Day 1
Road transfer
JNB (Johannesburg, South Africa) to The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, South Africa
i
Photo: Tau Game Lodge · Source ↗
An Explore Africa journey
Malaria-free Family Safari: Pilanesberg & Madikwe
Ref EA2026019·Indicative from A$5,500 per person·6 nights
When to go
Good all year. May to September is dry with the best game viewing and cool mornings, and school holidays in these months suit families.
Country information
South Africa is the great all-rounder: Big Five safari, Cape Town, the Winelands and dramatic coastlines in one journey. What to know from the start: • Entry requirements: confirm passports, visas, digital entry forms and transit rules at smartraveller.gov.au and each destination's official immigration website before travel. • Health: seek route-specific advice from a travel-health professional and smartraveller.gov.au; vaccination and malaria guidance varies by itinerary. • Currency: South African Rand (ZAR); cards accepted almost everywhere. • Getting around: good domestic flights between Cape Town and the Kruger airports.
The journey
Day by day
Big Five without the malaria
Day 1
The Maslow Sandton
Johannesburg · South Africa · 1 nights
Booking guidance
Use the official property website to enquire about availability or booking. Explore Africa can add The Maslow Hotel Sandton to an itinerary, but does not make the booking.
Day 2
Road transfer
Johannesburg, South Africa to Bakubung Bush Lodge, Pilanesberg, South Africa
About two and a half hours by road
Days 2–3
Bakubung Bush Lodge
Pilanesberg · South Africa · 2 nights
Booking guidance
Book rooms and suites online. The Daily Rate includes breakfast, dinner and one guided game drive each day. Full prepayment is required.
Day 4
Road transfer
Pilanesberg, South Africa to Tau Game Lodge, Madikwe, South Africa
Days 4–6
Tau Game Lodge
Madikwe · South Africa · 3 nights
Booking guidance
Use the official property website to enquire about availability or booking. Explore Africa can add Tau Game Lodge to an itinerary, but does not make the booking.
Selected experiences
- Game drivesBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.
Day 7
Road transfer
Madikwe, South Africa to JNB (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Light-aircraft transfers are also available
The route
How to book this trip
This is a plan you can book yourself. We’re a planning service, not a booking platform. Here’s the order of play:
- 1Camps first. Enquire with each camp below to confirm availability and rates, and book direct.
- 2Then transfers & regional flights. Arrange these once your camp dates are locked.
- 3International flights last. Booked separately from Australia, once the ground trip is confirmed.
The Maslow Sandton
Enquire ↗South Africa · 1 night
Bakubung Bush Lodge
Enquire ↗South Africa · 2 nights
Tau Game Lodge
Enquire ↗South Africa · 3 nights
Safari packing checklist
Pack a soft duffel, not a hard case, as light aircraft cap luggage at ~15–20 kg including hand luggage. Neutral colours, and layers for cold mornings.
Documents & money
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Visas / e-visas as required
- Travel insurance details
- Vaccination certificates
- Cards + some USD cash
- Copies of key documents
Clothing: neutral tones
- Lightweight long sleeves & trousers
- Warm fleece / layer (cold dawns)
- T-shirts
- Swimwear
- Sleepwear
- Smart-casual for dinners
Footwear
- Closed walking shoes
- Sandals / camp shoes
Gear
- Binoculars
- Camera + spare batteries & cards
- Sunglasses & wide-brim hat
- Headtorch
- Small daypack
- Reusable water bottle
Health & toiletries
- Antimalarials (if advised)
- Insect repellent (DEET)
- High-SPF sunscreen & lip balm
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
- Basic first-aid kit
Want this route tailored to you?
Love this route, but travelling with children, need malaria-free options, or want to fit in Victoria Falls? Generate your tailored blueprint or request a one-to-one itinerary review with Explore Africa.
This itinerary is a planning tool: indicative, not a quote or a booking. Price lines include only the items they explicitly identify. Transfers, activities, meals and flights are excluded unless stated. Availability, rates and flight times change, so please confirm them directly. Submitting a trip sends an enquiry to our team; it does not create a reservation.
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