Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Malaria-free Big 5 safari in South Africa
From ZAR 138,000 per person sharing (9 days)
Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!
Discover two of South Africa’s most spectacular malaria-free reserves on this classic Big Five journey.
Begin in Marataba, a private concession within Marakele National Park, where sandstone peaks, acacia woodlands and meandering rivers create a setting of rare beauty. Explore on guided drives and walks, or simply relax and absorb the stillness of the mountains. Then journey to Madikwe Game Reserve, a community-owned conservation success story renowned for its thriving wildlife populations.
Seamless road transfers, expert guiding and exceptional lodges make this safari both effortless and deeply rewarding — the perfect combination of luxury, wilderness and peace of mind.
Ideal for families and first-time safari goers
Highlights
Malaria-free landscapes: Enjoy complete peace of mind while exploring two of South Africa’s finest malaria-free reserves — ideal for families and first-time safari travellers. Discover the contrast between Marataba’s dramatic mountain wilderness and Madikwe’s wildlife-rich plains.
Wild encounters: Encounter the Big Five, wild dogs and cheetahs on expertly guided game drives and walking safaris.
Luxurious, refined lodges: Stay in striking, characterful lodges that blend natural elegance with authentic bushveld warmth.
Conservation in action: Your safari directly supports vital wildlife protection and community upliftment initiatives, contributing to a sustainable future for these protected landscapes.
Locations
Marataba is a private reserve sharing an unfenced boundary with Marakele National Park. This wonderfully varied landscape supports a wide range of wildlife, including the Big Five and a globally significant population of white and black rhinos. The area's backdrop is the magnificent Waterberg Massif, the 3-billion-year-old mountain range that looms over the vast plains that stretch all the way into the Kalahari system of Botswana. Over the millennia, the Matlabas River has carved dramatic gorges through the terrain, in which painted rock faces still hold the secrets of an ancient way of life.
Madikwe Game Reserve is renowned for its excellent sightings of the Big 5, as well as wild dogs, cheetahs, and brown hyenas. The reserve occupies a transition zone between Kalahari thornveld and savanna bushveld and is topographically varied and fascinating. Volcanic inselbergs break the region’s woodlands and plains, while the Groot Marico River (also known as the Madikwe River) adds riverine habitat along the eastern portion of the reserve, and the Dwarsberg Mountains dominate the southern skyline. Madikwe is owned by local communities who, in 1991, decided to stop farming to conserve their land more effectively and focus on safari tourism.
Lodges
4 nights at Marataba Mountain Lodge (Marataba, Marakele National Park, Waterberg). A sophisticated retreat perched high in the mountains with sweeping views across the reserve. The lodge combines contemporary design and serene seclusion with immersive wildlife experiences.
4 nights at Madikwe Hills (Madikwe Game Reserve). A luxury safari lodge nestled among granite outcrops overlooking the savannah, where spacious glass-fronted suites, private decks and warm service create an atmosphere of understated elegance and deep connection to the wilderness.
Timing
The ideal time to visit Madikwe and Marataba is May to September, when the dry season brings mild days, cool evenings and exceptional game viewing around permanent water sources.
Green-season months (October to April) bring dramatic skies, rich colours and newborn wildlife, ideal for photographers.
Price per person sharing
8 nights (9 days) | ||
Low season | May to Jun 2026 | from ZAR 138,000 |
High season | Jul to Sep 2026 | from ZAR 156,490 |
Includes: Private road transfers Johannesburg–Marataba–Madikwe–Johannesburg, all accommodation, all meals and local beverages, twice-daily guided game drives in open safari vehicles, park entry and conservation fees, and 24/7 office support.
Excludes: International and domestic flights, visas, premium imported beverages, spa treatments, and optional activities not specified, tips and gratuities, items of a personal nature, and mandatory travel and medical insurance.
Thank you!
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
“Heart-stopping scenes”
Our editor, Taryn Van Jaarsveld, says, “Watching hundreds of Cape vultures, part of one of Africa’s most important breeding colonies, catching thermals above the cliffs in Marakele, then spotting a leopard moving through rare fynbos in these same mountains, made this landscape unforgettable.”
“Madikwe has my heart”
Our destination expert, Nadia Lautenbach, says, “Having guided in Madikwe for 17 years, this reserve is close to my heart—diverse, exciting, never dull. Madikwe Hills stands out: owner-run with genuine care and beautiful detail you feel in every moment.”
“Breathtaking”
Dave Hyslop, AG safari expert: “It’s amazing that it can still be so hassle-free to visit a place like Marataba, where the perceived remoteness and sheer grandeur of my surroundings forced me to catch my breath, over and over.”
Safari planning
—
Malaria-free Big 5 safari in South Africa
Tell us about your dream trip - our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Guest payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability.
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!