes are most active during the rainy season, when there are plenty of water sources around, which leaves most of the year relatively malaria-free. That being said, it’s always best to be safe, and if you’re worried about catching the disease, we recommend sticking to the areas of the country where malaria is nearly non-existent.
Our Favourite Malaria-Free Destinations in Namibia:
Namib-Naukluft National Park
It’s what Namibia is known for – massive orange dunes flowing out in all directions as far as the eye can see. The Namib-Naukluft is a national park that stretches from the coast in southern Namibia inland, covering vast stretches of pristine desert that is alive with unique plants and animals, such as the welwitschia, a two-leaf plant that grows to be hundreds, even thousands, of years old. The Namib-Naukluft is most well-known as the home of Sossusvlei, a collection of parched pans and ridiculously large dunes. The most famous of these is the Dead Vlei. With its stark black skeletons of long-ago camelthorn trees contrasted against the parched white of the pan, topped with a ribbon of orange dune and set off against a clear blue sky, the Dead Vlei is synonymous with Namibia and a popular spot for photographers and adventurers alike.
(Click here for a list of our favourite hikes in Namibia, including a few in the Namib-Naukluft)
Damaraland
There are few places on earth still as truly wild as Damaraland. With an experienced guide to lead the way, this wilderness opens up to reveal its secrets. Damaraland is famous for being home to a large and stable free-roaming population of endangered black rhinos, in addition to families of desert-adapted elephants, free-roaming lions, and leopards. Not only that, but it is also home to large collections of ancient rock art made thousands of years ago in the area known as Twyfelfontein. The most famous of these is a rock painting called The White Lady, which has been described as depicting a woman of European origin or conversely, a local shaman. Feast your eyes and decide for yourself. Luxurious accommodations like Shipwreck Lodge and Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp located in what seems like the middle of nowhere create the sense of being the first explorers of this land.
(Click here to learn more about Damaraland’s hidden gems)
Waterberg Plateau Park
Rising up out of the flat surroundings, the Waterberg has always offered natural appeal to human and animal inhabitants alike. In pre-independence Namibia, rare species such as rhinos, roan and sable antelopes, and even buffaloes, were relocated to the top of the mountain where the plateau offered natural protection. Subsequently, healthy populations of many animal species can be seen during a guided game drive. The mountain has sources of water throughout the year, and meandering along its many trails one is bound to notice the contrast to the rest of arid Namibia.
(Click here to find out about hiking to a lookout point at the top of Waterberg and more)
Is Etosha National Park malaria-free?
Its proximity to Namibia’s north and eastern regions means Etosha falls within the regions of the country where malaria is a risk. This means that if you are worried about catching the disease, we recommend giving the park a miss. However, during the dry winter months between June and August, mosquito activity in the area is low due to scarce water sources and thus so is the risk of malaria. The western part of the park near Dolomite Resort and Olifantsrus campsite are your safest bets for avoiding mosquitos.
(Click here for our complete guide to Etosha National Park)
Time for a Namibian safari that’s decidedly malaria-free
A safari through Namibia can be safe and completely malaria-free, not to mention unforgettable, provided you pick the right areas and the correct time of year. A good rule of thumb to protect yourself from mosquitoes (and other biting insects) while on safari is to cover up in the evenings and at night, making sure to expose as little skin as possible. Don’t be put off from a safari experience in Namibia because of malaria (or in South Africa, either). There are so many beautiful and exciting malaria-free destinations in Namibia that are worth exploring, and won’t have you reaching for the mosquito spray.
Get in touch with the Viatu team to help you figure out the best places to go in Namibia for an unforgettable – and malaria-free – safari.